A daily word game called "Pears" has been released by Slate. The game, which gives players six letters to find all possible words, is accessible to the public and offers additional features for Slate Plus members. This new game appears to be part of a broader strategy by Slate to expand its gaming offerings and engage its readership.

The Pears game presents players with a set of six letters. The objective is to find as many words as possible using only these letters. A win condition is met when all possible words are discovered. The game's name, "Pears," is reportedly derived from the idea of letter pairs, such as "sk" or "qu," which create distinct sounds.

Game Mechanics: Players are given six letters and must form words from them.
Naming Origin: The name "Pears" is linked to the concept of letter pairs forming specific sounds.
Slate Plus Features: Members of Slate Plus have access to a Pears archive containing over 150 games and can play them at any time.
New Game Introduction: The game was formally introduced with an explanation of its rules and development by Dan Kois.
Daily Release and Archive Access
A consistent daily release schedule for Pears games has been established, with new puzzles appearing at noon. This daily cadence is designed to foster regular engagement with the game. Furthermore, Slate has opened its Pears archive, providing access to a substantial collection of past games.
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New Pears: A new game is released every day at noon.
Archive Access: The complete archive of Pears games is now available.
Slate Plus Benefit: Slate Plus members can play over 150 past Pears games on demand. This offers an "all-you-can-eat" experience for fans of the game.
Game 173: A Notable Iteration
Game 173 of Slate Pears, released on February 5, 2026, has been highlighted for its distinct complexities and potential for strategic gameplay. Reports suggest this particular game may have featured environmental factors that altered the gameplay, adding an element of unpredictability.

Unique Challenges: Each numbered game of Pears is said to have its own set of complexities.
Strategic Depth: Game 173 is described as requiring a flexible mindset and the ability to adapt strategies.
Unpredictable Elements: There are indications that Game 173 might have included dynamic environmental factors influencing the game board.
Community Aspect: The game is noted for fostering a global connection among players who enjoy problem-solving.
Pears Development and Slate's Gaming Portfolio
The Pears word game emerged from a desire to create a novel word-finding experience. Dan Kois was involved in discussing the game's creation and its unique elements, such as the emphasis on letter pairs. This launch aligns with Slate's ongoing efforts to develop and offer a variety of games to its audience.
Origin Story: Pears was conceived as a game focused on finding words from a limited set of letters.
Developer Insights: Dan Kois provided commentary on the game's mechanics and its "Slate-iest" word discoveries.
Gaming Expansion: The introduction of Pears appears to be part of Slate's strategy to broaden its gaming content.
Future Testing: Slate Plus members interested in testing future games were invited to make contact.
Conclusion
The Slate Pears game offers a daily word challenge with a focus on letter manipulation and word discovery. The availability of a full archive and enhanced access for Slate Plus members suggest a commitment to sustained player engagement. While the core mechanics remain consistent, specific game iterations, such as Game 173, may introduce unique strategic layers, underscoring the evolving nature of the Pears experience.
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Sources
Slate: https://slate.com/games/pears - General information and ongoing game details.
Slate: https://slate.com/life/2026/02/word-game-slate-pears-169-for-february-1-2026.html - Specific details about Game 169 and archive access.
Headtopics (via United States Latest News): https://us.headtopics.com/news/introducing-pears-a-new-word-game-from-slate-71412153 - Introduction of the Pears game and its naming.
NDOrtho: https://ndortho.co.uk/2026/02/slate-pears-game-173-feb-5-2026.html - Focus on the strategic and unique aspects of Game 173.