LinkedIn, the widely-used social platform owned by Microsoft, has cemented its reputation as a go-to destination for professional networking, learning opportunities, and recruitment endeavors, boasting a user base of over 1 billion individuals. However, in a bid to enhance user engagement and time spent on the platform, LinkedIn is now venturing into the realm of gaming.
Reports indicate that LinkedIn is actively developing a new gaming experience, drawing inspiration from the widespread popularity of puzzle-based games such as Wordle. Among the early game titles in development are “Queens,” “Inference,” and “Crossclimb,” signaling the platform’s intention to diversify its offerings beyond its traditional professional focus.
Furthermore, app researchers have uncovered evidence pointing to LinkedIn’s foray into gaming. One intriguing concept under exploration involves the organization of player scores according to their respective workplaces, potentially allowing companies to receive rankings based on the gaming performance of their employees.
This strategic move into gaming not only represents LinkedIn’s efforts to attract and retain users but also underscores the evolving nature of social platforms as they continuously seek to innovate and expand their functionalities to cater to diverse user interests and preferences.
A spokesperson representing LinkedIn has acknowledged the platform’s ongoing work on gaming but has not disclosed a specific launch date.
“We’re exploring the addition of puzzle-based games within the LinkedIn experience to inject some fun, strengthen connections, and potentially spark meaningful conversations,” “Stay tuned for further updates!”
Additionally, the spokesperson clarified that the images shared by the researcher on X are not the most current versions.
(Update: Some updated visuals have since been provided, which are included below.)
While LinkedIn is delving into gaming, its parent company, Microsoft, boasts a formidable presence in the gaming industry. Its gaming division, inclusive of Xbox, Activision Blizzard, and ZeniMax, generated $7.1 billion in revenue last quarter, surpassing revenues from Windows for the first time.
However, the LinkedIn spokesperson refrained from divulging details on Microsoft’s involvement in the gaming project at LinkedIn.
Gaming remains a highly popular category across mobile phones and PCs, both in terms of revenue and user engagement. Puzzle-based casual games, in particular, have enjoyed significant popularity among mobile users. Non-gaming platforms have historically leveraged this trend to drive traffic, a practice dating back to the popularity of puzzles in newspapers and magazines before the Internet era.
The New York Times, for instance, acquired the viral sensation Wordle in 2022, noting that millions of users continue to engage with the game, which now forms part of a broader platform featuring online puzzles and games developed by the newspaper.
However, efforts to double down on gaming have yielded mixed results for some platforms. Facebook, the largest social network globally, was a key player in social gaming but discontinued its standalone gaming app in 2022 amid declining usage. Instead, it has redirected its focus towards mixed reality experiences and its Meta Quest business.
Over the years, LinkedIn has introduced various new features to enhance user engagement and relevance to its audience focused on professional networking and the world of work. These efforts have included initiatives in online education, professional development, publishing, news operations, video tools, and partnerships with creators and influencers.
