Why is today's Google Doodle a popcorn game?

The most popular homepage on the Internet appears today.

On September 25, Google released its latest doodle to celebrate popcorn's global appeal. In addition to the artwork visible on the homepage, web browsers can also play a popcorn-themed player versus environment game.

“You believe today's interactive doodle celebrates your favorite movie companion and classic late-night snack: popcorn!” Google wrote in an announcement. “This game makes Doodles history by allowing the highest number of simultaneous players ever in a game!”

People can play alone or invite friends via a link and play together in “squad mode.” Players start the game as an unpopped corn kernel and try to avoid pellets fired by enemies – including a nasty stick of butter – to survive each round.

Users can choose from three character options and then play simultaneously by moving from one stage to the next using the arrow keys and space bar.

“I'll never forget the week we started the project, brainstorming ideas and asking ourselves questions like, 'What would be a popcorn kernel's greatest fear?' and “Should the attacking kernel have muscles?” Brian Murray, lead engineer at Doodle, tells TODAY.com via email. “We had a fantastic time developing it and hope people have just as much fun playing it!”

According to a company map, Google is connecting users from all over the world to compete against each other as the Doodle game is available in multiple countries.

“Different countries and regions now have their own flavors for this timeless snack: pipoca in Brazil, nori-topped popcorn in Japan, za'atar popcorn in the Middle East, maple popcorn in Canada – the list goes on,” Google wrote .

The company points out that today it celebrates the day when the largest popcorn machine ever made set a world record. The Carnival Magic Theme Park in Phuket, Thailand, manufactured the machine, which was over 25 feet tall, 11 feet wide and 9 feet deep, according to Guinness World Records. The title was awarded to them on September 26th, 2020 – the game will be live for 48 hours until September 26th at 11:59 p.m

Since 1998, Google has published its special homepages for various reasons. The team created its first-ever doodle — a symbol of the Burning Man community and arts festival — as an out-of-office message for founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin , who were attending the desert event.

Since then, doodles have been known to celebrate a variety of subjects, from Filipino adobo to young artists, black cartoonists to teachers and even the inventor of the Zamboni.