Haaretz Games
A mobile gaming experience for Haaretz
✱ Inspired by The New York Times Games
Overview
I love playing Haaretz’s daily games
and I love talking about them with friends and family — comparing answers, sharing frustrations, and celebrating small wins together.
This got me thinking...
The problem
No Game Archive
There’s no way to revisit past puzzles
Social Connection & Progress Tracking
No way to track performance or see friends' activity
No Crossword Interface
There is no structured interface for solving crosswords
Missed Engagement Opportunities
Experience could be more interactive and habit-forming
But sometimes I forget to play
Nothing is more frustrating than realizing I missed a game
Solution
An optimized mobile interface focused on
usability, daily engagement, and social connection.
Free daily play, with premium access to archive and advanced features, supports casual use while enabling deeper, long-term engagement.
Features
Game Archive
Users can access and solve past puzzles through the archive, available with a premium subscription — no more missing out on the days you forgot to play.
Social Connection
Users can add friends and see which puzzles they’ve solved each day. A shared leaderboard creates a sense of friendly competition and encourages consistent play. Privacy settings allow users to control what others can see
Progress Tracking
A personal stats screen provides insights into solving history, current streaks, and personal records—helping users stay motivated and track their improvement over time
Crossword Interface
Designed for Haaretz’s 11x15 crossword grid
Offers a clear and accessible solving experience, optimized for mobile.
Engagement Opportunities
Daily play builds habit
Players return for the challenge
With more games, simple progress tracking, and subtle social cues — engagement can deepen naturally
The subscription screen offers access to the archive, new features, and a choice between games-only or full Haaretz
Prototype 404
More Work