Introduction
One of the most beloved Google doodles of all time is the google doodle snake game. This interactive version of the classic google snake game took the internet by storm when it debuted in 2016. In this article, we'll take a nostalgic look back at this massively popular Google doodle.
Origins of Snake Games
The origins of snake games can be traced back to Blockade in 1976. This arcade game involved controlling a snake-like line to close off sections of the screen. Snake was then built upon and popularized with the 1978 release of the Snakes game on the Atari 2600 console.
The goal was to navigate a continuously moving snake to eat food pellets while avoiding walls and collisions with its own body. Each piece of food would lengthen the snake, progressively increasing difficulty. Through the 80s and 90s, snake games proliferated across various gaming platforms.
Google's Push into Interactive Doodles
In 2010, Google celebrated Pac-Man's anniversary by developing a playable doodle version. This wildly popular doodle convinced Google to pursue more interactive gaming doodles.
For April Fool's 2013, Google engineer Dave Green created a snake game doodle modeled after the classic Nokia phone version. This kickstarted their interactive doodle initiative and set the stage for snake's big return.
Launch and Popularity of Snake Game Doodle
The snake game Google doodle reappeared on the Google homepage on May 2nd, 2016, captivating users everywhere. It became the 6th interactive Google doodle game published up till then.
The doodle saw users spend over 498 years worth of total playtime on launch day alone! It went on to set usage records, cementing snake's iconic status.
Gameplay and Mechanics
Google's version stuck to the classic snake mechanics that made it so addictive. The goal was to navigate the snake to eat numbered fruit pellets while avoiding walls and self-collision.
Eating a fruit pellet would lengthen the snake and increment the score by the pellet number value. This progressively complicated maneuvering without hitting the snake's own growing body.
Google added celebratory sounds and messages when milestones like 50 points were achieved, enhancing the gameplay experience.
Legacy and Significance
The Google snake game doodle demonstrated the incredible nostalgic appeal of the classic game. It cemented snake as one of the most recognizable video games globally across generations.
It brought people together through shared childhood memories and drive for high scores. The doodle set records for user interactions, underscoring the power of interactive content. It also helped fuel the growth of the mobile gaming industry.
Conclusion
Few Google doodles have resonated as profoundly as the snake game. Its simple and competitive gameplay connected people worldwide. The doodle revived snake's popularity and preserved its legacy as a video game icon. Thanks to its success, snake seems poised to continue delighting gamers for decades to come whenever the doodle reappears.
