Simulated offices designed to feel more like playing the video game Fortnite than clocking on each morning have seen a surge in interest from firms seeking new ways of remote-working during lockdown and beyond.
A London company specialising in gamifying the workplace with 3D scale models of officers said it has fielded more than 100 enquiries from bosses interested in replicating the corporate environment, but avoiding Zoom video calls.
The Sims-style platform, called Breakroom, uses the technology behind the Sinespace online multiplayer game to mimic open-plan offices, and transforms staff into keyboard-controlled human, animal or robot avatars able to wander around and speak with each other.
Colleagues thousands of miles apart in the real world can chat at a virtual water cooler and even attend yoga sessions and pub quiz nights in a universe accessed through their web browser.
Staff are encouraged to collaborate by building wild objects - the virtual equivalent to doodling - around the digital boardroom table, such as forests of flowers, and or add their favourite furniture into scenes.
Avatar colleagues communicate via text or voice chat, which the firm says means people do not need to be on webcam all the time, fearful that colleagues are judging their books or quarantine hairstyle.
Bosses can also host video conferences, appearing like Big Brother addressing a digital amphitheatre.
Rohan Freeman, chief executive of St James’s-based Sine Wave Entertainment, said the £400-a-month creations allow companies to customise templates of open-plan offices, canteens and conference rooms.
Mr Freeman said: “Now that suddenly an event has come along that’s pushed people to change, I think a lot of industry sectors will never be the same again.
“In a virtual world you can be wandering around in an area and you bump into Jeff from accounts and realise: ‘Oh, I must have a quick word with him about something’.
“It’s all about creating a sense of community without having to perform all the time in the formalised structure of a video conference call.”
Gordon Willoughby, chief executive of WeTransfer, told the Standard that the Netherlands-based data company had built a “gamified visualisation of our actual office”, complete with the same staircases and artwork on the walls.
The firm will continue to use the platform as a skeleton staff slowly return to its physical office up to two days a week.
Mr Willoughby said: “It’s like a room where lots of people are talking but when you get closer to a group you can really participate in that conversation.
“We’ve also had coffee mornings and yoga sessions.”
