In a Newsweek article from January 2022, the inventor of Wordle, Josh Wardle, admitted that he often struggles with the game, even when playing with his partner. Wardle, a software engineer based in New York, revealed that his partner consistently solves the puzzle in three attempts, while he typically needs four or five tries. Wardle developed Wordle during the COVID-19 lockdowns and released it to the public in October 2021. The game quickly gained popularity, growing from 90 users on November 1, 2021, to 300,000 by January 2, 2022. Soon after, The New York Times acquired Wordle for a seven-figure sum, making it the most popular game under the publication’s banner.
Wordle’s appeal lies in its simplicity, offering players six chances to guess a five-letter word. The game provides feedback with gray tiles indicating letters not in the word, yellow tiles for correct letters in the wrong position, and green tiles for correct letters in the right place. Expert advice from Erhan Aslan, a linguistics professor at the University of Reading, suggests starting with words that include commonly used vowels and consonants, rather than uncommon letters like q, z, j, or x. By drawing on phonics knowledge, players can eliminate possible words and narrow down potential answers. Newsweek frequently provides hints and clues for daily Wordle puzzles, helping players work towards the solution.
For the Wordle puzzle on October 30, Newsweek offered five hints to guide players towards the answer. The clues revealed that the word contained three vowels, with “E” as the first letter, one repeated letter, and described the answer as a noun. The final hint instructed players to think of a frame that supports an artist’s canvas. The solution to that day’s puzzle was revealed to be “Easel.” Wordle updates daily at midnight, presenting players with a new challenge each day. Players seeking additional word-based puzzles to occupy their time can explore games like Typochondria and Spellspire while waiting for the next Wordle puzzle.
In conclusion, the widespread popularity of Wordle highlights the enduring appeal of simple, yet engaging word games. The game’s rise to fame from its humble beginnings during the pandemic lockdowns to becoming a sought-after acquisition by The New York Times demonstrates the impact of Wordle in the gaming world. With its intuitive gameplay mechanics and daily challenges, Wordle continues to captivate players around the world. Expert advice and clues provided by publications like Newsweek offer valuable strategies for solving Wordle puzzles, enhancing the player experience. As players eagerly await each new puzzle, Wordle remains a staple in the world of online word games.
