LinkedIn is making a foray into the gaming sector, in a strategy to enhance user interaction. With over a billion users, LinkedIn is setting its sights on puzzle games to increase platform engagement. According to findings by app researcher Nima Owji, LinkedIn is experimenting with a feature that integrates gaming scores with users’ workplaces, thereby ranking companies based on these scores. Despite clarifications from a LinkedIn spokesperson that the revealed images are outdated, the initiative marks a significant pivot towards gamification for the platform.

TechCrunch reports that LinkedIn is diligently working on developing three puzzle-centric games: “Queens,” “Inference,” and “Crossclimb,” though a release date remains under wraps. A spokesperson from LinkedIn expressed enthusiasm about the initiative, noting, “We’re exploring the introduction of puzzle-based games within the LinkedIn experience to introduce an element of fun, foster deeper connections, and ignite potential conversations. More details will be announced soon!”

Broader Trend of Gaming Integration Across Platforms

LinkedIn is not alone in its quest to integrate gaming into its services. The trend has been previously observed with The New York Times acquiring the viral game Wordle in 2022, thereby significantly expanding its array of online puzzles and attracting millions of players. This approach has proven successful in engaging a broader audience beyond traditional news readers.

On the flip side, not every venture into gaming by non-gaming platforms has met with success. Facebook opted to close its standalone gaming app in 2022 after witnessing a fall in user engagement, and Google shut down Stadia, its cloud gaming service. However, Google has not completely abandoned gaming, as evidenced by the introduction of casual games on YouTube Playables, its video-streaming platform, indicating a renewed interest in the gaming sector.