Zoom vs. Metaverse Team Building: Picking the Perfect Platform for Your Remote Team Bonding
Virtual Teambuilding: Which Method Is Best?
In today's remote work world, team building activities have never been more important. But with so many options available, how do you choose the perfect platform for your virtual shindigs? Well, grab a cup of coffee (or tea, if you're fancy), and let's dive into the two big players in the virtual team building arena: Zoom and the Metaverse.
In this blog post, we'll compare and contrast popular team building activities on these platforms, sprinkle in some examples, and help you decide which one is the best fit for your organization.
*Definition note: When we talk about ‘the metaverse’ with a lowercase ‘m,’ we are talking about any virtual space that is 3D, allows users to control an avatar, and interact real-time with other participants. Meta’s Horizon Worlds is what most people think of when talking about the metaverse, but Roblox, Spatial, FrameVR, and Second Life are all part of our definition too.
Ease of Accessibility
First things first, let's talk accessibility. Zoom is like the trusty sidekick we all know and love. It's widely accessible, easy to use, and requires minimal setup. All you need is an internet connection, and you're good to go. Whomever survived the pandemic without at least one Zoom call must have been living in a cave for years.
On the other hand, the metaverse is like the cool, mysterious new kid in town. It's got its unique charm, but it can be a bit more challenging to access. Some metaverse platforms often require specialized hardware or software, which can be a barrier for some team members. If you're looking for a platform that's easy to use and accessible to everyone, Zoom takes the cake. But if your team is ready to embrace the future and dive into the world of virtual reality, the metaverse might be worth exploring.
It should be noted that more and more metaverse platforms are offering a browser-based experience, drastically lowering the bar for anyone to join and experience a 3D environment. Special shoutout to FrameVR.io that was designed specifically for anyone by being accessible through a desktop/laptop computer, mobile device, and VR-hardware.
Immersive Experience
Now, let's talk about immersion. The metaverse offers a more interactive and engaging experience through the use of avatars and virtual environments. Picture your team exploring a virtual island or solving puzzles in a 3D space – it's like stepping into the future! In contrast, Zoom is primarily video-based, which can feel a bit limiting after a while. It's like comparing a 3D movie to a regular one – both can be enjoyable, but one is definitely more immersive.
Since much of remote work happens in video-based calls on Zoom or Google Meet, transposing a social activity into yet-another Zoom call is a tough pill for teammates to swallow. Zoom fatigue is a major barrier for remote social activities, so while the metaverse is already a more immersive space, it’s a different space which adds a spark of excitement that teambuilder events need to be successful.
If you're looking for a team building activity that feels like an adventure, using a metaverse platform might be your best bet. However, if you prefer sticking to a more familiar and straightforward platform, Zoom has got you covered.
Virtual Escape Rooms
Virtual escape rooms are all the rage these days, and for good reason. They require collaboration, problem-solving, and effective communication – all essential ingredients for a high-performing team. Both Zoom and the metaverse can host these thrilling adventures, but the experience differs between the two platforms.
On Zoom, your team will likely participate through screen sharing and puzzle-solving via video chat. It's still a fun challenge, but it might lack the immersive quality you're looking for. The metaverse, however, offers a more engaging and interactive experience. Your team can explore and solve puzzles together in a virtual 3D space, adding a whole new level of excitement to the activity. So if you want your team to feel like they're actually inside the escape room, the metaverse is the way to go.
Collaborative Art Projects
Looking to unleash your team's inner Picassos? Collaborative art projects can help reduce stress, improve communication, and unleash creativity. On Zoom, you can guide your team through a step-by-step art project, sharing screens and watching as masterpieces unfold. It's a fun and creative way to bond, but it might feel a bit disjointed as everyone works on their individual screens.
Enter the metaverse. This platform allows your team to collaborate on a 3D art project in real-time, creating a more dynamic and engaging experience. Think of it as a virtual art studio where your team can paint, sculpt, and design together. If you want to create a truly memorable and immersive artistic experience for your team, the metaverse takes the prize.
