What is The Password Game?
The Password Game is a browser puzzle by Neal Agarwal, released on neal.fun on June 27, 2023. It starts like any sign-up form, then the rules stop making sense in the best way. Your digits must add up to 25, you need Roman numerals that multiply to 35, and later your password has to include today's Wordle answer and the current moon phase as an emoji.
The joke lands because every new rule can break an old one, so you end up juggling a long, fragile string of text. Around rule 17 an egg called Paul hatches inside your password and you have to keep him alive. It has been played more than ten million times, and PC Gamer and Engadget both wrote about losing their patience to it.
What You Can Do
- Work through 35 rules that escalate from normal to ridiculous
- Solve mini puzzles inside the rules, like a chess move and a GeoGuessr-style location
- Keep Paul the chicken alive and fed as the game goes on
- See which earlier rules your latest edit just broke, in real time
- Play on desktop or mobile with nothing to install
How to Play The Password Game
- Open neal.fun/password-game in your browser.
- Type any password into the box to reveal the first rule.
- Edit your password to satisfy each new rule without breaking the old ones.
- Keep going until you reach the final rule and confirm your password.
Is The Password Game Free?
The Password Game is completely free with no account, ads gate or in-game purchases. Neal.fun has an optional tip jar if you want to support new projects.
Who Will Enjoy It?
- Puzzle fans who like a challenge that keeps changing the rules
- Anyone who has ever been annoyed by a password policy
- Streamers and friends looking for something to rage at together
Websites Like The Password Game
- I'm Not a Robot: Another Neal.fun parody of everyday web checks, this time CAPTCHAs, with 48 levels.
- Absurd Trolley Problems: Short, silly dilemmas with the same playful sense of humour.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Password Game free?
Yes. It runs free in your browser on neal.fun with no sign-up and no purchases.
How many rules are in The Password Game?
There are 35 rules. Each one adds a new condition while all the earlier ones still apply.
Who is Paul in The Password Game?
Paul is an egg that appears around rule 17 and later hatches into a chicken. Deleting him ends your run, so protect him.