Games in Microsoft Teams: Build Connected Teams

Jul 28, 2025 | Guul Games

Using games in Microsoft Teams to strengthen team bonds

Key Highlights

Games are the new "water cooler" for digital teams, fostering crucial spontaneous connection.
Use live games for instant meeting energy and channel-based games for ongoing team bonding.
Match the game to your goal – whether it's a quick boost, strategic thinking, or daily interaction.
Good facilitation is key: Explain "why," set rules, lead by example, and celebrate participation.
Ultimately, play builds real connection and trust, turning passive participation into a vibrant community.

Recreating the Spontaneous "Water Cooler" Moment

In the traditional office, some of the most valuable team building happened organically, around the water cooler. Those quick, spontaneous chats-a shared laugh, a friendly debate about weekend plans, a moment of genuine connection-were the glue that held teams together. In the digital workspace of Microsoft Teams, recreating these moments is crucial for fostering camaraderie and a strong team culture.

But how do you spark that same spontaneous magic when conversations are often task-oriented and channels can feel quiet?

The answer lies in the strategic use of play. Games, when thoughtfully integrated into your Teams environment, can serve as the new digital water cooler, providing low-pressure, high-engagement opportunities for connection, collaboration, and a much-needed mental break. They're not just about fun; they're powerful tools for building trust, improving communication, and making your team feel more connected.

Context is Key: Synchronous vs. Asynchronous Play

To effectively use games for team building in Teams, it's vital to understand the difference between synchronous (real-time) and asynchronous (on-your-own-time) play. Each has unique benefits and fits different team-building goals.

1-Synchronous Play (During Meetings)

Synchronous play happens live, during your scheduled Microsoft Teams meetings. It's excellent for:

High-Energy Engagement: Instantly boosts participation and focus at the start or during a lull in a meeting.
Icebreakers: Breaks down barriers and gets everyone comfortable speaking up.
Real-Time Collaboration: Encourages quick decision-making and collaborative problem-solving under light pressure.

Think of it as a quick burst of collective energy that helps transition minds, sharpen focus, or simply inject some much-needed fun into a structured discussion.

2-Asynchronous Play (In Channels)

Asynchronous play takes place over a longer period, with team members participating at their convenience within a Teams channel. This approach excels at:

Building Consistent Habits: Creates ongoing opportunities for low-pressure daily interactions that aren't tied to meeting schedules.
Ongoing Rivalries & Banter: Fosters a continuous stream of friendly competition and lighthearted chat, keeping the channel lively.
Inclusive Engagement: Allows team members in different time zones or with varying schedules to participate equally, without the pressure of real-time attendance.

Asynchronous games are like a continuous background hum of connection, keeping the team engaged and fostering a sense of community even when no one is in a formal meeting.

Choosing the Right Game for the Right Goal

The effectiveness of using games in Teams lies in selecting the right game for your specific team-building objective. Here's a guide to matching game types with common goals:

1-For a Quick Energy Boost (Meeting)

When your meeting needs an immediate injection of energy or a lively start, opt for fast-paced games.

Recommended Games: Rapid-fire Trivia or quick reaction games.
How it helps: These activities quickly engage everyone, shift focus, and create a shared moment of lighthearted fun. They're perfect for kick-starting a creative brainstorm or combating the mid-meeting slump.

2-For Strategic Thinking (Meeting or Channel)

To encourage problem-solving, foresight, and tactical collaboration, classic strategy games work wonders.

Recommended Games: Digital versions of Chess, Checkers, or other strategy-focused puzzles.
How it helps: These games can be played synchronously for a focused team challenge or asynchronously over a day or week in a channel, promoting critical thinking and strategic planning in a fun, low-stakes environment.

3-For Daily Connection (Channel)

To foster consistent, low-pressure interaction and a sense of shared community outside of formal meetings, daily challenges are ideal.

Recommended Games: Collaborative Puzzles (e.g., a daily crossword or sudoku where anyone can contribute), a daily Find the Word (e.g., 'Word of the Day' with definitions or sentences), or a simple "photo of the day" challenge.
How it helps: These provide a predictable, gentle nudge for engagement, encouraging non-work related chat and strengthening bonds over time. They become part of the team's daily routine, much like the old water cooler chats.

