New York Times Buys Wordle For Over $1 Million, Sparking Paywall Fears
The New York Times has bought Wordle for over $1 million, sparking fears that the game will soon be locked behind a paywall. Wordle has garnered massive success in 2022, with millions of players logging on each day to solve the daily word puzzle. The rapid success can be attributed to Wordle’s simplistic gameplay and engaging social features, which allows players to share their results without spoiling the five-letter answer. Despite the game’s viral success, the game’s creator, Josh Wardle, previously promised that Wordle would remain void of ads or monetization.
Wardle said that he wanted the simplistic word game to remain fun and free, unlike many other free-to-play games with features trapped behind paywalls. He also claimed that he had no interest in selling player data or incorporating a subscription plan to play the game, nor would he add the ability for players to purchase additional guesses. This mentality is contradictory to many games like Wordle, which either include ads or in-app purchases. Many Wordle copy-cats have already entered the market, with their developers quickly monetizing them. This pattern frustrated players, many of whom were looking for Wordle alternatives after finishing their daily puzzle.
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As shared by NYTimes Wordplay on Twitter, The New York Times has bought Wordle, adding the viral word game to its repertoire of smart games. Wordle was purchased from Josh Wardle for a price “in the low seven figures” according to The New York Times, though the company claims the game will initially remain free for new and existing players. That being said, the $1 million purchase is worrying Wordle fans, with many believing The New York Times
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