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
- 18
- Outcome
- Solved
- Format errors
- No errors
- Duration
- 4m 35s
- Round cost
- $0.1870 All 19 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":"BYOMPCJW"}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 evidence3 model-reported sources
The Oracle reported these excerpts and URLs. They are not independently checked.
The Institute Season Two — Production has begun on The Institute Season 2 at MGM+Open stephenking.com (opens in a new tab)
Post your questions for Stephen King ... it’s your chance to ask about anything from The Shining to the number 13Open theguardian.com (opens in a new tab)
Stephen King’s home in Bangor, Maine ... In recent years, however, King and his wife ... have split their time between other propertiesOpen architecturaldigest.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 acting, music, or television?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Is this person primarily known for work in entertainment, such as acting, music, or television?"}}Oracle evidence1 model-reported source
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)
2 · Answer check returns No
Q3
1 · Guesser asks
Is this person primarily known for work in politics or government?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Is this person primarily known for work in politics or government?"}}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)
Stephen King – contemporary America’s most popular storyteller... really a political writer?Open uwp.co.uk (opens in a new tab)
2 · Answer check returns No
Q4
1 · Guesser asks
Is this person primarily known as an athlete or sports competitor?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Is this person primarily known as an athlete or sports competitor?"}}Oracle evidence2 model-reported sources
The Oracle reported these excerpts and URLs. They are not independently checked.
Stephen King is a best-selling author... 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... one of the world’s best-selling writers.Open britannica.com (opens in a new tab)
2 · Answer check returns No
Q5
1 · Guesser asks
Is this person primarily known for achievements in science, technology, or engineering?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Is this person primarily known for achievements in science, technology, or engineering?"}}Oracle evidence2 model-reported sources
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, who has written more than 50 books. He is best known for his works in the horror and fantasy genres.Open cnn.com (opens in a new tab)
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)
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 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)
Best-selling author Stephen King... 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, journalism, or literature?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Is this person primarily known for writing, journalism, or literature?"}}Oracle evidence2 model-reported sources
The Oracle reported these excerpts and URLs. They are not independently checked.
U.S. writer of horror stories... he became a prolific writer... one of the world’s best-selling writers.Open britannica.com (opens in a new tab)
American novelist and short-story writer... established King’s reputation as a master of horror literature.Open kids.britannica.com (opens in a new tab)
2 · Answer check returns Yes
Q8
1 · Guesser asks
Is this person primarily known as a novelist or fiction writer?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Is this person primarily known as a novelist or fiction writer?"}}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 in the late 20th century.Open britannica.com (opens in a new tab)
American novelist and short-story writer Stephen King published Carrie in 1974...Open kids.britannica.com (opens in a new tab)
2 · Answer check returns Yes
Q9
1 · Guesser asks
Is this person primarily known for writing in English?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Is this person primarily known for writing in English?"}}Oracle evidence2 model-reported sources
The Oracle reported these excerpts and URLs. They are not independently checked.
Language | EnglishOpen wiki.kidzsearch.com (opens in a new tab)
Stephen (Edwin) King ... U.S. writer ... frequently translatedOpen britannica.com (opens in a new tab)
2 · Answer check returns Yes
Q10
1 · Guesser asks
Is the person a woman?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Is the person a woman?"}}Oracle evidence1 model-reported source
The Oracle reported these excerpts and URLs. They are not independently checked.
Gender: MaleOpen nndb.com (opens in a new tab)
2 · Answer check returns No
Q11
1 · Guesser asks
Was this person born in the United Kingdom?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Was this person 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
Q12
1 · Guesser asks
Was this person born in the United States?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Was this person 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
Q13
1 · Guesser asks
Is this person primarily known for writing science fiction or fantasy novels?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Is this person primarily known for writing science fiction or fantasy novels?"}}Oracle evidence1 model-reported source
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)
2 · Answer check returns Yes
Q14
1 · Guesser asks
Is this person primarily known for fantasy novels rather than science fiction novels?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Is this person primarily known for fantasy novels rather than science fiction novels?"}}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)
Stephen (Edwin) King ... U.S. writer of horror stories. His books blend horror, the macabre, fantasy, and science fiction.Open britannica.com (opens in a new tab)
2 · Answer check returns Yes
Q15
1 · Guesser asks
Has one of this person's novels or fictional series been adapted into a major film or television production?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Has one of this person's novels or fictional series been adapted into a major film or television production?"}}Oracle evidence2 model-reported sources
The Oracle reported these excerpts and URLs. They are not independently checked.
Brian De Palma’s horror classic Carrie (1976), based on a Stephen King novel.Open britannica.com (opens in a new tab)
The 1976 film version became the first of many movies based on King’s work. Carrie is considered one of the finest horror movies ever made, was a box office smash, and earned Academy Award nominations.Open libraries.mit.edu (opens in a new tab)
2 · Answer check returns Yes
Q16
1 · Guesser asks
Has he written a fantasy series whose television adaptation became one of HBO’s most prominent drama series?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Has he written a fantasy series whose television adaptation became one of HBO’s most prominent drama series?"}}Oracle evidence3 model-reported sources
The Oracle reported these excerpts and URLs. They are not independently checked.
Stephen King’s The Dark Tower series has gone all this time without a proper adaptation.Open slashfilm.com (opens in a new tab)
George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire is the fantasy series on which HBO’s Game of Thrones is based.Open time.com (opens in a new tab)
An HBO adaptation of Stephen King’s novel The Outsider.Open npr.org (opens in a new tab)
2 · Answer check returns No
Q17
1 · Guesser asks
Is this person primarily known for writing fantasy novels for children or young adults?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Is this person primarily known for writing fantasy novels for children or young adults?"}}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)
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
Q18
1 · Guesser asks
Is this person primarily known for horror fiction, in addition to or rather than fantasy?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Is this person primarily known for horror fiction, in addition to or rather than fantasy?"}}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... His books blend horror, the macabre, fantasy, and science fiction.Open britannica.com (opens in a new tab)
2 · Answer check returns Yes
G
1 · Guesser guessesNot counted
Stephen King
An American novelist known primarily for bestselling horror and fantasy fiction, including works adapted into major films and television productions.
Validator rationale The proposed identity matches Stephen King, the American novelist and horror author described in the trusted subject.
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"GUESS","description":"An American novelist known primarily for bestselling horror and fantasy fiction, including works adapted into major films and television productions.","name":"Stephen King","question":null}} 2 · Validator returns Yes