Ah, the workspace! A magical place where tasks and deadlines combine in a harmonious symphony of keyboard clicking and coffee machine sounds.
An environment populated by coworkers and HR people, the latter specialized in “break the ice” and “enhance productivity” initiatives. Thank goodness for remote! Although there’s still the team building activity on Friday, you have to go…
The good news, though, is that “boosting coworkers’ energy” (or some other HR-related term) doesn’t have to feel forced or awkward. They can even be done during virtual meetings! Here’s how.
Using the right games can even turn those routine Zoom calls into engaging team-building experiences that bring colleagues together, promote collaboration, and foster lasting workplace energy.
If you’re in the HR team or just up for trying something new, these ten free-to-play desktop games are perfect for busy professionals looking to boost office culture and strengthen team vibes through some fun virtual interaction.
Leading this list is Raid: Shadow Legends, which offers the perfect mix of strategic engagement and “professional-friendly” gameplay (yep, that seems to be a term nowadays) together with other options that are sure to break the ice.
1. Raid: Shadow Legends

Why is Raid: Shadow Legends one of the best games for Zoom meetings with coworkers?
Raid: Shadow Legends is great for work environments because its turn-based format makes it easy to chat and coordinate moves with your team. The game looks awesome (especially if you’re into Orcs, Elves, and high fantasy characters) and has a fun system that makes it perfect for office tournaments. Plus, with not too much pressure on time, people can enjoy playing without it getting in the way of meetings.
- Year Released: 2018.
- Awards: Pocket Gamer Mobile Games Awards (Best RPG Finalist).
- Reviews/Rating: 4.5/5 average rating across platforms.
- Key Features:
- Turn-based combat is perfect for strategizing and discussions.
- Cross-platform compatibility for diverse workplace device environments.
- Strategic depth that encourages team collaboration and planning.
- Fun Fact: Many professional gaming groups choose Raid: Shadow Legends for workplace tournaments due to its balance of accessibility and competitive depth.
- Best For: Strategic-minded professionals seeking engaging team-building activities with tournament potential.
And don’t forget that you can also receive a special reward by using your limited-time Promo Code!
To use a Raid Shadow Legends Promo Code, whether it be for a new player or a limited-time code, follow these simple steps:
- Log in to Raid Shadow Legends.
- Click on MENU on the left-hand side of the screen
- Click on PROMO CODES
- Enter the promo code and click confirm
Your free rewards will then go to your mailbox (the chest icon located at the top right of the screen). Items in the mailbox expire, so you should claim yours before they do (usually, you will have 7 days to do this).
Rewards | Code | StartDate | FinishDate |
| 2 Full Energy 1 +100% XP Boost (1 d.) 1 Rare Skill Tome 10 XP Brew 1 Rank 3 Chicken | ShadowRaid | 2022-11-11 | 2025-12-31 |
2. Skribbl.io

Why This Game?
Skribbl.io transforms virtual meetings into creative and hilarious collaboration where colleagues draw and guess words together. Its browser-based format requires no downloads, making it perfect for corporate environments with restricted software policies.
- Year Released: 2017.
- Awards: Community recognition as top multiplayer browser game.
- Reviews/Rating: 4.7/5 average across gaming platforms.
- Key Features:
- Browser-based gameplay with no downloads required.
- Custom word lists for industry-specific challenges.
- Private room creation for secure workplace gaming.
- Fun Fact: Many companies create custom word lists related to their industry, making “compliance policy” or “quarterly reports” surprisingly hilarious to draw.
- Best For: Creative teams wanting to break the ice while staying within professional boundaries.
3. Chess.com

Why This Game?
Chess.com offers sophisticated strategic gameplay that’s perfect for intellectual workplace competitions (it’s chess, after all). Its professional appearance and respected reputation make it ideal for corporate environments seeking to promote strategic thinking among colleagues.
- Year Released: 2007.
- Awards: Multiple online chess platform awards and recognition.
- Reviews/Rating: 4.6/5 average user rating.
- Key Features:
- Professional tournament organization tools for workplace competitions.
- Educational content that promotes strategic thinking skills.
- Free account options with extensive multiplayer capabilities.
- Fun Fact: Chess.com’s Daily Chess Championship attracts over 60,000 participants annually, demonstrating the game’s appeal to competitive professionals.
- Best For: Analytical professionals seeking intellectual challenges that translate to improved workplace problem-solving.
4. Among Us

Why This Game?
Among Us promotes team dynamics through social deduction, and also encourages communication and collaboration among colleagues to identify the culprit. Its discussion phases naturally integrate with Zoom meetings, making it perfect for virtual workplace team-building activities.
- Year Released: 2018.
- Awards: Massive cultural impact recognition during 2020-2021.
- Reviews/Rating: 4.4/5 average across platforms.
- Key Features:
- Social deduction gameplay requires team communication.
- Built-in discussion phases that complement Zoom meetings.
- Cross-platform compatibility for diverse workplace devices.
- Fun Fact: Among Us became the definitive “workplace team building game” during remote work transitions, helping colleagues stay connected.
- Best For: Teams seeking interactive communication exercises that build trust and collaboration skills.
5. Gartic Phone

Why This Game?
Gartic Phone combines creativity with humor as players write phrases that get drawn and reinterpreted by teammates. This browser game generates natural laughter and conversation, making it perfect for breaking workplace tension.
- Year Released: 2020.
- Awards: Community favorite for online party games and team building.
- Reviews/Rating: 4.6/5 average on gaming community sites.
- Key Features:
- Browser-based with no software installation needed.
- Collaborative storytelling that builds team connections.
- Workplace-appropriate humor that stays professional.
- Fun Fact: The game’s “telephone” format often leads to hilarious misunderstandings that become inside jokes among coworkers.
- Best For: Teams looking to build camaraderie through creative, lighthearted collaboration.
6. Virtual Trivia Games

