The New York Times Games

The New York Times Games publishes digital puzzles and word games, including The Crossword, Wordle, Connections and Spelling Bee. Players can solve puzzles in a browser or the Games app, saving progress and streaks across devices through their accounts. Crossplay, introduced in 2026 as a separate mobile app, adds two-player word-board competition against friends or matched opponents, plus computer play. Its Cross Bot analysis helps players review completed games and identify better moves.

The operation’s roots reach back to the Times crossword’s launch in 1942. Jonathan Knight, its senior vice president and general manager, previously led games at Zynga, including Words with Friends. The Times acquired Wordle from its creator, Josh Wardle, in 2022 for a reported price in the low seven figures. Games emphasizes human-crafted puzzles, using prototypes, player testing and retention measurements to decide which new games to develop.

Games combines free daily puzzles with paid access to its full collection, an archive of over 10,000 crosswords, and analysis features. Subscriptions are sold separately and included in the Times’ All Access bundle. The company reported 11.2 billion puzzle plays in 2025. Within the wider Times business, games also introduce players to other products, connecting a daily puzzle habit with its broader subscription offering.