2048: Google-Style Edition
👇 Scroll down to find the Easter egg
Quick Facts
A vibrant, Google-themed version of the classic 2048 puzzle game.
elgooG
Gabriele Cirulli
2020
Available on elgooG
Interact with the Easter Egg
Creation Background
Concept Overview
2048 is a globally popular, single-player sliding tile puzzle game. The objective is simple: combine numbered tiles on a 4x4 grid to reach the 2048 tile (and beyond!). The game was originally created by Italian web developer Gabriele Cirulli in March 2014 as a weekend project and released as open-source software. It quickly gained immense popularity, inspiring numerous variations and adaptations.
The original 2048 was itself inspired by the game 1024 by Veewo Studio, and conceptually similar to the game Threes. Despite some calling 2048 a "clone of a clone," it became a viral sensation, showcasing the power of simple yet addictive gameplay.
Inspiration and Development
This website recognized the captivating nature of the 2048 game and saw an opportunity to create a visually engaging and Google-centric experience. The inspiration came from integrating fun elements into a familiar game format, delivering an immersive experience for fans of both Google and 2048.
The core idea was to replace the standard tile colors in the original 2048 with Google's four primary brand colors: blue, red, yellow, and green. This simple change creates a unique aesthetic that's both playful and instantly recognizable as Google-themed. This project was about paying tribute to a classic game while also bringing a bit of Google's playful spirit to it.
The Easter Egg Experience
Main Features
The Google 2048 Easter Egg retains the addictive gameplay of the original, but with a distinctive visual twist. Instead of the usual muted tones, the tiles are vibrant and colorful, using Google's signature palette. This creates a brighter and more engaging visual experience.
The core mechanics remain the same: slide tiles using the arrow keys (or swipe on touchscreens) to combine tiles with matching numbers. When two identical tiles collide, they merge into a single tile with their combined value. The game continues until the player reaches the 2048 tile, or until no further moves are possible.
This version also features an auto-play/bot mode which allows players to watch how an AI would attempt to solve the puzzle.
How It Works
To experience the Google-themed 2048 Easter egg, accessing and interacting with the game is very straightforward.
Steps to Interact with the Easter Egg
- Click on the button at the top of this page.
- You'll be taken to the dedicated 2048 game page.
- Use your arrow keys (on a computer) or swipe the screen (on a mobile device) to move the tiles.
- Tiles with the same number will merge when they collide.
- Continue combining tiles to reach the 2048 tile, and beyond!
- You can activate auto-play at any time to see the bot in action.
This Google-themed 2048 Easter egg is built using web technologies, primarily HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. It leverages the open-source nature of the original 2048 game, adapting the code to incorporate the Google color scheme. This version showcases how a simple visual modification can transform a familiar game into something new and refreshing.
It's worth noting that Google has a history of creating fun and interactive Easter eggs. Two notable examples are:
- Zerg Rush: Launched in 2012, this Easter egg was a tribute to the game StarCraft. Searching for "Zerg Rush" caused a swarm of "O" characters to attack the search results page, which users could fight off by clicking on them.
- Atari Breakout: Released in 2013 to celebrate the 37th anniversary of the game, this Easter egg transformed Google Images search results into a playable version of Breakout. The images themselves became the bricks to be broken.
These examples, like the Google-themed 2048, demonstrate Google's willingness to inject playful elements into its services.
Conclusion
The Google 2048 Easter Egg on this website is a testament to the creativity that can arise from combining simple, engaging gameplay with a recognizable brand aesthetic. It's a fun, visually appealing tribute to both the original 2048 game and Google's playful approach to user experience. Although it is not an official Easter egg, the inspiration and final result align with the style of Google's official Easter eggs: integrating fun elements into its products, delivering an immersive experience, bringing joy and even surprises, paying tribute to classics, and evoking a sense of nostalgia.
We encourage you to explore the other Easter eggs available on elgoog.im. Each one offers a unique and entertaining experience, showcasing the ingenuity of developers and the enduring appeal of interactive surprises.