Absurdle

Welcome to Absurdle  - the adversarial version of Wordle! Unlike regular Wordle, this unique word game actively changes its target word to make your game more challenging. Imagine playing against a clever AI opponent that tries to extend your game as long as possible!

Wordle is a word game where the player attempts to guess a 5-letter English word. Each incorrect guess receives feedback in the form of colored tiles indicating how closely the letter matches the target word. This image shows a game with 4 guesses (arise, route, rules, rebus) for the target word, rebus. Guessed letters that exactly match the target word are marked green while letters that are in the target word (but not in the right position) are marked yellow. Letters that aren't in the target word are marked gray.

This result is typically expressed using a pattern of square emojis: each square corresponds to a letter.


⬜🟨⬜🟨🟨
🟩⬜🟨⬜🟨
🟩🟨⬜🟨🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩


Absurdle is a variant of Wordle coined by qntm:

Wordle picks a single secret word at the beginning of the game, and then you have to guess it. Absurdle gives the impression of picking a single secret word, but instead what it actually does is consider the entire list of all possible secret words which conform to your guesses so far. Each time you guess, Absurdle prunes its internal list as little as possible, attempting to intentionally prolong the game as much as possible.

Try playing qntm's version of the game online! After guessing a few words, open your browser Console with Control Shift J (Windows / Linux) or Command Option J (Mac) to "look under the hood" and observe the internal state of the game.

By completing this assignment, students will be able to:

A game of Absurdle

Suppose the Absurdle manager only knows the following 4-letter words.

In Absurdle, instead of beginning by choosing a word, the manager narrows down its set of possible answers as the player makes guesses. If the player guesses "argh" as the first word, the Absurdle manager considers all the possible patterns corresponding to the guess.

The manager picks the pattern that contains the largest number of target words. In this case, it would pick the pattern ⬜⬜⬜⬜ corresponding to the target words cool, else, flew, ibex. If the player then guesses "beta", the manager chooses between the following possible patterns.

The manager would pick ⬜🟨⬜⬜ corresponding to the target words else, flew. If the player then guesses "flew", the manager chooses between the following possible patterns.

In this case, there's a tie between the possible patterns because both patterns include only 1 target word. The manager chooses the pattern ⬜🟩🟨⬜ not because it would prolong the game, but because ⬜🟩🟨⬜ appears before 🟩🟩🟩🟩 when considering the patterns in sorted order.

After this, there's only a single target word, else. The game ends when the player guesses the target word and the manager is left with no other option but to return the pattern 🟩🟩🟩🟩.

Game Features

Unique Adversarial Mechanism

Every time you make a guess, the game analyzes all possible answers and chooses the largest group of words to counter your strategy. This means the game dynamically adjusts to make it harder for you to find the correct answer.

Unlimited Attempts

Unlike traditional Wordle's six-guess limit, Absurdle allows unlimited guesses. The challenge is to find the correct answer in as few attempts as possible, showcasing your vocabulary and strategic thinking.

Smart Feedback System

The game provides color-coded feedback for your guesses, helping you narrow down possible answers. But remember, this system is also working to make the game more challenging!

Strategy Guide

Best Opening Strategies

Start with words containing common letters to quickly eliminate many possibilities. Consider using words rich in vowels, such as AUDIO or RAISE.

Advanced Techniques

Common Questions

How much harder is this than regular Wordle?

Absurdle is indeed more challenging as it actively works against your strategy. Generally, it takes more guesses to complete than regular Wordle.

What's the minimum number of guesses needed to win?

Due to the game's adversarial nature, it typically takes at least 4 guesses to win. However, the exact number depends on your strategy and luck.

How should beginners start?

Start by familiarizing yourself with the basic rules and begin with common words. As you gain experience, you'll develop more advanced strategies and improve your performance.

Why is it called Absurdle?

The name combines "absurd" with "Wordle," reflecting its adversarial nature. It's absurd because the target word actively changes to make your game more difficult!

Can I play Absurdle multiple times per day?

Yes! Unlike regular Wordle which has one puzzle per day, you can play Absurdle as many times as you want. Each game will be a unique challenge as the game adapts to your guesses differently each time.

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