Best Indie Word Game App 2024: Wurdian

A free multiplayer word game that is similar to the famous brands but with a few notable differences, Wurdian is an indie app run as a one-person operation by a Swedish university teacher named Ronald van den Berg. The app was first developed as a passion project, born out of the developer’s endless frustrations with the other games of this nature on the market. What started as a hobby eventually turned into a side business, with Ronald today balancing his time between the app and a full-time role lecturing/researching at Stockholm University.

“In developing Wurdian, it was my goal to deliver a word game for Scrabble^® enthusiasts that does not suffer from the same pitfalls of many of the apps that were already out there,” Ronald explained. “Many of the existing apps, in my opinion, are overly focused on commercial incentives, with intrusive popups and constant prompts for in-game purchases. Some alternatives offer decent gameplay but often are limited in functionality. With Wurdian, I wanted to strike a balance, creating a game that’s clean and intuitive, yet rich in features.”

Hitting a middle ground, Wurdian offers an intuitive design paired with a variety of thoughtful features. Players can engage in competitive multiplayer tournaments, design their own boards, and instantly look up word definitions. With a 4.6-star rating from over 2000 reviews, it’s clear that Ronald has succeeded in creating a game that truly puts players first.

One standout feature is a game mode in which players receive bonus points for playing long words. “This idea came from an old study friend of mine, who suggested it after playing the app and noticing how rewarding it could be to encourage longer, riskier words,” Ronald shares. “It was such a great idea that I implemented it almost immediately, and it’s now one of the most popular modes.”

Another feature that many players praise is the ability to request, directly within the app, that a word be added or removed from the word list. “Maintaining a list of all existing words is a challenge, because languages are constantly evolving,” Ronald explains. “New words emerge all the time, driven by technology, societal trends, or global events. Think of terms like ‘lockdown’ or ‘cryptocurrency.’ Ensuring the list stays accurate and fair is crucial, but reviewing player suggestions takes time. Thankfully, a dedicated volunteer named Rob helps me, and with his support, most suggestions are processed within a day.”

With over 120,000 registered users and millions of games played, Wurdian is redefining multiplayer word games with its player-first approach and fresh, innovative features. Recognized as one of the standout apps of the year, awarded with Best Indie Word Game App in The Developer Awards 2024, it’s a testament to the possibilities of combining passion with ingenuity.

Wurdian is available to install and play now for free on both the Google Play Store and the App Store.

Contact Details

Contact: Ronald van den Berg

Company: Wurdian

Web Address: https://www.wurdian.com/