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The Ghost In My Machine

Stories of the Strange and Unusual

The Most Dangerous Games: The Ghost Paper Challenge

June 13, 2018 by Lucia

Previously: The Nesting Doll Game.

I’ll admit that I’m not a huge fan of most of the “3am Challenge” videos circulating YouTube; they’re always way too hammed up for my taste, as well as incredibly easy to fake. They’re quite popular, though — and what’s more, one ritual game that folks seem to be really into right now was actually seen online for the first time on YouTube. It’s called the Ghost Paper Challenge, although it might also be referred to as Spirit Of The Door. The rules don’t seem to exist in written form anywhere on the internet, so I’ve cobbled together a set based on what’s available via YouTube; I’ve also incorporated a few safeguards in the event that something goes wrong.

Because something probably WILL go wrong.

A cru,pled ball of paper and a pen

YouTuber Stromedy, real name Kyle Godfrey, was — as far as I know — the first person to bring the Ghost Paper Challenge online, although many others have followed suit since then. According to Godfrey, he originally heard about the game from his uncle, who apparently said it was a “big thing when he was a kid, similar to how Bloody Mary was for us.”

[Like what you read? Check out Dangerous Games To Play In The Dark, available from Chronicle Books now!]

Godfrey is 18 according to his YouTube bio, so I’m willing to bet that his uncle probably isn’t that much older than I am; Gen X is likely a good guess. (I straddle the line between Gen X and Older Millennials.) This matters because of the reference to Bloody Mary — Godfrey doesn’t seem to be aware of the fact that Bloody Mary has been a thing at least since the 1970s, and has roots that go back even further. Personally, I think that’s a count against the game’s authenticity — it’s very, very likely that Godfrey’s uncle would have grown up playing Bloody Mary itself, so the remark implying that the Ghost Paper Challenge is an “older” game than Bloody Mary seems… odd to me — but that might just be me.

The ritual bears a few similarities to the Midnight Game; both involve lighting a candle, writing something on a piece of paper, positioning the paper before a door, and then knocking on the door a certain number of times to summon an entity. Where they differ is in the use of blood — the Ghost Paper Challenge doesn’t require any, while the Midnight Game does — and, of course, in the results: In one game, a correctly performed ritual enables you to make contact with something, ask questions, and gain information, whereas in the other, you invite something in specifically so it can hunt you down.

Is it possible the game is completely made-up? Absolutely. First, there’s that previous point I made about its comparison to Bloody Mary; what’s more, I would also argue that its close resemblance to the summoning portions of so many other games might be a clue that it’s fictional. It looks an awful lot like the game may simply be an amalgam of already-existing summoning rituals taken out of context and tweaked a tiny bit in order to create something ostensibly “new.”

Of course, the Ghost Paper Challenge might still be interesting — and maybe fun, depending on what your definition of “fun” is — to try.

As always, play at your own risk.

Players:

  • At least one principal.

Requirements:

  • Paper.
  • A writing implement.
  • A candle.
  • Matches or a lighter.
  • A room with a door. Make sure that the paper and writing implement can slide under the door completely when the door is closed.
  • A timekeeping device.
  • Three questions — no more, no less.

Instructions:

The Invitation:

  1. Begin shortly before 3am.
  2. Turn off all the lights in your house.
  3. Take up your supplies and go to your chosen room and door.
  4. Close the door.
  5. Place the piece of paper in front of the door.
  6. Place the candle next to the piece of paper and light it with the matches or lighter.
  7. Keep an eye on your timekeeping device.
  8. At 3am precisely, knock on the door three times.
  9. Repeat the following phrase three times: “Spirit of the door, I welcome you; make yourself present and come through.”

