The Maze - Revision history

Screamer1234 at 07:52, 17 September 2026

2026-09-17T07:52:15Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:52, 17 September 2026
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	}}		}}
	{{Quote\|I made this game in October of '04 for Halloween and sent it to a few of my friends in an email. About 5 months later, someone had sent the same email back to my mother! It had turned into a viral email joke. I was very flattered and figured I should make a [[Winterrowd.com\|website for all the stupid prank games I've made.]]\|[[Jeremy Winterrowd]]<ref>Winterrowd responding to a question on Yahoo Answers http://web.archive.org/web/20191207130448/https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080810043147AA2Ssol</ref>}}		{{Quote\|I made this game in October of '04 for Halloween and sent it to a few of my friends in an email. About 5 months later, someone had sent the same email back to my mother! It had turned into a viral email joke. I was very flattered and figured I should make a [[Winterrowd.com\|website for all the stupid prank games I've made.]]\|[[Jeremy Winterrowd]]<ref>Winterrowd responding to a question on Yahoo Answers http://web.archive.org/web/20191207130448/https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080810043147AA2Ssol</ref>}}
	'''The Maze''', also known as the '''Scary Maze Game''' (or originally ''' The Maze Game v1.0'''<ref>tcrf.net/The_Maze</ref>), is a 2004 [[screamer]] [[Flash]] [[game]] created by developer [[Jeremy Winterrowd]]. In it, players must navigate through three mazes with their mouse, but are [[jumpscare\|jumpscared]] by a photo of [[Regan MacNeil]], a possessed character from the 1973 horror film The Exorcist, before being able to complete the third level.		'''The Maze''', also known as the '''Scary Maze Game''' (or originally ''' The Maze Game v1.0'''<ref>tcrf.net/The_Maze</ref>), is a 2004 [[screamer]] [[Flash]] [[game]] created by developer [[Jeremy Winterrowd]]. In it, players must navigate through three mazes with their mouse, but are [[jumpscare\|jumpscared]] by a photo of [[Regan MacNeil]], a possessed character from the 1973 horror film ''The Exorcist'', before being able to complete the third level.

	The Maze went viral online in the 2000s and early 2010s, largely due to [[reaction videos]] of children being pranked by the game, which were also featured on various clip shows and parodied on [[wikipedia:Saturday Night Live\|''Saturday Night Live'']]. It has been described as one of the earliest '''"Internet screamers"''' and a progenitor of jump scare–based horror games.		The Maze went viral online in the 2000s and early 2010s, largely due to [[reaction videos]] of children being pranked by the game, which were also featured on various clip shows and parodied on [[wikipedia:Saturday Night Live\|''Saturday Night Live'']]. It has been described as one of the earliest '''"Internet screamers"''' and a progenitor of jump scare–based horror games.
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	==Gameplay==		==Gameplay==
	The first two levels are easy to complete. But as the third level is reached, the walls begin to shrink and have sharp turns, making it difficult to avoid touching them. This usually makes the player concentrate on the screen. Then, near the first curve to the left of the maze sharp part (The game also knows if the player is cheating; if they use right-click), a close-up image of [[Regan MacNeil]] (the possessed character portrayed by [[wikipedia:Linda Blair\|Linda Blair]]) from the 1973 supernatural horror film [[wikipedia:The Exorcist\|''The Exorcist'']] pops up along with a loud, distorted scream that plays twice, scaring the player.		The first two levels are easy to complete. But as the third level is reached, the walls begin to shrink and have sharp turns, making it difficult to avoid touching them. This usually makes the player concentrate on the screen. Then, near the first curve to the left of the maze's sharp part (The game also knows if the player is cheating; if they use right-click), a close-up image of [[Regan MacNeil]] (the possessed character portrayed by [[wikipedia:Linda Blair\|Linda Blair]]) from the 1973 supernatural horror film [[wikipedia:The Exorcist\|''The Exorcist'']] pops up along with a loud, distorted scream that plays twice, scaring the player.

	The game was uploaded to Jeremy's now-defunct personal website, Winterrowd.com, in 2005. The original version of the game had some slight differences in colors, where orange/yellow with alternative text was used instead of cyan. There's an alternative version of the game that is used in the comedy television series ''[[America's Funniest Home Videos]]'', where Regan at the end is replaced with the one from [[What's Wrong?]],<ref>youtu.be/kZKZa9bwhnA?t=30</ref> due to concerns regarding copyrighted content from Warner Bros.		The game was uploaded to Jeremy's now-defunct personal website, Winterrowd.com, in 2005. The original version of the game had some slight differences in colors, where orange/yellow with alternative text was used instead of cyan. There's an alternative version of the game that is used in the comedy television series ''[[America's Funniest Home Videos]]'', where Regan at the end is replaced with the one from [[What's Wrong?]],<ref>youtu.be/kZKZa9bwhnA?t=30</ref> due to concerns regarding copyrighted content from Warner Bros.

