easter egg
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Google adds 'Bacon Number' easter egg to its search engine
Adding to the fun and games already hidden within its search box, Google's new not-so-secret addition gives you a quick way to calculate exactly how many degrees your favorite (or most obscure) actor falls from Kevin Bacon. Sure, it may take half the debate out of it, but at least the definitive answers are now out there -- just type in "bacon number" followed by your thespian of choice.
Hidden photos found in Mac SE ROM (Updated)
Update: As noted in the comments, the presence of these images in the original Mac ROMs has been known for years, so this decoding project qualifies as a "rediscovery" rather than an original find. The folks from NYC Resistor found an old Macintosh SE computer on the side of the road in Brooklyn, NY. The team grabbed the device and started to dig into the Macintosh's ROM. Using modern tools on the old code obtained from a ROM dump, the team pulled four images that were added to the ROM as an Easter egg. The images, available on NYC Resitor's website, are reportedly of the team that created the ROM and each one shows a different group of people. Besides images, the NYC Resistor team also found a fifth surprise buried in the ROM, but they couldn't parse it out of the ROM at this time. Based on the strings in the ROM, the team guesses that it could be an audio file. You can read the details on how they tracked down these images in the ROM on NYC Resistor's website. [Via TechHive]
Google reforms 'I'm Feeling Lucky' button, lets you savor other emotions
While many of us simply gravitate towards the companion search box or address bar to tap into Google's wealth of search know-how, anyone still visiting the original homepage should give that second button another glance. If you float your cursor over the randomized "I'm Feeling Lucky" button, the text will now spin through a handful of new options, reducing its arbitrary nature a little and, as AllThingsD note, guiding you to other Google services within the results, including location data, restaurant reviews and even its collection of doodles.
Nexus Q app throws in voice-powered Magic 8 Ball mode
No stranger to throwing in some extra, if not-that-functional, additions to its products, Google's new audio orb packs its own Easter egg -- a Magic 8 Ball mode. Tapping the Nexus Q's image in its companion Android app will throw up a new screen, offering voice input to take your existential questions. Replies are certainly of the Magic 8 Ball caliber, although there's no accelerometer-based shaker -- at least not yet.
Google includes Jelly Bean easter egg in Android 4.1: yes, it's cute (video)
In Gingerbread, those tapping repeatedly on the version number with Android's "Settings" menu were greeted with a picture of "zombie art" by Jack Larson. In Honeycomb, a bee found its buzz. In Ice Cream Sandwich, we saw an image of the Android robot dressed up in an Ice Cream Sandwich, which grows in size when you long-press it until it transforms into a Nyan Cat-style animation. Today, we grabbed hold of a Galaxy Nexus equipped with Jelly Bean (Android 4.1), and sure enough, the tradition continues. This time, we're graced with a cutesy bean, and when long-pressed, you're presented with a game that encourages you to flick candy around a gravity-less location... for eternity. Care to see for yourself? There's a video just past the break. [Thanks, Jarrett] %Gallery-159338%
Elaborate Nike YouTube video has hidden Sonic Game (video)
When you've got a marketing budget the size of Nike's, a few international footballers and a glossy video aren't really enough. That's why its latest "My time is now" campaign is an all out interactive spend-fest, complete with a hidden Sega Sonic the Hedgehog mini-game. The standard YouTube version (as seen over the break) isn't interactive, but head over to Nike's official channel, and it's a whole different ball game. Clicking on players slow-mos the action, bringing up player details etc., and there are nine hidden "tunnels' to find -- one of which being the Sonic game. Can you find it? Hint: look for the pitch-side adverts with go faster boot on. Your time is now...
We require you to Google 'zerg rush'
Stop reading. Start Googling. Just try to take out a few of the little buggers before you're overrun, okay?
Google Zerg Rush: That was an order, soldier
Zerg Rush is Google's latest easter egg and it's admittedly a little late for the holiday itself. Search for the term (it's a Starcraft thing), and you'll be welcomed by a point-and-shoot mini-game where your enemy is an infinite number of color-coded, marauding o's. These will proceed to decimate your search results, which is currently a bizarre meta view of people explaining the game's existence. Get your trigger finger ready -- the internet needs you. (You also can publish your final score with pride on Google Plus.) [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Easter egg: Pac-Man is on Pac-Man in Street Fighter x Tekken
You may not have noticed during the frenzy of battle, but Pac-Man's got something interesting going on with his battle bot in Street Fighter X Tekken. On the back, there's an animated classic Pac-Man game board where Pac's chasing down his next ghastly snack!Too bad nobody will be able to notice the intricate Easter egg mid-fight. Instead, you'll probably want to check it out in the customization screen – or, by simply hitting the play button on the video above.[Thanks, Robert.]
'Battlefield 2143' easter egg hidden in Back to Karkand DLC
A couple of eagle-eyed Battlefield 3 players have spotted the above easter egg in the recent "Back to Karkand" DLC pack. It's just a stencil on a virtual wall, but of course the number "2143" (at least we're guessing that's the remains of a 4, and not a triangle) would hint at a followup to DICE's Battlefield 2142, the not-quite-as-successful futuristic spinoff of the Battlefield 1942 series. The Battlefield 3 Blog points out that a similar easter egg was hidden back in the Battlefield 2: Euro Force map pack back in 2006, and that egg was eventually the first sign of 2142's release later that year. Don't start hoping for a sequel just yet, however. While some fans would probably enjoy a return to the 2142 universe, odds are this is just DICE having a little fun, and reminding us that while many players might have forgotten about the futuristic spinoff already, DICE's own developers haven't just yet.
