Crossword enthusiasts in New York Times now face a paywall, but a solution exists for puzzle lovers to continue their game.
The New York Times has expanded its collection of online games with the addition of a new dominoes game called Pips. This latest offering joins a growing list of puzzles available on the platform, now totaling 10 distinct games.
However, the introduction of Pips comes with a change in access rules for one of the platform's most popular games – the Mini Crossword. As of late August 2022, players who are not subscribed to the New York Times Games package have encountered a paywall, restricting their access to the Mini Crossword.
The Mini Crossword, a daily crossword puzzle with approximately 12 clues, features six across-clues and six down-clues. It is a quick puzzle, typically solvable in under a minute, making it a favourite among many.
The New York Times Company determines the access rules for its games, including the Mini Crossword. These terms are typically outlined in the NYT’s digital subscription policies, which require a current subscription for full access to games and related apps.
For those who subscribe to the Games package, access to various puzzles, including the Mini Crossword, is provided as part of the subscription. The cost for this package is $6 per month. However, for those who don't have a Games subscription, they are required to subscribe to continue solving the Mini Crossword.
Interestingly, the Mini Crossword's paywall has not been without controversy. Some users have expressed disappointment about the restriction, particularly since several other puzzles, such as Sudoku, Strands, Pips, Connections, Wordle, and Connections: Sports Edition, are still free to nonsubscribers.
However, for library cardholders in Seattle, there's some good news. The Seattle Public Library offers free online access to the expanded New York Times subscription, including Games access, providing an opportunity for these users to enjoy the Mini Crossword and other games without the need for a separate subscription.
In conclusion, the New York Times continues to expand its online games offerings with the introduction of Pips. While this expansion comes with a change in access rules for the Mini Crossword, it also presents an opportunity for library cardholders in Seattle to enjoy the expanded subscription at no additional cost.
