# Absurdle

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2022 web-based video game

2022 video game

Absurdle Developer qntm Platform Web Release 2022 Genres Puzzle, word game Mode Single-player

***Absurdle*** is a 2022 [web-based](/source/Browser_game) [puzzle](/source/Puzzle) [word game](/source/Word_game) created by Sam Hughes, commonly known as [qntm](/source/Qntm). It is a *[Wordle](/source/Wordle)* clone in which the player attempts to guess a five-letter word while the game changes the solution. Inspired by his other project *Hatetris*, he created *Absurdle* to experiment the passive-aggressiveness of the former game.

## Gameplay

In *Absurdle*, the solution is changed each turn.

Further information: [Wordle § Gameplay](/source/Wordle#Gameplay)

In *Absurdle*, the player attempts to guess a five-letter word, similarly to *Wordle.*[1] However, while *Wordle* picks a single secret word at the beginning of the game, *Absurdle* gives the impression of picking a single secret word, but actually considers the entire list of all possible secret words which conform to the player's existing guesses.[1] On each guess, *Absurdle* picks the word coloring which prunes the possible word list the least, giving the player the least possible amount of [information](/source/Information_theory) and attempting to intentionally prolong the game.[1][2] Unlike *[Wordle](/source/Wordle)*, *Absurdle* has infinite guesses.[3]

## Development

According to [qntm](/source/Qntm), his inspiration to develop *Absurdle* came from *Hatetris*, one of his projects in which the game spawns the worst possible [tetromino](/source/Tetromino) in a *[Tetris](/source/Tetris)* game.[1] He wanted to take the difficulty of *Hatetris* and apply it to *Wordle*.[1]

## Reception

Ranking *Absurdle* as his favorite *Wordle* clone, Graham Smith of *[Rock Paper Shotgun](/source/Rock_Paper_Shotgun)* felt the game's difficulty encouraged efficiency.[3] Reviewers appreciated the ability to guess freely.[2][3]

## See also

- [Adversary model](/source/Adversary_model)

- [Online algorithm](/source/Online_algorithm)

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:3_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:3_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:3_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-:3_1-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-:3_1-4) Winkie, Luke (January 13, 2022). ["*Absurdle*: the machiavellian version of *Wordle*"](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/jan/13/absurdle-machiavellian-version-of-wordle). *[The Guardian](/source/The_Guardian)*. Retrieved March 11, 2024.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_2-1) Livingston, Christopher (January 13, 2022). ["*Absurdle* is like *Wordle* but it fights back"](https://www.pcgamer.com/absurdle-is-like-wordle-but-it-fights-back/). *[PC Gamer](/source/PC_Gamer)*. Retrieved March 11, 2024.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:1_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:1_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:1_3-2) Smith, Graham (January 12, 2022). ["*Absurdle* is a *Wordle* variant that hates you - while *Sweardle* curses you"](https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/absurdle-is-a-wordle-variant-that-hates-you-while-sweardle-curses-you). *[Rock Paper Shotgun](/source/Rock_Paper_Shotgun)*. Retrieved March 11, 2024.

## External links

- [Official website](https://qntm.org/files/absurdle/absurdle.html)

- [*Absurdle*](https://www.mobygames.com/game//179045/absurdle/) at [MobyGames](/source/MobyGames)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Absurdle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absurdle) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absurdle?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.