• by Ray Schultz , Yesterday

The New York Times has placed its Mini Crossword behind a paywall — that is, the game is now available to paid subscribers.  

The move, which reportedly was made without warning, has angered some fans. One asked why happiness must require a fee. “Pips is fine, but it’s no Mini,” a consumer told LA Magazine.

However, a Times spokesperson told People: "With the launch of Pips earlier this month, we now offer 10 distinct puzzles, a rich and diverse portfolio that reflects both the breadth of gameplay and the depth of experiences our team of puzzle editors and constructors has built. With several games remaining free to play for all, our portfolio features a dynamic mix of free puzzles and subscriber-only offerings, creating opportunities for every kind of solver to engage with us, every day of the week."