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By Sophie Lloyd
Pop Culture and Entertainment Reporter
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It's been almost three years since Wordle became an online sensation, providing a sense of connection, as well as fun, while people were stuck at home during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The game was created in 2021 by Josh Wardle. The Brooklyn-based software engineer came up with Wordle as a way to entertain his crossword-loving partner during lockdown, perfecting an earlier idea he'd developed in 2013.
"[My partner] and I play it on the couch together each morning. She will consistently get it in three goes, which is way, way better than I can ever hope to achieve. I normally need at least four or five attempts," Wardle told Newsweek in January 2022, when the game hit peak popularity.
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"When I designed the game, it was for me and my partner to enjoy, so I made sure that all of the entries were randomized. In other words, I don't actually know what tomorrow's word is going to be, which means that I can take part like everybody else."
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Realizing that other word puzzle fans might enjoy the game, he uploaded Wordle to the web in October 2021. In November, it had 91 players. By January 2022, it had more than 2 million.
The New York Times took notice, snapping Wordle up for a "seven-figure" sum and adding the viral hit to its roster of word puzzle games.
If you've wondered why Wardle opted for a five-letter word and six guesses, the answer is simple. He wanted the game to be challenging, but not too challenging, keeping players entertained for longer.
"With the prototype version, I tested different word lengths and experimented with the number of tries that players were allowed," he said.
"Through that process of refinement, I figured out that five letters and six tries was the ideal sweet spot. It's just limited enough to feel challenging and to make you think, but most of the time people still manage to solve it. So, you feel a real sense of real accomplishment."
If you need a hand solving today's Wordle brainteaser, Newsweek has put together a few hints to help you out.
'Wordle' #1,021, Hints for Friday, April 5
Newsweek has gathered five clues to help you solve today's Wordle puzzle.
Hint #1: Today's answer contains one vowel.
Hint #2: There are no repeated letters.
Hint #3: "W" is the first letter of today's Wordle.
Hint #4: Today's answer is a noun.
Hint #5: The answer is a body part.
'Wordle' #1,021, Answer for Friday, April 5
Today's Wordle answer is "Wrist."
Did you solve today's puzzle? If not, don't fret. You can always try again tomorrow, with Wordle resetting at midnight in your time zone.
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