5 best survival-simulation games: team building reinvented

Survival simulation games are designed to train problem-solving, interpersonal communication, and leadership. They force participants to make difficult decisions and test out their stamina. That's why they help teams get stronger and better together, on an individual and a group level.

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1. Wilderness survival activity for team building: IRL event

Wilderness survival game makes an excellent offline team building. If your team loves themselves some camping, that is. 

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Wilderness survival combines the best features of a corporate retreat, physical exercise, and a typical SFW team building event. 

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On the other hand, it also requires a little more than a typical corporate team building session would: prepare to spend at least one night without comfortable amenities, internet, or, sometimes, even proper food. But that’s all in the name of good fun, right? 

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As the name suggests, your team gets to spend some quality time in the wild, conquering nature and bonding over a campfire. It may not be everyone’s first choice for a team building event, yet the participants will come out of it closer and stronger than ever.  

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If you like some healthy competition but don't want to go that extreme, try out some office olympics.

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2. Lifeboat game team building: IRL event

Another way to spend an exciting day with your teammates in the great outdoors is to go rafting. This thrilling adventure has all the benefits of good team building: 

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• physical exercise;
• teamwork;
• problem-solving;
• cooperation;
• reaction to critical situations, etc. 

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And the best part is that you get to experience it all as far from the office environment as it gets. 

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This activity is perfect for senior management and company-wide events alike. Sure, it puts your abilities to the test, but as long as you cooperate with experienced instructors and follow safety guidelines, this real-life version of the boat-game team building will become your favorite experience yet!  

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We wanted to ensure that any team can benefit from the survival simulation team building, regardless of their level of physical condition, location, and love of adrenaline. 

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That’s why the next three exercises can be done from anywhere and by anyone. Some of the upgrades we list here only work at the office, yet most of them will make a perfect online team building experience. Play them on Zoom or Veertly - the virtual conference platform designed with team building in mind.

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For more remote team building ideas check out these resources: 

• The ultimate list of free virtual team building activities
• Best virtual escape rooms
• The best apps for team building
• Our favorite virtual scavenger hunt ideas

3. Desert survival simulation team building

You may be already familiar with the classic survival simulation game rules: you’re stuck in a desert/on an island/on a spaceship/etc. and you have salvaged some items that should help you survive. Persuade each other on which items to keep and which to drop to win the game.

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We suggest you take it a step further. Try incorporating some of these ideas into your next desert survival simulation game for team building:

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• Desert is first and foremost associated with heat. So, if you play in the office, how about bringing the AC temperature up a few points? 
• Another desert-specific challenge is thirst. That instantly puts water on the number-one item on your team’s list. But what if there wasn’t any with you in the first place? How would it impact everybody’s decision-making?  
• Ethical dilemmas at the time of great peril are always a great way to spice things up a bit. Perhaps, your story could feature some unexpected twists and turns as the participants work on their ultimate item list? 

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Be creative, and keep your challenges scenario-specific. 
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4. Arctic survival team building game

Similarly to the desert and the sinking ship ones, the arctic survival team building game answers typical team building questions: 

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• Can your team easily find common ground for the greater good? 
• How do you perform under stress? 
• Who has the greatest potential as the group leader? 
• Is having an AC in your office the number-one condition for improving this type of exercise? 

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The answer for the last one is “yes”, by the way. And as you might’ve guessed, we suggest you make good use of it. 

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Here are some more ways to update the arctic scenario: 

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• If one of your colleagues has a dog at home, why not throw it in the mix? It can be one of the surviving crew members or a dangerous threat on their way to safety. 
• Does your team pay attention to the environmental footprint we are leaving on Earth? You could make your arctic survival team building a company-wide event for the climate change awareness campaign!

5. Sinking ship team building activity

If you’ve selected the sinking boat scenario for your team building, this is where you can go all in! 

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• How about bringing in a real lifeboat? This way, you’ll be able not only to think about the experience but to feel what it’s like to decide on what precious item to eliminate cramped side by side in the unstable inflatable ground. 
• Do you include paddles into the list of removable items, or do they count as a part of the boat? What if there aren’t any paddles around at all? 
• Is anyone in the group sea-sick? It might have an impact on the final decision as well. 

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As you can see, there are plenty of ways you could update some of the basic team building simulations and really customize them for your specific needs. Don’t be afraid to experiment and remember that the main goal of these team building games is for your team to learn something together.

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Need help to set up your next event? Check out these top event companies to plan your team building activity.