--- title: "Guy Who Shamelessly Ripped Off Beloved Word Game Issues Apology" description: "Wordle, a popular word-guessing game that skyrocketed in popularity this month, was immediately ripped off by a different developer called Zach Shakked." date: "2022-01-12" modified: "2022-01-12" authors: - name: "Victor Tangermann" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/wordle-ripoff-apology" categories: - "Future Society" tags: - "apple" - "game" - "the digest" --- # Guy Who Shamelessly Ripped Off Beloved Word Game Issues Apology ![Wordle, a popular word-guessing game that skyrocketed in popularity this month, was immediately ripped off by a different developer called Zach Shakked.]() *\Image: Futurism\* ## Crossed a Line Wordle, a beloved word-guessing game that skyrocketed in popularity this month, was almost immediately ripped off for profit by a different developer named Zach Shakked. But huge backlash led to Apple removing the clone from its App Store. And now, Shakked has issued a public apology. "I realize I crossed a line," he wrote in a [lengthy tweet thread]() today. "And I surely, surely will never do anything remotely close to this again. I fucked up." ## Last Wordle The original game, a web-based game created by Josh Wardle, saw an explosion in new users after it went viral on social media earlier this month. Wardle's game even got its [own writeup in *The New York Times*](). Shakked's ripoff was more or less the exact same game — but unlike Wordle, which is only accessible via an ad-free [web app](), the clone was made available via Apple's App Store. Worse yet, the developer charged an optional annual subscription plan to play an unlimited number of games, for an egregious $30. Unsurprisingly, the clone saw an exponential rise in popularity by exploiting the app store model. "We're going to the fucking Moon," Shakked shamelessly boasted in a [Tuesday tweet](). Later that evening, though, Apple yanked Shakked's app from the App Store. "Out of context I look like I'm gloating but I promise you, I was excited," [Shakked wrote]() in today's apology. "When you've been making apps since high school like me and you launch something that overnight is hitting like this was, you get excited." ## Keep Guessing Whether the apology will be enough is anyone's guess. Shakked clearly regrets going there, and [says]() he's "getting harassed from every which direction." "'I'll go back to creating apps based on my completely, evergreen, original ideas and never fuck with anything remotely like this again," [he concluded](). That's probably a good idea. **READ MORE:** [Wordle copycat creator apologies for ripping off the popular free word game]() \[*The Verge*\] **More on games:** *[Parents Alarmed by Children Slicing Off Enemies' Limbs in VR]()* ## Author I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()