The New York Times has moved its popular Mini Crossword behind a paywall, provoking anger among players who had long enjoyed it for free.
The puzzle now requires a subscription on both app and desktop. Social media and Reddit threads filled quickly with frustration, with users describing the shift as another example of small joys being commodified.
Some players noted the Times still lists the Mini as free in certain app sections, but new users are prompted to subscribe—often with discounts of up to 75%—a push many see as an aggressive conversion tactic.
The Times has built a lucrative games business on titles like Wordle and Spelling Bee, and analysts say paywalling the Mini fits a wider strategy of using casual puzzles to drive subscriptions. Still, for many fans, the move feels like a breach of trust.
Free alternatives are widely available from Merriam-Webster and others, but the Mini’s convenience and place in daily routines gave it special appeal. While some have resigned themselves to paying, others are vowing to look elsewhere for their crossword fix.
Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative is fresh, with the paywall implementation occurring on August 27, 2025. ([parade.com](https://parade.com/living/new-york-times-mini-crossword-placed-behind-paywall/?utm_source=openai))
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
No direct quotes are present in the narrative, indicating original content.
Source reliability
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative originates from PC Gamer, a reputable gaming news outlet, enhancing its credibility.
Plausability check
Score:
10
Notes:
The claims are plausible and corroborated by multiple reputable sources, including Parade ([parade.com](https://parade.com/living/new-york-times-mini-crossword-placed-behind-paywall/?utm_source=openai)) and Kotaku ([kotaku.com](https://kotaku.com/mini-crossword-paywall-free-new-york-times-games-angry-fans-wordle-2000620987?utm_source=openai)).
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is fresh, original, and sourced from a reputable outlet. Claims are plausible and supported by multiple sources, indicating a high level of credibility.
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