Everyday when I wake there’s always a few things on my mind, but almost always at the forefront is accomplishing the New York Times games that I’ve taken a liking to: Wordle, Connections, Strands, and Mini Crossword. I’ve played Candy Crush to trying to solve a Rubiks cube but none have ever captivated me as much as these silly little word games do. But what makes these games so addicting?

Well first, lets explore the history. The New York Times website gave a small timeline saying “Since the launch of The Crossword in 1942, The Times has captivated solvers by providing engaging word and logic games. In 2014, we introduced The Mini Crossword — followed by Spelling Bee, Letter Boxed, Tiles and Vertex. In early 2022, we proudly added Wordle to our collection. We strive to offer puzzles for all skill levels that everyone can enjoy playing every day.” The Crossword that has kept readers coming back since 1942 is the foundation that was built so that these online daily games could thrive.

So in general what can makes these word games bring in so many players? Well it’s been found that brain teasers improve cognitive function and test mental capacity. They enhance memory, sharpen critical thinking abilities, and ultimately produce an intoxicating dopamine surge. People get such a surge of satisfaction when they finish one of these games that they are compelled to keep looking for others. That’s why most people don’t just play one of of the games but instead have a lineup that they complete daily.

These games have also seemed to bring in a younger demographic, with young adults and teens constantly having their attention spans shortened, these games serve as good ways to positively stimulate their brains. According to recent research, millennials and Gen Z are more likely to interact with information that sharpens their cognitive abilities and requires them to think critically. The growing importance of education and public awareness of mental wellbeing, are probably responsible for this change. People are living their lives on the go more and more, so it’s important to discover activities that keep their minds active and sharp.

The New York Times puzzle game popularity is expanding, which suggests that readers—especially younger ones—are becoming more appreciative of intellectualism and critical thinking in general. So as someone who personally enjoys these games in hopes they are a good reflection of my intellect, I hope that my generation continues to play these games.