New York Times buys Wordle

The New York Times has bought the addictive puzzle game Wordle for an undisclosed seven figure sum. What is all the fuss about?

HOW TO PLAY WORDLE
Player is given six attempts to guess five-letter word (word changes each day)

Grey: Letter not in word at all
Yellow: Letter in word but not in that position
Green: Letter in word and in correct position
Keyboard: Reflects letter states

TOP TIP: Start with vowel heavy word, like ADIEU

METEORIC RISE
Wordle daily players (millions) 

Mid-Oct: Launches online
Jan 19: 3m players 
Jan 8: 2m players

Late Dec: Score sharing launches on social media

Nov 1: Jan 2: 90
Jan 2, 300,000 players

3 2 1 0
Oct 2021 Nov Dec Jan 2022  ?
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A BRIEF HISTORY

2021: Brooklyn-based software engineer Josh Wardle develops game for his puzzle loving partner – punning on his last name

Game becomes popular with friends, shared via WhatsApp

Oct: Wordle goes public using website Wardle used while studying and working in UK

Nov 1: Wordle has 90 online players

Late Dec: Social media score sharing enabled

Wordle 227 4/6
 
2022: Popularity explodes, reaching 300,000 players 

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Sources: BBC, New York Times, The Conversation
Pictures: Wordle, LinkedIn © GRAPHIC NEWS