Whichever art experience you design, be sure to make it beginner friendly while giving experienced artists freedom to test their skills. Often, art teambuilders are designed where each participants has their own individual canvas: moving to a collaborative art piece is thrilling but runs the risk of boxing out quieter, less confident, or less skilled members.
Virtual Coffee Breaks or Happy Hours
Emergent Play
One of the benefits of unstructured social time like a virtual coffee break is that participants can engage in emergent play where participants make up the rules, goals, and gameplay. Imagine waiting for a bus to arrive and you and a friend take turns throwing pebbles at a target: this is an example of emergent play.
Metaverse platforms allow more ways of developing emergent play with virtual spaces and avatar interaction, but more is not always better. Sometimes all your team needs is a chance to vent and if they’re already on a Zoom call, that’s all they need!
Sometimes, all your team needs is a casual, laid-back space to socialize and unwind. Both Zoom and the metaverse can facilitate virtual coffee breaks or happy hours, but the experience varies. Zoom provides a simple video-based option, where team members can chat, share stories, and just hang out. It's like catching up with friends at your favorite coffee shop, minus the coffee.
However, the metaverse offers a more immersive experience. Team members can explore different virtual locations, interact with objects, or even play games together, making for a more engaging social event. It's like teleporting your team to a virtual world where they can let their hair down and enjoy each other's company. If you're looking to level up your virtual hangouts, the metaverse is worth a try.
Remote Volunteering Opportunities
Helping others can be a powerful way to bring your team together. Both Zoom and the metaverse can support remote volunteering, but the experience varies. On Zoom, your team can participate in video-based volunteering, such as online tutoring or mentoring. It's a straightforward and accessible way to give back to the community while bonding with colleagues.
The metaverse, on the other hand, provides a more interactive and immersive volunteering experience. Imagine your team working together to build virtual homes for a charity or planting digital trees to raise awareness for environmental causes. If you want to create a volunteering experience that's memorable and engaging, the metaverse might be the perfect fit.
So Which Is Better: Zoom or the Metaverse?
If you want something easy and accessible, Zoom or other video-conferencing tools will probably be the best choice for you. For risk-averse teams that are unfamiliar with 3D environments, it will be challenging to get buy-in for your virtual teambuilder if it’s in the metaverse.
However, if you want something immersive and memorable, taking your teambuilder to a metaverse platform is worth the investment. The breadth of options, the novelty, and the increasing accessibility can take an ok teambuilder and make it the highlight of working at your organization. There’s also a here’s-where-the-future-is-going element too: years from now, your virtual teambuilder in the metaverse will serve as the first memory of what will likely become a widespread technology.
Ultimately, the choice between Zoom and the metaverse for team building activities depends on your organization's needs, resources, and team preferences. Whichever platform you choose, the most important factor is fostering a sense of unity and improving team performance. Happy team building!
Virtual Teambuilder FAQs
Q: Which platform is more accessible, Zoom or the Metaverse?
A: Zoom is more accessible and easier to use, while the metaverse may require specialized hardware or software.
Q: Which platform offers a more immersive experience?
A: The metaverse provides a more immersive and interactive experience compared to the primarily video-based Zoom.
Q: Can both platforms host virtual escape rooms and collaborative art projects?
A: Yes, but the metaverse offers a more engaging and interactive experience in both cases.
Q: Are casual social events possible on both platforms?
A: Both platforms can host virtual coffee breaks or happy hours, but the metaverse provides a more immersive experience and more avenues for unstructured play.
Q: Which platform is better for remote volunteering opportunities?
A: Both platforms can support remote volunteering, but the metaverse offers a more interactive and immersive experience.
Looking to build out a metaverse-based teambuilder for your team? We can help you design and facilitate your organization’s first metaverse-based teambuilder.
Initial consultations are always free at Learn to Scale 👋
