Google's new 'Smarty Pins' game combines trivia and geography

 

 

This might just be the next best thing to finding Carmen Sandiego.

 

You've seen them on Google Maps. Now the smart pins get to be the stars on a new Google product - a game that is sure to appeal to trivia lovers and geography addicts alike.

 

Dubbed "Smarty Pins," the game tests players' knowledge of trivia—but be warned, it can get smart-alecky when you goof.

Click here to try the game for yourself.

 

Players start the game with 1,000 miles, and will be asked questions referring to a particular city. A wrong answer will mean a deduction from the 1,000 miles, depending on how far off the answer was.

 

"The goal is to correctly answer as many questions as possible before the number of miles reaches zero. Players can also gain bonus points if they answer in the first 10 seconds without using hints," tech site Mashable noted.

 

But even if they don't get the right answers, players won't quite leave empty-handed - at least they'll learn more about geography as the game is centered on Google Maps.

 

Mashable noted players can "zoom in and out to pinpoint specific locations, including landmarks," and choose general trivia questions, or select from categories.

 

While the correct answers get the usual congratulations, wrong answers - especially those far off - can get the message, "well, at least you got the planet right!" — Joel Locsin/TJD, GMA News