The New York Times has announced a new math-based conundrum game called Digits, and the beta test is currently available at this link.
In Digits, you are provided with six numbers that you must add, subtract, multiply, or divide to reach a target number. You are not limited to these six numbers alone; for instance, you can multiply two of the numbers and then add the resulting sum to one of the others. If you attain the exact target number, you receive three stars; otherwise, you will receive one or two stars.
Consider the image below from The New York Times. This individual was given the initial numbers 4, 9, 7, 10 (based on the calculation at the top), 1 (also in the calculation), and 20 and is attempting to add them up to 235. The participant chose to deduct 1 from 10, resulting in the number 9 within the green circle. They may now combine this 9 with one of the other numerals in an attempt to reach 235.
Digits beta is free for a short period. Digits beta is free for a short period.
I’ve completed all five Monday’s Digits puzzles, and while I only earned three stars on the first, I thoroughly relished getting as near as possible to the target number. And I appreciate that you can still “win” even if you don’t get the exact total; one of the reasons I stopped using Wordle was because I felt pressure to spell the word correctly. (When combining numbers, Digits has a subtle but gratifying animation that reminded me of games like Threes and 2048.)
For a short period, you may try out Digits in beta for free. For a short time, you may play Digits for free during its beta phase.
However, the Digits beta has had a few bugs. Initially, I could only get the game to function in an incognito Chrome window; on my logged-in work Chrome browser, numbers wouldn’t combine until I refreshed the page, and on my mobile device, the game wasn’t registering any taps. Those issues have been resolved for me, so presumably you will not encounter them.
According to a New York Times article, Digits will “be available this week for a limited-time beta release.” The outcome of the beta will determine whether Digits becomes a full-fledged New York Times game. According to the article, “if the response to the game falls short of the team’s expectations, the [NYT’s greenlight] committee must determine whether further refining is necessary or if the game’s development should cease.”
When asked if Digits will require a subscription to participate if it becomes a full-fledged NYT game, NYT spokesperson Jordan Cohen provided the following noncommittal response: We have not yet made any long-term decisions regarding Digits, but we are eager to hear from participants about their experience.