Skip to main content

Microsoft Teams may liven up meetings with casual game integration

Microsoft Teams could get a surprising new feature that might spice up your boring set of daily meetings — though your supervisor may not like it.

According to The Verge, Microsoft is currently internally testing classic games like Solitaire and Wordament in Teams, for a special use in meetings and hybrid work scenarios.

several microsoft casual games on a list.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The scope of how these games will be integrated into Microsoft Teams is unknown, and Microsoft did not respond to comment on the matter. It is apparent, though, that Xbox titles like Forza are not going to make it over to Teams. Instead, you can expect to see games from the Microsoft Casual Games offering, which includes Microsoft Sudoku, Mahjong by Microsoft, Microsoft Jewel, and others.

There is, however, the chance that Microsoft might not roll this out to everyone. The internal version of Teams that Microsoft employees use is usually very different from the consumer and business versions, having early previews of new features.

In addition to testing games in Microsoft Teams, Microsoft also is playing with the bigger idea that relates to plans for the Metaverse. Falling in with Mesh in Microsoft Teams, and 3D avatars, Microsoft apparently wants to create a virtual space for meetings. This space will be for socializing, as well as networking and playing games, according to The Verge.

This would not be new ground for Microsoft. Along with dealing other Xbox and gaming-related features in Windows 11, the company previously said that it would be bringing a Game menu to the Edge web browser. This hub has similar functionality to what games in Teams sounds like. It has quick links in the sidebar to free popular games like Atari Asteroids, and Microsoft Edge’s exclusive Surf game.

Teams has been very important for Microsoft since the pandemic. Microsoft has been working to complete the service and help it compete with Zoom and other communications platforms. Teams previously got features like Together Mode which helps make your meetings more interactive.

Heading into the future, Microsoft is also working to improve meetings further with a Live Share feature. Announced at the Build 2022 developer conference, this helps you interact with shared apps in a Teams meeting window, with the ability to zoom in and out on models,

Editors' Recommendations

Arif Bacchus
Arif Bacchus is a native New Yorker and a fan of all things technology. Arif works as a freelance writer at Digital Trends…
Microsoft Copilot sounds great. Here’s why I definitely won’t use it
Using Windows 11 copilot to summarize a document.

A lot of Microsoft's September event was dedicated to Copilot, Bing Chat, and other AI-driven features. In a way, the updates made to laptops like the Surface Laptop Studio 2 almost felt like an afterthought. It was a real AI fest -- and no wonder, as Microsoft has certainly created something bragworthy.

Despite how impressive Copilot seems to be, I can't see myself actually using it. It's a neat party trick, but my concerns with the AI outweigh any upsides it might have.
AI everywhere

Read more
Microsoft September 2023 event: Copilot, Surface Laptop Studio 2, and more
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella talks on stage during the Microsoft September event.

Microsoft's September event delivered a slew of exciting announcements. All things AI were a hot topic, ranging from the Microsoft Copilot to updates to Paint and Snipping Tool. Several new Surface products were also revealed, including the Surface Laptop Studio 2.

We were at the event and got all of the news firsthand. Here's everything that Microsoft unveiled as part of its September 2023 event.
A new category of computing

Read more
Microsoft’s executive shake-up casts a shadow on upcoming Surface event
Microsoft Corporate VP of Devices Panos Panay holding up a Surface Book.

In what some are calling the "end of an era," Microsoft revealed that long-time Surface and Windows leader, Panos Panay, would be leaving the company. The announcement comes just days before Microsoft's Surface and AI event on September 21, where the company is expected to reveal new devices like the Surface Laptop Studio 2.

Panay is a mainstay at Microsoft events, as well as the champion of Surface devices during Microsoft's presentations. Microsoft says the former executive won't be at the event on Thursday, according to Tom Warren.

Read more