Google Wave

The official Google Wave logo

Google Wave is a Massively Multiplayer Online Wave Game (MMOWG) created by Google, Inc. and released on May 27, 2009. It has been named "Game of the Year" by IGN and "Best MMOWG of All Time" by GameSpot.

Objective

The objective of Google Wave is to not lose. This challenge can be overcome by winning. However, this has never been done; Google Wave is very difficult, and some have speculated that winning it is even harder than winning The Game. Many online walkthroughs have been published, though none of them document end-game content.

The highest level ever obtained in Google Wave is 56. It is speculated that as many as 150 levels are available; one for each Pokémon.

Typical gameplay

Updates and patches

Because it is currently in beta, Google frequently releases patches and new content for Wave. Most often they contain subtle changes and bug fixes that will go unnoticed by the average user; however, they have been known to occasionally release revolutionary and highly-anticipated new content. Perhaps the most hype occurred when Google announced that the newest version of Wave would include a jet ski, though this has yet to appear in-game.

New levels are added to Wave every month. Several upcoming levels are rumored to have up to twice as many Super Waves as in previous levels.. There may even be some Tsunami bosses, although these will be easier to counter with the new Whirlpool ability which is unlockable for players over level 50. Also, the new motorboat (which can be unlocked by finding the Hidden Cove) allows the player to collect special items from areas which were previously unreachable.

Sequels

While no sequels have been officially announced, there has been much speculation on the possible development of Google Wave 2, which is rumored to come out around the same time as The Game 2. It's possible that the new game will contain two distinct game modes; one for transverse waves, and one for longitudinal.

Google Wave's servers go down every Tuesday morning for maintenance

Game mechanics

Google Wave frequently collapses the waveform, as per Schrödinger equation: $i\hbar {\frac {\partial }{\partial t}}\Psi (\mathbf {r} ,\,t)=-{\frac {\hbar ^{2}}{2m}}\nabla ^{2}\Psi (\mathbf {r} ,\,t)+V(\mathbf {r} )\Psi (\mathbf {r} ,\,t)$

Criticism

While Google Wave has generally received positive feedback from critics, several of them have denounced it, saying it contains no original content and just mimics that of other MMOWGs. Well-known MMOWG analytic Jordan Backs is arguably at the forefront of the anti-Wave crusade:

File:Port Sulphur.jpg

What happens when you lose

“	It's just not that fun of a game. Sure it has flashy effects and extensive features, but where's the actual gameplay and story? These are far more important than graphics, and they're by far the biggest area in which [Google] Wave is lacking.	„
— Jordan Backs

Google has responded to these claims:

Google Wave box art

“	LOL, trolled.	„
— Google, Inc.