Rock Paper Scissors & ICQ
"Uh oh!" – If you know that sound, you lived through the golden era of instant messengers. ICQ was more than a chat program: it was the social network of an entire generation. And one of its most popular features? Games like Rock, Paper, Scissors.
The ICQ Era: 1996–2010
ICQ (pronounced "I seek you") launched in 1996 and within a few years became the most widely used messenger in the world. At its peak, ICQ had over 100 million users. Everyone knew their ICQ number by heart – it was like the phone number of the internet. The green flower icon and the legendary "Uh oh!" notification sound remain unforgettable to this day.
Messenger Games: The Origin of Casual Gaming
Long before smartphone apps or browser games, instant messengers like ICQ, MSN, and AIM offered built-in games. Rock, Paper, Scissors was among the most popular – simple, fast, and perfect for a quick round between chats. You just had to click a contact, select "Start Game," and you could play immediately. These messenger games were the forerunner of what we now know as casual gaming.
Nostalgia Meets Modern
ICQ was officially shut down in 2024 – but the memories remain. If you played Rock, Paper, Scissors on ICQ back then, you'll find the same feeling at Ninja Duell: A quick game against friends or strangers, right in your browser, no installation needed. Just with better graphics, ninja animations, and a global leaderboard. Times change – the game stays the same.
Messenger Culture of the 2000s
The 2000s were the decade of messengers. ICQ, MSN Messenger, AIM, Yahoo Messenger – everyone had at least two of them installed. People spent hours crafting the perfect status message, collecting animated emoticons, and of course: playing games. Rock, Paper, Scissors was the classic – it needed no explanation, anyone could join instantly. This shared gaming experience connected an entire online generation.