How to Build a Crossword Puzzle (That People Actually Want to Play)

David Steinberg went from submitting crosswords to the New York Times at age 12 to becoming the editorial manager at Andrews McMeel. In this episode, he shares how puzzles captured his imagination, what makes a great daily game, and why accessibility, surprise, and player-first design are key to long-term success. We also dive into how AI, onboarding, and syndication are shaping the future of games for indie developers and solvers alike.

Check out David's Resources:
https://syndication.andrewsmcmeel.com/puzzles/category/puzzles
https://www.gocomics.com

Find David Online:
http://www.customcrossword.com
https://www.xwordinfo.com/Thumbs/?author=David+Steinberg
60 Seconds With David Steinberg

Game Mentions
https://beekeeperlabs.com/crossfire/
https://www.playbalatro.com/

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2400510/Dungeons__Degenerate_Gamblers/
https://playthebazaar.com/
https://imsqueezy.com/
https://crosswordfiend.com/

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• (00:59) - David's Favorite Game Right Now
• (02:13) - Discovering Crosswords and Early Inspirations
• (03:54) - First Attempts and Early Rejections
• (04:46) - Getting Published and Shifting Focus
• (06:27) - The Appeal and Evolution of Crosswords
• (09:14) - Creating Crosswords: Tools and Tips
• (12:56) - Solving Strategies and Tournament Insights
• (14:58) - Crossword Tournaments and Competitions
• (18:49) - The Future of Crosswords and Puzzle Games
• (21:49) - Easy Mode for Friday Crosswords
• (22:03) - Evolution of Puzzle Creation
• (23:20) - Criteria for Syndicating Puzzles
• (25:12) - Measuring Puzzle Success
• (27:23) - Surprising Aspects of Syndication
• (28:28) - Trends in the Puzzle and Gaming Industry
• (33:04) - Merging Comics and Puzzles
• (35:42) - AI in Puzzle Creation
• (37:29) - Onboarding Players in Puzzle Games

Check out our brainy games:

Sumplete - https://sumplete.com
Squeezy - https://imsqueezy.com/
Kakuro Conquest - https://kakuroconquest.com
Mathler - https://mathler.com
Crosswordle - https://crosswordle.com
Sudoku Conquest - https://sudokuconquest.com
Hitori Conquest - https://hitoriconquest.com
Wordga - https://wordga.com