Every weekend, I know my morning will start the same way: my parents and I lounging on the couch and completing the NYT daily Wordle. We tease one another, providing clever clues and competing to see who can get in the least number of tries.
I look forward to the slow morning, and I look forward to knowing that we all have something to discuss over coffee each morning. This was the intention of the game from the very beginning.
Software engineer Josh Wardle created Wordle for his wife to play each day because he knew how much she loved word games. He created the game for her, and they would do it together every day.
Wordle, which takes a fun play on the Wardle’s last name, started as a game played by their friends and family but quickly grew in popularity. The game replaced in October of 2021, and today, it has over two million players each day.
How to play Wordle
The game gives you six chances to guess a five-letter word once a day. When you type in a word, letters that are in the word turn a color: green means it is in the right spot, yellow means the letter is in the word but in the wrong place, or the letter will turn gray if they are not in the word at all. The letter colors help you narrow down your choices, the goal being to guess the correct word correctly in six chances or less.
Though Wordle is a guessing game and sometimes a game of luck, there are some strategies people use. Some people start with the same word every time or use words with multiple common letters.
“I try to do a word with lots of vowels… if I know where some of the letters are I’ll put those in and then Xs for the other letters so then I can fit different possibilities,” said Sara Hauge, a senior.
Others play with no rhyme or reason, simply plugging in words that come to mind.
“I use a different random word every day, I know some people use ‘Adieu’ or a set word, but I just do whatever comes to mind,” said Nina Sugiyama-Allen, junior.
Why is Wordle popular?
The game is popular because it is easy to play. Wordle is easy to follow, so players know what to expect. The simplicity helps people feel relaxed and comfortable while playing the game.
Not only is the game simple, but so are the graphics. The blank background, minimal color, and no ads please the eye. The lack of advertisements also adds to the clean look, and minimizes distractions.
“I think it’s so popular because it’s short, quick and easy to do. It is kind of like everyone can do it and you don’t have to have a general knowledge of anything but words to do it,” said Hauge.
The mental challenge is also another appeal to the game. Wordle can last as long as you want it to, but on average people spend about five to ten minutes on it each day. The short mental exercise enhances vocabulary, logic, and problem-solving skills.
“When I’m bored, I feel like it’s either play a game on my phone or do a word game, and I need something that works my brain waves,” said Sugiyama-Allen.
Accomplishing the Wordle daily gives players a dopamine boost, satisfying humans’ innate desire for validation.
A big part of its popularity is the strong sense of community surrounding the game. The game encourages friendly competition and engagement with friends and family.
Wordle allows players to share results through messages without revealing the actual words, so you can compare your performance without ruining it for others.
“I do have a group chat with my family where we send [the Wordle] everyday…sending it to my family is what brings me back to it each day” said Hage.
Sharing the Wordle everyday is also a great conversation starter and bonding activity.
Like the Hauges, my family and I also have a group chat where we send daily updates about our world failures and triumphs.
One of my favorite things about Wordle is being able to share it with my grandmothers. It makes me happy knowing we have something in common, even if it’s as simple as connecting over a game.
Mobile games often appeal to younger generations, but Wordle appeals to all generations. It is engaging enough and easy enough to understand that the majority of people find it attractive.
It is my opinion that the game will never die as long as love is what keeps the game running. I love words but also love community. The World will continue to bring generations of people together.
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