Viral Game Wordle Sold For Seven Figures Raising Questions Whether It Will Stay Free To Play

Wordle, the viral game everyone has been talking about, has just been sold to The New York Times for a seven-figure sum.

The game's creator, British engineer Josh Wardle, developed the game for his girlfriend before launching it to the general public in October.

The Brooklyn-based creator's game now has millions of users, and yesterday, Monday, January 31, The New York Times announced that it had purchased the game for 'low seven figures'.

The publication is said to have bought the game in an effort to attract more subscribers, which has caused people to question whether the game will remain free.

However, the publication has cleared up any worries with a statement that 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.'

Following the sale, Wardle tweeted an update.

An update on Wordle pic.twitter.com/TmHd0AIRLX

— Josh Wardle (@powerlanguish) January 31, 2022

In the statement, Wardle wrote, 'Since launching Wordle, I've been in awe of the response from everyone that has played.'

He went on to say that the 'game has gotten bigger than [he] ever imagined' and that he was happy it brought 'so much joy to so many'.

However, he said the unexpected popularity of the game had 'been a little overwhelming' and that it was 'important' to him that Wordle continues to grow.

Wardle added, '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 then announced the deal, saying, 'New York Times Games play a big part in its origins, and so this step feels very natural to me.'

He added that he's 'long admired NYT's approach to their games and the respect with which they treat their players'.

Speaking about the deal, Jonathan Knight, general manager for The New York Times Games, said, 'The game has done what so few games have done: It has captured our collective imagination, and brought us all a little closer together.'

Knight added that 'we could not be more thrilled to become the new home and proud stewards of this magical game, and are honoured to help bring Josh Wardle's cherished creation to more solvers in the months ahead'.

Wordle, which it feels like most people are talking about or playing at the moment, involves players trying to guess a five-letter word each day.

You have six tries to guess the word, and people can share their scores to socials.

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