LinkedIn confirms it is working on adding puzzle-based games; a researcher says it is testing ranking companies in the games based on the scores of employees

LinkedIn, the Microsoft-owned social platform, has made a name for itself primarily as a platform for people looking to network …

TechCrunch 2024-03-17 Ingrid Lunden

Context & Ripple Effects

LinkedIn has repeatedly expanded beyond profiles and job listings into workplace tools: Talent Insights turned its data into company and skills intelligence, while LinkedIn Learning added a training layer for enterprise customers.

The experiment subsequently became a product launch: LinkedIn released three short-form puzzle games, and early hands-on coverage described them as brief, familiar daily-game formats. That makes employee-score comparisons notable as a potential social wrapper around a broader engagement feature.

First-order effects

LinkedIn can test whether lightweight games create repeat visits and interaction on a platform otherwise centered on professional networking and work-related content.
If company scoreboards are retained, employees and employers become participants in a shared, visible comparison mechanism rather than only individual players.

Second-order effects

Company-level rankings could give LinkedIn another signal for workplace-oriented engagement, alongside its existing company, talent, and learning products; the practical value depends on whether users embrace rather than avoid the comparison.
The later release of Pinpoint, Queens, and Crossclimb means LinkedIn must sustain a game catalog and moderation/product design around workplace identity, not simply launch a one-off diversion.

Third-order effects

The move points to professional platforms borrowing consumer engagement loops while differentiating them through employer and colleague networks; the durability of that model will depend on whether it strengthens professional utility without making workplace participation feel compulsory.
If workplace activity increasingly becomes measurable and comparable, platforms may face a sharper product-governance trade-off between social engagement and the sensitivity of employee-linked signals.

The trend: LinkedIn’s game tests are part of a broader shift toward embedding consumer-style daily engagement mechanics inside professional software and networks.

