For many, the office environment is a cherished space, a hub of collaboration and camaraderie. However, for those who prefer the comforts of home, the shift to remote work brought about by the pandemic has been a welcome change. The initial wave of remote work saw companies experimenting with various platforms, even hosting meetings in virtual worlds like Red Dead Online. Yet, as time passed, the novelty of these makeshift virtual offices faded, leaving some individuals feeling isolated despite their preference for working from home.
Rediscovering Connection Through On-Together
In this landscape of remote work, a delightful new game called On-Together has emerged, transforming the solitary workweek into a vibrant social experience. Picture a blend of Animal Crossing and a coworking space, where players can create their own cozy avatars and engage in mini-games like fishing and basketball. The game allows up to 16 players to join a session on a charming island filled with inviting study spots, from open-air libraries to quaint cafes. Here, users can enter “focus mode,” where their avatars mimic real-life tasks such as writing, drawing, or even enjoying music, all while surrounded by friends and colleagues.
At the heart of On-Together is the Pomodoro Technique, a time management method that encourages 25-minute work sprints followed by short breaks. While not everyone is a fan of this approach, the game makes it irresistibly engaging. The nostalgia of desktop pets has also made a comeback, allowing players to turn friends into adorable companions, enhancing the sense of community.
While corporate environments often mandate the use of task management tools like Jira, Asana, or Trello, On-Together offers something that traditional platforms cannot: a genuine sense of presence. The accountability of having friends join in creates a motivational atmosphere that surpasses solitary productivity techniques. The simple act of knowing others are working alongside you can significantly boost focus and efficiency.
Ilgın Saçan, co-developer and character artist of On-Together, reflects on the inspiration behind the game, tracing her roots back to the early 2000s when online chatrooms were a social lifeline. She describes On-Together as the adult equivalent of logging into a game like Guild Wars to connect with friends. “At the time, I didn’t think of it as intentional, but I was definitely doing a kind of online body-doubling,” she shares, recalling how she would use The Sims not for gameplay but for the comforting atmosphere it provided while she worked.
Saçan, like many, does not miss the traditional office life, recognizing the mental and logistical burdens it entails. “Being aligned in mindset and intention can exist anywhere without physical boundaries,” she asserts, emphasizing that remote work need not feel like a struggle against loneliness.
For those who thrive in a remote setting, On-Together has introduced a new layer of joy and interaction. The game fosters a casual environment where colleagues can engage in lighthearted banter and check in on each other’s well-being during breaks, creating a virtual watercooler experience. This playful interaction helps mitigate distractions that often plague a work-from-home day, making it easier to return to tasks after a quick game of hoops.
Currently available as a free demo on Steam, On-Together is set to launch its full version on January 19, complete with new character customization options and additional group areas on the island. As the developers at GigaPuff prepare for this release, many are eagerly anticipating how this innovative platform will enhance productivity and social connection in the evolving landscape of remote work.
