A new daily online game is capturing the attention of the PC Gamer staff, offering a unique twist on the popular Wordle format: guessing the prices of used cars. The game, available on The Daily Lowball website, tasks players with estimating the market value of vehicles based on their make, model, year, mileage, and original sale price.
Players are presented with five different used cars each day. After entering their price guesses, they receive a grade from A to F from a virtual boss. Maintaining a daily streak is contingent on accuracy, and a string of poor performances can result in a player being 'fired,' forcing them to restart their streak. The premise is simple, but the execution has proven challenging for the PC Gamer team.
According to an editorial note, early attempts by staff members resulted in several low grades, including Ds and an F, highlighting the difficulty in accurately assessing used car values. One staffer recounted misjudging the resale price of a 2014 Audi Allroad Quattro and a 2005 Dodge Neon SRT-4, while performing better on a 2008 Mercury Grand Marquis and a 2001 Porsche Boxster. A correct guess on a 2001 GMC Yukon resulted in a C average for the day, allowing the streak to begin.
The game's appeal lies in its engaging premise and the curiosity it sparks about historical car values. Puzzles often lead to unexpected questions, such as how a 1985 Mazda RX-7 could have only 8,000 miles on it.
Beyond the primary car pricing game, The Daily Lowball features other automotive-themed diversions. These include "Steal or Bad Deal," where players determine if a used car was purchased at a fair price or if the buyer was overcharged, and "Higher or Lower," a game that challenges players to identify which of two cars is more expensive. The site also offers a license plate slot machine game. Players are encouraged to visit The Daily Lowball and share their results.