The New York Times Company on January 21, 2026, launched "Crossplay," its first-ever multiplayer game. The Scrabble-like word game is available as a standalone app on iOS and Android, separate from the main NYT Games portal, allowing users to compete against friends or a computer. Subscribers to NYT Games receive an ad-free experience, positioning Crossplay as a cleaner alternative to ad-heavy rivals.
The move is a significant expansion of the media company's highly successful digital strategy, which leverages products like Games and Cooking to drive subscription growth. With its games played over 11 billion times in 2025, The New York Times is now directly challenging established titles in the social word game market, such as Zynga’s “Words With Friends.” The app includes features like a "CrossBot" for post-game analysis to help players improve their skills.