Waiting on That Job Update? Try out LinkedIn’s games to pass the time!

As a gamer, I find it exciting to see the gaming industry expand into new platforms. Initially surprised by The New York Times’ transformation into a gaming company, I now see that even career websites are joining the trend. LinkedIn, aiming to enhance workplace relationships, has ventured into gaming with the launch of three new games on its mobile and desktop platforms.

The recently launched LinkedIn games, including Pinpoint, Crossclimb, and Queens, can be accessed in the My Network and news sections of LinkedIn on both mobile and desktop. Designed to “keep your mind sharp,” these games cover various categories, including trivia. Despite already being employed, I couldn’t resist checking them out to see what they’re all about.

I started my gaming journey with Pinpoint, a game that presents random clues and asks players to guess the overarching category. Playing it felt almost nostalgically amusing, reminiscent of NYT Connections. Pinpoint was developed by Paolo Pasco, the newest Games Editor at LinkedIn.

Whether it was sheer luck or a stroke of genius, I managed to guess the game within just two tries. While I can’t say if it’s helping me build relationships, I’m certainly dominating my LinkedIn connections. Like other games, you can share your score across platforms using tiles, which adds to the fun.

Crossclimb proved to be more challenging, requiring players not only to guess words but also to rearrange them in the correct order based on the clues.

The most challenging of the three was Queens, where Crowns on a grid couldn’t touch each other in rows, columns, or diagonally. Luckily, you can only play these games once a day; otherwise, I might have lost my mind. Still, spending 30 minutes on these adventures was quite enjoyable.

A Subtle Yet Noticeable Shift

While I appreciate companies venturing into different industries to offer unique experiences, I can’t help but notice a subtle shift in the balance. As more organizations diversify, a new synergy is emerging.

Whether it’s Logitech’s AI mouse that blends AI with peripherals or The New York Times entering the gaming realm, I find this change intriguing. After all, collaboration often yields better results. However, only time will tell if this shift is beneficial or not. Now, it’s time for me to return to work.

What about you? Have you tried the new LinkedIn games? Share your thoughts in the comments below!