LinkedIn is launching three new word and logic puzzles similar to Wordle in a bid to attract more users and boost engagement on its networking platform.

The games—Queens, Crossclimb, and Pinpoint—test players' abilities in logic, trivia, and word association. They will be available globally starting today, accessible via a direct link to the games and through LinkedIn News, the division responsible for their development.

Figure 1. LinkedIn Introduces Gaming With 3 Logic Puzzles Designed to Increase Engagement on Its Networking Platform.

Figure 1 shows LinkedIn introduces gaming with 3 logic puzzles designed to increase engagement on its networking platform. Like Wordle, each game can be played once a day. Initially, players can invite their first-degree connections to join in, and game outcomes—whether a user has played and their performance—can be shared with these connections if opted into.

These social features and the number of games offered are subject to change as LinkedIn evaluates their impact. Currently, LinkedIn plans to independently continue developing the games, separate from Microsoft's larger gaming operations.

According to Dan Roth, VP and editor-in-chief of LinkedIn News, the games aim to foster closer connections among existing LinkedIn contacts, providing a more casual means of engagement.[1]

The initiative also underscores LinkedIn News' strategic role, drawing inspiration from traditional newspaper puzzles like crosswords while adapting to modern digital formats. Games have historically driven significant user engagement for news publishers, offering a pathway to expand readership and audience loyalty.

With over 1 billion users, LinkedIn aims to enhance engagement through its news and content initiatives, complementing its advertising business and premium features. Games are seen as a strategy to deepen user interaction and potentially increase the platform's advertising reach, while also enhancing user experience and value.

LinkedIn's new game Queens is reminiscent of Sudoku, requiring players to strategically place crowns in non-overlapping patterns within a time limit. Scores can be shared individually, but company affiliations are visible on the leaderboard.

Concerns were raised about potential distractions in workplaces with social media restrictions. Laura Lorenzetti, LinkedIn's executive editor for North America, assured that the daily play limit and short game durations are designed to mitigate these issues.

Crossclimb is described as a trivia game where players must fit words on a grid, changing by one letter with each clue to form a different word. It proved challenging, particularly without guessing the initial word.

Pinpoint, resembling The New York Times' Connections game, tasks players with finding links between words using minimal hints. Initial attempts were challenging.

LinkedIn joins other social networks in integrating gaming to enhance user engagement. While Facebook's extensive gaming efforts have seen mixed results, LinkedIn hopes these games will foster more organic interactions on its platform, traditionally focused on professional networking and job hunting.

Games inherently involve transactions through gameplay. LinkedIn aims to captivate users with these offerings, potentially prolonging their engagement beyond initial interactions.

Reference:

1. https://techcrunch.com/2024/05/01/linkedin-launches-gaming-three-logic-puzzles-aiming-to-extend-time-spent-on-its-networking-platform/

Cite this article:

Gokila G (2024), LinkedIn Introduces Gaming With 3 Logic Puzzles Designed to Increase Engagement on Its Networking Platform, AnaTechMaz, pp. 29