Word Games

21 Aug, 2025

I really enjoying playing online word games. I am no wizard with the words, but I find it fun and good brain exercise.

I am totally useless at Crosswords -- but I think that would improve if I stuck with it; you would get into the rhythm of the clue-setter.

Wordle

I have been playing Wordle almost since day one, when Josh Wardle released it in October 2021. Despite his promise not to monetise it, he sold-out to the New York Times in January 2022 for an undisclosed seven-figure sum. At the time I was disappointed, but well done him. I mean, who wouldn't when someone offers you serious life-changing money?

I still play every day on the NYT website, along with their Connections game.

Words with Friends

I have been playing this on my phone since 2011 -- that's 14 years. I've only played with a few friends (who have come and gone on WwF) and consistently with one friend all those years. I've won 1,968 games and lost 378; tied 6.

I actually really enjoy it, but I hate the over gameification. I just want to play, what is basically scrabble, with my friends. I do not want to collect tokens, coins, gold stars......

I did have a hiatus from Words with Friends for a few years (maybe 3) as I was so infuriated with the rewards interface, but I've recently returned to continue playing my one remaining Words Friend.

Why can't we just have simple games that are not in our face with child-like rewards?

#blagusut2025 #rant