NYT Launches Crossplay: A Fresh Take on the Classic Scrabble Game
If you’re a fan of Scrabble or Words With Friends, you’ll want to keep an eye on Crossplay, the newest word game experience from The New York Times. Officially soft-launching in New Zealand for iOS users on June 10th, Crossplay is the NYT’s first standalone app built specifically to reimagine the classic letter-tile format. This isn’t just a rebrand—it’s a refined, elevated version of the game that millions already love, now with a modern twist and competitive flair. Whether you’re a casual puzzler or a word game enthusiast, Crossplay might be your new favorite app.
Crossplay by NYT: Scrabble, Reimagined for a New Generation
Crossplay brings the spirit of Scrabble into a sleeker, app-first experience. Unlike NYT Games’ usual lineup (think Wordle or Connections), this title isn’t tucked inside the standard NYT Games app. Instead, it’s launching as a completely separate download to appeal to new players who crave strategic head-to-head competition. Gameplay involves placing tiles on a board to form high-scoring words, with a mix of familiar mechanics and NYT-exclusive tweaks. Bonus tiles appear in different places, letter distributions are updated, and a unique endgame rule lets each player take just one final move after the last tile is drawn—making every decision count.
Why Crossplay Is Separate From NYT Games
You might be wondering why Crossplay isn’t just part of the main NYT Games app. According to Jonathan Knight, head of games at The New York Times, Crossplay was designed to be a “pure, classic, elevated” word game experience that needed its own space. The goal? To reach a broader audience that loves multiplayer word challenges and to deliver a more focused, high-quality environment for serious players. If you’re already a NYT Games subscriber, good news—your existing friends list will carry over to Crossplay, making it easy to start competing right away.
How to Access NYT Crossplay and What to Expect
To play Crossplay, you’ll need a free New York Times account. While it’s currently only available in New Zealand, a wider release is expected soon. With clean visuals, intuitive gameplay, and a social edge, Crossplay is shaping up to be a serious contender in the word game genre. It’s the latest sign that NYT is continuing to invest in interactive, engaging games—and doing it in a way that honors tradition while innovating for today’s mobile-first audience.