The Dinosaur Game is an endless runner built into the Google Chrome browser. It appears automatically when your internet connection drops, featuring a small T-Rex dinosaur on a desert landscape. Created by Google engineers Sebastien Gabriel, Alan Bettes, and Edward Jung in 2014, the game was designed as a playful way to entertain users during internet outages.
To play, you simply press the spacebar or tap on your screen. The dinosaur starts running, and your goal is to avoid obstacles like cacti and flying pterodactyls by jumping or ducking. The game continues endlessly until you hit an obstacle, and your score increases the farther you go.
The Simple Yet Addictive Gameplay
Part of the Dinosaur Game’s magic lies in its simplicity. The controls are easy — jump, duck, and run — but as the game progresses, the speed increases, and timing becomes crucial. The monochrome design and 8-bit style graphics add to its retro charm.
You don’t need flashy graphics or complex storylines here. The fun comes from the challenge itself — beating your previous high score and seeing how far you can go before you crash. It’s the perfect combination of reflex, rhythm, and patience.
A Game Born from No Internet
Originally, the developers joked about calling it “the prehistoric ages before Wi-Fi.” The idea was to make something that symbolized a world where the internet didn’t exist — hence, the lonely dinosaur.
When Chrome detects no internet connection, the browser shows the message “No Internet,” along with the dinosaur icon. But when you press Space, it turns into a full-fledged game. What started as a small Easter egg has become a global sensation, played billions of times each month — even when people do have internet!