Kevin2008 at 08:37, 11 September 2026

2026-09-11T08:37:52Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:37, 11 September 2026
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	==Gameplay==		==Gameplay==
	The first two levels are easy to complete. But as the third level is reached, the walls begin to shrink and have sharp turns, making it difficult to avoid touching them. This usually makes the player concentrate on the screen. Then, near the first curve to the left of the maze sharp part (The game also knows if the player is cheating; if they use right-click), a close-up image of [[Regan MacNeil]] (the possessed character portrayed by [[wikipedia:Linda Blair\|Linda Blair]]) from the 1973 supernatural horror film ''[[wikipedia:The Exorcist\|The Exorcist]]'' pops up along with a loud, distorted scream that plays twice, scaring the player.		The first two levels are easy to complete. But as the third level is reached, the walls begin to shrink and have sharp turns, making it difficult to avoid touching them. This usually makes the player concentrate on the screen. Then, near the first curve to the left of the maze sharp part (The game also knows if the player is cheating; if they use right-click), a close-up image of [[Regan MacNeil]] (the possessed character portrayed by [[wikipedia:Linda Blair\|Linda Blair]]) from the 1973 supernatural horror film [[wikipedia:The Exorcist\|''The Exorcist'']] pops up along with a loud, distorted scream that plays twice, scaring the player.

	The game was uploaded to Jeremy's now-defunct personal website, Winterrowd.com, in 2005. The original version of the game had some slight differences in colors, where orange/yellow with alternative text was used instead of cyan. There's an alternative version of the game that is used in the comedy television series ''[[America's Funniest Home Videos]]'', where Regan at the end is replaced with the one from [[What's Wrong?]],<ref>youtu.be/kZKZa9bwhnA?t=30</ref> due to concerns regarding copyrighted content from Warner Bros.		The game was uploaded to Jeremy's now-defunct personal website, Winterrowd.com, in 2005. The original version of the game had some slight differences in colors, where orange/yellow with alternative text was used instead of cyan. There's an alternative version of the game that is used in the comedy television series ''[[America's Funniest Home Videos]]'', where Regan at the end is replaced with the one from [[What's Wrong?]],<ref>youtu.be/kZKZa9bwhnA?t=30</ref> due to concerns regarding copyrighted content from Warner Bros.

Screamer1234 at 06:41, 8 September 2026

2026-09-08T06:41:28Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:41, 7 September 2026
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	}}		}}
	{{Quote\|I made this game in October of '04 for Halloween and sent it to a few of my friends in an email. About 5 months later, someone had sent the same email back to my mother! It had turned into a viral email joke. I was very flattered and figured I should make a [[Winterrowd.com\|website for all the stupid prank games I've made.]]\|[[Jeremy Winterrowd]]<ref>Winterrowd responding to a question on Yahoo Answers http://web.archive.org/web/20191207130448/https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080810043147AA2Ssol</ref>}}		{{Quote\|I made this game in October of '04 for Halloween and sent it to a few of my friends in an email. About 5 months later, someone had sent the same email back to my mother! It had turned into a viral email joke. I was very flattered and figured I should make a [[Winterrowd.com\|website for all the stupid prank games I've made.]]\|[[Jeremy Winterrowd]]<ref>Winterrowd responding to a question on Yahoo Answers http://web.archive.org/web/20191207130448/https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080810043147AA2Ssol</ref>}}
	'''~~[[wikipedia:Scary Maze Game\|~~The Maze]]''', also known as the '''Scary Maze Game''' (or originally ''' The Maze Game v1.0'''<ref>tcrf.net/The_Maze</ref>), is a 2004 [[screamer]] [[Flash]] [[game]] created by developer [[Jeremy Winterrowd]]. In it, players must navigate through three mazes with their mouse, but are [[jumpscare\|jumpscared]] by a photo of [[Regan MacNeil]], a possessed character from the 1973 horror film The Exorcist, before being able to complete the third level.		'''The Maze''', also known as the '''Scary Maze Game''' (or originally ''' The Maze Game v1.0'''<ref>tcrf.net/The_Maze</ref>), is a 2004 [[screamer]] [[Flash]] [[game]] created by developer [[Jeremy Winterrowd]]. In it, players must navigate through three mazes with their mouse, but are [[jumpscare\|jumpscared]] by a photo of [[Regan MacNeil]], a possessed character from the 1973 horror film The Exorcist, before being able to complete the third level.

