“The puzzles spread from the United States across the globe, but the American crossword today doesn’t always reflect the linguistic changes that immigration brings.”
games
Posted inEditor's Pick
What If the Robots Were Very Nice While They Took Over the World?
“First it was chess and Go. Now AI can beat us at Diplomacy, the most human of board games. The way it wins offers hope that maybe AI will be a delight.”
Posted inEditor's Pick
How Chess.com Became ‘the Wild West of the Streaming World’
“While much of the e-sports industry struggles after billions in investments, Chess.com has gone in the opposite direction.”
Posted inEditor's Pick
Dungeons & Dragons’ Epic Quest to Finally Make Money
“Can Hasbro overcome 50 years of D&D business disasters without enraging its fan base?”
Posted inEditor's Pick
‘It Changed the World’: 50 Years On, the Story of Pong’s Bay Area Origins
“How Atari created the world’s most famous video game.”
Posted inEditor's Pick
The Loneliness of the Junior College Esports Coach
“He tried to save his wife through the video game they loved—and nearly lost himself. Then he signed up to lead a fledgling team of gamers in Cheyenne, Wyoming.”
Posted inNonfiction, Reading List, Story
For the Love of Wordle: A Reading List on Puzzles and Games
Seven longreads on the communal pastime of puzzles, games, and crosswords.
Posted inEditor's Pick
The Surprisingly Messy Culture Wars Within The New York Times Crossword Puzzle
“While the crossword remains a word game mainstay, what’s appropriate has changed with the times.”
Posted inEditor's Pick
On the Insanity of Being a Scrabble Enthusiast
“Oliver Roeder navigates the highs and lows of his stint as a competitive player.”
Posted inUncategorized
The Nontrivial Pursuit of Quiz Glory
Even in the age of the search engine, the pleasure of knowing the right answer endures.