Learn business through games!

Business in the ‘real world’ can be referred to as the “Grand Game,” but many aspects of business theory emerged from game theory. The advent of broadband access and massive player participation in the game world is now extending to the business world as well.

Business Game Simulation for Business Students.

Traditional methods of teaching don’t work for business-oriented students. Although they must learn a panoply of legal, accounting and other specialties, a dry recitation of business techniques doesn’t have much application to the real world. As a result, many business courses are turning to computer games online with massive participation to teach the fundamentals of business to the latest generation of participants.

Continuation of ‘the Case Method’ under Another Name.

The idea behind business simulation is quite simple: create an online virtual reality which brings together many of the complex interactions between individuals that we find in the ‘real’ business world. Playing any online game is fun and involving; playing a business ‘game’ online also helps us to learn a lot.

Business games are a continuation of what is called the ‘case method,’ or the creation and solution of business cases that parallel real, live business situations. For decades, business school students and professors wrote cases according the the Harvard Business School ‘Case Method,’ which allowed students to discuss the problems amongst themselves and come up with group solutions. Students learned quickly that there is no ‘right’ solution, but rather many ‘good-enough’ solutions to real-world business problems. They also learned to develop an instinct on approaching and solving real-world business problems.

How to Participate in a Massively Online Business Game.

Until recently, only online Monopoly offered the opportunity to try one’s hand against others—hardly a real-world simulation. There’s now a free, online, massive participation business game called “Informatist,” which can be reached at www.informatist.net. This site allows you to register under an assumed name and to get started right away!

One of the most interesting parts of www.informatist.net is that you have a chance to play with and against real-world budding businesspeople from around the world. Although the site is in English, it attracts students from Europe, China and Southeast Asia in a way that allows you to learn business practices in a whole new way. More than a recitation of dry business principles, Informatist brings together like-minded high school and college students to learn important business principles.