	The Maze went viral online in the 2000s and early 2010s, largely due to [[reaction videos]] of children being pranked by the game, which were also featured on various clip shows and parodied on [[wikipedia:Saturday Night Live\|''Saturday Night Live'']]. It has been described as one of the earliest '''"Internet screamers"''' and a progenitor of jump scare–based horror games.		The Maze went viral online in the 2000s and early 2010s, largely due to [[reaction videos]] of children being pranked by the game, which were also featured on various clip shows and parodied on [[wikipedia:Saturday Night Live\|''Saturday Night Live'']]. It has been described as one of the earliest '''"Internet screamers"''' and a progenitor of jump scare–based horror games.
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	Even though only three levels exist in the game code, some videos circulated about a secret fourth level. On [[YouTube]], there are some fake videos of people supposedly successfully going through the 3rd level and finally entering the 4th level, instead of a screamer. The earliest "[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXWsd5_qlpw tutorial]" on how to get to the 4th level was uploaded by the YouTube user SoccerMomDebbie on October 19, 2008.		Even though only three levels exist in the game code, some videos circulated about a secret fourth level. On [[YouTube]], there are some fake videos of people supposedly successfully going through the 3rd level and finally entering the 4th level, instead of a screamer. The earliest "[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXWsd5_qlpw tutorial]" on how to get to the 4th level was uploaded by the YouTube user SoccerMomDebbie on October 19, 2008.

	Other videos of the mysterious level continued to circulate. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NedCSuGt0eg This video], which has more than 1.25 million views as of 2019 showed the cursor make a shortcut (which in practice would have killed the player) in level 3 ~~unlocks~~ a trigger to level 4 (pictured); once finishing the level, the game goes back to the main screen; text asks the viewer; '''"care to try a little bit faster this time?"'''.		Other videos of the mysterious level continued to circulate. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NedCSuGt0eg This video], which has more than 1.25 million views as of 2019 showed the cursor make a shortcut (which in practice would have killed the player) in level 3, unlocking a trigger to level 4 (pictured); once finishing the level, the game goes back to the main screen; text asks the viewer; '''"care to try a little bit faster this time?"'''.

	Outside of YouTube, users on Answers.com also asked about how to access the level; in response, users either replied in a fake way or told the asker that level 4 does not exist.<ref>https://www.answers.com/Q/How_do_you_get_to_level_4_in_the_scary_maze_game</ref>		Outside of YouTube, users on Answers.com also asked about how to access the level; in response, users either replied in a fake way or told the asker that level 4 does not exist.<ref>https://www.answers.com/Q/How_do_you_get_to_level_4_in_the_scary_maze_game</ref>

Screamer1234 at 06:39, 8 September 2026

2026-09-08T06:39:40Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:39, 7 September 2026
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	<!---- Featured Article: October 2019 --->		<!---- Featured Article: October 2019 --->
			{{DISPLAYTITLE:The Maze}}
	{{#seo:		{{#seo:
	\|keywords=scary maze game, Winterrowd, Scary maze, The Maze, The Maze Game, Exorcist maze game, Maze Game, Scary Maze Game, Scary Maze HTML5, Maze Game screamer, Regan MacNeil, The Exorcist		\|keywords=scary maze game, Winterrowd, Scary maze, The Maze, The Maze Game, Exorcist maze game, Maze Game, Scary Maze Game, Scary Maze HTML5, Maze Game screamer, Regan MacNeil, The Exorcist

Screamer1234 at 06:38, 8 September 2026

2026-09-08T06:38:58Z

Kevin2008 at 16:03, 10 August 2026

2026-08-10T16:03:38Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:03, 10 August 2026
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	== Links ==		== Links ==
	<u>NOTE</u>: The following games ~~contain~~ [[screamers]]!		<u>NOTE</u>: The following games contains [[screamers]]!
	*'''Original version''': <s>winterrowd.com/maze</s>		*'''Original version''': <s>winterrowd.com/maze</s>
	*'''Unofficial HTML5 port''': playscarymazegame.net/play-scary-maze-game		*'''Unofficial HTML5 port''': playscarymazegame.net/play-scary-maze-game

