Five empty boxes. The year is 2022 and nothing (beside the mass outbreak of coronavirus) is more ubiquitous than Wordle. Arriving in late 2021, the daily word game made its way into everyday life. As a student, I was not able to go more than two class periods without seeing computer screens with the infamous five-letter words projected across white, red, and green backgrounds. Since then, online wordplay games have changed the trivia landscape for good. The number of games has multiplied, and on campuses like the College’s and many others, they now fill gaps between classes, practice, studying, meals, and everything in between.
Now, you can find countless games filling students’ free time. The Krillion, Noillirk, Headcount, and Farflung are just a few examples. From Diamond to Dana, you can find students playing almost anywhere. But, why do so many students keep playing them, and why do they come back for more every single day?
For many, the appeal comes in the form of a respite that doesn’t quite feel like wasting time. Bobby Kelley `29 said, “It is a good way to take a break from work, without rotting my brain and it still feels intellectually stimulating.” Balance is always hard to find. While scrolling through social media is easy, it almost never feels educational or illuminating. On the other hand, a word puzzle is something that only takes a few minutes and leaves you feeling accomplished. “It is a really fun thing to do with friends to see who can do better,” Kendall Glover `29 said.
These games are so successful because they keep people wanting more. Most offer only one attempt per day, and with constantly changing questions and prompts, they make each day feel unique and compelling. If you miss one day, those questions are gone and the chance to improve your high score has passed. Many of these games also track streaks, so missing a day could mean losing weeks or months of continued progress. Sharing results is also a massive part of these word games. It turns something fun and private into a challenge or perhaps bragging rights.
Not every game is the same though, which makes the appeal so much more widespread. The New York Times Mini Crossword relies on quick recollection, while games like Wordle reward pattern recognition and some luck. Newer games also provide countless ways for students to choose what kind of mental break suits their mood.
I know students are always trying to find new games to play, so, below is a list of some of my favorites. Krillion (7 prompts, each rarest answer gains more points), Noillirk (Krillion, but reversed), Headcount (a nightly party game with prompts based on previous nights’ responses), Farflung (geography game based on prompts), and Hooked (name as many answers as you can in 30 seconds for each prompt).
~ William Maasbach `29
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