You are the Guesser being evaluated in a Twenty Questions benchmark. One subject is hidden. The initial BEGIN message provides its broad category as trusted game metadata. Identify the subject using as few counted questions as possible. ASK is only for learning a property that helps distinguish possible candidates. Never use ASK to confirm a named candidate or ask whether the subject is a specific identity. When you are ready to name a candidate, use GUESS immediately. A correct GUESS costs zero counted questions; an incorrect GUESS costs exactly one, the same as ASK. A GUESS must provide both a name and a short identifying description. The engine replies only YES, NO, or UNKNOWN; UNKNOWN is a valid answer meaning the factual adjudication system could not determine the proposition under its evidence policy. Questions requiring proof of absence, exclusivity, completeness, exact counts, or subjective classification are more likely to return UNKNOWN. Prefer direct, positively verifiable properties when possible. The initial BEGIN event includes an opaque variation_token that contains no information about the hidden subject. Do not interpret, repeat, mention, or derive meaning from it. After BEGIN, each user reply is either one adjudicated YES, NO, or UNKNOWN token or a fixed FORMAT_ERROR event. FORMAT_ERROR means your immediately preceding response did not match the required structured-action contract, was not semantically adjudicated, and consumed one counted turn. Use the formats in that event and try again. Never infer that the attempted question or guess was right or wrong. At most 50 questions or rejected guesses are counted. After that limit you receive one final guess-only opportunity. Format errors also consume counted turns. The provider wire response is an object with exactly one `result` action. On the final opportunity ASK is forbidden. Return only the required structured response. Do not include analysis, hidden reasoning, or additional fields.
- Questions
- 24
- Outcome
- Solved
- Format errors
- No errors
- Duration
- 6m 57s
- Round cost
- $0.2563 All 25 turns
Transcript
Questions and answers.
Turns are shown in the order they happened. Each shows the Guesser's question or guess, then the final checked answer.
Exact Guesser setupSystem message and BEGIN event
The Guesser received these messages at the start of the round. The BEGIN message holds the broad category and a code made from the base seed and round number, which reveals nothing about the subject.
{"category":"person","event":"BEGIN","variation_token":"BKXG3AZI"}Valid replies are shown in the required format. Rejected replies are shown separately, without provider or call IDs.
Q1
1 · Guesser asks
Is the person currently living?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Is the person currently living?"}}Oracle evidence1 model-reported source
The Oracle reported these excerpts and URLs. They are not independently checked.
The Institute Season Two — Posted: February 4th, 2026. Production has begun on The Institute Season 2 at MGM.Open stephenking.com (opens in a new tab)
2 · Answer check returns Yes
Q2
1 · Guesser asks
Is this person primarily known for work in entertainment, such as film, television, music, or comedy?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Is this person primarily known for work in entertainment, such as film, television, music, or comedy?"}}Oracle evidence2 model-reported sources
The Oracle reported these excerpts and URLs. They are not independently checked.
Stephen King is an American novelist and short-story writer whose books are credited with reviving the genre of horror fiction.Open britannica.com (opens in a new tab)
Stephen King is a 'New York Times'-bestselling novelist who made his name in the horror and fantasy genres with books like 'Carrie,' 'The Shining' and 'IT.'Open biography.com (opens in a new tab)
2 · Answer check returns No
Q3
1 · Guesser asks
Is this person primarily known for achievements in politics or government?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Is this person primarily known for achievements in politics or government?"}}Oracle evidence2 model-reported sources
The Oracle reported these excerpts and URLs. They are not independently checked.
Stephen King, U.S. writer of horror stories, became a prolific and best-selling writer.Open britannica.com (opens in a new tab)
Stephen King is a very popular author of horror fiction.Open encyclopedia.com (opens in a new tab)
2 · Answer check returns No
Q4
1 · Guesser asks
Is this person primarily known for achievements in sports?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Is this person primarily known for achievements in sports?"}}Oracle evidence2 model-reported sources
The Oracle reported these excerpts and URLs. They are not independently checked.
Stephen (Edwin) King ... U.S. writer of horror stories ... one of the world’s best-selling writers.Open britannica.com (opens in a new tab)
Here’s a look at the life of best-selling author Stephen King ... He is best known for his works in the horror and fantasy genres.Open cnn.com (opens in a new tab)
2 · Answer check returns No
Q5
1 · Guesser asks
Is this person primarily known for work in science, medicine, or technology?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Is this person primarily known for work in science, medicine, or technology?"}}Oracle evidence2 model-reported sources
The Oracle reported these excerpts and URLs. They are not independently checked.
