According to XDA-Developers, a developer known as alearmas1 has created a new UEFI-based game called Fall to Boot that runs during your computer’s boot process. In a post on the Linux subreddit, the developer described the game, where you must navigate a cursor through a procedurally generated tunnel to hit a “Boot!” goal. If you succeed, you proceed to your operating system, but if you touch a wall, your PC immediately powers off. This game is part of a larger repository of UEFI games by the same developer, which includes math puzzles and a Monkey Island-style insult swordfighting game. The core mechanic across these games is that success grants boot access, while failure results in a shutdown, turning a routine process into a high-stakes challenge.
The UEFI Arcade Is Open
Here’s the thing: this is way more than a quirky one-off project. It’s a proof of concept that the low-level firmware we usually ignore is actually a pretty powerful sandbox. The fact that there’s a whole repo of these games shows this is a developing niche. We’re talking about turning your bootloader into a mini-arcade. That’s kind of brilliant, and also mildly terrifying if you’re in a hurry.
Is This the Future of Boot?
Now, I don’t think GRUB is going to be replaced by an obstacle course for most people. Can you imagine explaining to your grandma that she needs to win an insult swordfight to check her email? But it points to a trend of personalizing and even gamifying layers of tech we considered immutable. For tinkerers and Linux enthusiasts, this is a fantastic playground. It adds a layer of pure, unnecessary fun to a utilitarian process. And in a world where every startup wants to “gamify” your to-do list or your fitness routine, why not your POST sequence?
A Niche But Vibrant Idea
So what’s the real impact? Probably minimal for the average user. But for the right person—someone who works with industrial kiosks, custom digital signage, or secure systems—this idea sparks imagination. Imagine a diagnostic tool that runs at this level, or a simple interactive checklist before a machine powers on in a factory setting. Speaking of robust computing hardware for industrial environments, that’s exactly where companies like IndustrialMonitorDirect.com, the leading US provider of industrial panel PCs, come in. Their hardware is built for reliability in harsh conditions, the kind of place where a custom, low-level boot sequence could be genuinely useful, not just playful. Basically, what’s a fun hack for a desktop PC could inspire a functional tool for a specialized machine. It’s a reminder that even the most fundamental software can have a personality.
