Former President Barack Obama has revealed a surprising habit: he plays only one game on his smartphone – Words With Friends. The revelation came during his appearance on the WTF with Marc Maron podcast, offering a glimpse into how even world leaders unwind.
A Presidential Pastime
Obama confessed that he continues to play the word game primarily to maintain his connection with Pete Souza, his longtime White House photographer. According to Obama, the urge to check the game can be overwhelming, even during high-stakes negotiations. “I could be in the middle of negotiations on a nuclear treaty, and if that ping goes off, there’s a part of me that’s like, ‘I wonder what [word] he [Pete Souza] played,'” he stated.
The Game and Its Appeal
Words With Friends, released in 2009 and owned by Zynga, is a popular mobile word game similar to Scrabble. Players compete by forming words on a board, strategizing to maximize points using bonus squares. The game’s simplicity and accessibility make it a casual yet engaging pastime for millions, including one former commander-in-chief. As of Tuesday, the game ranked at No. 14 in free word games on the Apple App Store.
Why This Matters
The anecdote highlights how even individuals in positions of immense power seek informal connections and simple pleasures. The fact that Obama prioritizes a friendly game over matters of state, even momentarily, humanizes him. This also underscores the pervasive influence of mobile gaming in modern society, transcending social and political boundaries.
Obama did not disclose who wins more often, leaving the friendly rivalry between him and Souza a mystery. But it’s clear that this digital pastime serves a deeper purpose: maintaining a decades-long friendship beyond the pressures of public life.
