Microgaming may be used to winning awards and accolades, but the Isle of Man based gaming company have once again made the press for all the right reasons. It may have taken over two years from the architect’s table to final completion, but their new HQ – named ‘Sixty-Two’ – has walked straight into the top ten coolest offices of 2017.

Connected via a sky bridge to their former HQ office which will still remain part of the Microgaming campus, the company have successfully created what is considered to be one of the most ergonomic, employee-friendly workplaces anywhere in the UK. After all, if you’re going to be coding the best new slot sites day after day, may as well do some in absolute comfort, right?

From a business perspective taking such care to look after their employees is a savvy decision. Microgaming is already a great draw within the programming and tech industry thanks to their peerless record of producing groundbreaking games. Yet the market for the best talent is very tough, and being able to offer an enviable working environment is more important than ever for recruitment and retention. So what features does the Microgaming office have that sets it apart from the grey old-fashioned world of tech?

The 120 Microgaming employees all enjoy access to the following perks. Everyone from the CEO through to the facilities staff shares the benefits and facilities that have been integrated into their new HQ office. Once again, this enlightened stance is typical of a company who is also heavily invested in sponsoring and championing a wide variety of local charities and community initiatives.

Microgaming staff enjoys a hot-desk working style that allows them the freedom to work as they please around the building. As well as traditional office space and booths, there are a variety of standing desks and break out areas where staff can settle down to work. The entire fourth floor is an open communal space for departments to mingle as they choose, the idea being that this will promote a sense of a communal common effort.

As any tech worker should know, taking regular screen breaks is essential to not just rest the eyes but also to keep those brain juices pumping. Microgaming staff needing to take twenty minutes have an enviable variety of ‘distractions’ to help them recharge their batteries. Those in the mood to play a game in real 3D can have a turn on the darts board, pool table or even split some cards on the in-house poker table. In the mood to relax with a non-digital book – just hit the free Microgaming library.

Of course, nothing beats a little caffeine hit to keep those creative thoughts coming, but instead of the usual instant machine coffee Microgaming have their own special signature roast beans. These are served throughout the workday within the subsidized company canteen. If you need somewhere to relax with your sumptuous cup of coffee, where better than the sky terrace? Offering superb 360-degree views across Douglas, there’s even a periscope to help take in the sights from above.

The entire project has been undertaken to be as environmentally friendly and sustainable as possible, which again keeps with the company ethos of promoting such values within the Island community. Upon completion, the premises was awarded a BREEAM rating of ‘excellent’ which once again validates the genuine effort Microgaming make towards being a very contemporary and forward-thinking business.

So, next time you wonder how the top game programmers and developers live, spare a thought for the lucky staff of Microgaming. It is refreshing to see a successful company so committed to paying it back (or ‘paying it forward’ as they refer to their community activities) to their employees – and signs suggest that a happy and comfortable workforce continues to publish among the very best games on the planet.