When New York-based software developer Josh Wardle first created Wordle as a simple game for himself and his partner during the lockdown, he had no idea that it would become a global sensation. Released to the public in October 2021, the word-based puzzle quickly gained a passionate following, with players sharing their scores and tips on social media daily. Wordle’s popularity soared, going from 90 users in November 2021 to 300,000 by January 2022. The New York Times eventually purchased the game for a low seven-figure sum in January 2022, although it remained free to play.
In Wordle, players must solve a mystery five-letter word in six guesses or fewer, guided by a color-coded system that indicates if a letter is correct (green), if the letter appears in the word but in the wrong spot (yellow), or if the letter is not in the word at all (gray). Wardle chose five-letter words and six guesses for the game after testing different word lengths and attempt numbers to find an ideal level of challenge that still allowed players a sense of achievement when solving the puzzle. If players need help with the daily Wordle puzzle, Newsweek provides hints and tips to assist, with the answer also included further down in the article.
For example, in one Wordle puzzle, the hints given were that the answer is an adjective and adverb, has two vowels, no duplicated letters, begins with the letter “N,” and is a comparative version of another word. The answer to that particular puzzle was “nicer,” the comparative form of “nice” used to describe something as better or kinder than something else. Wardle himself acknowledged that it usually takes him four or five attempts to guess the word correctly, while his partner typically gets it in three tries. Wordle is released at midnight in each player’s local time zone, and Newsweek regularly provides hints and tips for each new game.
In addition to Wordle, players looking for similar word-based puzzles can try out other games such as Worldle, a geography guessing game, and Typochondria. Newsweek aims to challenge conventional wisdom and foster connections through its commitment to providing engaging and thought-provoking content. With its tips, hints, and insights into popular games like Wordle, Newsweek continues to entertain and engage with its readership, offering a fun and educational experience for puzzle lovers around the world.
