This website collects cookies to deliver better user experience. Cookie Policy
Accept
Sign In
The Wall Street Publication
  • Home
  • Trending
  • U.S
  • World
  • Politics
  • Business
    • Business
    • Economy
    • Real Estate
    • Markets
    • Personal Finance
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle
    • Style
    • Arts
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
Reading: New York Times acquisition of word-game craze Wordle sparks controversy
Share
The Wall Street PublicationThe Wall Street Publication
Font ResizerAa
Search
  • Home
  • Trending
  • U.S
  • World
  • Politics
  • Business
    • Business
    • Economy
    • Real Estate
    • Markets
    • Personal Finance
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle
    • Style
    • Arts
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
© 2024 The Wall Street Publication. All Rights Reserved.
The Wall Street Publication > Blog > Entertainment > New York Times acquisition of word-game craze Wordle sparks controversy
Entertainment

New York Times acquisition of word-game craze Wordle sparks controversy

Editorial Board Published February 1, 2022
Share
New York Times acquisition of word-game craze Wordle sparks controversy
SHARE

The news that The New York Times will by the hot online word game Wordle from creator Josh Wardle for a price in the “low seven figures” has sparked fears the deal will kill the low-tech, open-to-all features that helped make the game a Web sensation.

Mr. Wardle, an engineer for Reddit who lives in Brooklyn, originally created the game solely for him and his girlfriend to play, but decided to release it to the public in October. The ad-free game gives users six chances to guess a five-letter word, and can only be played once per day. Its popularity grew quickly, with celebrities like late-night talk show host Trevor Noah joining in on the fun.

“I would be lying if I said this hasn’t been a little overwhelming,” Mr. Wardle said on Twitter. “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.”

But many Wordle addicts now fear that The Times will put the game behind a dreaded paywall. In its statement announcing the sale, the Times said that Wordle would “initially” remain free. The statements’ wording quickly caused a stir on Twitter.

Dan Campbell, an IT manager from Sharon, Pennsylvania, was one of the people to voice his displeasure on Twitter. For Mr. Campbell, refusing to pay for the game is more about principle than expense.

“It was just that it’s a simple word game that [Mr. Wardle] thought someone he cared about would enjoy,” Mr. Campbell said. “… It’s something that is more pure technology-wise in a time where there’s so many unpure things in technology.”

Mr. Campbell said he also feared the app becoming more “corporate” is inevitable after it is bought by a giant media corporation.

“You see it all the time. A big company buys out something small that was created with pure intentions, New York Times buys it out. Then all of a sudden there’s a paywall. There’s ads popping up all over the place. And they just sorta make it like every other piece of technology or app and even get away from a once a day play thing,” Mr. Campbell said.

The newspaper has been steadily building its network of games, some of which require a subscription to a gaming service that is separate from the publications’ other news subscriptions. The Times’ popular daily crossword puzzle is free, but a subscription is required to unlock additional puzzles.

The Times’ expansion is not limited to games, as the newspaper is also expanding on the editorial side. They purchased The Athletic for $550 million last month as they look to increase their sports coverage.

All of these ventures appear to be steps towards reaching their goal of 10 million subscribers by 2025. And it looks like the Times’ is just getting started.

And Mr. Wardle himself said he felt confident his creation would survive and endure under new management.

He said he was “thrilled” that the New York Times “will be the stewards of the game moving forward” and that he admired the newspaper’s “approach to games and the respect with which they treat their players.”

TAGGED:EntertainmentWall Street Publication
Share This Article
Twitter Email Copy Link Print
Previous Article Google Parent Caps Blockbuster Year With Sales Gains Google Parent Caps Blockbuster Year With Sales Gains
Next Article GM Earnings Rose Sharply in 2021 GM Earnings Rose Sharply in 2021

Editor's Pick

California dwelling of lacking child’s mother and father searched; father has served time for youngster cruelty

California dwelling of lacking child’s mother and father searched; father has served time for youngster cruelty

San Bernardino County sheriff’s investigators on Sunday, Aug. 17, searched the house of the mother and father of the infant…

By Editorial Board 9 Min Read
Farmer Needs a Spouse: John Sansone and Claire Dinette Break up!
Farmer Needs a Spouse: John Sansone and Claire Dinette Break up!

Studying Time: 2 minutes It's sadly over for one more actuality tv…

4 Min Read
Meri Brown Hints at “Accusations, Heartbreak” in Instagram Publish
Meri Brown Hints at “Accusations, Heartbreak” in Instagram Publish

Studying Time: 3 minutes Meri Brown seems to be going via it…

5 Min Read

Oponion

Amazon’s Washington Strategy Wins Few New Friends in the Biden Era

Amazon’s Washington Strategy Wins Few New Friends in the Biden Era

Joe Biden’s election as president seemed to herald better days…

March 10, 2022

Horoscopes July 20, 2025: Carlos Santana, progress comes with change

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Julianne…

July 20, 2025

Boys Have Eating Disorders, Too. Doctors Think Social Media Is Making It Worse.

Eating disorders are on the rise…

November 13, 2021

Pro-Beijing Online Campaign Targets U.S.-Based Xinjiang Researcher, Cybersecurity Firm Says

HONG KONG—A pro-Beijing online propaganda campaign…

August 4, 2022

Niall Horan Gutted Over Liam Payne’s Demise: Learn His Tribute

The world is mourning Liam Payne,…

October 18, 2024

You Might Also Like

Gregory Hatanaka Teases His Biggest Films Yet with No Regrets and The Shout
EntertainmentTrending

Gregory Hatanaka Teases His Biggest Films Yet with No Regrets and The Shout

If you know indie cinema, you know Gregory Hatanaka. The veteran director, producer, and distributor has spent decades zigzagging through…

6 Min Read
Kourtney Kardashian Pregnant? Followers Spy Attainable Child Bump
Entertainment

Kourtney Kardashian Pregnant? Followers Spy Attainable Child Bump

Studying Time: 3 minutes Kourtney Kardashian is pregnant, followers are declaring with complete confidence after a current bikini picture. However…

4 Min Read
Diego Borella Reason for Demise
Entertainment

Diego Borella Reason for Demise

Studying Time: 2 minutes Diego Borella, an assistant director on the Netflix hit Emily in Paris, was pronounced useless round…

3 Min Read
Alicia Keys & Swizz Beatz Divorce: The Rumor & The Fact
Entertainment

Alicia Keys & Swizz Beatz Divorce: The Rumor & The Fact

Studying Time: 3 minutes Are Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz getting a divorce? The singer and her husband have been…

3 Min Read
The Wall Street Publication

About Us

The Wall Street Publication, a distinguished part of the Enspirers News Group, stands as a beacon of excellence in journalism. Committed to delivering unfiltered global news, we pride ourselves on our trusted coverage of Politics, Business, Technology, and more.

Company

  • About Us
  • Newsroom Policies & Standards
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Careers
  • Media & Community Relations
  • WP Creative Group
  • Accessibility Statement

Contact

  • Contact Us
  • Contact Customer Care
  • Advertise
  • Licensing & Syndication
  • Request a Correction
  • Contact the Newsroom
  • Send a News Tip
  • Report a Vulnerability

Term of Use

  • Digital Products Terms of Sale
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Settings
  • Submissions & Discussion Policy
  • RSS Terms of Service
  • Ad Choices

© 2024 The Wall Street Publication. All Rights Reserved.

Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?