IKEA seeks individuals to fill positions at its upcoming Roblox game store.
"IKEA isn't your average furniture retailer. They're now hiring for virtual roles in their newly-launched Roblox outlet, 'The Co-Worker Game'," according to a post by the Swedish flatpack giant.
IKEA announced this as its first dip into the mainstream gaming world, explaining that their virtual shop would provide individuals with "an opportunity to immerse themselves in the working world of the store."
Applicants were asked to think about the feelings that come with being transformed into pixels, as well as what they'd do if the store ran out of pixelated hotdogs. A query was also included: "If you were a pixelated piece of IKEA furniture, what would you be and why?"
Eligible candidates, aged 18 and above, live in the UK or Ireland, and apply for the fully remote position will be responsible for helping customers select their furniture and doling out digital meatballs.
Their pay rate is set at £13.15 an hour, same as an IKEA employee in London and comparably similar to wages in the US. Unpaid Roblox players will be working side by side with these employees, offering customer service, visiting showrooms, getting promoted, and arranging virtual spaces using IKEA products.
Roblox, a gaming company based in the US, grants its users the ability to create and play games, mingling online with a social media aspect where people can socialize with game creators. Today, it's utilized by 42% of US youth aged 12 to 17 each month.
Brands like Walmart have already ventured into the virtual realm, creating their own Roblox stores where they sell physical items and ship them to customers. It's unclear whether IKEA's game will enable purchase of actual IKEA items. CNN reached out to the company for more information.
The out-of-the-box job posting gained traction on social media, with users entertaining the idea of joining the team, generating memes about their unsuccessful attempts to land an interview. American TikTok users shared videos of getting ready for the possibility of the job being made available in the US as well.
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In this innovative business move, IKEA is collaborating with tech giant Roblox to offer virtual roles in their new game store, "The Co-Worker Game."
Despite being a renowned tech company in the physical world of furniture, IKEA is now venturing into the tech-based business of gaming and virtual shops.
