Google is always coming up with fun, quirky things to experiment with on the web. They recently showed off an 8-bit version of Google Maps during April Fool’s Day (which they’re big on), and an even more recent experiment with their search engine turning into a battle between O’s and search results while searching for “Zerg Rush” (it’s a StarCraft tactic). Google had another experiment up their sleeves this weekend when it showed off a new browser-based game called Cube.
Google Cube will remind you of a virtual game of Labyrinth, an old game that consisted of tilting a box to move a steel ball through a maze. But this time, instead of trying to move a steel ball through a wooden maze, you’re using your mouse to virtually move a blue “GPS ball” through Google Maps. The entire game consists of 8 levels that will make you a travel expert in no time as you roll through New York, Tokyo, San Francisco and other cities. It will probably take you about 10 minutes to complete (my best time was 7:46). When you reach the last level, the game turns into a Rubik’s Cube-Labyrinth hybrid game with shifting quadrants on the map.
Back in January Google uploaded a Google Maps ad that showed two men playing Google Cube but in real life with a real maze. Then Google shortly after released another video (seen below) showing off a virtual version of the game that was supposed to debut on Google+ Games in February. Obviously the game was a little behind schedule, and was released this weekend on a dedicated website instead of Google+ Games.
The game is really just another fun advertisement for Google Maps that will expose people to its many different features such as bike maps, live traffic, and even indoor maps. Still, it’s a good 10-minute time waster. Play it now on playmapscube.com and try to beat the global high score of 2:45!
Source: Fusible
