Onboarding Video Game

Enspire Learning and Sun Microsystems worked to create two onboarding video games that effectively wed fun game mechanics with content about Sun facts, culture, and values.

Challenge

Sun Microsystems is a leading technology and networking company. A sizable percentage of its employees work remotely, so many employees only see a Sun office or their coworkers a few times throughout their careers at Sun. The company recognized the challenges associated with this flexibility and decided to strengthen its onboarding program.

Approach

Enspire Learning was charged with developing onboarding games that would ignite enthusiasm in new hires while teaching them core information about Sun Microsystems. Because the games are an optional part of the onboarding process, Enspire designed them to be fun and appealing to Sun employees, who are technically oriented and often are video game enthusiasts. Enspire Learning created Dawn of the Shadow Specters and Rise of the Shadow Specters.

In the games, a new Sun employee must evade villains and obstacles, dodge lasers, and battle hackers to save Sol City from the evil shadow specters. Sol City is based on Sun’s core businesses—microelectronics, software, services, servers, and storage. On their quests to save this futuristic city, new hires learn about Sun by solving puzzles and mysteries. The visual elements, sound, and plot of the games mix lighthearted, humorous elements with dark undertones to create a universal draw and positive message. Players are motivated to replay the game and learn more about Sun by competing for the highest score.

Outcome

Dawn of the Shadow Specters and Rise of the Shadow Specters were released in October 2007 and met with great enthusiasm. Sun capitalized on the players’ self motivation and the games’ popularity by making them publically available on the Sun website. This allowed the games to function as a refresher course for long time employees and a recruiting tool for younger members of the workforce. By teaching new hires through entertaining games rather than mandatory courses, Enspire Learning enabled Sun Microsystems to generate excitement in new, old, and prospective employees while educating them at the same time.