Google gamifies Maps, launches Cube

Google Maps, which has been the basis of several games before, was further gamified over the weekend with the release of Cube, a 3D game which challenges players to navigate a marker from one point to another in the fastest possible time.

Google Maps, which has been the basis of several games before, was further gamified over the weekend with the release of Cube, a 3D game which challenges players to navigate a marker from one point to another in the fastest possible time.

The game involves a large cube; players have to move a marker placed on the cube from one point to another by tilting it in a similar manner to the classic game Labyrinth. The cube spins when generating new levels, eight in all, and the game features a number of hidden extras such as a traffic map, similar to that which can be found in Google's Maps application.

Google's Cube can be played at playmapscube.com (requires Chrome to run). The game first came to light earlier this year and was initially expected to launch in February 2012. A video exploring the concept can be found on YouTube.

Other notable examples of Google Maps being used for gaming include Real World Racer by Tom Scott, which lets drivers race around Google Maps in 2D, and Class 3 Outbreak, which combines zombie-hunting with Street View.