Wordle inventor gets ahead of the game

## Summary
‘Imagine if everyone who has a creative impulse kicked back after their first recognised achievement.’ Photograph: Michael Dwyer/AP View image in fullscreen ‘Imagine if everyone who has a creative impulse kicked back after their first recognised achievement.’ Photograph: Michael Dwyer/AP Letters Wordle inventor gets ahead of the game Julius Pursaill , Andy Roberts and Jane Oberman respond to Polly Hudson’s article that decried Josh Wardle for creating a new game Josh Wardle, the inventor of Wordle, a game that gave huge pleasure to so many people during lockdown, reportedly sold it for a seven-figure sum . According to Polly Hudson ( The Wordle guy’s latest move tells us a lot about modern-day ambition, 22 March ), he now has the temerity to create another word game, Parseword , rather than kicking back on his yacht. Imagine if everyone who has a creative impulse kicked back after their first recognised achievement – if Michelangelo had kicked back after creating the Pietà, or Picasso had kicked back after Les Demoiselles d’Avignon. Julius Pursaill London It seems a little unfair to characterise Josh Wardle’s new game as trying his luck again, equating it with naked ambition.

## Article Content
‘Imagine if everyone who has a creative impulse kicked back after their first recognised achievement.’
Photograph: Michael Dwyer/AP
View image in fullscreen
‘Imagine if everyone who has a creative impulse kicked back after their first recognised achievement.’
Photograph: Michael Dwyer/AP
Letters
Wordle inventor gets ahead of the game
Julius Pursaill
,
Andy Roberts
and
Jane Oberman
respond to Polly Hudson’s article that decried Josh Wardle for creating a new game
Josh Wardle, the inventor of Wordle, a game that gave huge pleasure to so many people during lockdown, reportedly sold it for a
seven-figure sum
. According to Polly Hudson (
The Wordle guy’s latest move tells us a lot about modern-day ambition, 22 March
), he now has the temerity to create another word game,
Parseword
, rather than kicking back on his yacht. Imagine if everyone who has a creative impulse kicked back after their first recognised achievement – if Michelangelo had kicked back after creating the Pietà, or Picasso had kicked back after Les Demoiselles d’Avignon. Well done to Wardle, keep creating.
Julius Pursaill
London
It seems a little unfair to characterise Josh Wardle’s new game as trying his luck again, equating it with naked ambition. It certainly seems out of kilter to be drawing parallels with that and the rampant egotism displayed recently by
Timothée Chalamet
. Wardle just strikes me as a bit of a word nerd and coder who likes making games. His new one seems to be a love letter to cryptic crosswords – it certainly isn’t a tilt at creating another viral sensation.
Andy Roberts
Witney, Oxfordshire
Following Polly Hudson’s philosophy, no writer of a bestselling first novel should risk a second, and the Beatles should have stopped at Love Me Do. Creative talent should be appreciated and encouraged in whatever field. If Wardle’s second game is as good as his first, I look forward to playing it.
Jane Oberman
Rhulen, Powys
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## Expert Analysis

### Merits
- ‘Imagine if everyone who has a creative impulse kicked back after their first recognised achievement.’ Photograph: Michael Dwyer/AP View image in fullscreen ‘Imagine if everyone who has a creative impulse kicked back after their first recognised achievement.’ Photograph: Michael Dwyer/AP Letters Wordle inventor gets ahead of the game Julius Pursaill , Andy Roberts and Jane Oberman respond to Polly Hudson’s article that decried Josh Wardle for creating a new game Josh Wardle, the inventor of Wordle, a game that gave huge pleasure to so many people during lockdown, reportedly sold it for a seven-figure sum .
- Imagine if everyone who has a creative impulse kicked back after their first recognised achievement – if Michelangelo had kicked back after creating the Pietà, or Picasso had kicked back after Les Demoiselles d’Avignon.

### Areas for Consideration
- Andy Roberts Witney, Oxfordshire Following Polly Hudson’s philosophy, no writer of a bestselling first novel should risk a second, and the Beatles should have stopped at Love Me Do.

### Implications
- Andy Roberts Witney, Oxfordshire Following Polly Hudson’s philosophy, no writer of a bestselling first novel should risk a second, and the Beatles should have stopped at Love Me Do.
- Creative talent should be appreciated and encouraged in whatever field.

### Expert Commentary
This article covers game, wardle, kicked topics. Notable strengths include discussion of game. Areas of concern are also raised. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 336.