New to the NYT Games lineup is the exciting and interactive new word game, Crossplay. Unlike the other single-player games from The New York Times, Crossplay is a two-player game that has its own standalone app. This new addition to the NYT Games family is quickly capturing the attention of fans and is sure to become a favorite among players.
Designed for real-time competition and social play, Crossplay allows players to take turns building words off one another and earn points in the process. Similar to a Scrabble board, players must strategically place tiles on a shared game board to score the most points. The app also allows players to chat in-game, view their stats, and add up to 100 friends to a leaderboard to see who can reach the highest score.
Crossplay officially launched on its own app on January 21, after being in development for almost two years. Players around the world were able to pre-register for the app to ensure they had access on the launch date. The game underwent testing in Canada and New Zealand throughout 2025 before being released to the public.
Players have the option to play Crossplay against a real person or against the computer. The game rules require the first word to have a letter that falls onto the center tile, with subsequent words connecting to existing tiles on the board. Bonus squares can double or triple players’ scores, adding an extra layer of strategy to the game.
Unlike other NYT Games that are single-player and limited to once a day, Crossplay offers the flexibility of playing up to 30 games at once. Whether playing against friends, family, or random opponents, Crossplay provides a dynamic and engaging word game experience for players of all skill levels.
Early players have praised the user-friendly interface of Crossplay, noting the lack of ads and the engaging gameplay experience. While some players have raised concerns about the rule changes from Scrabble, overall feedback has been positive, with many enjoying the challenge and social aspect of the game.
In the ever-evolving world of word games, Crossplay offers a refreshing take on interactive gameplay and social competition. With its engaging mechanics and social features, Crossplay is poised to become a staple in the world of mobile word games.
Peace Nero is a writer and blogger who loves to explore different topics of self-development. She shares her personal experiences in order to help people discover their true purpose in life.