Google I/O Interactive Puzzle Game Design
Prism Shift
How do you transform a date reveal into something big? You use it to create an interactive, quantum-inspired puzzle adventure. Event announcements are usually one-way broadcasts, but Google I/O doesn’t play it safe. To build excitement for I/O 2025, we partnered with Google to flip the script, launching Prism Shift—a web-based puzzle game where players solve seven light-based “worlds” to reveal the I/O event date. Instead of reading a date, users earned it, one beam, one breakthrough at a time.
Unlocking new worlds
The 2025 I/O puzzle was rooted in gameplay that bended light and expectations. Players had to reflect, split, and guide beams of light to illuminate hidden beacons across an evolving map. Strategic prism placement, spatial thinking, and trial-and-error experimentation brought each level to life, unlocking new worlds with unique layouts, colors, and increasing complexity. The end goal: illuminate the final prism and unlock the I/O reveal.
Iterative game design
Designed with iteration. Built for immersion. We started with rapid paper prototypes, testing concepts in Figma before landing on the light-based gameplay mechanic. From there, we iterated fast, refining every layer of interaction, puzzle logic, and visual feedback to keep users engaged and make learning the mechanics feel natural, not forced.
Inspired by quantum mechanics
The physics behind Prism Shift are rooted in quantum logic, using prisms and mirrors to manipulate light like qubits. It was a nod to science and a playground of discovery. Every level featured multiple solutions, rewarding creativity and experimentation over one “right way” to win. And of course, it was a lot of fun.
Gemini integration: A side quest with soul
To showcase Google’s Gemini AI, we added a new dimension of gameplay. In each level, Gemini placed a secret tile on the board—hidden behind a riddle. Players who cracked the code unlocked bonus levels shaped like Easter eggs: Chrome Dino, Android Bot, and other iconic Google characters. It turned a smart puzzle into a layered, AI-powered experience that was fresh, engaging and distinctly Google.
The LFL impact
By blending game design, narrative strategy, and emerging tech, Prism Shift transformed a static announcement into a global moment of play. It turned heads, lit up timelines, and added depth to how users connect with the I/O brand.
Let's talk about what's next
Whether you’re launching a product, an event, or an idea, there’s always a more engaging way to bring it to life and connect with your audience. Let’s turn that moment into something people remember.