Why This Game?
Virtual trivia creates competitive yet collaborative environments where colleagues can showcase their knowledge while learning about each other’s interests and expertise areas.
- Year Released: Various platforms, evolved significantly by 2020 due to the lockdown.
- Awards: N/A
- Reviews/Rating: N/A
- Key Features:
- Customizable questions for industry-specific knowledge.
- Team-based formats encouraging collaboration.
- Professional presentation suitable for corporate environments.
- Fun Fact: Many companies create custom trivia featuring company history, industry knowledge, and employee achievements.
- Best For: Knowledge-sharing teams wanting to celebrate expertise while building connections.
7. Online Pictionary (Zoom Whiteboard)

Why This Game?
Using Zoom’s built-in whiteboard feature, teams can play Pictionary without additional software, making it perfect for spontaneous team-building moments during regular meetings.
- Year Released: Available since Zoom’s whiteboard feature launched in 2020.
- Awards: Recognized as top Zoom team building activity.
- Reviews/Rating: N/A
- Key Features:
- Built into the Zoom platform, requiring no additional software.
- Customizable word lists for professional environments.
- Screen sharing capabilities for whole-team participation.
- Fun Fact: Many teams create work-related drawing challenges, leading to hilarious attempts at illustrating “synergy” or “pivot strategy”.
- Best For: Teams already comfortable with Zoom and wanting quick, accessible creative challenges.
8. Virtual Scavenger Hunts

Why This Game?
Scavenger hunts get colleagues moving and sharing personal workspace details, creating natural conversation starters, and helping remote workers feel more connected to their teammates’ daily environments.
- Year Released: Adapted for virtual formats around 2020 due to the lockdown.
- Awards: N/A
- Reviews/Rating: N/A
- Key Features:
- You can customize item lists for workplace-appropriate challenges.
- Quick 5-minute formats that are perfect for meeting openers.
- Personal sharing that builds team connections.
- Fun Fact: Popular items include “oldest piece of technology,” “weirdest snack,” and “something that represents your job”.
- Best For: Teams wanting to learn more about colleagues’ personal work environments and build connections.
9. Virtual Escape Rooms

Why This Game?
Virtual escape rooms challenge teams to collaborate under time pressure, which leads to developing problem-solving skills and communication strategies that translate directly to workplace challenges.
- Year Released: Virtual versions became popular around 2020 due to the lockdown
- Awards: N/A
- Reviews/Rating: N/A
- Key Features:
- Collaborative problem-solving under time constraints.
- Professional custom-made themes suitable for corporate environments.
- Scalable difficulty for teams with varying experience levels.
- Fun Fact: Many companies choose themes like “office mystery” or “corporate espionage” to maintain professional relevance while having fun.
- Best For: Teams seeking intensive collaboration exercises that develop workplace problem-solving skills.
10. Two Truths and a Lie

Why This Game?
This classic icebreaker helps colleagues learn interesting facts about each other while practicing presentation skills and building personal connections that enhance workplace relationships.
- Year Released: Adapted for virtual meetings since 2020 due to the lockdown.
- Awards: N/A.
- Reviews/Rating: N/A.
- Key Features:
- No technology requirements beyond video calling.
- Flexible timing to fit any meeting schedule.
- Professional yet personal connection activity.
- Fun Fact: HR professionals report this game as the most effective virtual icebreaker for helping new team members integrate into company culture.
- Best For: New teams or groups with new members wanting to build personal connections professionally.
Conclusion
Playing games that reflect the culture of your workplace can only help in creating a more enjoyable virtual team-building session.
The ten options presented here prove (if the right game is chosen) that you can have fun while adhering to corporate rules. Raid: Shadow Legends leads this list with its perfect balance of strategy and casual gameplay, while games like Skribbl.io, Chess.com, and Among Us offer unique approaches to this end.
Whether you’re organizing the next office tournament or bringing on a new employee to the team, these titles will help you strengthen office culture and break the ice in a super natural way.
FAQ
What’s the best game for Zoom meetings?
Raid: Shadow Legends is one of the best games for Zoom team-building sessions. Its structured battles and alliance features keep employees engaged while fitting neatly into virtual meeting formats.
Unlike quick icebreakers, Raid scales into ongoing campaigns that teams can revisit weekly.
Are these games appropriate for professional workplace environments?
Yes. All games listed maintain professional boundaries while encouraging team building. Games like Chess.com and Raid: Shadow Legends are particularly well-suited for corporate environments due to their presentation.
How much time should we allocate for team-building games like Chess.com, Raid: Shadow Legends, or Among Us?
Most workplace-friendly games such as Chess.com and Raid: Shadow Legends can fit into short 15–30 minute slots, perfect for kicking off or closing meetings. For longer formats, games like Among Us or virtual trivia work best in 45–60 minute dedicated sessions.
Do these games work with large teams across multiple departments?
Many games scale well for large groups. Skribbl.io supports up to 12 players per room, while virtual scavenger hunts and trivia games can accommodate unlimited participants through breakout room formats.
Can we organize company tournaments with Raid: Shadow Legends or Chess.com?
Yes. Raid: Shadow Legends is especially well-suited for corporate tournaments thanks to its alliance system and competitive events. Chess.com also works for bracket-style matchups, while one-off games like Among Us or virtual escape rooms fit well for special company events.
Will non-gamers on our team feel comfortable participating?
Yes. Games like Two Truths and a Lie, virtual scavenger hunts, and Zoom Pictionary require no gaming experience and focus on communication and creativity rather than gaming skills.

