I confess to a guilty pleasure – watching “Glee” from start to finish, including the occasionally cringe-worthy later seasons.
I indulge in my responsible pleasure by playing LinkedIn video games.
Wait, what’s this I hear about LinkedIn having video games? . When LinkedIn introduced its information hub, LinkedIn Info, the platform launched three interactive puzzles, mimicking the style of The New York Times’ popular video games.
The Queens logic puzzle remains my favorite, while the phrase-based game Crossclimb is fairly engaging. I find the word-association recreation Pinpoint to be merely adequate, but it still serves its purpose.
LinkedIn is incorporating a tried-and-true tech tactic: observing what succeeds elsewhere and replicating that success, regardless of whether it initially seems like an unconventional move – such as integrating game-like elements into a professional networking platform. It’s little wonder, then, that this phenomenon has sparked such creative inspiration. As of December 2023, more customers are engaging with the New York Times’ video game content on their mobile app than with its informational offerings.
LinkedIn isn’t alone. Everybody has video games now. . . . There are so many incredible video games out there for us to enjoy. While I enjoy solving a wide range of New York Times puzzles, I still crave more. While I’m not eager to prioritize LinkedIn’s Crossclimb over my Connections, I do find the games provide a satisfying fix of dopamine.
While taking a break from work, I often indulge in LinkedIn’s gamelike features. I find myself meandering onto LinkedIn to verify some detail or acquire information, only to be sidetracked and spend a few minutes indulging in a quick game. As I step away from the same old draft of an article, my mind becomes tangled and disoriented, begging for a respite from the monotony of staring at the same words. A stimulating detour, like tackling a vibrant Queens puzzle, proves to be just the catalyst needed to refresh my perspective and approach the manuscript with renewed clarity and focus.
There appears to be a science underlying the reason why we are drawn to these quick, daily brain teasers.
I recently conversed with an individual whose company is founded on the idea that engaging in video gaming (in moderation) can have positive effects on mental wellbeing. While occasional diversions from daily life can momentarily disrupt negative thought patterns and foster fresh insights by providing a mental respite.
Douglas told TechCrunch, “When playing Tetris, for instance, it’s impossible to ruminate excessively about one’s incompetence, worry about how terrible they’re performing, or fret over the unknowns of next week.”
According to neuroscientific research, when individuals engage in video game play, they stimulate their brain’s limbic system, responsible for processing and managing stress responses. While simulations of these stressors may initially be challenging, our brains can adapt and develop various coping mechanisms to overcome them.
As individuals embark on their learning journey, they initially operate at an unconscious level, rapidly generating new neural connections that are then selectively prioritized based on how they will eventually address these concepts. “When faced with a stressful situation in this environment, know that you’re not alone.” You could have management.”
While it’s not necessary for everyone to spend their entire day playing Pokémon, DeepWell’s online game development tools can be used therapeutically in short 15-minute increments. The allure of immersive experiences like video games may stem from the fact that many modern gamers are drawn to titles like, which offer defined conclusions, unlike open-ended games or social media platforms like The New York Times and LinkedIn, where engagement is perpetual. You solve your daily puzzle and immediately move on.
Josh Wardle, the mastermind behind Wordle, sat down with TechCrunch for an interview about his meteoric rise to fame before the game’s acquisition by The New York Times.
I’m wary of apps and video games that crave excessive attention – after all, I’ve spent time in Silicon Valley. Wardle explained, “I understand their motivations for taking this approach.” “Don’t people crave transparency in matters that don’t require anything from them?”
Although Wardle’s words ring true, my cherished LinkedIn gaming sessions actually require one thing from me: dedicated focus. As a result of my genuine dedication, I’ve invested significantly more hours on LinkedIn over recent months than I ever previously had.
In line with LinkedIn’s professional standards, my daily routines should be consistent and predictable. According to the corporation, since the beginning of July, participation engagement among new participants has increased by approximately 20% on a week-over-week basis. LinkedIn has noted a surge in users sparking meaningful discussions following their engagement with video content. As you fill a recreation, you may notice which of your connections have also participated, which I imagine some people perceive as an opportunity to build community? I rarely engage in casual banter, yet I must admit that the majority of my LinkedIn conversations consist of me exchanging simple “hellos” with acquaintances, which, for some inexplicable reason, brings me joy.
So, log into LinkedIn and pour your heart out… then, roughly four minutes later, return to the unyielding momentum of global commerce.
