LinkedIn is evolving beyond just a platform for professional networking and job updates. Recently, the site introduced an engaging feature: five quick games designed to provide a fun break for users from their daily professional routines.
These games, launched in May 2024, include two word-based challenges—Queens and Pinpoint—and three logic and reasoning puzzles—Crossclimb, Tango, and Zip. Each game encourages players to enhance their problem-solving skills while being minimal in time commitment. For instance, Queens resembles sudoku but uses symbolic crowns instead of numbers, while Pinpoint involves uncovering the common thread among a set of words. Crossclimb challenges players with word ladders, and Tango involves filling a grid with sun and moon symbols under specific constraints. Finally, Zip requires players to connect numbered circles on a grid in a sequential path.
LinkedIn’s games are accessible through the LinkedIn Games Hub, the ‘My Network’ tab, or the homepage’s Today’s Games section. Players can engage daily and see how their scores compare to connections, providing a friendly competitive element. Reports indicate that LinkedIn’s gaming feature has resonated well with users, with 84% of players returning each day and around 830,000 subscribers to the daily Games newsletter.
The games are strategically designed to foster engagement. Daniel Roth, VP of Content Development at LinkedIn, emphasized that the intent behind these games is to offer users a way to unwind, exercise their brains, and promote connection within the LinkedIn community. Lakshman Somasundaram, who leads the games division, noted that the initiative aims to infuse fun into the professional environment, making LinkedIn feel like one of the world’s best workplaces.
User feedback has been largely positive, with many expressing that the games have become part of their daily routines, providing a sense of joy and mental stimulation. The fun addition aims to enhance the overall experience on LinkedIn, potentially increasing user retention and interaction on the platform.
These games are not only a unique way to engage users but also an innovative strategy for a platform traditionally focused on professional development. By integrating playful content, LinkedIn presents a balanced approach, allowing professionals to have a moment of fun while still maintaining connections in a business-oriented environment.