LinkedIn is stepping up its gaming presence, introducing a new puzzle game called Tango to its lineup. Following the earlier launch of Pinpoint, Queens, and Crossclimb, the platform is expanding its casual gaming selection as part of a strategy to make LinkedIn more engaging and social.
Logic Puzzles Take Center Stage
Tango challenges players to solve daily puzzles by filling a grid with suns and moons. The catch is that no more than two of the same symbols can appear next to each other, whether placed vertically or horizontally. Players must ensure each row and column contains an equal number of suns and moons.
To keep things interesting, some cells come with additional conditions: equals signs indicate matching symbols, while crosses signal the need for different ones. Developed with daily play in mind, Tango offers a new grid every day with puzzles that get progressively harder throughout the week.
The easiest levels appear on Mondays, while Sunday’s grid will push players’ problem-solving skills to the limit. To create these challenges, LinkedIn enlisted Thomas Snyder, a three-time Sudoku world champion, who is also responsible for designing puzzles for the game Queens.
Games Designed for Interaction
LinkedIn’s games are intended to be more than just a fun distraction—they’re designed to spark friendly competition and conversation. According to LinkedIn, 40% of players engage in the games due to recommendations from their network. With 80% of users returning the day after they first play and 76% revisiting within a week, it’s clear that these casual games are helping drive user retention.
Tango joins its predecessors in encouraging social interaction through gaming. Users can share how they tackled the puzzle without giving away the complete solution. For example, Tango players can show the first few moves they made, while Queens and Crossclimb players can reveal initial decisions without spoiling the entire experience.
New Features to Boost Competition
The rollout of Tango coincides with a series of feature updates planned for the entire lineup of LinkedIn games, set to arrive later this month. These changes aim to add a more competitive edge by introducing achievements and performance tracking.
Players will be able to see how their scores compare not just against a global average, but also against peers in their company, school, or broader network. LinkedIn even plans to offer a lighthearted feature that reveals whether a player performed better than the average score of CEOs who played that day.
Performance insights will also be expanded to include metrics such as the percentage of games won, longest win streaks, and overall number of plays. Regular players can look forward to milestone achievements that celebrate consistent gameplay, such as reaching a full month of daily wins.
Last Updated on November 7, 2024 2:36 pm CET
