As we already know well, during the first day of April, April Fools' Day is celebrated in much of the world, so we will have to browse much more carefully than usual. As last year, Google joins the festivities with a very special idea: turning its Maps service into Pac-Man levels. Zoom in on any place with many streets, press the button, and relentlessly chase the ghosts.
This is not the first time the Mountain View giant has chosen Pac-Man as a way to celebrate. We still remember when the dot eater and its ghostly companions were turned into a Doodle, and later into a permanent game that is still accessible. This led to situations like the epic battle of a lady who had no better idea than to call technical support to get rid of the game in the browser. Over the years, many have questioned both Namco and Midway (which no longer exists) for not declaring what is probably the most famous game in history as public domain, but despite that, different agreements were negotiated that today allow us to enjoy Pac-Man without major inconveniences.
The calendar tells us it's April 1, and that means a problem on the Web, because April Fools' Day brings all kinds of jokes, some excellent, and others in very bad taste. Fortunately, Google decided to celebrate its April Fools' Day with an unusual version of Pac-Man. To access it, you must go to Google Maps, zoom in on a city or town with many streets, and press the button. The streets will be covered with dots, and the friends Blinky, Pinky, Inky and Clyde will make an appearance. The rest needs no explanation, but the most interesting thing is that the streets can generate almost impossible levels, with curves and angles that are very difficult to maneuver.
In summary: you can have Pac-Man running in front of your house door... at least in the virtual world, of course. Some levels will be too simple, and others a real torture, but beyond the variations, its essence remains intact: dots, ghosts, and the prolonged scream of global productivity falling into the abyss. Enjoy!
