LinkedIn, known for its B2B social network and email spam service, has ventured into the gaming world with three simple browser games aimed at engaging its one billion members worldwide. The games, Crossclimb, Pinpoint, and Queens, track and share stats across networks, encouraging friendly rivalries among executives. Crossclimb, influenced by Wordle and Sudoku, challenges players to guess words and create ladders of related words. Pinpoint tests players’ word association skills, while Queens presents a color-coded grid where players must strategically place queens without them touching each other. Each game features its version of high scores and leaderboards.
Despite the lack of monetization at the moment, LinkedIn’s foray into gaming is part of a bigger strategy to increase user engagement on the site. With over one billion members globally, the platform is looking to attract more regular users by offering simple games that can be played daily. While the gaming offerings may not extend beyond these initial games, the inspiration seems to be the success of the New York Times’ games section and the popularity of Wordle, which has helped drive online subscriptions. As a platform primarily focused on career networking, LinkedIn is looking to provide its users with new ways to interact and compete with their connections.
LinkedIn’s move into gaming comes at a time when social networks are increasingly incorporating gamification elements to keep users engaged. While the games offered by LinkedIn may not be groundbreaking, they provide a new avenue for users to interact and compete within their professional networks. By tracking daily streaks and encouraging friendly competition, LinkedIn is hoping to increase user retention and potentially attract new users who may be drawn to the gaming aspect of the platform. With games like Crossclimb, Pinpoint, and Queens, LinkedIn is tapping into the growing trend of gamifying social networking platforms.
The inclusion of gaming on a professional networking site like LinkedIn may seem out of place for some users, but it is part of a broader trend of social networks incorporating gamification elements to drive engagement. While traditional social networks like Facebook and Twitter have not ventured into gaming in the same way as LinkedIn, the success of gaming platforms like Twitch and Discord show that there is a demand for gaming-related content within social networks. By offering simple browser games that can be played daily, LinkedIn is hoping to attract more users and increase engagement on the platform.
Overall, LinkedIn’s move into gaming is a strategic decision aimed at increasing user engagement and retaining existing users. While the games themselves may not be groundbreaking, they provide a new way for users to interact and compete within their professional networks. By offering simple games that can be played daily and tracking stats and leaderboards, LinkedIn is tapping into the popularity of gamification elements to drive user engagement. With over one billion members worldwide, LinkedIn has the potential to reach a large audience with its gaming offerings and potentially attract new users who may be drawn to the gaming aspect of the platform.