The Conversation:

  1. Using the writing implement, write your first question on the piece of paper. When you are finished, place the writing implement on the piece of paper.
  2. Slide the piece of paper and the writing implement halfway through the crack between the door and the floor.
  3. Wait.
    • If the paper remains where it is: The summoning has failed. Do not proceed. Extinguish the candle and try again another time.
    • If the paper is pulled through to the other side of the door: The summoning has succeeded. You may proceed.
  4. Wait.
    • If the paper does not reappear: Do not proceed. Apologize aloud, thank the spirit for its time, and extinguish the candle. Do not open the door until daylight. You may try again another time.
    • If the paper slides back through the door towards you: Examine the paper. Read your response.
      • NOTE: If the response tells you to go away, asks you to leave the spirit alone, or is hostile in any way, DO NOT PROCEED. Apologize aloud, thank the spirit for its time, and extinguish the candle. Do not open the door until daylight. Be VERY CAREFUL about trying again another time. Otherwise, you may proceed.
  5. Using the writing implement, write your second question on the piece of paper. When you are finished, place the writing implement on the piece of paper.
  6. Slide the piece of paper and the writing implement halfway through the crack between the door and the floor.
  7. Wait.
    • If the paper remains where it is: Do not proceed. Apologize aloud, thank the spirit for its time, and extinguish the candle. Do not open the door until daylight. You may try again another time.
    • If the paper is pulled through to the other side of the door: You may proceed.
  8. Wait.
    • If the paper does not reappear: Do not proceed. Apologize aloud, thank the spirit for its time, and extinguish the candle. Do not open the door until daylight. You may try again another time.
    • If the paper slides back through the door towards you: Examine the paper. Read your response.
      • NOTE: If the response tells you to go away, asks you to leave the spirit alone, or is hostile in any way, DO NOT PROCEED. Apologize aloud, thank the spirit for its time, and extinguish the candle. Do not open the door until daylight. Be VERY CAREFUL about trying again another time. Otherwise, you may proceed.
  9. Using the writing implement, write your third question on the piece of paper. When you are finished, place the writing implement on the piece of paper.
  10. Slide the piece of paper and the writing implement halfway through the crack between the door and the floor.
  11. Wait.
    • If the paper remains where it is: Do not proceed. Apologize aloud, thank the spirit for its time, and extinguish the candle. Do not open the door until daylight. You may try again another time.
    • If the paper is pulled through to the other side of the door: You may proceed.
  12. Wait.
    • If the paper does not reappear: Do not proceed. Apologize aloud, thank the spirit for its time, and extinguish the candle. Do not open the door until daylight. You may try again another time.
    • If the paper slides back through the door towards you: Examine the paper. Read your response.

The Farewell:

  1. Thank the spirit for its time and extinguish the candle.
  2. Keep the door shut.
  3. When the sun has risen, you may open the door.
  4. Do NOT open the door before daylight.

Additional Notes:

More than one player may participate.

Do NOT use any other light source besides the candle for the duration of the game.

You may ask any variety of question you please; however, whatever you ask, always remain respectful in manner and tone.

Do NOT attempt to ask more than three questions. This rule remains even if there are multiple players participating.

Do NOT open the door at ANY TIME until the ritual has concluded and daylight has arrived.

Concerning Safeguards:

Should something go wrong, a sincerely-given apology and a respectful farewell might help.

But not necessarily.

Just… keep that in mind.

The Ghost Paper Challenge: FAQ.

***

Support The Ghost In My Machine on Patreon for behind-the-scenes access and other bonus content. You can also follow on Twitter @GhostMachine13 and on Facebook @TheGhostInMyMachine.

[Photo via Pexels/Pixabay]

Filed Under: Games Tagged With: 3am Challenge, games you shouldn't play, Ghost Paper Challenge, Spirit Of The Door, The Most Dangerous Games, youtube

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Isaiah says

    February 26, 2021 at 10:01 am

    I am going to attempt this tonight but if I ask it will it harm me if I keep duplicating and ask it will it sell my soul while I’m duplicating will that have any side effects

    Reply
  2. Rob says

    January 27, 2021 at 2:19 am

    So i am new to this one but old enough to remember running frantically through the darkened hallway screaming from our seeing our own shadows. However, i am still game to pushing the dimensional envelope sometimes.. So far the most interesting event (next to whiz kid Strongdom’s (sp?) 3-24-2022 humanity’s expiration date) when i searched for “Ghost Paper *Test*” instead of “*Challenge*” Google returned several hits (or links) to “Ghost Pepper Challenge” related.. anyhoo.. play or run responsibly..

