Slack isn't just a platform for work communication—it's also a hub for fun and engagement. If you're looking for ways to break the monotony of work or engage your team differently, learning how to play games on Slack can be a game-changer.

In this article, you'll discover how to integrate and use games on Slack, turning your workspace into a more enjoyable and interactive environment. From trivia to puzzles, there's a game for every team's taste.

Table of Contents

• Why are Games Important?
• Playing Games on Slack
• Popular Slack Games
• Final Thoughts

Why are Games Important in the Workplace?

Games can play a valuable role at work, offering benefits that enhance the work environment and increase employee engagement and productivity. Here are some key reasons why games are essential in the workplace:

• Team Building: Games encourage employees to interact and collaborate more relaxedly. This can help build strong, cohesive teams and foster positive working relationships.
• Stress Relief: Work-related stress is a common issue in many workplaces. Games allow employees to take a break, relax, and recharge. This can lead to higher morale and reduced stress levels.
• Breaks and Productivity: Short, well-timed breaks with games can improve overall productivity. Employees can return to their tasks feeling more focused and energized.
• Employee Retention: A workplace that incorporates fun and games can be more attractive to potential employees and help with employee retention.

Slack | An Ideal Environment for Remote Team Games

In today's remote world, finding ways to keep teams engaged and connected can be a challenge. Slack has emerged as an ideal solution for bringing team games and activities into the virtual workspace. Here's why:

Seamless Integration

One of the biggest advantages of using Slack for team games is that most remote teams are already using the platform for their daily communication and collaboration. This means that employees can participate in games and activities without the need to switch between apps or learn new tools, making it easy to incorporate play into their existing workflows.

Accessibility and Inclusivity

Slack's user-friendly interface and wide range of integrations make it accessible to team members with varying levels of technical expertise. By hosting games within Slack, you ensure that everyone has an equal opportunity to join in the fun, regardless of their location or device. This promotes inclusivity and participation across your distributed team.

Customization and Flexibility

Slack's versatility allows you to tailor your team's gaming experience to your specific needs and preferences. Whether you want to run quick, spontaneous trivia breaks or schedule recurring game sessions, Slack's features make it easy to customize and adapt your activities. You can also leverage Slack's channels and threads to organize games by theme, department, or interest group, creating a more targeted and engaging experience.

Seamless Communication and Collaboration

Playing games within Slack allows team members to interact and collaborate in real-time, just as they would during work-related discussions. Participants can use Slack's chat features to strategize, celebrate victories, and bond over shared experiences. This seamless integration of play and communication helps foster a sense of camaraderie and connection that can spill over into work-related interactions.

Familiarity and Comfort

For many remote teams, Slack is already a familiar and comfortable space where they spend a significant portion of their workday. By introducing games and activities into this existing environment, you reduce the barriers to participation and make it easier for team members to relax, have fun, and build relationships with their colleagues.

By using Slack as a platform for team games, remote organizations can create a more engaging, inclusive, and connected work environment that boosts morale, strengthens relationships, and fosters a sense of belonging. With its seamless integration, accessibility, and customization options, Slack is the ideal choice for bringing play and camaraderie into the virtual workspace.

Now that we've explored why Slack is the ideal platform for team games in remote environments, let's dive into two specific examples of how you can use Slack to engage your team: Trivia and Pictionary. These classic games are not only fun and interactive but also easy to host within your Slack workspace using features like CultureBot's Real-Time Trivia and Doodle Dash.

Playing Games on Slack

First things first, you'll need to find a game. Slack has a dedicated app directory filled with a variety of games. CultureBot offers a library of instant, immersive games that you can play with your team. Here's how you can add it to your Slack workspace:

• Open Slack and click on Apps in the left sidebar.
• In the search bar, enter CultureBot. Click on the CultureBot app in the directory (or click the button below)

Select Add to Slack. It will redirect you to a new page. Choose a workspace where you’d like to add CultureBot.

• Click Allow to give CultureBot the necessary permissions.

Playing Slack Trivia with CultureBot

Trivia is a timeless game that challenges players' knowledge across a wide range of topics. With CultureBot's Real-Time Trivia feature, you can easily host a trivia session directly within Slack.

Here's how it works:

1. Just use the /trivia command in any channel within Slack (once you’ve downloaded CultureBot itself)

1. Choose from CultureBot's extensive library of over 55,000 trivia questions, spanning categories like history, science, pop culture, and more.
2. Set up your trivia game by selecting the number of questions, difficulty level, and any specific categories you want to include.

3. Launch the game in a Slack channel of your choice and watch as your team members compete to answer questions in real-time.

4. Keep an eye on the live leaderboard to see who's racking up the most points and celebrate the winners at the end of the game.

Hosting Slack Trivia is a great way to bring your team together for a quick mental break, while also learning fascinating facts and discovering hidden talents among your colleagues.

Playing “Pictionary” with CultureBot’s Doodledash Feature

Pictionary is a beloved game that challenges players to draw clues and guess words or phrases based on their teammates' artistic interpretations. With CultureBot's Doodle Dash, you can bring the fun of Pictionary into your Slack workspace:

1. Start a Doodle Dash game in a Slack channel of your choice (using the /doodledash common) and invite your team members to join.

2. Once you hit enter, a screen will pop up allowing you to set up the game, once you’ve done that you’re ready to go!

3. Players take turns drawing words or phrases using Slack's doodling features, while others try to guess the answer in a dedicated game thread.

4. CultureBot's game manager keeps track of points and time limits, ensuring a smooth and fair gameplay experience.

5. At the end of the game, celebrate the top drawers and guessers and share a gallery of the most creative (or hilarious) doodles.

Doodle Dash is a fantastic way to unleash your team's creativity and foster a sense of playfulness and camaraderie in your remote workspace.

Popular Slack Games

You'll be amazed by the various games available while diving into the fun part. For different tastes and preferences, there's a game waiting to spice up your workday.

1. Live Games: In partnership with Luna Park, CultureBot provides phenomenal virtual team game experiences inside Slack. There's no better way to build team engagement and workplace culture.
2. Trivia: Trivia is a fun way to challenge your team's knowledge with questions on various topics. You can compete individually or in teams to answer questions correctly.
3. Doodle Dash: A pictionary-esque game challenging team mates to drawing competitions and creating hilarious conversation in the process.
4. Hangman: It is a classic word-guessing game.
5. Paper Pusher: It is a casual card game, a simplified and digital version of the classic card game known as "Solitaire" or "Klondike." In Paper Pusher, the objective is to sort a shuffled deck of cards into four foundation piles, one for each suit (hearts, diamonds, clubs, and spades), in ascending order.
6. Chess: A classic game that tests your strategic skills. You can challenge your colleagues to a friendly match in your Slack workspace.
7. Puzzles: Offer a different kind of challenge. Group puzzles stimulate your mind and are a great way to break the monotony.
8. Guess Who: It's a game where you guess a person's identity from a few clues. It's a laughter-filled exercise that adds an element of mystery and excitement.

Final Thoughts

You've learned a lot about the world of Slack games. There's a game for every taste, from live games and chess to poker and puzzles.

Remember, it's not just about winning; it's about fair play and respecting your teammates' time and preferences. So, go ahead and dive into the fun-filled world of Slack games. You're adding fun to your workday and creating a more engaging and enjoyable work environment. Embrace these games and see how they can transform your Slack experience.