If you’re like me and like to pass time with some brain teasers, you’d look no further than the New York Times Games. They offer games like the Wordle, Connections, and the notorious crossword and mini crossword.

 The mini crossword is a unique form of the crossword; It’s quite literally mini. You solve for words across and down by reading the clues. It’s a short, fun, and free way to pass time. However, on August 26th, The NYT decided to add a paywall to the mini crossword. The switch not only came as a surprise to all who play but also as an outrage. 

Senior Elijah Infantes said, “I’m very upset about the paywall. “Honestly, I feel like playing the mini crossword helped wake my brain up in the morning every day.”

What makes this decision even more frustrating is that the regular crossword is already locked behind a paywall. The mini crossword used to be a free alternative, but now that option has been taken away too.

It seems ridiculous to have to “pay to play” for something that should be free, and also a little unfair to people who can’t afford to spend $50 a year on a subscription to play the mini crossword. 

Though the switch to a paywall for the mini crossword looks to be permanent, the NYT is still providing brain teasers like the Wordle, Connections, and Strands for all to play for free. The question is, how long before all games are behind a firewall?