He is best known for his works in the horror and fantasy genres.Open cnn.com (opens in a new tab)
U.S. writer of horror stories.Open britannica.com (opens in a new tab)
2 · Answer check returns No
Q6
1 · Guesser asks
Is this person primarily known for business, entrepreneurship, or finance?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Is this person primarily known for business, entrepreneurship, or finance?"}}Oracle evidence1 model-reported source
The Oracle reported these excerpts and URLs. They are not independently checked.
Here’s a look at the life of best-selling author Stephen King... He is best known for his works in the horror and fantasy genres.Open cnn.com (opens in a new tab)
2 · Answer check returns No
Q7
1 · Guesser asks
Is this person primarily known for writing books, journalism, or other literary work?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Is this person primarily known for writing books, journalism, or other literary work?"}}Oracle evidence1 model-reported source
The Oracle reported these excerpts and URLs. They are not independently checked.
Stephen King is an American novelist and short-story writer whose books are credited with reviving the genre of horror fiction in the late 20th century.Open britannica.com (opens in a new tab)
2 · Answer check returns Yes
Q8
1 · Guesser asks
Is this person primarily known as an author of fiction, rather than as a journalist or writer of nonfiction?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Is this person primarily known as an author of fiction, rather than as a journalist or writer of nonfiction?"}}Oracle evidence2 model-reported sources
The Oracle reported these excerpts and URLs. They are not independently checked.
U.S. writer of horror stories... one of the world’s best-selling writers.Open britannica.com (opens in a new tab)
King has published 67 novels/novellas... and five nonfiction books.Open en.wikipedia.org (opens in a new tab)
2 · Answer check returns Yes
Q9
1 · Guesser asks
Has this author written a work of fantasy fiction?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Has this author written a work of fantasy fiction?"}}Oracle evidence1 model-reported source
The Oracle reported these excerpts and URLs. They are not independently checked.
He is also the author of The Dark Tower fantasy series.Open stephenkingbooks.co.uk (opens in a new tab)
2 · Answer check returns Yes
Q10
1 · Guesser asks
Has this author written a fantasy series that has been adapted into a major film or television franchise?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Has this author written a fantasy series that has been adapted into a major film or television franchise?"}}Oracle evidence2 model-reported sources
The Oracle reported these excerpts and URLs. They are not independently checked.
The Dark Tower ... for the fantasy franchise ... the long-awaited adaptation of Stephen King’s epic series.Open theverge.com (opens in a new tab)
A film adaptation of the series was released in 2017 ... an adaptation of a popular book series by Stephen King.Open britannica.com (opens in a new tab)
2 · Answer check returns Yes
Q11
1 · Guesser asks
Is the author a woman?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Is the author a woman?"}}Oracle evidence1 model-reported source
The Oracle reported these excerpts and URLs. They are not independently checked.
Stephen Edwin King was born in Portland, Maine in 1947, the second son of Donald and Nellie Ruth Pillsbury King.Open stephenking.com (opens in a new tab)
2 · Answer check returns No
Q12
1 · Guesser asks
Is this author best known for a fantasy series whose primary setting is an invented world rather than the real modern world?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Is this author best known for a fantasy series whose primary setting is an invented world rather than the real modern world?"}}Oracle evidence2 model-reported sources
The Oracle reported these excerpts and URLs. They are not independently checked.
Stephen (Edwin) King, U.S. writer of horror stories.Open britannica.com (opens in a new tab)
Stephen King: How the Maine Author Became the “King of Horror”Open biography.com (opens in a new tab)
2 · Answer check returns No
Q13
1 · Guesser asks
Is this author best known for a series centered on modern-day characters who are connected to Greek mythology?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Is this author best known for a series centered on modern-day characters who are connected to Greek mythology?"}}Oracle evidence2 model-reported sources
The Oracle reported these excerpts and URLs. They are not independently checked.
Stephen (Edwin) King ... U.S. writer of horror stories.Open britannica.com (opens in a new tab)
The Percy Jackson and the Olympians book series ... blend[s] Greek mythology with modern-day characters and settings.Open britannica.com (opens in a new tab)
2 · Answer check returns No
Q14
1 · Guesser asks
Was the author's fantasy work adapted into a live-action television series released primarily in the 21st century?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Was the author's fantasy work adapted into a live-action television series released primarily in the 21st century?"}}Oracle evidence2 model-reported sources
The Oracle reported these excerpts and URLs. They are not independently checked.
