The acquisition of the word game online wordle speak New York Timesannounced on Monday, quickly created an uproar on social networks, the fans fearing that the popular game, which is currently free-to-play, could be put behind a paywall.
Obsession of the moment on the Web, wordle only had 90 players at the start of November. At the beginning of January, they were more than 300,000, according to an article in the New York Times. It is in this context that the New York daily announced the purchase of the game for “a seven-figure sum”, less than five million dollars.
Following his announcement, the Times said the game would “initially” remain free for both existing and new players. This wording has led some Twitter users to suggest that the media company will soon allow access only to followers.
“I have never seen Twitter so immediately angry as it is about the takeover of Wordle by the New York Times “, reacted a user. However, if many denounce the “capitalization” of the game, others rather choose to rejoice in the fact that its creator, Josh Wardle, will be paid for his success.
“I am delighted for Mr Wardle. He made a game for his girlfriend because she loves puns and then he shared it with all of us for free,” another commented.
A netizen quips that the creator alone is expected to cover the cost of maintaining a website visited by hundreds of thousands of people every day without serving ads or monetizing their game.
In a press release announcing the acquisition of wordleJosh Wardle wanted to be reassuring: “when the game is moved to the site of the New York Timesit will be free for all players,” he confirmed.
From the early days of the online word game’s success, Wardle was clear: wordle will not change formula. At the beginning of January, the programmer employed by the popular online forum Reddit also assured in an interview with New York Times that he had no intention of monetizing his creation.
In turn, yesterday the daily assured that the configuration of the game would not be changed.
The acquisition of wordle is part of the diversification of the New York Timeswhich already offers a specific game subscription, featuring crossword puzzles, a service that reached one million subscribers in December, according to a press release.
“I have long admired the approach of the Times and the quality of their games, as well as the respect with which they treat players. Their values align with mine on these issues,” added Josh Wardle.