Games
Discover facts about games. Small discoveries that change the way you see familiar things.
Games
Nonograms were created by a Japanese graphics editor
The idea began with a real-world grid: the creator wanted to use skyscraper windows lit in patterns to make pictures.
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Counting boards utilize deep hemispherical pits for scooping
The pits are shaped to fit a fingertip, making small pieces easy to scoop out—though one bad count can send them scattering.
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How one review point can cost a studio its future
Some publishers tie bonuses to aggregate review scores, so a team may be laid off for an 84 when the cutoff is 85, despite releasing a generally solid hit.
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The chess move that moves two pieces
Castling shifts the king to safety while repositioning a rook, all in a single turn.
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The satellite switch that launched geocaching
The geocaching craze began in 2000, when the U.S. government ended deliberate degradation of GPS signals for civilian users, improving location accuracy.
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Xbox Series X exhausts blistering heat through the top
The console sends hot air upward through its top vent, with airflow strong enough to make a ping-pong ball hover above it.
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Warhammer 40,000 sends fantasy archetypes into space
Orks, elves transformed into Aeldari, armored warriors, and supernatural threats share a universe of starships and industrial warfare. Familiar fantasy roles…
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Mario Kart drivers slip on banana peels endlessly
Even at racing speed, a peel left on the asphalt can send a kart spinning out of control.
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That tiny domino pin can topple your tower
The metal pin is meant to help a domino pivot on rough surfaces; it can also act as a fulcrum, knocking over a carefully stacked tower.
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Gamers wipe sweaty palms on their jeans
In the tense final moments of a match, players may wipe sweaty palms on their jeans before gripping the controls.
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Why Kratos was designed to look terrifying
The creators wanted a break from polished, noble heroes, so they designed the Ghost of Sparta to look deliberately harsh, with ash and red markings.
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Why Crash Bandicoot was once called Sonic's Ass Game
The team used the crude name internally because the third-person camera kept the character’s backside in view. Sony later asked them to choose a more…
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San Andreas makes CJ's habits show up on his body
Repeated eating can increase CJ's body fat, while exercise changes his physique and abilities. The player isn't only choosing missions and weapons; everyday…
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Scrabble bans words containing hyphens or spaces
A playable entry must be a single word, with no hyphen or space—even if the phrase is familiar or widely accepted.
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Ubisoft's name comes from “ubiquity”
The founders chose the name to suggest that their software would eventually be available everywhere.
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Non player characters glitch out and ruin cinematic moments
Their scripted behavior can fail at the worst moment, turning a serious scene into accidental slapstick.
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The casino game that makes Macau the most money
A simple card-drawing game accounts for most of Macau's casino profits, even though it requires little skill. The biggest earner isn't necessarily the…
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Michael De Santa legally changed his last name
He chose De Santa after faking his death and moving to Los Santos, hoping the new name would suit the affluent life he wanted.
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Why board-game pieces are called meeples
The name blends “my” and “people”—a sweet origin for little wooden figures players routinely sacrifice for points.
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The game publisher that offered to pay speeding fines
Acclaim promoted Burnout 2 with a proposal to reimburse British drivers’ speeding fines on its release day. Government criticism followed, and the company…
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Splatoon characters transform into squids to swim in ink
In squid form, characters swim through their own colored ink at high speed, using their ammunition as a shortcut across the battlefield.
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Virtual Boy games could remind you to stop playing
Nintendo's automatic-pause option interrupted play after about 15 minutes to prompt an eye-rest break. The option could be switched off, though manuals…
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Composers recreate lost music by ear
When poor-quality recordings are all that's left, composers hired to update classic soundtracks may have to reconstruct their own melodies by ear.
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Tony Hawk titles scan actual professional skateboarders
Skateboarders wore suits marked with reflective balls so their movements could be captured and used to animate the game’s tricks.
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