NYT Connections Game Unveils New Format This October

NEW YORK, NY — The New York Times launched new features for its daily game, Connections, on Wednesday. This game goes live each day at midnight, challenging players to group 16 words into four categories.

As the spooky season begins, game editor Kris Holt announced a new column offering hints and insights into the game. The new format will provide players with clarity about word associations and any misleading hints they may encounter.

“I hope this new column is helpful for you!” Holt stated. “It’s designed to assist those who aren’t sure how words fit together.” The column is also intended to spark curiosity and engage players in learning more about the game’s references.

The Connections game requires players to guess arrangements of 16 provided words, sometimes including phrases and symbols. While there’s only one correct grouping, players have three incorrect guesses before they lose the game.

Each group is color-coded, helping players deduce categories: yellow often points to synonyms, while blue may include cultural references. However, Holt cautions players to be ready for surprises, as the game frequently changes its format.

In last week’s game, players had to group words relating to water, criticism, echoey places, and prizes. Holt reports maintaining an impressive win streak of 215 games, while engaging players in discussions about their strategies.

Holt encouraged community interaction, inviting players to join a Discord group for further engagement on Connections and other word games. He noted, “I’d love to hear your feedback about the column — it’s an excellent space for all things word games!” Players can expect daily updates and challenges throughout October, elevating their game experience.