Kevin2008 at 07:07, 10 August 2026

2026-08-10T07:07:37Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:07, 10 August 2026
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	\|imagecaption = The main menu.		\|imagecaption = The main menu.
	\|maker = [[Jeremy Winterrowd]]		\|maker = [[Jeremy Winterrowd]]
	\|type = Flash game		\|type = [[Flash]] game
	\|date = October 2004		\|date = October 2004
	\|platform = [[Winterrowd.com]] (Bloggits)		\|platform = [[Winterrowd.com]] (Bloggits)

Kevin2008 at 05:14, 6 August 2026

2026-08-06T05:14:30Z

Kevin2008: /* Showcase video */

2026-07-25T00:55:08Z

Showcase video

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:55, 24 July 2026
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	</gallery>		</gallery>

	===Showcase ~~Video~~===		===Showcase video===
	[[File:~~CENSORED~~ The Maze~~-1080p~~.mp4\|400px]]		[[File:The Maze (censored).mp4\|400px]]

	== References ==		== References ==

Mr.the Barsik at 00:31, 23 June 2026

2026-06-23T00:31:37Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:31, 22 June 2026
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	}}		}}
	{{Quote\|I made this game in October of '04 for Halloween and sent it to a few of my friends in an email. About 5 months later, someone had sent the same email back to my mother! It had turned into a viral email joke. I was very flattered and figured I should make a [[Winterrowd.com\|website for all the stupid prank games I've made.]]\|[[Jeremy Winterrowd]]<ref>Winterrowd responding to a question on Yahoo Answers http://web.archive.org/web/20191207130448/https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080810043147AA2Ssol</ref>}}		{{Quote\|I made this game in October of '04 for Halloween and sent it to a few of my friends in an email. About 5 months later, someone had sent the same email back to my mother! It had turned into a viral email joke. I was very flattered and figured I should make a [[Winterrowd.com\|website for all the stupid prank games I've made.]]\|[[Jeremy Winterrowd]]<ref>Winterrowd responding to a question on Yahoo Answers http://web.archive.org/web/20191207130448/https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080810043147AA2Ssol</ref>}}
	'''The Maze™''', also known as the '''Scary Maze Game''' (or originally '''The Maze Game v1.0'''<ref>tcrf.net/The_Maze</ref>), ~~was~~ a Flash [[~~screamer~~]] created ~~in October 2004~~ by ~~game~~ developer ~~and programmer~~ [[Jeremy Winterrowd]], ~~originally posted~~ to ~~his personal website "~~[[~~Winterrowd.com~~]]".		'''The Maze™''', also known as the '''Scary Maze Game''' (or originally ''' The Maze Game v1.0'''<ref>tcrf.net/The_Maze</ref>), is a 2004 [[screamer]] [[Flash]] [[game]] created by developer [[Jeremy Winterrowd]]. In it, players must navigate through three mazes with their mouse, but are [[jumpscare\|jumpscared]] by a photo of [[Regan MacNeil]], a possessed character from the 1973 horror film ''The Exorcist'', before being able to complete the third level.

			The Maze went viral online in the 2000s and early 2010s, largely due to [[reaction videos]] of children being pranked by the game, which were also featured on various clip shows and parodied on [[wikipedia:Saturday Night Live\|''Saturday Night Live'']]. It has been described as one of the earliest "Internet screamers" and a progenitor of jump scare–based horror games.

	This Flash prank disguises itself as a simple maze game, in which the player must use their mouse cursor to guide a small dot through the maze. At the start screen, a note informs the player that the objective of the game is to pass through all four levels, and the player cannot touch the walls; however, the game consists of only three levels. The game also explains that it's best with the volume on, but there's no sound in any part of the game.		This Flash prank disguises itself as a simple maze game, in which the player must use their mouse cursor to guide a small dot through the maze. At the start screen, a note informs the player that the objective of the game is to pass through all four levels, and the player cannot touch the walls; however, the game consists of only three levels. The game also explains that it's best with the volume on, but there's no sound in any part of the game.

