A few years ago, someone told me that the most popular “e-gaming stream” had more worldwide viewers than the World Series . . . the World Series! The baseball series that had an average of 4.7 million viewers per game in 2023.
I’ll admit, I didn’t fact-check at the time. But now, as I research the popularity of e-gaming, it shouldn’t surprise me, considering:
- 40% of people are gamers—over 3 billion worldwide.
- Gaming is the #2 entertainment industry—larger than music and movies combined—and is worth over $200 billion, with a B.
- And it’s growing! The global gaming industry is expected to be worth over $500 billion in five years.
- Younger generations are the heaviest gamers—87% of Gen Z respondents told Deloitte they are gamers.
I don’t consider myself a gamer. I played some FIFA and Call of Duty in college with my roommates, but I don’t currently own an Xbox, PlayStation, or any other gaming tech. Until I searched gaming jargon, I didn’t know what ARPG stood for or what a “dialogue tree” is.
But I do game. I love it when my family plays Euchre or Code Names. My wife and I go on streaks of playing Cribbage. I play NYT games, like Wordle, every day.
I would argue that whether it’s electronic, card, tabletop, board, phone, or other gaming options—you are also a “gamer”!
Right now, your credit union almost certainly has employees who are “gamers” and spend considerable leisure time gaming.
There is a huge opportunity for your credit union to enhance its culture and improve employee engagement, all while making a difference for nonprofit partners in your community.
Credit unions are seeing success already!
Texas Trust Credit Union has raised $45,000 for Cook Children’s Hospital in Fort Worth by engaging in gaming initiatives. Texas Trust does this year-round through social media, employee challenges, and more. But the highlight of the year is their in-person gaming event, featuring various gaming consoles and other types of games. To learn more about what Texas Trust Credit Union has accomplished, click here.
How your credit union can integrate gaming through CU4Kids, benefiting local charities
- Host a gaming event: Organize a gaming event at your credit union, either virtually or in person. Employees can form teams, set fundraising goals, stream gameplay, or host gaming tournaments. Aligning the event with the credit union’s values of service, community, and support allows employees to enjoy themselves while supporting a meaningful cause.
- Gamify employee engagement: Enhance engagement by creating an internal leaderboard where employees earn points for their participation, fundraising, or team contributions. This fosters friendly competition and collaboration.
- Build teamwork and collaboration: Gaming events strengthen team bonds and develop valuable workplace skills such as communication, strategy, problem-solving, and adaptability. Besides the actual gaming component, your credit union can create committees of cross-functional employees who work together to make the initiative a success.
- Incorporate impact: Work with your charitable partner to emphasize the impact your credit union is making. This could include posters in branches, social media content, employee lunch-and-learns with beneficiaries of funds raised, and more. Expect your charitable partner to provide you with data, impact stories, and collateral that help your staff and community understand the important difference they are making.
- Cultivate a culture of giving: This is another way your credit union can reinforce its “people helping people” mission. Encouraging employee participation deepens social responsibility and strengthens connections with your community. It needs to start from the top—the most successful employee engagement initiatives are those where executives play an active role. One of the best examples I’ve seen is a credit union executive who allows employees to raise money to pie them in the face, and also participates in a spicy eating contest. That credit union raises hundreds of thousands of dollars a year and has great employee engagement!
- Engage members and the community: Extend initiatives to members and the local community by inviting participation, sponsorships, or direct donations. This expands community involvement and strengthens member relationships.
Proven track record
I’d like to take this opportunity to share that Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals has an existing program called Extra Life that makes it incredibly easy for credit unions to launch a gaming fundraising event. In fact, credit unions and Fortune 100 companies, such as Walmart, already leverage gaming to enhance company culture and support charitable causes.
How to get involved in Extra Life through CU4Kids
Your credit union can create its own “sub-team” on the Extra Life website by clicking here. Don't hesitate to send me an email if you’d like to learn more: ncoleman@cmnhospitals.org.
