Gulf News has always been at the forefront of news. But with its brand new Games section, it has opened the door to a recreational space online, for subscribers who want to kick back their heels, relax, and enjoy themselves, because we know everyone needs a break.
And leading that drive is our newly minted Games Editor, Sanya Nayeem, who had previously been with us for over a decade as the Deputy Readers Editor. So, she definitely knows what our readers are looking for, especially when it comes to Crosswords, Sudoku or Word Search puzzles. Completely focused in channeling the inner 'gamer' in all readers, Nayeem tells us all about the new Games section on gulfnews.com and why everyone must give it a shot.
What is the Games section all about?
Gulf News’ Games section is a real game-changer in the region – the media house is the first to introduce a dedicated recreational section on its website for its readers. I think of it as a little oasis in the bustling world of news. You can get away from everything for a few minutes and have fun, while still challenging yourself and learning something new. In fact, number puzzles and word games help train your brain, be it the young or old and aid in increased mental alertness. The Games section is available to all subscribers as part of Gulf News’ Prime Access Plan.
What Games are available to play?
Subscribers have full access to the Daily Crossword, the Weekend Crossword, Sudoku and Word Search. The Daily Crosswords explore a new theme every day and run from Sunday to Thursday, getting tougher as the week progresses. The Weekend Crossword, on Friday, is the most challenging puzzle of the week, and much larger, too. Our content creators, a special team from Encyclopaedia Britannica, often craft exclusive themed crosswords, such as the Oscars, Dubai World Cup and Indian Premier League, ensuring the puzzles are always new, exciting and engaging. New Sudoku and Word Search games are available every day, as well. They get a lot more fun with our ‘Play Together’ feature, where you can invite a friend to complete the game with you in real time.
Why did Gulf News decide to launch the Games section?
Gulf News has always been ahead of the times – a pioneer in all aspects. As our social and leisure habits changed, especially with the COVID-19 crisis and related lockdowns, readers are now looking for ways to unwind online in a safe space, rather than in a public setting. Gulf News’ Games section provides that space. Of course, such games have always been around. But the fact that subscribers can interact with friends while playing, engage with themed puzzles created specifically for them, and have their progress and scores saved at all levels – that’s something new and unique to Gulf News. The media house values its readers’ loyalty and understands where their interests lie, and you can truly see that – our readers are becoming skilled 'gamers', and forming a community of their own within the Games section.
The fact that subscribers can interact with friends while playing, engage with themed puzzles created specifically for them, and have their progress and scores saved at all levels – that’s something new and unique to Gulf News.
In fact, I asked J. E. Luebering, Executive Director of the Core Editorial Group at Encyclopaedia Britannica, who focuses on the content for the Gulf News’ daily and weekly crosswords, to share his insight on how he creates exclusive puzzles for our readers and what subscribers can expect in the future.
He said: 'To support our work with Gulf News, we've assembled a team of puzzle creators that includes several members of Encyclopaedia Britannica's editorial staff as well as independent creators from around the world. That's enabled us to bring a lot of knowledge and puzzling expertise to our collaboration with the Gulf News team, and it's been terrific working together, especially on topics of particular interest to Gulf News readers.
'Our goal with all of our crosswords is for puzzlers to have fun and be delighted - and be challenged too - while going in-depth on many different subjects, whether world geography or the colour red or the Dubai World Cup. Readers should expect even more wide-ranging topics, and they should expect to have even more fun. Our crossword team has been amping up their wordplay lately, and their puzzles have been quite delightful.
Our goal with all of our crosswords is for puzzlers to have fun and be delighted - and be challenged too - while going in-depth on many different subjects...
'Crosswords engage a lot of skills - what you know, what you can research, vocabulary, deduction, imagination. If you're working on a crossword, you're not just passing the time; you're thinking and challenging yourself and having fun. We should all aspire to more of that. Sometimes you might be a little frustrated at not knowing an answer immediately, but our puzzle platform's hints, and a bit of Googling, will get you out of any bind - and you'll have learned something new! That, to me, is the key to any crossword, particularly those for Gulf News readers: you'll discover something about the world that you didn't know before. Other digital games can't always say that.'
