Today Show reveals exclusive preview of Crossplay: What the New York Times is about to launch will compete directly with Wordle success

Today Show revealed an exclusive preview of Crossplay, The New York Times’ first-ever two-player word game launching January 21, 2026. This strategic brainteaser combines Scrabble-like gameplay with social connection, marking The New York Times Games’ biggest expansion into multiplayer gaming.

What Is Crossplay and How Does It Work?

Crossplay is a two-player word game where users take turns building words by placing letter tiles on a Scrabble-like board. Players create words off one another to earn points while competing for leaderboard rankings. The game emphasizes friendly competition and strategic word placement rather than solo puzzle-solving.

Unlike traditional Wordle or Connections games, Crossplay requires two players working as opponents. Each player builds off the other’s moves, creating dynamic gameplay that rewards vocabulary knowledge and strategic tile placement. The game features built-in dictionaries and social features to enhance the experience.

Why The New York Times Is Challenging Word Game Competitors

The New York Times’ move into multiplayer gaming directly challenges competitors like Zynga and Scopely, who have dominated the digital word game space. With Crossplay, The New York Times leverages its trusted puzzle brand to compete in the competitive multiplayer gaming market. The company reported generating a record $7.8 million from its Games division, showing strong demand for premium puzzle content.

Zoe Bell, The New York Times’ games executive producer, emphasizes the company’s commitment to human-centered puzzle design. Each Crossplay puzzle has a dedicated editor writing the day’s challenges, with testers providing feedback before release. This approach mirrors the meticulous process behind Wordle, Connections, and Spelling Bee.

Crossplay Development and Beta Testing Timeline

The Broader New York Times Games Portfolio Success

Crossplay joins an impressive portfolio that generated 11.2 billion puzzle solves in 2025. Wordle alone accounted for 4.2 billion solves, establishing The New York Times as a dominant force in daily puzzle gaming. The company also introduced Pips in August, a logic puzzle game that was solved 612 million times after its release.

The success of these games demonstrates user appetite for quality puzzle experiences. Pips, which involves dragging and dropping dominoes to satisfy board conditions, proved that The New York Times could successfully launch entirely new game concepts beyond word puzzles. Crossplay continues this expansion strategy by entering the multiplayer competitive gaming space.

How Can Players Access Crossplay When It Launches?

The New York Times made pre-registration available starting December 29, 2025. Players can visit the official Crossplay website to pre-register their account. Pre-registering ensures automatic access when the app launches on January 21, 2026, without requiring manual downloads during launch day.

The standalone app will be available on both iOS and Android platforms, allowing cross-platform play between smartphone users. A New York Times account enables players to track progress across multiple devices and compete against friends on leaderboards. The game integrates with The New York Times’ existing Games ecosystem while maintaining its own dedicated app.

Annabelle Ink

Annabelle Ink is a gaming journalist and lifelong gamer who lives and breathes video game culture. From console releases to esports tournaments, this dedicated journalist brings insider knowledge and genuine enthusiasm to every review and feature. Her expertise spans multiple gaming platforms, helping readers discover their next favorite game while staying connected to the pulse of the gaming industry.