undefined | Better HN

0 pointsomnicognate4y ago0 comments

Except the game is played by millions and will inevitably be played by many fewer in this scenario. People can trivially make clones but it won't be the same as part of the fun is that it's the same word for everyone, and I assume copying the day's word would be even more legally dubious than copying the gameplay.

So in that scenario, I don't think "everyone wins". A free, universal bit of fun will have become a paid, niche thing for NYT subscribers. The vast majority of (continuing and former) players will have lost something.

I don't at all begrudge the developer taking the opportunity to cash in, but if this is what the NYT do I certainly will resent their part in it. It's a bit of mild fun that doesn't need to be "monetised".

The crossword comparison is a bad one, btw. The setting of each crossword is a separate skilled, creative act. Not many people can do it, and those that do deserve to be paid for it. There is practically zero daily effort in running Wordle, just static hosting and choosing a word each day.

0 comments

4 comments · 2 top-level

colinmhayes4y ago· 1 in thread

I don't expect wordle to change at all. The site will probably become NYT themed and try to push you to download the crossword app. Daily puzzle will still be free on the app and site. They just want more people in their puzzle ecosystem.

omnicognateOP4y ago

I hope you're right, but the NYT article isn't very promising. It says "The company said the game would initially remain free to new and existing players," and then spends the rest of the article talking about how their business is all about subscriptions.

They've paid over a million for it. It'll be nice if they keep it unchanged but I doubt they will.

underdeserver4y ago· 1 in thread

Something good and valuable is offered for free for a time. Then it stops being offered for free. I'm sorry, but we don't get to be mad.

There are a bazillion free (probably free forever) clones. Choose your favorite.

omnicognateOP4y ago

I said that I don't resent the dev cashing in, and I said why the clones aren't a substitute.

Your comment amounts to "that's how it is, deal": zero information content, just an expression of a rather ugly attitude. I know that's how it is and whether I choose to be mad at NYT for it is entirely up to me. The fact that someone made money doing something doesn't oblige me to not think they're a dick for doing it.

Talking of which, whether the NYT do in fact make any money out of this remains to be seen. By buying it for 7 figures they've set themselves a high bar for that. It's entirely possible they'll end up having messed up something people were enjoying and lost both money and goodwill in the process. Kudos to the dev whatever happens, though.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse