LinkedIn, known for connecting people with employers, will soon venture into gaming in a bid to increase user engagement.
The Microsoft-owned company aims to do that by deploying such games on its portal as "Queens," "Inference," and "Crossclimb."
App researchers have discovered code indicating LinkedIn's gaming endeavours.
Nima Owji, one such researcher, in a post on X revealed one experiment involving player scores categorised by workplaces, potentially allowing companies to be "ranked" based on these scores.
It's uncertain whether games will be accessible to all users or exclusive to LinkedIn's premium.
Nima wrote, "There are going to be a few different games and companies will be ranked in the games based on the scores of their employees! Pretty cool and fun, in my opinion!"
Users reacted in mixed ways where some called it is distraction and others called it a measure to increase traffic.
A LinkedIn spokesperson confirmed the company's gaming project but didn't provide a launch date. The spokesperson also added that the images shared by the researcher on X are not the latest versions.
"We’re playing with adding puzzle-based games within the LinkedIn experience to unlock a bit of fun, deepen relationships, and hopefully spark the opportunity for conversations," the spokesperson said in a message to TechCrunch.
Microsoft dominates the gaming industry with brands like Xbox, Activision Blizzard, and ZeniMax, generating $7.1 billion in revenue last quarter, surpassing Windows revenue.
LinkedIn has experimented with various features to enhance user engagement in the past, focusing on adapting popular tools for professional use. These efforts span from online education to publishing, integrating video tools, and collaborating with creators and influencers.
Games are consistently popular on mobile devices and computers, especially puzzle-based casual games.
Non-gaming platforms have leveraged this trend to increase traffic, a practice dating back to pre-internet times with puzzles in newspapers.
The New York Times, owner of Wordle, noted its continued popularity among millions.
The newspaper had bought the viral game in 2022 for a "seven-figure " sum.
Facebook, the largest social network, discontinued its gaming app in 2022 due to declining usage, shifting focus to mixed reality experiences and Meta Quest.
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