OpenAI Surprises with a Hidden Mini-Game in Its NBA Ad

OpenAI Surprises NBA Spectators

During the game between the Knicks and the Spurs, OpenAI aired an advertisement titled "Time to Fly," which captivated the attention of the spectators. This ad, focused on its AI coding tool, Codex, contained an Easter egg: an online mini-game.

Spectators who discovered this game shared their experiences on X, expressing their joy at winning free tokens. Although these rewards were quickly depleted, the mini-game remains accessible online for those who wish to try it out.

A Hidden Game in an Advertisement

OpenAI's advertisement, aired during the first game of the NBA finals, showcased various users coding product ideas. Among them, some requested a companion app, while others used the "Extra High" mode. One user even appeared to be developing a video game.

The hidden game, named "Time to Fly," is described by OpenAI as a cosmic logic game about orbital rotation. An OpenAI employee mentioned on X that the team designed this mini-game for curious individuals ready to follow the clues.

Rewards Depleted, But the Game Continues

One user shared a screenshot of their "MISSION ACCOMPLISHED" screen, showing that they had won $1,000 in tokens. However, for those still hoping to obtain free credits, the chance has passed. Another user expressed pride in finishing third, despite OpenAI's depletion of the tokens.

AI tokens, or credits, are used to calculate the computing costs associated with AI products. With the growing popularity of Claude Code from Anthropic and Codex from OpenAI, trends like tokenmaxxing are emerging, raising questions about the costs and budgets of AI.