Google users were treated to an interesting twist on the now-deeply-ingrained google homepage logo yesterday, as google replaced the normal logo with a playable version of 80s video game hit PacMan featuring the google logo within the level.
Reactions were mixed, however. For most, the game was either met with brief amusement and a few games played, or a resounding ‘meh’. But for some unlucky souls browsing at work, their regularly-scheduled on-the-clock google browsing turned into a dead giveaway as the sound from the java applet alerted everyone within a 5 meter radius, but only if they had both sound and the third-party plugin ‘coolpreview’ enabled on their computer. Within minutes, a hoarde of angry office workers and soundophobes was busy at work, registering their disapproval of the pacman stunt to anyone who would listen. However, in a great display of integrity, google kept up the pacman app, and as of the time of this writing the game is still up. Note – you have to double-click the logo to start the game (another fine moment for the eolas suit.)
The game featured the traditional “waka-waka” sound scheme of the timeless classic, bringing to mind memories of a simpler time in gaming’s history (and this coming from a child of the 80s).
Tags: fiasco, google, google logo, pacman, video games