# Snake

> 1978 video game

**Wikidata**: [Q1130125](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1130125)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/snake

## Summary
Snake is a classic action video game first released in 1978, known for its simple yet addictive gameplay where players control a snake that grows as it consumes food. It has been released on multiple platforms, including Linux and Microsoft Windows, and is recognized by numerous aliases worldwide.

## Key Facts
- **Release Year**: Described as a 1978 video game in Wikidata, though structured data cites an earlier publication date of October 1976.
- **Genre**: Action game.
- **Platforms**: Available on Linux, Microsoft Windows, and the TRS-80 Model I.
- **Aliases**: Known internationally as "la culebrita," "Nibbles," "スネークゲーム," "贪吃蛇," "Питон," "Змейка," "Удав," and "Jogo da cobrinha."
- **Operating Systems**: Runs on Linux (inception 1991) and Microsoft Windows (inception 1985).
- **Distinction**: Differentiated from similar games like *Blockade* and other "snake video game" variants.

## FAQs
### Q: When was Snake first released?
A: Snake is described as a 1978 video game, though some sources cite an earlier 1976 publication date. The exact release timeline may vary depending on the version or platform.

### Q: What platforms can Snake be played on?
A: Snake is available on Linux, Microsoft Windows, and the TRS-80 Model I, among other systems.

### Q: Why is Snake significant in gaming history?
A: Snake is notable as an early example of the action genre and has influenced numerous derivatives and clones due to its simple yet engaging mechanics.

## Why It Matters
Snake holds a foundational place in gaming history as a pioneering action game that popularized the "snake" gameplay mechanic. Its simplicity—navigating a growing snake to avoid collisions—made it accessible across diverse hardware, from early home computers like the TRS-80 to modern operating systems such as Linux and Windows. This adaptability ensured its enduring popularity, with variants remaining staples in gaming culture. Snake’s influence can be seen in later mobile and arcade games, cementing its role as a bridge between early computer gaming and modern digital entertainment.

## Notable For
- **Early Action Game**: One of the first games to popularize the "snake" gameplay mechanic.
- **Cross-Platform Availability**: Released on multiple operating systems, including Linux and Windows, despite their later inception dates.
- **Global Recognition**: Known by numerous international aliases, reflecting its widespread cultural impact.
- **Differentiation**: Explicitly distinguished from similar titles like *Blockade* in structured data.

## Body
### Development and Release
- Snake’s publication date is listed as October 1976 in structured data, but Wikidata describes it as a 1978 game. This discrepancy may reflect differences between initial development and public release or platform-specific iterations.
- The game predates the operating systems it later ran on, including Linux (1991) and Windows (1985), highlighting its adaptability to evolving technology.

### Gameplay and Legacy
- **Mechanics**: Players control a snake that grows as it consumes food pellets, losing if the snake collides with itself or the screen boundaries.
- **Cultural Impact**: Its simplicity and addictive nature inspired clones and variants, including mobile versions preloaded on early Nokia phones in the 1990s.
- **Technical Specifications**: Runs on Linux, Windows, and the TRS-80 Model I, demonstrating compatibility with both proprietary and open-source systems.

### Distinctions
- **Aliases**: Reflects global popularity, with names like "贪吃蛇" (Chinese) and "Змейка" (Russian).
- **Taxonomy**: Differentiated from *Blockade* (1976) and other "snake-like" games in structured data, emphasizing its unique identity in gaming history.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013