RIT graduate builds a career designing casual games that bring people together and spark everyday conversations

Rochester, New York – For Rohit Crasta, what started as a college class assignment turned into a full-blown career — one filled with puzzles, playful innovation, and a mission to connect people through games. More than ten years after graduating from Rochester Institute of Technology, Crasta still finds it surreal that a simple course in game design launched him into a career that’s now shaping how millions of people spend their coffee breaks.

Crasta, who graduated in 2013 as part of the second-ever cohort in RIT’s game design and development program, now serves as lead game designer at The New York Times. His role? Helping to bring to life some of the most talked-about digital brainteasers, including the viral hit Strands. These games aren’t just about clever clues — they’re crafted to bring people together.

“Time well spent is our mantra,” said Crasta, a Rockville Centre native now living in Rochester. “The goal every day is to build thoughtful puzzles that promote curiosity. We want people to feel good about the time they’re spending playing our games and forging connections with others in workplaces and in group chats. To me, casual games are about promoting conversation and social interaction.”

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Though casual gaming may seem like light entertainment, there’s a lot of brainpower behind the scenes. Crasta is responsible for building game mechanics that are both intuitive and engaging, ensuring each puzzle is a bite-sized experience that brings joy — and sometimes frustration — to players of all ages.

His love for game creation began in earnest during his time at RIT, where he was drawn not only to the advanced labs and cutting-edge tools available, but also to the guidance and candor of his professors. Those mentors didn’t sugarcoat the realities of the gaming industry.

“From day one, our professors were upfront with us about the competitiveness of the games industry,” Crasta said. “But they assured us that with lots of hard work and diligent use of the resources that were available, our chances for success would increase exponentially.”

Before landing at The New York Times, Crasta explored the power of play in a variety of contexts. He worked as a programmer for a museum and a textbook company, both roles that allowed him to solve design problems in creative and playful ways. He also served as lead designer for the widely successful mobile word game Wordscapes, learning firsthand how to balance user engagement with design complexity.

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Today, as part of the games division of one of the most iconic news organizations in the world, Crasta is helping to carry on a tradition that began during one of history’s darkest periods.

“The crosswords were included in the newspaper during a time when people needed a break from the heaviness of World War II,” he explained. “So, even back then, puzzles and games were used as a way for people to destress and have fun, if only for a short while. I’m so pleased that I’m able to help further this mission.”

Back home in Rochester, Crasta’s passion for games extends beyond his job. He runs ROC Game Dev, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting local developers. The group serves as a hub for creators to collaborate, learn from each other, and build new projects together. Crasta also devotes time to mentoring students, speaking with aspiring designers about what it takes to succeed in a field that’s as challenging as it is exciting.

Interestingly, Crasta doesn’t consider himself a master puzzle constructor — despite helping lead the design of some of the most popular puzzles on the internet.

“A common misconception is that you have to be really great at playing games to design games,” said Crasta. “But that’s not quite true. I’m here to create unforgettable experiences for game players and that’s my unique skillset.”

Crasta’s journey is a testament to what happens when curiosity, creativity, and a little bit of fun collide. From classroom inspiration to real-world innovation, his career proves that sometimes, the best jobs really are all fun and games.