Wordle Creator Debuts New Cryptic Crossword Game

Parseword aims to challenge players with more complex wordplay than Wardle's previous hit.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 4:35pm

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Josh Wardle, the creator of the viral word game Wordle, has launched a new daily puzzle game called Parseword. Unlike Wordle's straightforward five-letter guesses, Parseword is built around cryptic crossword-style clues that require players to decode wordplay and rearrange words to find the target definition. Wardle says he fell in love with cryptic crosswords after hearing a podcast discussion and now wants to introduce newcomers to the format gradually.

Why it matters

Wardle's Wordle became a global phenomenon in 2022, attracting millions of daily players. Parseword represents his attempt to create a new type of word game that offers a more challenging and cerebral experience for players, building on his own passion for cryptic crosswords.

The details

In Parseword, players are given a single clue and a target definition word, and must use wordplay techniques like slicing, rearranging, and reinterpreting words to decode the connection between the clue and the definition. Wardle says the game is more complex than Wordle, which was designed to be accessible even for players whose first language is not English.

  • Parseword was launched on March 12, 2026.
  • Wardle sold Wordle to The New York Times in 2022, which he says was the last time he played the game himself.

The players

Josh Wardle

The creator of the viral word game Wordle, who has now launched a new daily puzzle game called Parseword that features more complex cryptic crossword-style wordplay.

Craig Mazin

The showrunner of Chernobyl and The Last of Us, whose discussion of cryptic crosswords on a podcast inspired Wardle to explore the format.

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What they’re saying

“Even people for whom English is their second language are able to play Wordle, while Parseword has the more ominous-sounding subtitle of 'a tricky wordplay game'.”

— Josh Wardle

“This rollout feels calmer than Wordle's explosion. Selling Wordle to the New York Times in 2022 was the last time I played it, and Parseword is being released 'more on my own terms, instead of happening to me'.”

— Josh Wardle

What’s next

Wardle plans to gradually introduce newcomers to the cryptic crossword format through Parseword, building on the success of his previous hit game Wordle.

The takeaway

Wardle's transition from the global phenomenon of Wordle to the more cerebral and challenging Parseword demonstrates his desire to push the boundaries of word games and offer players a new level of wordplay complexity.