Android.com easter egg has the robot doing the moonwalk (video)
It's Easter in November! At least over at Android.com. The website's latest refresh brought us a whole lot of Ice Cream Sandwich, but the real treat's a bit of a hidden gem. Google's new site's packing an easter egg in the lower-left hand corner that has the little green robot doing the moonwalk, waving hello and juggling among other things. You can check it out in the video after the break, but the real fun awaits you at the source link below.
Batman gets a big head in this Arkham City Easter egg
Wondering how to take Batman's already Arkham-sized head and make it into something more Gotham-sized? The Rooster Teeth folks have figured it out, releasing a tell-all video (watch out for the F-bomb!) on Batman: Arkham City's "Big Head Mode," which can apparently be applied using the Cryptography Sequencer. The guys warn that the mode is only available in "Normal or higher" difficulties, though it'll also work in New Game Plus mode. Essentially, by holding down both triggers and maneuvering each analog stick in opposite circles of movement, the Big Head mode Easter egg will activate, rendering all forms of Batman and Catwoman (as well as enemies) with enormous noggins and puffy hands. And yes, in case you can't watch the video above just yet, it is absolutely adorable. [Thanks, Geoff.]
Minecraft easter egg makes its way into Skyrim
Who says a nasty legal battle means you can't appreciate each other's work? A nice little nod to Minecraft made its way into Skyrim, Ology reports. Neat! Pictured above is the Notched Pickaxe, which looks an awfully lot like the one from Minecraft -- Notch, you likely know, is the creator of the game. Hats off to the Bethesda devs for including this in the game. If you want to see it for yourself (and perhaps use it to kill a few of the smaller dragon pups), you can find it in The Throat of the World. It shouldn't be too hard to find the one-of-a-kind pickaxe stuck in the biggest mountain in the game.
Frank West can be Proto Man in Dead Rising 2: Off the Record
There's a surprise lurking in Dead Rising 2: Off the Record that is most decidedly not undead -- Proto Man! You can unlock Proto Man's outfit, shield and a working arm cannon through a series of steps so strangely complex that we're shocked anyone figured this easter egg out at all. Apparently you can snag the boots no problem, but to get the shield and blaster you have to beat the game with an S rank, medal in all 30 challenges, defeat Jack in a game of poker at the safe house, and then start that file again (not a new game), htka of GameFAQs posted. Or you can just watch the above video and pretend you're controlling Proto Frank West Man. You can even make your own sound effects. We won't tell anyone. If you'll remember, there was a similar unlock in Dead Rising, but it was bluer.
Breaking Bad Easter Egg discovered in Rage
Fans of Rage probably already caught the game's appearance in an episode of Breaking Bad from earlier this season. Now, fans of Breaking Bad can catch a neat reference to the show in Rage. Check out the video above to see the toothy Easter Egg in question.
Rage's Wolfenstein room is filled with pixelated treasure
Frankly, we're not sure what's better, the fact that there's a Wolfenstein 3D room in Rage, or imagining the reactions from gamers too young to know what Wolfenstein 3D is.
The Cluckshot is Gears of War 3's fabulous hidden weapon, here's how to get it
Standard issue anything is such a drag, you know? These days, you have to accessorize and customize just to get noticed on the battlefield, and even then it's become such a chore to stand out while staying alive. Sure, golden Lancers are cool and everything, but experienced COGs know that flashy blinged-out weapons only exist to give away your position and get you killed. What's a Gear like you to do, then? Well friend, take it from the fashionistas over at GameFront: Chickens are the new black. Their helpful how-to video (above) details every little thing you need to do in order to unlock the Cluckshot, Gears of War 3's avian-themed (and rather literal) easter-egg weapon. With this trendy new weapon, you'll be the cock of the walk, and those fashion-backward Locusts will have egg on their faces!
Gears of War 3's Gridlock map has a special nod to Gary Jules' 'Mad World'
A few years ago there was no escaping the Gears of War ad that used Gary Jules' cover of "Mad World." Well, it's made its way into Gears of War 3, and right into the Gridlock map. It's a nice piece of fan service that you can check out in our video above.
Examine Halo 4's Warthog in Forza 4's 'Auto Vista' mode
Ever wanted to know the deep lore behind and automotive specs inside Halo's most abundant form of military transportation? You can and you will, provided you pick up Turn 10's upcoming racer, Forza Motorsport 4. At last night's Halo Fest event, the studio announced that the new, Halo 4 model of the ubiquitous Warthog would be featured as an easter egg in the game's spectatorial "Auto Vista" mode. This means that you'll be able to sail around the new iteration of the car (using either a controller or Kinect-based gestures), manipulating its every feature and learning more about its backstory thanks to some 343-penned narration. The best part? Those voiceovers are performed by Jen Taylor, the actor behind Halo's luminous guide, Cortana. The worst part? The Warthog's only viewable in Auto Vista mode, and won't be driveable in actual races. We suppose that would be unfair, because, you know, chaingun.
10 secrets GLaDOS didn't tell you in Portal 2
You solved all the normal puzzles in Portal 2, which is good for a human test subject. But you want to be great, don't you? You want to be the best tester at Aperture. You want GLaDOS to love you like your mom never did. Don't you? CVG is here to help with 10 secrets to impress in Portal 2.
