How to play Google Doodle's interactive Rise of the Half Moon

Recurring monthly card game aims to educate about the different phases of the lunar cycle

Google Doodle's new interactive card game. Photo: Google

How well do you know the lunar cycle? That’s what Google Doodle’s new interactive game series aims to find out.

Titled Rise of the Half Moon, it teaches players about the different phases of the lunar cycle, coinciding with the final half-moon of October that will occur on Thursday. This recurring monthly card game invites players to compete against the moon and test their knowledge.

The game is available on the search engine’s platform in several countries, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, the US and the UK.

"You’ll be over the (half) moon about this new Doodle game series!" reads Google's description of the game. "Join the celestial card game where players must connect the phases of the lunar cycle to earn points against the October half-moon. If you’re skilled enough to beat the moon, you might just be rewarded."

How to play Rise of the Half Moon

The game features an interactive format with cards displaying various lunar phases. Players must match cards in the lunar cycle to earn points to "defeat the moon". Different combinations of matching cards are worth varying points: a phase pair earns one point, full moon pairs earn two points and connecting lunar cycles (three cards or more) earn one point per card.

The game concludes when the board is full. Players will also earn one point for each claimed card, and the player with the most points at the end wins. While it may be challenging to remember the order of the lunar cycle, assistance is provided at the bottom of the interactive game. Players who win three games in a row are rewarded by reaching the moon.

History of Google Doodles

Google Doodles feature sporadically throughout the year, transforming Google's traditional logo into an animation to pay tribute to an important figure or moment in history. The Doodles can also mark seasonal or celebratory events, such as International Women's Day.

A Google Doodle celebrating Egyptian actress Karima Mokhtar's 89th birthday. All images: Google

Egyptian writer Ihsan Abdel Quddous

Kuwaiti actor and comedian Abdulhussain Abdulredha's 83rd birthday

UAE National Day 2022 Google Doodle.

Ousha Al Suwaidi was a poetess from the United Arab Emirates.

Prof. Hamed Abdel Fattah Goher was an Egyptian oceanographer, scientist and TV presenter.

Tunisia's Tawhida Ben Cheikh was a pioneer in women's medicine.

Google Doodle of Egyptian actor and director Nour El-Sherif honours him on what would have been his 75th birthday.

Google celebrates Syrian-Egyptian composer and actor Farid Al Atrash with a Google Doodle to mark what would have been his 110th birthday.

Children's author Notaila Rashed is honoured with a special Google Doodle to mark her 86th birthday.

Egyptian actress, producer, writer and filmmaker Bahiga Hafez was born 112 years ago, on August 4.

The Google Doodle for January 20, 2020, celebrates Mufidah Abdul Rahman, Egypt's first female lawyer.

A Google Doodle on June 10, 2019, celebrates Egyptian author Ahmed Khaled Towfik.

Google Doodle honours Persian mathematician, poet and astronomer Omar Khayyam on what would have been his 971st birthday.

Mary Mounib was a renowned actress in the Egyptian cinema scene. Her 114th birthday is marked in a Google Doodle on February 11, 2019.

Egyptian poet Gamila El Alaily is honoured in a Google Doodle on March 20, 2019.

Syrian artist Louay Kayali is the subject of Google's doodle on January 20, 2019.

Egyptian-French singer and actress Dalida is honoured on her birthday by Google Doodle, on January 17, 2019.

Egyptian actress Hind Rostom is celebrated in a Google Doodle on her 87th birthday, on November 12, 2018.

Ibn Sina, one of the greatest thinkers of Islam's golden age, is honoured on August 7, 2018.

A Google Doodle honours Saudi musician Talal Maddah on what would have been his 78th birthday, on August 5, 2018.

A Google Doodle gif marks Egyptian actor Omar Sharif's birthday on April 10, 2018.

Egyptian poet Farouk Shousha is honoured by Google on what would have been his 82nd birthday, on January 9, 2018.

Google celebrates Lebanese singer Sabah's 90th birthday on November 10, 2017.

Egyptian painter Inji Aflatoun's Google Doodle pays homage to her style of bold brushstrokes.

Google celebrates the birthday of Algerian painter Mohammed Khadda, who was born on March 14, 1930.

Lebanese singer-songwriter Melham Barakat is honoured by Google on his birthday.