New York Times buys viral sensation Wordle

The New York Times has bought viral word game Wordle, as the creator of the game struggles to keep up with the popularity.

In a Twitter post, Josh Wardle told his followers he had reached an agreement with the New York Times to sell the popular game.

He said, “When the game moves to the New York Times site, it will be free to play for everyone, and I am working with them to make sure your wins and streaks will be preserved.”

Wordle was acquired for an undisclosed price in the low-seven figures, according to the New York Times. 

In a statement it said, "At the time it moves to The New York Times, Wordle will be free to play for new and existing players, and no changes will be made to its gameplay."

Wordle is a simple, word guessing game where players have to guess a five letter word within six tries. Once users have guessed the word, they have to wait until the following day to play another round.

Jonathan Knight, general manager for The New York Times Games said, “As part of our portfolio of games, Wordle will have an exciting future with the help of a team of talented engineers, designers, editors and more, furthering the user experience.”

An update on Wordle pic.twitter.com/TmHd0AIRLX

— Josh Wardle (@powerlanguish) January 31, 2022

Software engineer Wardle created Wordle last year for his partner so they could spend time together playing this word game. It began to gain traction globally after he released it to the world in October 2021.

“It has been incredible to watch a game bring so much joy to so many, and I feel so grateful for the personal stories some of you have shared with me — from Wordle uniting distant family members, to provoking friendly rivalries, to supporting medical recoveries.

“On the flip side, I’d be lying if this hasn’t been a little overwhelming. After all, I am just one person, and it is important to me that, as Wordle grows, it continues to provide a great experience to everyone,” he said.

This game shows how something so simple and straightforward can become beloved in an instant. The game appeals to so many as it is easy to understand, there are no flashy ads and most importantly it is free to play.

According to the New York Times, 90 people played on November 1, less than two months later 300,000 people played.  

The New York Times is known for its iconic games like Spelling Bee, Tiles and the Crossword.