Viral ‘Password Game’ Is Really Fun Until You Remember You’re Living It
For illustration purposes. Obviously, never include “password” in your password. Screenshot via The Password Game
Two rules to always live by on the ever-evolving web: read the terms and conditions, and keep your passwords secure.
If Black Mirror’s Joan is Awful episode hasn’t already scared you straight into being more careful with your identity, here’s another fairly educational gem to keep you on your toes. The Password Game is an amusing—albeit mildly irksome—web game that pokes fun at sign-up requirements.
There are no instructions, since everyone has had years of practice to play it. Essentially, you have to choose a password, and as is standard, it needs to be alphanumerical and contain a special character.
The password game is out now! Good luck 👹
— Neal Agarwal (@nealagarwal) June 27, 2023
> https://t.co/kXhmbHqYTK pic.twitter.com/d6lbnfHrbx
Things escalate from there as more ridiculous demands are thrown in. The numbers in your password must add up to 25. It must mention one of the site’s advertisers. It should include an element from the periodic table.
Screenshot via The Password Game
You’ll need to jump through hoops to register an account, a reflection of dark web patterns. Or in this case, play Wordle first and generate today’s answer, which is required for your password. Oh, and make sure it’s nighttime, since you’ll need to determine the current moon phase and write it down in emoji form. Then, more hoop-jumping—it’s time to play chess.
Screenshot via The Password Game
The wacky simulator took developer Neal Agarwal, who often uses his coding expertise to create fun and unusual web experiences, two months to make.
Screenshot via The Password Game
Agarwal tells Ars Technica that the idea to develop The Password Game has been simmering for some time. The nail to the coffin, however, was when he was told his choice of password was too long. “Apparently it’s possible for a password to be too secure?” he questions.
The absurd game has kept internet users busy since launching on Tuesday, and clearly, it has struck a nerve, with 6.6 million people viewing Agarwal’s introduction video alone.
They say there’s a thin line between love and hate, and this one cleanly walks that tightrope. Play it here.
Am I in the lead? pic.twitter.com/bwY6LXDRXS
— John Herrick (@theJohnHerrick) June 27, 2023
[via Polygon and Ars Technica, screenshots via The Password Game]
