The Phenomenon Of Wordle: A Game That Captivated Millions

Wordle has been a sensation for more than two years, continuing to challenge word puzzle enthusiasts daily. Developed by Josh Wardle, a software engineer based in Brooklyn, this engaging word game was initially a personal gift for his girlfriend who adored word puzzles. Intended for their enjoyment during the COVID lockdowns, Wardle quickly recognized the game's potential and decided to launch Wordle online in October 2021, allowing players around the world to join in on the fun.

The popularity of the game skyrocketed within months, as it grew from just 91 players in November 2021 to an astounding 2 million by January 2022. This rapid ascent caught the attention of The New York Times, which acquired the game for an undisclosed seven-figure sum. Today, Wordle stands as the newspaper's most popular word game, a testament to its engaging format of five-letter words and six guesses that keeps players coming back for more.

So, what drives the enduring success of Wordle? According to Wardle, the game's neat structure, allowing players to guess five-letter words within six attempts, strikes the perfect balance between challenge and accessibility. This makes players feel a genuine sense of accomplishment when they successfully guess the word, as they are often left pondering and strategizing their next moves.

The game’s unique one-puzzle-a-day format also plays a crucial role in its appeal. Wardle drew inspiration from other popular puzzles during the pandemic, particularly The New York Times' Spelling Bee, which adopts a similar daily challenge model. This creates a shared experience among players worldwide, fostering community and conversation, which Wardle believes is one of the most fulfilling aspects of Wordle.

If you find yourself stumped by Monday's Wordle puzzle, fear not! Newsweek has compiled some hints to assist you in cracking the code. Stay tuned for hints that relate to the word's meaning and structure!

Wordle #1,192, Hints for Monday, September 23 Game

Hint #1: The word is related to both water and heat.

Hint #2: It can be both a noun and a verb.

Hint #3: The answer has no repeated letters.

Hint #4: It's often seen rising from something hot.

Hint #5: The word begins with the letter "S."

Wordle #1,192, Answer for Monday, September 23 Game

Monday's Wordle answer is "Steam." If you didn't guess it right, you can always try again when Wordle resets at midnight in your time zone. While you wait, why not explore other popular online word puzzle games?