At The New York Times, more than 100 full-time puzzle editors, game designers, and software engineers contribute to the creation of popular daily games such as Wordle, Spelling Bee, Connections, and Sudoku. While these games captivate millions of players worldwide, those who develop them face unique challenges when it comes to enjoying the puzzles in their free time.
Tracy Bennett, who edits Wordle and other word-based puzzles including Strands, said she schedules the daily games far in advance, allowing her to forget the answers by the time they are published. This approach enables her to play the puzzles without prior knowledge, preserving the enjoyment for herself. However, others in the Games division find it more difficult to separate work from play.
Software engineer Hope Fourie described being unable to continue their 250-day winning streak on the Connections game after becoming involved in developing new features, which required familiarity with the answers. Fourie explained that working closely with a specific puzzle often precludes them from playing it recreationally.
Similarly, Sam Ezersky, a digital puzzles editor who handles Spelling Bee, Letter Boxed, and the crossword, said he gave up doing the daily crossword upon joining the team in 2017, calling it a “crushing blow.” Still, he manages to enjoy puzzles created by colleagues, which helps maintain some distance from the production process. Isaac Aronow, the editor of the Gameplay newsletter and Spelling Bee forum, described a diminished enthusiasm for playing Times puzzles outside of work due to saturation and the nature of his job.
To engage different cognitive skills, many members of the Games team pursue diverse forms of puzzles and games unrelated to their professional assignments. Bennett, who focuses on word games, often plays Sudoku, logic puzzles, and even visits escape rooms to exercise different mental muscles. Ezersky spends time on geography challenges and fantasy sports, while Rohit Crasta, a lead game designer involved with Crossplay, turns to video games for relaxation and creative inspiration.
Beyond individual play, the Games team also fosters a collaborative and social environment through regular gatherings. On most Wednesdays, a rotating group meets virtually for a “game club,” facilitated by lead product designer Robert Vinluan, who has contributed to games like Tiles and the Spelling Bee mascot design. This group treats their meetings more like a book club for games, exploring a wide range of titles — from cerebral mysteries such as Rise of the Golden Idol to popular online experiences like GeoGuessr. Discussions sometimes incorporate explorations of blockbuster titles such as Elden Ring or The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, alongside brief presentations on various gaming topics.
While competitive rivalries occasionally emerge, such as in bandit-themed puzzle games, the gatherings primarily serve as forums for sharing ideas, trying new concepts, and fostering innovation. An annual event called Game Jam encourages team members to pitch bold and imaginative puzzle designs.
Through these working and recreational practices, the Games division aims to balance professionalism and creativity. As Bennett noted, their puzzles maintain a distinct human touch, marked by humor, cultural relevance, and intentional imperfections, which many solvers value for the connection it creates.