4-For Long-Term Rivalry (Channel)

For building sustained engagement and friendly competition over days or weeks, a tournament format keeps interest high.

Recommended Games: A weekly Predictor Game (e.g., predicting outcomes of real-world events or hypothetical scenarios) tournament, or a leader-board based Trivia challenge.
How it helps: The competitive element motivates ongoing participation and fosters deeper team banter, creating shared anticipation and excitement throughout the week.

A comprehensive platform like GUUL provides a library with all these options, allowing you to choose the perfect game for your specific goal, whether it's a 5-minute meeting icebreaker or a month-long channel tournament. This kind of flexibility is key to consistent fun and effective team building activities for work.

Best Practices for Hosting a Game in Teams

Simply launching a game isn't enough; thoughtful facilitation makes all the difference:

Communicate the "Why": Briefly explain the purpose (e.g., "This is just a quick brain break," or "Let's use this to connect before we dive into work").
Keep it Optional (Initially): For asynchronous games, avoid making participation mandatory. Encourage, don't demand. Engagement will grow organically as people see others having fun.
Set Clear Rules & Expectations: Even for simple games, a quick explanation ensures everyone knows how to play and what the goal is.
Lead by Example: Participate enthusiastically yourself! Your energy is contagious.
Celebrate Participation: Acknowledge winners, funny moments, or great contributions. Simple recognition goes a long way.
Integrate Seamlessly: Use tools that embed directly into Teams to minimize context-switching and technical hiccups. Dedicated platforms, like Guul, offer this seamless embedding, making game setup simple and engaging. This ensures a smooth, uninterrupted flow.

More Than a Game, It's Connection

Games in Microsoft Teams are far more than just a distraction; they are a strategic asset for building a resilient, connected, and vibrant team culture. By intentionally integrating synchronous and asynchronous play, choosing games that align with your goals, and following best practices, you can effectively recreate the spontaneity and camaraderie of the traditional "water cooler" in your digital workspace. These moments of shared play transform passive team members into active participants, fostering deeper bonds and making your virtual team truly feel like a community. It’s a powerful way to inject joy and genuine human connection back into the daily rhythm of work.

Key Takeaways

Games are the New Water Cooler: Strategic play in Microsoft Teams recreates spontaneous connection and team building in the digital workspace.
Synchronous vs. Asynchronous: Use live games for instant engagement in meetings, and channel-based games for consistent, low-pressure, ongoing connection.
Goal-Oriented Game Choice: Select games based on your objective, whether it's an energy boost, strategic thinking, daily connection, or long-term rivalry.
Best Practices for Success: Communicate the "why," make it optional (initially), set clear rules, lead by example, celebrate participation, and integrate seamlessly.
Play Builds Real Connection: Games in Teams foster trust, improve communication, and strengthen team bonds, transforming passive participation into genuine community.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: How do games specifically help with team building in a virtual environment?

Games break down virtual barriers, encourage informal communication, foster shared experiences, and provide a low-stakes environment for team members to interact beyond work tasks. This helps build trust, improve communication, and strengthen interpersonal relationships, much like casual office interactions.

Q2: What's the difference between synchronous and asynchronous games in Teams?

Synchronous games happen live during meetings for immediate engagement (e.g., quick trivia), while asynchronous games are played over time in channels, allowing flexible participation and fostering ongoing connection and friendly competition (e.g., daily puzzles, weekly tournaments).

Q3: Are these games suitable for all team sizes and types?

Most interactive games can be adapted for various team sizes. The key is choosing the right game type (e.g., collaborative puzzles for large groups, strategic duels for smaller teams) and clearly setting expectations. Many platforms offer diverse options to fit different team dynamics.

Q4: How do I ensure games don't distract from core meeting objectives?

Integrate games strategically. Use them as icebreakers, mid-meeting energy boosts, or for dedicated team-building sessions. Keep game durations brief when they're not the main event, and clearly transition back to the agenda. The goal is to enhance focus, not detract from it.

Q5: Can I customize games to be relevant to my team or company culture?

Many modern game platforms for Teams offer customization options. You can often choose specific trivia categories, create custom questions, or tailor challenges to reflect your team's inside jokes or company values, making the experience even more personal and engaging.