Google Chrome Racer Installation
Open the game- Brand
- Year
- 2013
- Objective
- Engagement
- Industry
- Tech
- Mechanic
- Racing
- Platform
- Installation
- Agency
- AV&C
- With
- Active Theory
- With
- Plan8
- With
- HUSH
Objective
Google aimed to showcase Chrome's capabilities for cross-device gaming and the mobile web at the I/O developer conference in May 2013. The installation demonstrated how web technologies could power immersive, real-time multiplayer experiences that transcended traditional screens, bridging digital gameplay with physical installation to create a memorable showcase for developers and technologists.
Solution
Racer was a Chrome Experiment where up to five players connected their mobile devices to race in real-time. For the I/O Conference, HUSH designed an expanded physical-digital installation featuring a table-based experience with a large display showing live gameplay, arcade-style car crashes, and a dynamic leaderboard. Players simply tapped their phones to accelerate and released to brake, controlling cars in five different colors. The installation included a powerful sound system with floor-rumbling bass and a custom soundtrack by Giorgio Moroder, creating an immersive arcade-like environment. The web application was built by Active Theory with contributions from Plan8 (audio), 14islands, and PA Consulting, and was developed over eight weeks leading up to the conference keynote on May 15, 2013.
Results
The installation attracted close to 2,000 visitors over three days of the conference, with 650+ individual players per day.