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:38, 7 September 2026
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	}}		}}
	{{Quote\|I made this game in October of '04 for Halloween and sent it to a few of my friends in an email. About 5 months later, someone had sent the same email back to my mother! It had turned into a viral email joke. I was very flattered and figured I should make a [[Winterrowd.com\|website for all the stupid prank games I've made.]]\|[[Jeremy Winterrowd]]<ref>Winterrowd responding to a question on Yahoo Answers http://web.archive.org/web/20191207130448/https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080810043147AA2Ssol</ref>}}		{{Quote\|I made this game in October of '04 for Halloween and sent it to a few of my friends in an email. About 5 months later, someone had sent the same email back to my mother! It had turned into a viral email joke. I was very flattered and figured I should make a [[Winterrowd.com\|website for all the stupid prank games I've made.]]\|[[Jeremy Winterrowd]]<ref>Winterrowd responding to a question on Yahoo Answers http://web.archive.org/web/20191207130448/https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080810043147AA2Ssol</ref>}}
	'''The ~~Maze™~~''', also known as the '''Scary Maze Game''' (or originally ''' The Maze Game v1.0'''<ref>tcrf.net/The_Maze</ref>), is a 2004 [[screamer]] [[Flash]] [[game]] created by developer [[Jeremy Winterrowd]]. In it, players must navigate through three mazes with their mouse, but are [[jumpscare\|jumpscared]] by a photo of [[Regan MacNeil]], a possessed character from the 1973 horror film The Exorcist, before being able to complete the third level.		'''[[wikipedia:Scary Maze Game\|The Maze]]''', also known as the '''Scary Maze Game''' (or originally ''' The Maze Game v1.0'''<ref>tcrf.net/The_Maze</ref>), is a 2004 [[screamer]] [[Flash]] [[game]] created by developer [[Jeremy Winterrowd]]. In it, players must navigate through three mazes with their mouse, but are [[jumpscare\|jumpscared]] by a photo of [[Regan MacNeil]], a possessed character from the 1973 horror film The Exorcist, before being able to complete the third level.

	The Maze went viral online in the 2000s and early 2010s, largely due to [[reaction videos]] of children being pranked by the game, which were also featured on various clip shows and parodied on [[wikipedia:Saturday Night Live\|''Saturday Night Live'']]. It has been described as one of the earliest '''"Internet screamers"''' and a progenitor of jump scare–based horror games.		The Maze went viral online in the 2000s and early 2010s, largely due to [[reaction videos]] of children being pranked by the game, which were also featured on various clip shows and parodied on [[wikipedia:Saturday Night Live\|''Saturday Night Live'']]. It has been described as one of the earliest '''"Internet screamers"''' and a progenitor of jump scare–based horror games.

	This '''Flash prank''' disguises itself as a simple maze game, in which the player must use their mouse cursor to guide a small dot through the maze. At the start screen, a note informs the player that the objective of the game is to pass through all four levels, and the player cannot touch the walls; however, the game consists of only three levels. The game also explains that it's best with the volume on, but there's no sound in any part of the .		This '''Flash prank''' disguises itself as a simple maze game, in which the player must use their mouse cursor to guide a small dot through the maze. At the start screen, a note informs the player that the objective of the game is to pass through all four levels, and the player cannot touch the walls; however, the game consists of only three levels. The game also explains that it's best with the volume on, but there's no sound in any part of the game.

	Since this infamous Flash game debuted in 2004, it has become a popular internet screamer. It has inspired a variety of different maze screamers to be made over the ~~game~~ years.		Since this infamous Flash game debuted in 2004, it has become a popular internet screamer. It has inspired a variety of different maze screamers to be made over the years.

	==Gameplay==		==Gameplay==
	The first two levels are easy to complete. But as the third level is reached, the walls begin to shrink and have sharp turns, making it difficult to avoid touching them. This usually makes the player concentrate on the screen. Then, near the first curve to the left of the maze sharp part (The game also knows if the player is cheating; if they use right-click), a close-up image of [[Regan MacNeil]] (the possessed character portrayed by [[wikipedia:Linda Blair\|Linda Blair]]) from the 1973 supernatural horror film ''[[wikipedia:The Exorcist\|The Exorcist]]'' pops up along with a loud, distorted scream that plays twice, scaring the player.		The first two levels are easy to complete. But as the third level is reached, the walls begin to shrink and have sharp turns, making it difficult to avoid touching them. This usually makes the player concentrate on the screen. Then, near the first curve to the left of the maze sharp part (The game also knows if the player is cheating; if they use right-click), a close-up image of [[Regan MacNeil]] (the possessed character portrayed by [[wikipedia:Linda Blair\|Linda Blair]]) from the 1973 supernatural horror film ''[[wikipedia:The Exorcist\|The Exorcist]]'' pops up along with a loud, distorted scream that plays twice, scaring the player.

