This “hidden” Game Can Be Played Via Private Messages on TikTok.
TikTok has undergone a lot of changes recently, especially after American companies acquired a controlling stake . Users have had to navigate new terms of service , some of which are concerning, but they’ve also had to deal with some innocuous changes. For example, TikTok now features a game embedded directly into direct messages. You just have to know where to find it.
On Tuesday, TikTok spoke to TechCrunch about the game . While one might assume the gameplay is somehow tied to TikTok itself—short videos, influencers, and so on—the game itself is a very simple platformer. In fact, it’s very reminiscent of ” Doodle Jump ,” if you’ve ever played it on your iPhone or Android. The goal is simple: your “character” automatically bounces, and you drag it left or right across the screen, trying to bounce off rising alligator-shaped platforms. If you fall, you lose. If you land on a skeleton instead of a crocodile, you lose. Otherwise, you keep climbing higher and higher, accumulating higher and higher points, until you trip. You can also use boosts to fly through the game for a few seconds (more on that later).
The game is designed for solo play or against other players. Since the game is hidden in private messages, you can play against your friends one-on-one or in group chats. When you launch the game, your “character” icon is actually your friend’s profile photo, which is a fun detail.
How to Play the Hidden DM Game on TikTok
If you log into your account with a friend, you won’t have any prompts to start the game. To do so, you’ll need to send one emoji—any emoji. Afterward, a small text will appear at the bottom of the conversation: “Click the emoji to start the emoji game.” Do so, and the game will start. The trick is that the emoji you send turns into a boost that periodically appears in the game.
TikTok isn’t the only social media app offering a hidden game in direct messages. Instagram launched its own version two years ago . It can also be found by sending a single emoji, which in turn determines the game’s theme.