LinkedIn has recently introduced three new online games to their platform, shifting their focus slightly from business to leisure. These games, called Pinpoint, Crossclimb, and Queens, are designed to be played once per day and can be played alone or against first-degree connections on the site. According to LinkedIn, playing games with your connections can help deepen relationships and spark conversations, which are crucial in a professional setting. Additionally, the introduction of games on LinkedIn could potentially keep users on the site longer, encouraging them to consider upgrading to a LinkedIn Premium subscription.
Pinpoint is a word-association game where players must guess the connection among five clue words as they are revealed. The goal is to guess the connection in as few tries as possible to earn a higher score. Even if players don’t guess correctly on the first try, they are encouraged with positive feedback such as being told they are “crushing it.” Crossclimb is a word-logic game inspired by mini crosswords, but with a twist. Players are given clues to determine three word “rungs” which they must arrange into a ladder of words where each rung differs by one letter from the rung above or below. Once the ladder is correctly constructed, top and bottom rungs are added to solve the puzzle.
Queens is a visual-logic game where players must fill a multicolored grid with queen emojis so that there is only one queen in each row, column, and color, with no two queens touching. The grids for Queens are designed by different creators, with three-time World Sudoku Champion Thomas Snyder creating the grids for the opening month. These grids are known to be challenging, adding an element of difficulty and intrigue to the game. The addition of games like Pinpoint, Crossclimb, and Queens to LinkedIn’s platform offers users a new way to engage with their connections and potentially enhance their professional relationships.
Overall, the introduction of games on LinkedIn presents users with a unique opportunity to connect with their connections in a more casual and fun manner. By playing games like Pinpoint, Crossclimb, and Queens, users can strengthen their relationships, spark conversations, and potentially uncover new connections and opportunities within their professional network. These games also provide a means of keeping users engaged on the site, potentially leading to increased interest in LinkedIn Premium subscriptions. With the growing popularity of online games, LinkedIn’s decision to incorporate gaming into their platform may prove to be a successful strategy in attracting and retaining users in the competitive social media landscape.
