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ANALYSIS 7D AGO MORNING BREW DAILY

Why you can't stop playing Wordle

07 SEP 2026 · 07:00 ET·30:21·6.2K VIEWS

Jonathan Knight, head of games at The New York Times, discusses the phenomenal success of their puzzle games, particularly Wordle. He explains that while the Times has a long history of puzzles, dating back to 1942, the acquisition of Wordle in 2022 and its clever sharing mechanic significantly boosted engagement. Knight highlights the importance of daily, shared experiences, the high quality and elegance of their products, and a rigorous greenlight process for new games.

WHY IT MATTERS

The New York Times Games' success demonstrates the enduring appeal of simple, daily interactive content that fosters social connection, even in a crowded digital landscape.

ALSO DISCUSSED

The episode also covers Hotels.com's business travel preferences feature.

NEW YORK TIMES GAMES WORDLE JONATHAN KNIGHT PUZZLE GAMES

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