	The game was uploaded to Jeremy's now-defunct personal website, Winterrowd.com, in 2005. The original version of the game had some slight differences in colors, where orange/yellow with alternative text was used instead of cyan. There's an alternative version of the game that is used in the comedy television series ''[[America's Funniest Home Videos]]'', where Regan at the end is replaced with the one from [[What's Wrong?]],<ref>youtu.be/kZKZa9bwhnA?t=30</ref> due to concerns regarding copyrighted content.		The game was uploaded to Jeremy's now-defunct personal website, Winterrowd.com, in 2005. The original version of the game had some slight differences in colors, where orange/yellow with alternative text was used instead of cyan. There's an alternative version of the game that is used in the comedy television series ''[[America's Funniest Home Videos]]'', where Regan at the end is replaced with the one from [[What's Wrong?]],<ref>youtu.be/kZKZa9bwhnA?t=30</ref> due to concerns regarding copyrighted content from Warner Bros.

	== Reactions ==		== Reactions ==
	{{Main\|Reaction videos}}		{{Main\|Reaction videos}}
	[[File:Reaction.png\|thumb\|left\|220x220px\|Justice playing The Maze, one of the famous screamers.]]		[[File:Reaction.png\|thumb\|left\|220x220px\|Justice playing The Maze, one of the famous screamers.]]
	Many people have posted videos of other people reacting to the game. The first [https://odysee.com/@screamreuploads:e/chad-pranks-his-stepson-justice:2 reaction video] on YouTube was uploaded by OUTLAW713, on February 21, 2006.<ref>http://web.archive.org/web/20070306004420/https://youtube.com/watch?v=Bvv7MBZk_f4</ref> In the [[reaction video]], '''a young kid''', '''''Justice''''', is playing the maze. Then, he is surprised by the screamer. Shocked, he starts screaming and repeatedly hitting the computer screen. He then runs to his '''stepdad''', '''Chad''', and starts crying. The original video and channel were terminated or taken down sometime in 2009; however, some reuploads had over 27 million views.		Many people have posted videos of other people reacting to the game. The first [https://odysee.com/@screamreuploads:e/chad-pranks-his-stepson-justice:2 reaction video] on YouTube was uploaded by OUTLAW713 on February 21, 2006.<ref>http://web.archive.org/web/20070306004420/https://youtube.com/watch?v=Bvv7MBZk_f4</ref> In the [[reaction video]], '''a young kid''', '''''Justice''''', is playing the maze. Then, he is surprised by the screamer. Shocked, he starts screaming and repeatedly hitting the computer screen. He then runs to his '''stepdad''', '''Chad''', and starts crying. The original video and channel were terminated or taken down sometime in 2009; however, some reuploads had over 27 million views.
	The most viewed Maze Game video was uploaded by YouTube user nalts and has accumulated over 43 million views as of October 2017. However, the video was removed due to the channel's termination.		The most viewed Maze Game video was uploaded by YouTube user nalts and has accumulated over 43 million views as of October 2017. However, the video was removed due to the channel's termination.

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	A parody image of The Maze is one of the possible [[Wikipedia:404 error\|404 error]] images given on [[Screamer Wiki]].		A parody image of The Maze is one of the possible [[Wikipedia:404 error\|404 error]] images given on [[Screamer Wiki]].

	[[Jeremy Winterrowd]] released an [[AFV]] version of The Maze, which is vastly inspired ~~from~~ AFV's usage of [[What's Wrong With This Picture?]] [[screamer]] in their shows.		[[Jeremy Winterrowd]] released an [[AFV]] version of The Maze, which is vastly inspired by AFV's usage of [[What's Wrong With This Picture?]] [[screamer]] in their shows.

	== Gallery ==		== Gallery ==

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:14, 5 August 2026
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	}}		}}
	{{Quote\|I made this game in October of '04 for Halloween and sent it to a few of my friends in an email. About 5 months later, someone had sent the same email back to my mother! It had turned into a viral email joke. I was very flattered and figured I should make a [[Winterrowd.com\|website for all the stupid prank games I've made.]]\|[[Jeremy Winterrowd]]<ref>Winterrowd responding to a question on Yahoo Answers http://web.archive.org/web/20191207130448/https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080810043147AA2Ssol</ref>}}		{{Quote\|I made this game in October of '04 for Halloween and sent it to a few of my friends in an email. About 5 months later, someone had sent the same email back to my mother! It had turned into a viral email joke. I was very flattered and figured I should make a [[Winterrowd.com\|website for all the stupid prank games I've made.]]\|[[Jeremy Winterrowd]]<ref>Winterrowd responding to a question on Yahoo Answers http://web.archive.org/web/20191207130448/https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080810043147AA2Ssol</ref>}}
	'''The Maze™''', also known as the '''Scary Maze Game''' (or originally ''' The Maze Game v1.0'''<ref>tcrf.net/The_Maze</ref>), is a 2004 [[screamer]] [[Flash]] [[game]] created by developer [[Jeremy Winterrowd]]. In it, players must navigate through three mazes with their mouse, but are [[jumpscare\|jumpscared]] by a photo of [[Regan MacNeil]], a possessed character from the 1973 horror film ''The Exorcist'', before being able to complete the third level.		'''The Maze™''', also known as the '''Scary Maze Game''' (or originally ''' The Maze Game v1.0'''<ref>tcrf.net/The_Maze</ref>), is a 2004 [[screamer]] [[Flash]] [[game]] created by developer [[Jeremy Winterrowd]]. In it, players must navigate through three mazes with their mouse, but are [[jumpscare\|jumpscared]] by a photo of [[Regan MacNeil]], a possessed character from the 1973 horror film The Exorcist, before being able to complete the third level.

