Digital Humans: Thriving in an Online World

7Playing Games

We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.

George Bernard Shaw (1930)

In this chapter we explore the role games play in the digital organizations. As immersive virtual reality is becoming more common place our experience of work is shifting between physical and digital worlds and into the metaverse. We explore what this means for digital humans and how organizations are able to manifest in both.

A Love of Games

Being human and the playing of games is inextricably linked. They are in the fabric of our species, an essential part of being alive.

The ancient Greek playwright, Sophocles, claimed that Palamedes invented dice in about 1400 BCE. However, dice were developed independently by many ancient cultures around the globe. They have appeared in cave paintings. The world's oldest board game, Senet (meaning ‘game of passing’) dates back to 3500 BCE. The exact rules are unknown, but it consisted of a grid of 30 squares, arranged in three rows of ten, and two sets of pawns. A version of the game was found buried with Tutankhamun.

Games have certainly been used for both education and entertainment for centuries. Still popular today, Snakes and Ladders dates from around 200 BCE. It originated in India as a game to teach children about morality. Players progress upwards by climbing ladders (which represent good) and tumble downwards by sliding down snakes (which represent evil).

The most prestigious sports event in the world, ...