LinkedIn, a Microsoft-owned platform, is venturing into gaming to enhance user engagement. The move follows the trend of non-game platforms incorporating casual games to attract and retain users.
LinkedIn’s upcoming puzzle-based games, including “Queens,” “Inference,” and “Crossclimb,” aim to add a fun element to the professional networking experience. While specific details about the games’ mechanics and launch dates remain undisclosed, a LinkedIn spokesperson confirmed the development, highlighting the potential for deeper relationships and conversations among users.
Gaming Trend Among Non-Game Platforms
The integration of gaming features by LinkedIn follows similar moves by other non-game platforms. In 2022, The New York Times acquired Wordle, a viral hit puzzle game, to bolster user engagement. However, not all attempts have been successful, as evidenced by Facebook’s shutdown of its standalone gaming app due to declining usage.
Meanwhile, Google is re-entering the gaming arena with YouTube Playables, offering casual games on its video-streaming platform. These initiatives underscore the growing recognition among non-game platforms of gaming’s potential to enhance user experiences and drive interaction.
