Get All Access for $5/mo

3 Things Entrepreneurs Can Learn From Video Games Believe it or not, principles from gaming and the video game industry can be applied to a variety of small businesses.

By Benjamin Kabin

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

R Pollard

Gaming may often be dismissed as a frivolous and unproductive waste of time. But, yes, entrepreneurs should take notice. There are important business lessons to be learned from video games and the gaming industry itself.

We spoke with Dmitri Williams, chief executive of Ninja Metrics, a Minneapolis-based social and game analytics startup about three principles in awesome video games that can help your business succeed:

1. Make work fun.
Believe it or not, money isn't the main reason people work hard, Williams says. Instead, people are most productive when they enjoy and find meaning in their work. "They like their job because of the social reinforcement they get and because they like the tasks," Williams adds.

Online gaming is a form of work that people literally pay to do. It requires critical thinking, organizing large groups and managing individuals, all skills that are applicable in a work environment. Like a great game, Williams says, a great job will have be challenging, rewarding and allow for risk taking.

"If someone's job is too easy or too hard, they'll hate it, and hate you for making them do it," Williams says. "Find the right level and they're motivated. This, combined with social reinforcement, is a more effective [motivator] than money."

Related Video:

2. Allow employees to take risks.
"Games are almost always puzzles and algorithms to solve," Williams says. "Solving them takes risk, iterations, and failure."

When failing is acceptable and even expected, it allows for a culture of risk-taking that fosters creative thought that leads to discovery and alternative solutions. Instead of simply working and learning by being told, employees should be encouraged to do things in new and different ways.

"Making "do over' acceptable is a good thing," Williams says.

3. Diversity is simply smart business.
In video games, Williams explains, there are three basic roles: attacker, defender and healer -- each with their own strengths and weaknesses. Without each complementary role, the team loses. The same applies in real life.

"If everyone's a wizard, you lose," Williams says. Diverse backgrounds lead to better teams, smarter outcomes and better processes, he says.

"A video game is the rare place where a 12 year old boy and a 60 year old female attorney and a 30 year old Latina musician are coming together to solve a problem," he continues. "And they think differently. They may not relate outside the game but they complement each other."

Related: Not Fun and Games: Weak Wii U Sales Leads Nintendo to Lower Forecast

Benjamin Kabin

Journalist

Benjamin Kabin is a Brooklyn-based technology journalist who specializes in security, startups, venture capital and social media.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Side Hustle

The Side Hustle He Started in His College Apartment Turned Into a $70,000-a-Month Income Stream — Then Earned Nearly $2 Million Last Year

Kyle Morrand and his college roommates loved playing retro video games — and the pastime would help launch his career.

Marketing

5 SEO Hacks to Help You Rank Fast

Discover the best SEO hacks you can use to rank fast and avoid waiting for months to see results.

Starting a Business

Inside the Exclusive Private Club Devoted to Food, Wine and the Arts

Barrett Wissman breaks down the passions and partnerships behind his latest venture Domus Artium Reserve.

Business News

Elon Musk Threatens to Ban Employees from Using Apple Products, Says Will Lock Devices in 'Cages'

The Tesla founder sounded off on X following Apple's 2024 Worldwide Developer Conference on Monday.

Collaboration

Watch Out for These 5 Consequences of Too Much Collaboration

Beware of the collaboration trap! Too much collaboration causes overload, and well-intentioned efforts to have broad collaboration can backfire.

Science & Technology

Why We Shouldn't Fear AI in Education (and How to Use It Effectively)

Facing resistance to new technologies in the educational process is nothing new, and AI is no exception. Yet, this powerful tool is set to overcome these challenges and revolutionize education, preparing students and professionals for a future of unparalleled efficiency and personalized learning.