About Us
The Dinosaur Game was introduced by Google in September 2014 as a fun surprise for users who lost their internet connection. When you try to visit a website offline in Chrome, a simple message appears: “No Internet.” Below it stands a cute gray dinosaur. But if you press the spacebar, the dinosaur suddenly starts running—and a game begins.
This clever addition was created by Google Chrome’s UX team, led by Sebastian Gabriel, Alan Bettes, and Edward Jung. The team wanted to make the offline screen more engaging and less frustrating for users. Their idea was simple yet genius: turn the boring “No Internet” page into a mini-game.
According to Google, the dinosaur theme was chosen because it symbolizes the “prehistoric age” before Wi-Fi existed—a humorous reminder of how helpless we feel without the internet.
How to Play the Dinosaur Game
The gameplay couldn’t be simpler, yet it’s incredibly addictive. The player controls a pixelated T-Rex dinosaur running through a desert landscape. The objective is to avoid obstacles like cacti and flying pterodactyls by jumping and ducking.
Here’s how it works:
- Start the Game: Press the Spacebar (or tap the screen on mobile).
- Jump: Press Spacebar or Up Arrow to leap over obstacles.
- Duck: Press Down Arrow to duck under flying pterodactyls.
- Score: The longer you run without crashing, the higher your score climbs.
As you progress, the game gradually increases in speed, making it more challenging and exciting. At higher scores, the game even transitions from day to night, with the sky turning dark and stars appearing—a small but delightful touch.
The goal is simple: survive as long as you can. There’s no end, no finish line—just endless running until you crash into something. That’s why it’s known as an endless runner game.