Logitech is giving its employees a day off to play video games, including the upcoming release of GTA 6. The Swiss manufacturer of computer peripherals and software is offering over 5,500 of its global employees a paid day off to play games, starting this month.
The initiative, called 'Logi Game Day', is available to all Logitech employees from now until this time next year. Employees can take time off for GTA 6 on November 19, or for Metroid Ravenous on January 28.
Company's rationale
Logitech's chief executive officer, Hanneke Faber, said: 'It’s time to retire the stereotype that gaming is a waste of time. As a company designing products for work and play, we see every day how engagement in one sphere supports performance in the other.'
A Logitech study released last month, which surveyed 8,000 adults across nine countries, found that 81% of respondents agreed that gaming makes them more confident handling challenges in real life. 82% said gaming helps them stay calm and focused in high-pressure situations.
Promoting gaming's benefits
The Logi Game Day is designed to promote gaming's therapeutic qualities, as outlined by Logitech's chief people officer, Elaine Laird. 'Play is not the opposite of work,' Laird said. 'When people have dedicated time to log off, decompress and immerse themselves in play, they return with a clearer focus, renewed energy and fresh approaches to complex challenges.'
This is not the first time a company has given employees time off to play video games. In February last year, Palworld developers Pocketpair gave everyone time off for the launch of Monster Hunter Wilds. The same studio also announced a holiday for Elden Ring. Chinese developer PeroPeroGames gave its employees the day off for Cyberpunk 2077.
For those planning to take the day off for GTA 6, it is recommended to pre-load the game beforehand to avoid waiting on a 212GB download.
