LinkedIn, the Microsoft-owned social platform, is known for networking, professional knowledge-sharing, and recruitment, boasting over 1 billion users. To enhance user engagement, the company is venturing into gaming. Capitalizing on the puzzle trend that drove games like Wordle to viral success. Initial games include “Queens,” “Inference,” and “Crossclimb.”
App researchers have uncovered code hinting at LinkedIn’s gaming project. Nima Owji mentioned that one concept involves scoring players based on their workplaces, potentially ranking companies by these scores.
LinkedIn Games
Linkedin Confirms About this
A LinkedIn spokesperson confirmed the gaming initiative but did not provide a launch date. The goal is to add puzzle games to deepen relationships and foster conversations among users.
LinkedIn’s parent company, Microsoft, is a major player in the gaming industry, with its games business surpassing Windows revenue last quarter at $7.1 billion. However, the spokesperson did not disclose Microsoft’s involvement in the LinkedIn gaming project.
Puzzle-based casual games are popular on mobile and PC platforms, driving engagement and revenue. Non-gaming platforms have leveraged this trend to increase traffic, reminiscent of the popularity of puzzles in newspapers and magazines.
The New York Times, which acquired Wordle in 2022, reported millions of ongoing players, integrating it into a broader platform of online puzzles and games.
While some platforms like Facebook have shifted focus from standalone gaming apps to mixed reality experiences, others, like LinkedIn, are exploring gaming to enhance user engagement.
LinkedIn has continuously introduced new features to appeal to its audience, focusing on professional development, news, and video tools. This gaming initiative aligns with the platform’s strategy to integrate popular tools and cater to its professional audience.