Discussion

@jjackyliang Jacky on threads
LinkedIn proves that product management interviews are pointless
@peterthehan Peter Han on threads
where were you when the @nytimes vs @linkedin puzzle game wars began?
@efliv Eddie LeBreton on threads
There's no app I want unbundled more than LinkedIn. Just give me chat with my professional network. Nothing more, nothing less.
@paul_rietschka Paul Rietschka on threads
This is a joke of a social network.
@mattnavarra Matt Navarra on threads
LinkedIn appears to be working on in-app games?!
@twigcaseco @twigcaseco on threads
LinkedIn continues to reinforce my long ago decision to opt out of that whole site
@counternotions@mastodon.social @counternotions@mastodon.social on mastodon
LinkedIn - the résumé site that has long served as the dictionary definition of design and utility awfulness - finally admits it's run out of all ideas...gaming?!! — https://techcrunch.com/...
@ryanroberts@mastodon.social Ryan on mastodon
@PictoPirate @Techmeme Everyone on LinkedIn lives in an alternate reality anyway so why not?
@farttotable.bsky.social @farttotable.bsky.social on bluesky
LinkedIn has shown remarkable innovation in the “being the worst” space [embedded post]
@nylanox.bsky.social @nylanox.bsky.social on bluesky
what fresh hell is this [embedded post]
@jtsdmpk.bsky.social @jtsdmpk.bsky.social on bluesky
-LinkedIn adds chess, implements ELO among job applicants —Open second instance playing against high-difficulty computer opponent playing opposite color. —Mirror LI opponent's moves in second instance; play computer's moves in LI instance —Profit? [embedded post]
@jtsdmpk.bsky.social @jtsdmpk.bsky.social on bluesky
-LinkedIn adds chess, implements ELO among job applicants —Open second instance playing against high-difficulty computer opponent playing opposite color. —Mirror LI opponent's moves in second instance; play computer's moved in LI instance —Profit? [embedded post]
@utopia-deferred.bsky.social @utopia-deferred.bsky.social on bluesky
it is wild how much of the old bay tech scene are a bunch of phrenologists, like they can't even try to hide it anymore, it leaks out out of their eyes and ears if they can't talk about measuring IQs lmfao [embedded post]
@secretchimp.bsky.social Lance Link on bluesky
Gameification, is functionally equivalent to enshittifcation. 🤦 [embedded post]
@jedichica.bsky.social Jill on bluesky
LinkedIn should have been fired into the sun 10 years ago and continues to not give me any reason to think otherwise. [embedded post]
@sysfin.bsky.social @sysfin.bsky.social on bluesky
That platform is becoming more garbage every day. — It was useful as a simple networking site but now it's asking random people to chime in on random topics it's awful. Especially because so much of it is white tech guys who don't bother reading anything. — And now puzzles t…
@aaronofypsi.bsky.social Aaron Fown on bluesky
So, now the completion is between hell sites to see who can make the hottest lake of fire? — This is the sort of shit that would be darkly hilarious if I didn't, you know, live here.
@stangunn.bsky.social Stan Gunn on bluesky
By the end of the first day developers will be writing scripts to play the game and boost their and their companies' scores.
@q9f.bsky.social @q9f.bsky.social on bluesky
The most intrusive and creepy social network on the planet. [embedded post]
@darrylayo.bsky.social Ayo on bluesky
Linked In confirmes it is not a job-based platform because this is jobless behavior [embedded post]
@tomscud.bsky.social Prestidigitator John on bluesky
hr sending out little passive aggressive reminders to help the company's score in the linked in game challenge [embedded post]
@legalminimum.bsky.social @legalminimum.bsky.social on bluesky
Being a person who uses it as LinkedInstagram and only posts photos of food and (especially) his dogs, it's amusing to see LinkedIn try to remain the boring place it grew up as while accepting that it has become a social network. Maybe instead they should work on their image pos…
@proptermalone.bsky.social @proptermalone.bsky.social on bluesky
oh so this is how it ends [embedded post]
@lexaprogrammer.com @lexaprogrammer.com on bluesky
Seriously, what a garbage platform that is quickly turning into Facebook. I shouldn't be able to respond to someone's post about their career with an emoji. I don't want to play games. Give me training, better job boards and networking that actually produces results. [embedde…
@ohiohawkeye.bsky.social @ohiohawkeye.bsky.social on bluesky
Seriously fuck this ranking shit. God forbid we just have fun to, you know, have fun.
@marypcbuk.bsky.social Mary Branscombe on bluesky
an announcement I'd expect on April 1 [embedded post]
@kaler Parveen Kaler on x
LinkedIn ranking employees based on game scores. This is either the most brilliant or most terrible idea ever.
@asglidden @asglidden on x
Someday we'll realize that IQ testing is actually an incredibly valuable technology, and valuable technology gets used. Maybe not in its original form, but to quote Jurassic Park: “Life...finds a way.”
@scottnover Scott Nover on x
They're all Captchas.
@indianidle Ivan Mehta on x
Can't wait to play Hustle Crush
@quinnypig Corey Quinn on x
Can't wait for the resurgence of corporate IQ tests.
@mikebutcher Mike Butcher on x
The future is companies pulling your LinkedIn score on Wordle https://techcrunch.com/...
@t3dotgg Theo on x
LinkedIn continues their quest to be 2010 Facebook
@serge_golubev Sergey Golubev on x
@Techmeme @ingridlunden Games can make LinkedIn more engaging and interactive for users.
@carnage4life Dare Obasanjo on x
I've often described LinkedIn as a collection of growth hacks as opposed to a coherent product and their latest plans strengthen that impression. LinkedIn is working on adding puzzle games to its app. [image]
@adamnash Adam Nash on x
This may seem counterintuitive to people, but we even spent some time on games back in 2008-9. Professionals compare progress on wordle & the daily crossword. They discuss sports, organize betting pools, etc. Some even enhance professional reputation! https://techcrunch.com/...
@aparanjape Amit Paranjape on x
.@LinkedIn wants to add gaming to its platform https://techcrunch.com/...
@joshconstine Josh Constine on x
Surprisingly smart. LinkedIn is building Wordle-style games. Its recruiting business thrives on daily visits but its thought-boi content isn't for everyone. Puzzles that make people feel smart are crack for the career-oriented https://techcrunch.com/... [image]
@mattrosoff Matt Rosoff on x
LinkedIn plans to add gaming to its platform - yes, you read that right, although think more Worldle than World of Warcraft. Wild scoop from @ingridlunden tip @Techmeme https://techcrunch.com/... via @techcrunch
@ashleymayer Ashley Mayer on x
How about a game of “true or false” next to how people describe their prior roles/impact 😇
@ingridlunden Ingrid on x
Scoop. We're confirmed that LinkedIn, forever working on ways to make its platform more sticky, is dipping into the online puzzle craze, a la Wordle etc. tip @Techmeme
@nima_owji Nima Owji on x
BREAKING: #LinkedIn is working on IN-APP GAMES! 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! [image]
r/technology r on reddit
LinkedIn plans to add gaming to its platform | TechCrunch

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