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The legend of PNO: Tears of the deadline

How video games power up our team spirit, creativity, and resilience

At PNO, we know that deadlines can feel like final bosses, teamwork is our greatest power-up, and every proposal is its own epic quest. But even heroes need to rest at the inn, level up their skills, or blow off some steam with a little chaos.

That’s where video games come in.

By Edgar Valverde from PNO Innovation Spain

Gaming isn’t just about fun (though there’s plenty of that too). It’s a powerful way to connect with others, learn to navigate challenges, test strategies, and even discover unexpected talents, just like we do in our daily work.

Think of this article as a spin-off in the ever-expanding PNO universe, a joyful crossover where different cultures, backgrounds, and gaming memories come together to create a new kind of adventure: part nostalgia quest, part co-op mission, and 100% powered by passion for innovation.

We invited teammates across PNO to grab their (virtual) controllers and share their own gaming journeys: childhood memories, favourite games, proudest achievements, and lessons that cross into the world of work.

Let’s press start!

The legend of PNO: Tears of the deadline

How video games power up our team spirit, creativity, and resilience

By Edgar Valverde from PNO Spain

At PNO, we know that deadlines can feel like final bosses, teamwork is our greatest power-up, and every proposal is its own epic quest. But even heroes need to rest at the inn, level up their skills, or blow off some steam with a little chaos.

That’s where video games come in.

Gaming isn’t just about fun (though there’s plenty of that too). It’s a powerful way to connect with others, learn to navigate challenges, test strategies, and even discover unexpected talents, just like we do in our daily work.

Think of this article as a spin-off in the ever-expanding PNO universe, a joyful crossover where different cultures, backgrounds, and gaming memories come together to create a new kind of adventure: part nostalgia quest, part co-op mission, and 100% powered by passion for innovation.

We invited teammates across PNO to grab their (virtual) controllers and share their own gaming journeys: childhood memories, favourite games, proudest achievements, and lessons that cross into the world of work.

Let’s press start!

The questionnaire!

To explore the connection between how we play and how we work, we created a short questionnaire for our colleagues. The idea wasn’t just to talk about favourite games, but to reflect on how personal interests can reveal the mindsets, strengths, and motivations we bring to our professional lives.

Each question invited colleagues to share something about themselves: what excites them, what challenges they enjoy tackling, when they’ve felt most accomplished, even who they see themselves as when collaborating in a team.

The result is a surprisingly rich picture of what drives us, both on-screen and off.

Across the answers, familiar themes emerge: people embracing their individuality, striving for mastery, exploring new paths, and celebrating shared victories. Whether through childhood adventures, epic boss fights, or joyful multiplayer chaos, our colleagues showed that the way we play can often mirror the way we grow, connect, and succeed together.

Your first gaming adventure

What’s a childhood memory or early gaming experience that stayed with you?

Your most recent memorable game

What’s something you played recently—alone or with others—that really stuck with you or taught you something?

Your proudest gaming achievement (something could have been in your CV before joining PNO)

What’s a moment in gaming that made you feel truly accomplished—like something you’d brag about in a job interview? Think boss battles, platinum trophies, or anything that shows your resilience and excellence.

A game you’d recommend for solo players

A game that offers deep immersion, challenge, or relaxation—perfect for solo play and personal growth.

A multiplayer game you’d recommend for fun or chaos

Which game would you use to test team dynamics, collaboration, or just share a good laugh with colleagues or friends?

If you were a video game character playing your role at PNO, who would you be and why (teamwork edition)

Which character best reflects your role in a team project at PNO? The silent strategist, the chaos coordinator, the morale booster?

A game you’d bring to a desert island so you can rest from writing proposals (with Wi-Fi and Teams, of course)

Imagine you’re sent to the ultimate beach office. What one game would you bring to keep yourself entertained, sane, and possibly productive?

What have video games taught you that you can apply in your work at PNO?

From teamwork and adaptability to decision-making under pressure or creative problem-solving—what gaming lessons show up in your day-to-day?

The PNO lobby: Meet the players!

A huge thank you to all colleagues who took the time to share their gaming stories with us. Their answers reminds us that behind every controller, or proposal draft, there’s a unique perspective, a spark of creativity, and a sense of fun that brings our team to life. So, meet the players:

P1

Anastasiya Azarko, Innovation Consultant at PNO Italy

P2

Christian Izquierdo, Corporate Recruiter at PNO Spain

P3

Christian Martinsen, Project Manager at ESACON Norway

P4

Fotis Kamatsos, Innovation Consultant at PNO Greece

P5

Franck Thomas, Consultant en financement de l’innovation at PNO France

P6

Nuno Lopes, Senior Innovation Consultant at PNO Portugal

I think every game I’ve played has taught me something

Whether you’re exploring vast open worlds, managing imaginary football teams, or coordinating digital prison breaks, the way we play says a lot about how we work. From adaptability and strategic thinking to persistence, collaboration, and even learning English, video games have shaped us more than just our hobbies, they’ve quietly trained us for the challenges we tackle every day at PNO. And if we can survive Elden Ring, win the Champions League in Football Manager, or lead a proposal like Gordon Freeman leads a resistance, there’s little doubt we can handle even the fiercest deadlines together.

About the author

I’m Edgar Valverde, and I couldn’t miss the chance to share how much Nintendo has meant to me. Its sense of adventure and joy is unlike anything else. As I write this, the launch of the Switch 2 is just around the corner, and yes, I’m counting the days to get it in my hands!

This is a glimpse of my humble videogames collection. Some cartridges are safely stored to prevent wear, and of course, on the other side of the room, I keep every console I’ve ever owned, from my original NES to my beloved v1 Switch (yes, even a Wii U, I’m proudly one of the few who had one).

I’m still working on giving my full set Link-themed amiibo collection the display it deserves, so if you got any ideas, I’m all ears!