As I sit here typing away on my computer, I’m guilty of indulging in a certain activity that has nothing to do with work. It’s not rewatching an entire season of Glee (although, yes, even the later seasons have their moments), nor is it devouring an ungodly amount of Harry Potter fan fiction. My guilty pleasure lies elsewhere: I play LinkedIn games.
What are these mysterious games?
You might be thinking: "Wait a minute… does LinkedIn really have games?" And the answer is, yes! In May, LinkedIn launched three puzzles through LinkedIn News, inspired by the likes of New York Times games. These include:
- Queens: A logic puzzle that’s my personal favorite.
- Crossclimb: A word game that’s quite good, if I do say so myself.
- Pinpoint: A word-association game that’s… well, it exists.
LinkedIn is simply following the classic tech strategy of seeing what works for another company and then attempting to replicate that success. After all, it’s no secret that New York Times games have been a massive hit – in December 2023, users spent more time on the NYT Games app than on its news app.
The Rise of Games Everywhere
We’re living in an era where everyone has games now. Whether it’s Apple News, Netflix, or YouTube, there are plenty of options to choose from. But LinkedIn’s foray into gaming is particularly interesting, given its professional bent.
So, what’s the appeal? Is it the opportunity to network with connections after completing a game (although I’m guilty of messaging my friends "hi" just because)? Or is it something more?
The Intersection of Gaming and Social Networking
When you complete a LinkedIn game, you can see which of your connections have also played. This has led some people to use these games as an opportunity to network – but not me (just kidding, I do it too). In all seriousness, the intersection of gaming and social networking is an area that’s ripe for exploration.
Get Ready to Get Hooked
So, what are you waiting for? Join LinkedIn and indulge in some gaming goodness… just don’t forget about your responsibilities afterwards. After all, there’s a relentless grind of global capitalism to attend to.
Related Topics
- Gaming
- Social
Amanda Silberling is a senior writer at TechCrunch covering the intersection of technology and culture. She has also written for publications like Polygon, MTV, the Kenyon Review, NPR, and Business Insider.
