Introduction
The google doodle snake game took the world by storm when it appeared on the Google homepage in 2016. This incarnation of the classic snake google game captured the hearts and minds of internet users everywhere. In this article, we'll take a nostalgic look back at the wildly popular snake game Google doodle.
Origins of Snake
Snake games first emerged in the late 1970s and became popular on early gaming systems like the Atari 2600. The goal was to navigate a continuously moving snake to eat food while avoiding walls and self-collision. Each piece of food would make the snake incrementally longer, increasing difficulty.
Through the 80s and 90s, snake games appeared on multiple platforms like Nokia cell phones. The gameplay was addictive in its simplicity, allowing anyone to pick up and enjoy the game. This universal appeal made snake an iconic staple of early video game history.
Development of the Google Doodle
In 2010, Google celebrated Pac-Man's anniversary by creating a playable doodle version. The massive popularity sparked their push into interactive gaming doodles. For April Fool's 2013, Google developer Dave Green created a snake game doodle modeled after the Nokia phone version.
This snake game doodle reappeared on May 2nd, 2016 cementing its status as a world-wide viral hit. The doodle team polished the visuals and gameplay, adding a touch of Google flair. It became the 6th interactive Google doodle game ever published.
Popularity and Records
The 2016 snake game from Google captured the internet's imagination unlike any previous doodle. Upon launch, the Google homepage saw users spend over 498 years worth of total playtime in just one day.
The snake doodle returned in May 2018 in celebration of its 2 year anniversary. This version set the Guinness World Record for most popular Google doodle of all time. It achieved over 3.3 billion interactions, highlighting the incredible nostalgic appeal.
Gameplay and Mechanics
The Google snake game doodle stuck to the traditional mechanics that made snake so popular. Users had to navigate the snake around a grid eating numbered fruit while avoiding walls and self-collision.
Eating each fruit pellet would lengthen the snake and increment the score by the number value of the pellet. This progressively increased difficulty by providing less room to maneuver without collision.
The Google version added its own spin with fun sound effects and colorful celebratory messages for milestones like 50 points and 100 points earned.
Legacy and Significance
The overwhelming response to the snake game Google doodle demonstrated the nostalgic soft spot internet users still had for the classic game. It cemented snake as one of the most recognizable video games globally across generations.
For many, it evoked fond memories of playing snake on their first cell phones. It brought people together through a shared activity of competing for high scores. The snake doodle paved the way for brands to creatively engage audiences through interactive content. It also helped launch the meteoric rise of mobile gaming apps and snake variations.
Conclusion
Few Google doodles have had as much widespread impact as the hit snake game. Its simplicity, nostalgia, and competitive fun connected with users across the globe. The doodle revived and preserved the popularity of a true video game icon for old and new gamers alike. Whenever it reappears in the future, this doodle is sure to continue spreading joy and rekindling fond snake memories.
