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
- 20
- Outcome
- Solved
- Format errors
- No errors
- Duration
- 9m 20s
- Round cost
- $0.5820 All 21 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":"XSZW5TRZ"}Valid replies are shown in the required format. Rejected replies are shown separately, without provider or call IDs.
Q1
1 · Guesser asks
Is this person currently alive?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Is this person currently alive?"}}Oracle evidence2 model-reported sources
The Oracle reported these excerpts and URLs. They are not independently checked.
The Institute Season Two — Posted: February 4th, 2026Open stephenking.com (opens in a new tab)
Post your questions for Stephen King — Wed 23 Jul 2025Open theguardian.com (opens in a new tab)
2 · Answer check returns Yes
Q2
1 · Guesser asks
Is this person primarily known for work in the entertainment industry?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Is this person primarily known for work in the entertainment industry?"}}Oracle evidence2 model-reported sources
The Oracle reported these excerpts and URLs. They are not independently checked.
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)
The entertainment industry includes media such as TV, radio, recorded music, video games, film, publishing, theatre, and sports.Open sciencedirect.com (opens in a new tab)
2 · Answer check returns Yes
Q3
1 · Guesser asks
Is this person primarily known as a musician or singer?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Is this person primarily known as a musician or singer?"}}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)
Outside of writing, King is a music fan. He even sometimes plays guitar and sings in a band called Rock Bottom Remainders.Open biography.com (opens in a new tab)
2 · Answer check returns No
Q4
1 · Guesser asks
Is this person primarily known for acting?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Is this person primarily known for acting?"}}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)
He’s made an appearance either in person or via his voice in fourteen television shows, thirteen movies, and one American Express commercial.Open the-line-up.com (opens in a new tab)
2 · Answer check returns No
Q5
1 · Guesser asks
Has this person directed a feature film?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Has this person directed a feature film?"}}Oracle evidence2 model-reported sources
The Oracle reported these excerpts and URLs. They are not independently checked.
Maximum Overdrive — Directed by Stephen KingOpen nytimes.com (opens in a new tab)
1986 - Makes his directorial debut with the release of “Maximum Overdrive”Open cnn.com (opens in a new tab)
2 · Answer check returns Yes
Q6
1 · Guesser asks
Has this person won an Academy Award for directing?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Has this person won an Academy Award for directing?"}} 2 · Answer check returns Unknown
Q7
1 · Guesser asks
Is this person a woman?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Is this 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
Q8
1 · Guesser asks
Is this person an American citizen?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Is this person an American citizen?"}}Oracle evidence2 model-reported sources
The Oracle reported these excerpts and URLs. They are not independently checked.
Stephen (Edwin) King, (born Sept. 21, 1947, Portland, Maine, U.S.), U.S. writer of horror stories.Open britannica.com (opens in a new tab)
Born: September 21, 1947 Portland, Maine American author Stephen KingOpen encyclopedia.com (opens in a new tab)
2 · Answer check returns Yes
Q9
1 · Guesser asks
Was this person born before 1960?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Was this person born before 1960?"}}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
Q10
1 · Guesser asks
Was this person born before 1950?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Was this person born before 1950?"}}Oracle evidence2 model-reported sources
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)
Birth date: September 21, 1947Open cnn.com (opens in a new tab)
2 · Answer check returns Yes
Q11
1 · Guesser asks
Has he directed a feature film released in or after 2000?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Has he directed a feature film released in or after 2000?"}}Oracle evidence2 model-reported sources
The Oracle reported these excerpts and URLs. They are not independently checked.
Stephen King's first (and last) directorial effort ... Production Year 1986.Open musicboxtheatre.com (opens in a new tab)
Maximum Overdrive Directed by Stephen King ... July 25, 1986.Open nytimes.com (opens in a new tab)
2 · Answer check returns No
Q12
1 · Guesser asks
Has this person won a Tony Award?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Has this person won a Tony Award?"}} 2 · Answer check returns Unknown
Q13
1 · Guesser asks
Is this person also well known as a comedian?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Is this person also well known as a comedian?"}} 2 · Answer check returns Unknown
Q14
1 · Guesser asks
Has this person won an Academy Award for screenwriting?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Has this person won an Academy Award for screenwriting?"}}Oracle evidence2 model-reported sources
The Oracle reported these excerpts and URLs. They are not independently checked.
The Shawshank Redemption — Frank Darabont; Writing (Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen) — Winner: Pulp Fiction.Open oscars.org (opens in a new tab)
The film was based on a Stephen King novella; it was the feature directorial debut of its screenwriter, Frank Darabont.Open oscars.org (opens in a new tab)
2 · Answer check returns No
Q15
1 · Guesser guesses
George Lucas
American filmmaker and creator of Star Wars, born in 1944 and founder of Lucasfilm.
Validator rationale The proposal identifies George Lucas, while the trusted subject is Stephen King.
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"GUESS","description":"American filmmaker and creator of Star Wars, born in 1944 and founder of Lucasfilm.","name":"George Lucas","question":null}} 2 · Validator returns No
Q16
1 · Guesser asks
Did this person direct a feature film released during the 1980s?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Did this person direct a feature film released during the 1980s?"}}Oracle evidence2 model-reported sources
The Oracle reported these excerpts and URLs. They are not independently checked.
Maximum Overdrive — Directed by Stephen King ... July 25, 1986Open nytimes.com (opens in a new tab)
Maximum Overdrive ... USA, 1986 Director: Stephen KingOpen rialtopictures.com (opens in a new tab)
2 · Answer check returns Yes
Q17
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
Q18
1 · Guesser asks
Has this person directed an animated feature film?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Has this person directed an animated feature film?"}}Oracle evidence2 model-reported sources
The Oracle reported these excerpts and URLs. They are not independently checked.
Stephen King has only directed one film: Maximum Overdrive.Open bloody-disgusting.com (opens in a new tab)
Maximum Overdrive — Directed by Stephen King — Action, Comedy, Horror, Sci-Fi.Open nytimes.com (opens in a new tab)
2 · Answer check returns No
Q19
1 · Guesser asks
Has this person been nominated for an Academy Award for screenwriting?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Has this person been nominated for an Academy Award for screenwriting?"}} 2 · Answer check returns Unknown
Q20
1 · Guesser asks
Is this person primarily known as an author of books?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Is this person primarily known as an author of books?"}}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. His books blend horror, the macabre, fantasy, and science fiction.Open britannica.com (opens in a new tab)
His acclaimed novels and short story collections include Carrie, The Shining, The Stand, Misery and 11.22.63.Open stephenkingbooks.co.uk (opens in a new tab)
2 · Answer check returns Yes
G
1 · Guesser guessesNot counted
Stephen King
American horror author who wrote numerous bestselling novels and directed the 1986 feature film Maximum Overdrive.
Validator rationale The proposed identity matches Stephen King, the American author described in the trusted subject; the additional note about directing Maximum Overdrive is consistent.
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"GUESS","description":"American horror author who wrote numerous bestselling novels and directed the 1986 feature film Maximum Overdrive.","name":"Stephen King","question":null}} 2 · Validator returns Yes