How to make a word game
Every word game rests on a word list. It checks guesses, supplies answers and decides what counts as a word. Add one puzzle a day and a result people can share, and you have the formula that made Wordle spread in 2021.
The pieces of a word game
- Word lists. Two lists, really: a big one of valid guesses and a smaller one of good answers. Free lists like ENABLE and SCOWL are a common start; strip rude and obscure words from the answers.
- A daily puzzle. Everyone gets the same puzzle each day. Pick it from the date and the game needs no server. Wordle (Josh Wardle, 2021) worked this way.
- Shareable results. A grid of colored squares that shows how you did without spoiling the answer.
- Clear feedback. Green, yellow and gray in Wordle; points per letter in Scrabble-style games. Make it instant.
Kinds of word games
- Guess the word. Wordle and Hangman. One hidden word, a few tries.
- Make words. Letters on a board or a wheel; find as many words as you can. Spelling Bee from The New York Times uses seven letters.
- Word search and crosswords. Find or fill. Easy to theme and good for kids.
- Word quiz. Trivia with word answers, a timer and a score. Quick to build and easy to theme.
Tools
Scratch can make Hangman with its list blocks. GDevelop handles letter tiles and saving without code. A small word game in plain JavaScript is a classic first web project. Unity and Godot work too, but they are heavier than a word game needs.
Roam is a free iPhone app. Describe the word game and its theme, and it comes back playable. Change it by asking: "harder words", "add a 20-second timer".
Play it on Roam
Create your word game with Roam
Pick a theme, a timer and a way to win. Play it on your iPhone and make the words harder by asking.
Try: "word quiz game show, animal names only, 10 seconds per question, a buzzer, beat the host to win"Questions people ask
How do you make a word game like Wordle?
Pick a five-letter answer list and a bigger guess list, choose the answer from the date, give green, yellow and gray feedback, and allow six guesses.
Where can I get a word list for a game?
Free lists like ENABLE and SCOWL are widely used. Filter the answer list down to common words.
Can I make a word game for free?
Yes. Scratch, GDevelop and plain JavaScript cost nothing, and Roam is a free iPhone app.
Keep exploring
- How to make a small game you will actually finish
- How to make a game for kids, and with kids
- How to make a game on your phone
- How to make a game on iPhone
- How to make a horror game that actually scares people
- How to make a game for free
More on Roam: All Roam games Games to play, by kind