Clues and solutions for the NYT Crossword on August 1st
The New York Times' Connections game, a unique category matching puzzle, is edited by the talented Wyna Liu. Liu joined The New York Times puzzle team in 2020 and has been at the helm of the Connections game since its launch in mid-2024.
Each day, Liu assembles, vets, and publishes a new Connections puzzle. The game board is a 4x4 grid of 16 words, grouped into four themed sets of connections. Liu's role involves shaping the game once it's greenlit, drawing on her crossword editing experience to create challenging yet solvable word-association groups.
Liu's work extends beyond the puzzle creation. She has shared insights about her favorite puzzles and tips for gameplay, demonstrating an active involvement in the puzzle's ongoing development and community interaction.
How to Play Connections
The objective of Connections is to organize the 16 words into four sets by identifying the connections that link them. Each group is color-coded, with the yellow group being the easiest. You have four mistakes allowed before the game ends.
The game changes daily at midnight local time, providing a fresh challenge every day. Each new puzzle resets every night and has a varying degree of difficulty.
Hints and Connections
For today's Connections, hints include four themes and one word from each group. For example, the theme for the yellow group might be "Famous Playwrights", and the word hint could be "Silent". The correct answer would be "Playwright", which is connected to the word "Silent 'W'".
A Game Similar to Wordle
Like Wordle, Connections allows you to keep track of your winning streak and compare scores with friends. The game can be played on the New York Times website or through the NYT Games app on iOS or Android.
Celebrating Connections
On the one-year anniversary of its launch, Wyna Liu posted a TikTok about her favorite Connections puzzles, sharing her passion for the game with the community.
If you're a fan of word games or looking for a new daily challenge, give Connections a try!
[1] Liu, W. (2024). Editing Connections: A Day in the Life. The New York Times. [2] Liu, W. (2024). My Favorite Connections Puzzles. TikTok. [4] The New York Times. (2024). Connections: A New Puzzle Game. The New York Times.
Technology plays a crucial role in the implementation of the Connections game, as it allows Liu to vet, assemble, and publish the daily puzzles on the New York Times website and through the NYT Games app. Moreover, entertainment is a significant aspect of the Connections experience, offering a daily challenge that can be combined with friendly competition, similar to the popular game Wordle.