The Stand by Stephen King — Type of work: Novel; Type of plot: Fantasy.Open ebsco.com (opens in a new tab)
The Stand is an American dark fantasy web television miniseries, based on The Stand by Stephen King. The series premiered on December 17, 2020.Open stephenking.fandom.com (opens in a new tab)
2 · Answer check returns Yes
Q15
1 · Guesser asks
Was the author's best-known fantasy adaptation produced as an original series for Netflix?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Was the author's best-known fantasy adaptation produced as an original series for Netflix?"}} 2 · Answer check returns Unknown
Q16
1 · Guesser asks
Has this person written a major comic-book or graphic-novel series?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Has this person written a major comic-book or graphic-novel series?"}} 2 · Answer check returns Unknown
Q17
1 · Guesser asks
Has this author written comic books published by DC Comics?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Has this author written comic books published by DC Comics?"}}Oracle evidence2 model-reported sources
The Oracle reported these excerpts and URLs. They are not independently checked.
American Vampire marks Stephen King's debut with Vertigo/DC Comics; it is the first comic book writing he's done.Open stephenking.com (opens in a new tab)
He's never done an original comic before; this is the first time he's actually scripted one.Open latimes.com (opens in a new tab)
2 · Answer check returns Yes
Q18
1 · Guesser guesses
Neil Gaiman
Living male author known for fantasy fiction, including The Sandman, which originated as a DC Comics series and was adapted into a live-action television series.
Validator rationale The trusted subject is Stephen King, while the proposed identity is Neil Gaiman, a different author.
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"GUESS","description":"Living male author known for fantasy fiction, including The Sandman, which originated as a DC Comics series and was adapted into a live-action television series.","name":"Neil Gaiman","question":null}} 2 · Validator returns No
Q19
1 · Guesser asks
Is this person primarily known as a comics or graphic-novel writer rather than as a novelist?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Is this person primarily known as a comics or graphic-novel writer rather than as a novelist?"}}Oracle evidence2 model-reported sources
The Oracle reported these excerpts and URLs. They are not independently checked.
Stephen King is an American novelist and short-story writer whose books are credited with reviving horror fiction.Open britannica.com (opens in a new tab)
He became a prolific writer of enormously popular books and one of the world’s best-selling writers.Open britannica.com (opens in a new tab)
2 · Answer check returns No
Q20
1 · Guesser asks
Was this author born in the United Kingdom?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Was this author born in the United Kingdom?"}}Oracle evidence1 model-reported source
The Oracle reported these excerpts and URLs. They are not independently checked.
Stephen (Edwin) King, (born Sept. 21, 1947, Portland, Maine, U.S.)Open britannica.com (opens in a new tab)
2 · Answer check returns No
Q21
1 · Guesser asks
Was this author born in the United States?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Was this author born in the United States?"}}Oracle evidence1 model-reported source
The Oracle reported these excerpts and URLs. They are not independently checked.
Stephen (Edwin) King, (born Sept. 21, 1947, Portland, Maine, U.S.)Open britannica.com (opens in a new tab)
2 · Answer check returns Yes
Q22
1 · Guesser asks
Does the author's best-known fantasy adaptation take place mainly in a contemporary United States setting?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Does the author's best-known fantasy adaptation take place mainly in a contemporary United States setting?"}} 2 · Answer check returns Unknown
Q23
1 · Guesser asks
Was the author's best-known fantasy adaptation originally broadcast on the Syfy television network?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Was the author's best-known fantasy adaptation originally broadcast on the Syfy television network?"}} 2 · Answer check returns Unknown
Q24
1 · Guesser asks
Has this author written a widely known novel featuring a supernatural clown as a central antagonist?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Has this author written a widely known novel featuring a supernatural clown as a central antagonist?"}}Oracle evidence1 model-reported source
The Oracle reported these excerpts and URLs. They are not independently checked.
It | Novel, Stephen King, Pennywise, Movies, & Facts ... terrifying guises—predominantly that of the clown Pennywise.Open britannica.com (opens in a new tab)
2 · Answer check returns Yes
G
1 · Guesser guessesNot counted
Stephen King
Living American male author best known for horror and fantasy fiction, including It, featuring the supernatural clown Pennywise.
Validator rationale The proposed identity matches Stephen King, the American author of It and other horror fiction.
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"GUESS","description":"Living American male author best known for horror and fantasy fiction, including It, featuring the supernatural clown Pennywise.","name":"Stephen King","question":null}} 2 · Validator returns Yes