So, there is this cool game called Wordle where you have to guess a word by looking at colored squares. The New York Times bought it and now they are trying to stop other people from copying it. Some people made their own versions of the game but the Times said that's not fair and asked them to take it down. Read from source...
- The title is misleading and sensationalist, implying that Wordle is back in the spotlight when it was never out of it.
- The article focuses on the Times' legal actions against clones, but fails to mention other existing Wordle variants or the game's history and origins.
- The comparison with Lingo is irrelevant and unfair, as Wordle has a different gameplay, rules, and goals than a trivia show.
- The article uses vague terms like "unique tile layout" and "color feedback system" without explaining how they contribute to the game's appeal or challenge.
- The article exaggerates Wordle's popularity by mentioning Bill Gates as an example, but does not provide any data or evidence of its reach or impact.
bearish
Key points:
- The New York Times has taken legal action against several Wordle clones on GitHub
- Reactle, an open-source project, and its derivatives have been removed to avoid further conflict
- Wordle's popularity and similarities to Lingo have raised some questions about its originality
- The game is a valuable asset for the Times as part of its digital strategy
Summary:
The article reports on the copyright enforcement campaign by The New York Times against various imitations of the viral word puzzle game Wordle, which it acquired in 2022. The media giant has issued DMCA notices and taken down several clones that mimic Wordle's distinctive features. Wordle, created by Josh Wardle as a pandemic diversion, became a global phenomenon and a key part of the Times' digital strategy. However, the game has also been criticized for its resemblance to the 1980s game show Lingo.
1. Invest in The New York Times Co. (NYSE: NYT) stock or related ETFs, such as Invesco Dynamic Media ETF (NYSEARC: PBS). This is based on the assumption that Wordle's popularity will continue to grow under the Times' ownership and that they will be able to monetize it effectively.
2. Short sell or avoid investing in any of the Wordle clones, such as Reactle, or similar game developers, such as Zynga Inc. (NASDAQ: ZNGA). This is based on the risk of legal action and loss of market share due to copyright infringement.
3. Consider investing in companies that offer gaming platforms or services, such as Roblox Corp. (NYSE: RBLX) or Activision Blizzard Inc. (NASDAQ: ATVI). This is based on the potential for growth in the online gaming industry and the demand for creative and engaging content.