By: Lucy Van Meir ‘25
One of the New York Times games, Vertex, was taken down from the site on Aug. 29. The game, which consists of connecting dots to create a picture was a lesser-known favorite of many subscribers.
The New York Times published an Editor’s Note titled “Goodbye, Vertex” on Aug. 8 letting subscribers know that the game was to be discontinued at the end of the month.
Many Vertex fans are disappointed by the loss of the logic puzzle and have taken to social media to share their thoughts. Although there seemed to be massive support online for the game, there was not enough to prolong the life of the game.
The game’s first picture, a rabbit, was published on Dec. 17, 2019. Nearly five years later, it seems the game can no longer afford real estate on the Times’ website . Although not word or English related, the game featured a new intricate picture every day.
I would start nearly every day with the Vertex puzzle and work on it throughout the day. It wasn’t a quick solve like Wordle and Connections be and was an almost mindless distraction from life’s hecticness.
Although less people use the game than the phenomenon of Wordle, those who played the game were typically enthusiasts who looked forward to whatever the new picture would be.
When I learned of the change, I quickly searched online for reasons why the New York Times felt such a change was necessary. All I found was a vague, noncommittal response that was ultimately a plug for one of their other, less popular games.
Reading: “We know this is disappointing…we’re disappointed too,” followed directly by: “if you still need a visual puzzle fix, Tiles was added to the app in 2023,” was salt in my Vertex-shaped-wound . The picture-matching game they promoted would not nearly suffice.
Outside of the Editor’s Note, there is no information circulating as to whether the game was discontinued due to inactivity, complicated construction or simply because the editors got bored of making it. As one can imagine, this just leaves the Vertex community asking more questions and coming up with far-out conspiracies as to what truly happened.
Some users are so upset that they’ve even cancelled their Games subscription. While most may not be that dramatic, there are certainly consequences to The Times’s decision.
It is not only users who are affected. The Vertex constructor since 2020 released a statement about the decision as well.
“The privilege of being a small part of so many people’s day has brought me great joy and has been a source of strength during challenging times,” said Burgess Voshell. “I am deeply grateful to The New York Times for the opportunity and to every Vertex fan for your support and enthusiasm over the last four and a half years. Thank you for sharing in this experience with me, and a special thank you to everyone who has reached out to reveal the ways you’ve found meaning through play.”
Although many Vertex players now have a hole in their routine, as I have in my heart, there are still ways for the community to remember their beloved game. Many X, formerly known as Twitter, users have posted archived Vertex puzzles to look back on.
The New York Times may have gotten rid of the Vertex game, but they haven’t gotten rid of the community its built, and the joy it created.
While there may no longer be a puzzle to wake up to in the morning, I am grateful for all those I’ve completed and the challenging happiness they brought. As I and other Vertex users search for a new puzzle, I know it’ll be a long time before we ever forget .
THE BEAR FACTS 