	The Maze went viral online in the 2000s and early 2010s, largely due to [[reaction videos]] of children being pranked by the game, which were also featured on various clip shows and parodied on [[wikipedia:Saturday Night Live\|''Saturday Night Live'']]. It has been described as one of the earliest "Internet screamers" and a progenitor of jump scare–based horror games.		The Maze went viral online in the 2000s and early 2010s, largely due to [[reaction videos]] of children being pranked by the game, which were also featured on various clip shows and parodied on [[wikipedia:Saturday Night Live\|''Saturday Night Live'']]. It has been described as one of the earliest '''"Internet screamers"''' and a progenitor of jump scare–based horror games.

	This Flash prank disguises itself as a simple maze game, in which the player must use their mouse cursor to guide a small dot through the maze. At the start screen, a note informs the player that the objective of the game is to pass through all four levels, and the player cannot touch the walls; however, the game consists of only three levels. The game also explains that it's best with the volume on, but there's no sound in any part of the ~~game~~.		This '''Flash prank''' disguises itself as a simple maze game, in which the player must use their mouse cursor to guide a small dot through the maze. At the start screen, a note informs the player that the objective of the game is to pass through all four levels, and the player cannot touch the walls; however, the game consists of only three levels. The game also explains that it's best with the volume on, but there's no sound in any part of the .

	Since this infamous Flash game debuted in 2004, it has become a popular internet screamer. It has inspired a variety of different maze screamers to be made over the years.		Since this infamous Flash game debuted in 2004, it has become a popular internet screamer. It has inspired a variety of different maze screamers to be made over the game years.

	==Gameplay==		==Gameplay==
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	{{Main\|Reaction videos}}		{{Main\|Reaction videos}}
	[[File:Reaction.png\|thumb\|left\|220x220px\|Justice playing The Maze, one of the famous screamers.]]		[[File:Reaction.png\|thumb\|left\|220x220px\|Justice playing The Maze, one of the famous screamers.]]
	Many people have posted videos of other people reacting to the game. The first [https://odysee.com/@screamreuploads:e/chad-pranks-his-stepson-justice:2 reaction video] on YouTube was uploaded by OUTLAW713, on February 21, 2006.<ref>http://web.archive.org/web/20070306004420/https://youtube.com/watch?v=Bvv7MBZk_f4</ref> In the [[reaction video]], a young kid, ''Justice'', is playing the maze. Then, he is surprised by the screamer. Shocked, he starts screaming and repeatedly hitting the computer screen. He then runs to his stepdad, Chad, and starts crying. The original video and channel were terminated or taken down sometime in 2009; however, some reuploads had over 27 million views.		Many people have posted videos of other people reacting to the game. The first [https://odysee.com/@screamreuploads:e/chad-pranks-his-stepson-justice:2 reaction video] on YouTube was uploaded by OUTLAW713, on February 21, 2006.<ref>http://web.archive.org/web/20070306004420/https://youtube.com/watch?v=Bvv7MBZk_f4</ref> In the [[reaction video]], '''a young kid''', '''''Justice''''', is playing the maze. Then, he is surprised by the screamer. Shocked, he starts screaming and repeatedly hitting the computer screen. He then runs to his '''stepdad''', '''Chad''', and starts crying. The original video and channel were terminated or taken down sometime in 2009; however, some reuploads had over 27 million views.
	The most viewed Maze Game video was uploaded by YouTube user nalts and has accumulated over 43 million views as of October 2017. However, the video was removed due to the channel's termination.		The most viewed Maze Game video was uploaded by YouTube user nalts and has accumulated over 43 million views as of October 2017. However, the video was removed due to the channel's termination.

