The Manic Mechanic

Today's Google Doodle in honor of Alan Turing has been keeping me from doing more important stuff around the house. Anyone with an interest in the earliest computational devices (or puzzle fans for that matter) needs to spend some time trying to figure it out. Highly addicting!

Today marks the thirtieth anniversary of Pac-Man, one of the most popular video games ever created, and still loved to this day. How loved? Well, howbout lovin' in the true Google fashion?



And it's not just a logo marking the occasion, it's an actual playable game. Head to the Google home page to get your game on. Feeling lucky? Hit the "Insert Coin" button. You get two player action with Ms. Pac Man in the game. Use the WASD keys for the missus, the cursor keys for the Pacster. And a little edit: It seems there can be slight differences depending on the user. If you are signed into iGoogle or other personalized services, you'll have to head to the "Classic" homepage. Also, if you hit "Insert Coin" to begin play instead of just waiting to begin, you'll need to hit it again for the two-player goodness. Ah, but whaddaya want for nuthin'? ;)

An edit: Being that it was so popular, it's got a permanent home beyond the initial 48 feature hours linked above.

I often berate Google for not always adhering to their motto "Do No Evil", but the Logos have always been dear to me. Wonderful, elegant tributes to special occasions, notable people, holidays and memorials. This one raises the bar of Just Plain Cool. And no Flash! And howbout a soundtrack to go along with your gameplay:

Buckner & Garcia - Pac-Man Fever (Club Version)




Enjoy your Friday.