I've worked in the "war-room" style environment, it's okay as long as it's only for work, and not play, because when you have the "game-room" the "work-env" in the same place, productivity goes way way down. It's hard to work when you see your co-workers playing table tennis or foosball, especially at how loud foosball is or tennis is when they laugh etc. I'm not against these things, I just think that companies might consider spending a little more money on an office or atleast put their game-rooms in separate areas, and require a library policy in open-warroom offices.

I said it is often a symptom, not always. Of course it is possible to have a happy team in almost any environment.

War room is a form of open plan in my view. I agree not all open office plans are war rooms.