Existing Google Doodles & Mini Games

Valentines 2017 (Day 1)

The doodle contains a heart and also two characters clearly in love. This links to the event that the doodle is portraying.

The first Google Doodle I played was the Valentines 2017 (Day 1) Doodle. It was a art heavy arrow key based game where you had to control an animal collecting supplies to bake a cake for an animal couple which links to the event it is linked to. It required you to jump over obstacles whilst also thinking about collecting as many items as possible.

The game featured cut scenes to create a story during the game.

It also featured a scoring system at the end of each of the 4 levels to make it feel more achieving and to add replay-ability.

I think the target audience would be based at children but would be a PEGI 3 and so anyone could enjoy it.

Halloween 2016

The doodle contains spooky animated imagery and dark colors which portrays the event that it is linked to.

The game starts with a cut scene which introduces the story of the doodle. The game features a simple but effective art style and uses the mouse to create shapes by drawing them and if you draw the shapes above the ghosts heads, you can kill the ghosts and stop them from damaging you.

It features an end scoring screen which tells you the amount of points you got which depends on how far in the game you managed to survive. It also contains a level management system which tells you the levels you have completed at the end of every level.

The target audience would be older children but it would have a PEGI rating of 3 because Google is available to everyone.

155th Anniversary of the Pony Express

The doodle takes the pony theme and puts it on a wild west twist. It contains bright colors and themed text.

The game contains a level screen but the actual game doesn't transition between levels. In fact, the levels run immediately after each other with minimal time between the two split with just a small cut scene.

The game uses an arrow key mechanic which requires you to move up and down dodging barrels and other obstacles whilst collecting mail to end up delivering it to the town at the end. It creates a strong message of positivity as the character is helping others.

I think the game is targeted at older children but contains a PEGI rating of 3 as with all Google doodles, everyone has access to them.

This doodle also comes with a behind the scenes video by Animator "Nate Swinehart".

How will this research help me to create my final product?

The current project requires us to create a Google doodle with an animation and mini-game and so by researching previous doodles I now have a better understanding of the usual target markets, PEGI ratings, consumer reach and much more. The doodles outlined in this post directly relates to my final product and so heavy inspiration can be taken from them.