Key Takeaways
- Google’s mysterious universe is filled with hidden Easter eggs and fun games that entertain users.
- From games like Pac-Man to Quick Draw, Google’s playful approach delights users globally.
- Google has embedded these hidden games into the search results, providing moments of surprise.
- These hidden, mysterious games show Google’s commitment to engaging users and making their online experience memorable.
When Larry Page and Sergey Brin co-founded Google in 1998, it set out to “organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful.” It’s reasonable to say they met and exceeded their primary goal, revolutionizing the way we consume information, interact with technology, and even play games.
Yes, you read that correctly. Among its many features is an intriguing realm of ‘secret Google games,’ which we’ll look into later in this post.
But first, let’s look at some interesting facts about this computer titan.
Fact 1: Google was originally known as “Backrub.” This unusual moniker referred to the technology’s capacity to analyze “backlinks” referring to a specific website, a breakthrough that served as the foundation for its game-changing search algorithm.
Fortunately, they quickly landed on the name “Google,” which is derived from “googol,” a mathematical word that represents the number one followed by a hundred zeroes. This moniker mirrors its ambition of organizing the web’s seemingly endless amount of data.
Do You Know?
Google Internet usage fell by 4% on August 16, 2013, during a 5 minutes period when Google was down.
Fact 2: Did you know its first server was housed in a custom LEGO case? This demonstrated the company’s penchant for ingenuity and practical problem-solving since its inception.
Fact 3: “Google” has grown so engrained in our lexicon that it was introduced as a verb in the Oxford English Dictionary in 2006. To “google” something nowadays is to use the search engine to find information on the internet.
Fact 4: Have you ever noticed how simple and basic its homepage is? This design choice is not by chance. Because the co-founders didn’t know much about HTML, the language used for web design, they decided to keep things basic in the beginning.
Fun Fact
Back in 1997, Google wanted to sell its search engine to Yahoo for $2 million, but Yahoo declined. However, they offered a price again in 2022, but then Google turned down the offer.
Today, its minimalist design serves as a visual metaphor for the company’s ambition to make complicated operations simple for its consumers.
Let us now turn our focus to the fascinating world of “hidden Google games.” For years, its creative developers have embedded interesting and interactive games into its many platforms, a practice that began with the renowned “Google Doodle”.
Not only famous for its powerful search capabilities, but it is also popular for hidden games that provide users with small moments of entertainment and fun. They have integrated various Easter eggs and hidden activities into their search results and other services, enchanting users around the globe.
For example, when you search ‘Queer’ or ‘LGBT Pride’ and then click on the heart in the extreme right corner, your display appears something like the picture below.
The most recent Easter egg that you would have encountered is based on the movie Barbie, 2023.
Similarly, Google has hidden excellent games in its services. Some of them are as follows:
The first hidden Google game was featured in a doodle commemorating the 30th anniversary of the famous video game Pac-Man in 2010. You may now play a variation of this game at any time, by simply putting “Pac-Man” into the search engine and hitting “Play.”
The T-Rex game is another popular favorite. When there is no internet connection, it appears instantly in Google Chrome. You play a pixelated T-Rex in this basic yet engrossing game, jumping over cactus and dodging low-flying pterodactyls.
This is another classic arcade game where users can play by searching ‘Play Snake’ or ‘Snake Game’ and then clicking on the play button that appears in the search results.
Basically, you are supposed to guide the snake to eat apples and grow longer without crashing into the walls or itself. This is similar to the popular Nokia mobile game.
Search by this name in the search box and play against Google. They also have the option to choose the difficulty level. The fun part is that you can also play this game with your friends.
The idea behind this game is numerous balls start dropping from all the corners. You need to make sure that none of the balls touches the search results, otherwise, the links start to disappear. You can avoid this by clicking on the balls.
Trust me when I see this is the most fun game of all. Here, google experimented with AI. Search Quick Draw and unleash your inner Picasso. It is very simple yet challenging. You are given a word, and you try drawing it with the help of your mouse, while Google keeps guessing.
These hidden games and Easter eggs add an element of surprise, making this platform more than just finding information. Its fascination with them extends beyond Doodles and T-Rex runners.
Besides, the corporation has concealed interactive games in its Google Earth platform. The most famous is “Where’s Waldo?” in which users can search the entire planet for the elusive character.
So, the next time you’re waiting for your internet to reconnect or simply need a quick distraction, uncover the magic that lies within the search engine’s mysterious universe. It’s just one of the ways this trailblazing technology company continues to enliven our digital experience while putting a world of knowledge at our fingertips.
Google has gone a long way since its humble origins in a dorm room at Stanford, becoming a symbol of invention, curiosity, and creativity. It continues to captivate, inspire, and, most importantly, service its billions of users around the world, whether by producing transformational technology or just inserting hidden games into its products.
