Slack is down, and that means it's time to start playing games on company time

(Image credit: Valve)

Recent updates

4:30 pm ET: The system is coming for some users, but Slack's status page says there are still problems with "loading Slack, using workflows, sending messages or loading threads. API-related actions may also be degraded in speed." Developers are working to get things fixed with the "highest urgency," but warned that repairs to database shards are "causing feature degradation issues." If you're among those who still can't access Slack, hang in there: Further updates will be shared as they become available.

Slack, the cloud-based chat platform used by individuals and companies around the world to communicate, collaborate, and say "holy shit" to each other when interesting or stupid things happen, is down. And yes, for those of you who, like us, use Slack for professional purposes, that means nobody's watching and you can now safely make with the goofing off.

Slack status page indicating service outage — (Image credit: Slack)

So, what to do in the meantime? You could pop over to Discord and carry on with business (or IRC, if you're a real head), or you could do the sensible thing and use your newfound freedom to play some games. How long Slack will be out is anyone's guess so this might not be the ideal time to dive into Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, but if you have a browser at hand (and you do), how about some free browser games? Just click the button and have some fun.

For something more conventional, here's a rundown of the best free games on Steam.

More free games? More free games!

Don't forget the Epic Games Store is still giving 'em away too—this week's freebie is Garden Story, which we quite like.

Finally, you may recall that there's a Steam Next Fest currently underway. We're still digging through them all (there are a lot of demos), we've run across a few you might dig too:

To help ensure nobody gets busted playing games on company time, we'll update when Slack is back. In the meantime, enjoy your freedom!

Andy has been gaming on PCs from the very beginning, starting as a youngster with text adventures and primitive action games on a cassette-based TRS80. From there he graduated to the glory days of Sierra Online adventures and Microprose sims, ran a local BBS, learned how to build PCs, and developed a longstanding love of RPGs, immersive sims, and shooters. He began writing videogame news in 2007 for The Escapist and somehow managed to avoid getting fired until 2014, when he joined the storied ranks of PC Gamer. He covers all aspects of the industry, from new game announcements and patch notes to legal disputes, Twitch beefs, esports, and Henry Cavill. Lots of Henry Cavill.

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