The software inventor who created Wordle has sold his game to a newspaper for £750,000.

Josh Wardle came up with the word teasing game to amuse his girlfriend, Palak Shah.

At first, Wordle – a play in his surname Wardle – was played among a handful of family and friends.

During the pandemic lockdowns Josh and Palak played countless word games.

So, he decided to invent his own.

No more than 90 people played along during the early days – now, Wordle has millions of followers.

John sold his game to the New York Times.

He said: “New York Times Games play a big part in its origins, and so this step feels very natural to me.”

Earlier, Josh, 36, said:

“I feel smart when I get a Wordle, even though I made the game.

“It’s about the journey, especially on days like today where I’m like really stumped and I like have to think about it.

“It’s hard enough that it will hit, like, that sense of accomplishment that feels good.”

He said releasing just one game a day was very deliberate.

Josh – who now lives in America – said:

“I’m just kind of suspicious of apps and games that want your endless attention.

“I worked in Silicon Valley. I know why they do that.

“With Wordle I deliberately did what you’re not meant to do if growth is your goal.

“And bizarrely, I think, those things have led to growth.”

Josh is a garduate from the Royal Holloway University of London.

He now lives in Brooklyn, New York.