Intel launches retro-style browser game called Pixel Pat, featuring CEO Pat Gelsinger

[midian182]

WTF?! In what initially appears to be an April Fools' Day prank, Intel has marked the first anniversary of its CEO Pat Gelsinger being at the helm by releasing an 8-bit-style browser game featuring its boss. Not only will it bring mild amusement for about thirty seconds, but you can also learn some interesting facts about Gelsinger and his history.

The aptly named Pixel Pat, which you can try here, is a free, endless runner put together by Intel. This writer assumed it was an April Fools' Day joke that the company may have posted a day early, and in a way, maybe it is, but you can still play the retro-esque game.

There's no stopping #PixelPat (especially when he's in a bunny suit).

Our new #8bit game is a thrilling sprint through a chip manufacturing plant—and also a trip down memory lane to celebrate @PGelsinger's first year as @Intel's CEO. Play now! https://t.co/UoyapU6SDt pic.twitter.com/QXcnKoKasu

— Intel (@intel) March 31, 2022

Pixel Pat sees the eponymous hero making his way through Intel's new fabrication plant as he attempts to collect wafers scattered around the facility. Collecting lightbulbs will bring up information about the milestones Gelsinger and Intel have developed over the decades. Did you know, for example, that he joined the i386 processor design team back in 1981?

Players can double jump Pat, and you get to see how many bulbs and wafers were collected once you die. Avoid what are presumably dust clouds and bugs, two things no fab plant wants, though you can receive temporary invincibility by diving into a bunny suit. You also get extra lives by picking up hearts or 86 wafers.

April Fools' Day timing aside, Intel likely considers the game publicity for Chipzilla and its CEO. Compared to some of the terrible PR promotions we've seen from companies in the past, this one isn't that bad. It does, however, come one day after it was revealed that Gelsinger earned $178.6 million in 2021, about 698% higher than previous CEO Bob Swan's 2020 pay and 217 times more than the average Intel employee in the same year, so maybe Intel thought pixelating him and lauding his achievements would make the boss appear more likable. On reflection, perhaps this isn't a good promotion after all.

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https://www.techspot.com/news/94019-intel-launches-retro-style-browser-game-called-pixel.html

 

[Dimitriid]

That's not enough cult of personality building material: You've gotta give us a Patreon Saint figurine and some candles so we can all built a personal altar to Saint Gelsinger: Patreon saint of all double duty computer + home heaters.

The real comedy is watching the ruling class and it's CEOs complete lack of self awareness and make "jokes" that fall flat because of how damn accurate they tend to be actual reality.

 

[Guberian]

That's not enough cult of personality building material: You've gotta give us a Patreon Saint figurine and some candles so we can all built a personal altar to Saint Gelsinger: Patreon saint of all double duty computer + home heaters.

The real comedy is watching the ruling class and it's CEOs complete lack of self awareness and make "jokes" that fall flat because of how damn accurate they tend to be actual reality.

Jealous lmao this guy actually worked his way up and isnt some random greaseball that doesnt know anything about tech like bob swan.

 

[Ojref]

Sure Pat did. He's a legend of the industry. But trying to make him hip and cool is a terrible fit. They're better off playing to his strengths, and overall working to accentuate Intel's professionalism and technical prowess.

 

[AMN3S1AC]

Is this to showcase their new GPU's power?

 

[Sausagemeat]

This is cringe af but I love it.