Just when we thought nobody played the virtual scrabble-like smartphone app Words with Friends anymore, Zynga announced Thursday it was releasing a complete redesign of the popular app for its fifth birthday.
The update comes after Zynga spent months polling users about potential new features. So what's the word on the enhanced interface?
Zynga's redesign includes "Solo Mode," which allows users to play by themselves—a feature that the poll found to be the most popularly requested. When using "Solo Mode" to play The new Words with Friends app, word lovers won't need to be connected to the Internet. Don't worry about the level of difficulty; the computer opponent is programmed to play at the same skill level as users.
Those who want a human opponent can check out the new "Community Matches" feature. Inspired by Tinder, The new Words with Friends app allows users to recruit potential opponents by simply swiping to the left or right to build their list of rival players.
An upgrade from the previous "Smart Match" feature, which paired two strangers with similar skill levels together in a game, the new opt-in feature lets users choose to play either nearby males or females. If they accept the challenge, the game is on.
Players can also see the strength of their word for free in the app redesign, a feature that was activated by in-app purchases. Other new features include an in-app dictionary, and "head-to-head" statistics.
"Words With Friends is really capturing that sense of games that we grew up with but really merging that with the zeitgeist of smartphones and online connectivity," Knight says.
Wordsmiths who are still loyal fans of the original smartphone app will not be forced to upgrade. Check out reactions to the redesign by players on Twitter below.