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	Even though only three levels exist in the game code, some videos circulated about a secret fourth level. On [[YouTube]], there are some fake videos of people supposedly successfully going through the 3rd level and finally entering the 4th level, instead of a screamer. The earliest "[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXWsd5_qlpw tutorial]" on how to get to the 4th level was uploaded by the YouTube user SoccerMomDebbie on October 19, 2008.		Even though only three levels exist in the game code, some videos circulated about a secret fourth level. On [[YouTube]], there are some fake videos of people supposedly successfully going through the 3rd level and finally entering the 4th level, instead of a screamer. The earliest "[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXWsd5_qlpw tutorial]" on how to get to the 4th level was uploaded by the YouTube user SoccerMomDebbie on October 19, 2008.

	Other videos of the mysterious level continued to circulate. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NedCSuGt0eg This video], which has more than 1.25 million views as of 2019 showed the cursor make a shortcut (which in practice would have killed the player) in level 3 unlocks a trigger to level 4 (pictured); once finishing the level, the game goes back to the main screen; text asks the viewer; "care to try a little bit faster this time?".		Other videos of the mysterious level continued to circulate. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NedCSuGt0eg This video], which has more than 1.25 million views as of 2019 showed the cursor make a shortcut (which in practice would have killed the player) in level 3 unlocks a trigger to level 4 (pictured); once finishing the level, the game goes back to the main screen; text asks the viewer; '''"care to try a little bit faster this time?"'''.

	Outside of YouTube, users on Answers.com also asked about how to access the level; in response, users either replied in a fake way or told the asker that level 4 does not exist.<ref>https://www.answers.com/Q/How_do_you_get_to_level_4_in_the_scary_maze_game</ref>		Outside of YouTube, users on Answers.com also asked about how to access the level; in response, users either replied in a fake way or told the asker that level 4 does not exist.<ref>https://www.answers.com/Q/How_do_you_get_to_level_4_in_the_scary_maze_game</ref>

	The fake level 4 was confirmed to have been made in Adobe Photoshop and played using the Microsoft Paint eraser.		The fake level 4 was confirmed to have been made in '''Adobe Photoshop''' and played using the '''Microsoft Paint''' eraser.

	=== Parodies ===		=== Parodies ===
	''The Maze'' has been parodied on ''[[wikipedia:Saturday Night Live\|Saturday Night Live]]'' skit "I Didn't Ask For This".<ref>youtube.com/watch?v=4CD0ZbvIyQE</ref> There is also a game called [[Save Justin Bieber]], created by Jeremy Winterrowd himself, which replaces some parts of the game with a picture of Justin Bieber instead of Regan, and the maze color is light purple instead of cyan.		''The Maze'' has been parodied on ''[[wikipedia:Saturday Night Live\|Saturday Night Live]]'' skit '''"I Didn't Ask For This"'''.<ref>youtube.com/watch?v=4CD0ZbvIyQE</ref> There is also a game called [[Save Justin Bieber]], created by Jeremy Winterrowd himself, which replaces some parts of the game with a picture of Justin Bieber instead of Regan, and the maze color is light purple instead of cyan.

	In ''[[wikipedia:The Simpsons\|The Simpsons]]'' episode "''[[wikipedia:Flanders' Ladder\|Flanders' Ladder]]''" ([[wikipedia:The Simpsons (season 29)\|Season 29]]) the opening segment has Bart Simpson prank his sister Lisa by having her play a game called "''Genius Maze''", which is a direct spoof of The Maze, however, in this spoof, the jumpscare happened very early on in the 2nd level and has a popup of a zombie, resembling Regan.<ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=502ZX1fAKzk</ref>~~''<nowiki/>''~~		In ''[[wikipedia:The Simpsons\|The Simpsons]]'' episode "''[[wikipedia:Flanders' Ladder\|Flanders' Ladder]]''" ([[wikipedia:The Simpsons (season 29)\|Season 29]]) the opening segment has Bart Simpson prank his sister Lisa by having her play a game called '''"''Genius Maze''"''', which is a direct spoof of The Maze, however, in this spoof, the jumpscare happened very early on in the 2nd level and has a popup of a zombie, resembling Regan.<ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=502ZX1fAKzk</ref>

	A parody image of The Maze is one of the possible [[Wikipedia:404 error\|404 error]] images given on [[Screamer Wiki]].		A parody image of The Maze is one of the possible [[Wikipedia:404 error\|404 error]] images given on [[Screamer Wiki]].