It's easy to see the appeal of Wordle, the popular puzzle game that tasks players with figuring out a five-letter word each day. It's a game that asks little of players other than a few minutes of their time each morning, and participating in it makes them part of the "in" crowd. While Wordle is free, it seemed like just a matter of time until it grabbed the interest of a big company. And now, it has.

The New York Times is buying Wordle, as announced in a recent article published on the paper's website. Though the official sum has not been revealed, the deal is reportedly worth a price “in the low seven figures,” according to The Times. For now, Wordle will remain a free game, though it's reportedly part of The Times' plan to grow its subscriptions to 10 million by 2025, which means it likely won't stay free.

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Wordle was invented by software engineer Josh Wardle and has attracted millions of players since it was released back in October. For many, Wordle has been inescapable, as it regularly appears on Twitter feeds by those sharing their scores. It's had a sizable impact, already standing as one of the defining trends of 2022.

In response to the acquisition, Wardle has shared a statement detailing his journey with the app. Wardle praised the impact that Wordle has had on people, citing stories of reconnecting family members and helping with medical recoveries. He also expressed that, while he was proud of the creation, it was also a bit "overwhelming." Wardle stated that the New York Times helped inspire Wordle's origins, and this feels like a "natural" step to him.

The New York Times has several games that it actively maintains. The most famous is undoubtedly the crossword, though it also has Spelling Bee, a game in which players create as many words as possible with a given set of letters, Sudoku, and others. Notably, those games are sectioned off in their own Games subscription.

Ultimately, it's not surprising to see Wordle move hands to a larger company, and the New York Times does seem like a good fit for the word game. Of course, there will be those disappointed to hear that it's losing its independence. The goal is, after all, to help The Times grow its subscription base, so Wordle's days as an entirely free game are likely numbered. In the meantime, though, fans can still enjoy Wordle on its usual website.

Wordle is available now.

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Source: The New York Times