    Reply
  3. kentrell beamer says

    December 15, 2020 at 1:02 pm

    if you ask the ghost to give you a phone, would it work? have you tried it?

    Reply
  4. Scott Dickinson says

    October 25, 2020 at 3:37 am

    I tried the challenge just exactly how it says to do. Right at 3am I was ready and knocked on the door three times and then repeated the saying three times. Then I placed the paper and the marker half way under the door with the first question on it. I sat for like 2 minutes and nothing happened. All lights were off except for the candle. I tried it two more times but nothing happened. Its even the most creepy part of the house. The basement. I want this to work so badly that I will leave my name so you can look me up on Facebook and respond to me on there. Scott Dickinson. My profile picture is of my blue and yellow honda civic car. Thanks.

    Reply
  5. Sean Wheeling says

    October 12, 2020 at 11:36 am

    It doesn’t really matter. If the door starts to open, RUN. They are the scariest thing you’ll ever see. I barely made it out of my house alive

    Reply
  6. Frostie says

    August 16, 2020 at 6:38 pm

    It’s logic if 2 people get 6 questions to ask because each person can ask 3 questions each.

    Reply
  7. ory says

    June 16, 2020 at 8:59 am

    So I was about to play till I realised there are my family members sleeping in different rooms, will the game affect them?

    Reply
  8. Micah says

    April 12, 2020 at 1:43 am

    will they be cursed or me?

    Reply
  9. Micah says

    April 12, 2020 at 1:41 am

    ok what happends if my parents turn the light on after or open my bedroom door?

    Reply
  10. Tiffany says

    March 4, 2020 at 6:44 am

    When there is 3 people do they have to say spirit of the door, one at a time

    Reply
  11. Loves dogs says

    February 10, 2020 at 11:42 pm

    Can the candle be fake or does it have to be real?

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      July 30, 2020 at 11:28 am

      It needs to be real. If the flame flickers, it’s likely a spirit or demon is near.

      Reply
  12. Blackberry freddy says

    December 31, 2019 at 5:55 pm

    what happens if it the ghost threatens you? should you stop the game or get help?

    Reply
  13. damien says

    December 12, 2019 at 11:34 am

    What if you’re doing it and when you’re all done and go to bed and let’s say your mom or dad or sister opens the door. what will happen?

    Reply
  14. earn to die 2 play online says

    November 30, 2019 at 9:50 pm

    Bookmarked this website page, will come back for extra articles. You, my friend, ROCK! I found just the info I already searched all over the place and simply could not come across. What a great web site.

    Reply
  15. Leland says

    November 8, 2019 at 9:27 pm

    Can it bring us items?

    Reply
    • Leland says

      November 8, 2019 at 9:27 pm

      Like if I show it a picture of something I want off Amazon will it bring it to me ?

      Reply
  16. Lovergirl700 says

    November 8, 2019 at 8:51 pm

    So I also played the Charlie Charlie and that did not work for me at all. I got mad when it didn’t work. Last but not least I played the ouija board and that shit did not work for me. So all in all, seems to me like Demons can’t touch me or shit or God has destined my life and this was not part of his Will. I actually believe this is the reason why shit doesn’t work for me.

    Reply
  17. Lovergirl700 says

    November 8, 2019 at 8:47 pm

    High Spiritual activity begins from 12midnight to 4am. I have tried this challenge and it did not work. I opened my door anyway and all I felt was fear. I closed my closet door. Put my candle on top of my desk and laid down on my bed trying to go to sleep. The candle light was flickering like heck but I was like if you didn’t want to talk to me before then don’t start shit now. I knew something was hinting at my spiritual body because fear was placed. It was almost like I knew exactly what was happening. So what did I do next? Well the lights kept flickering and I told myself in my head, ” Girl, you do realise that it’s playing on fear. And you know about this demonology shit”. As soon as I finished that conversation with myself, the lights still flickered but I smacked my teeth and said I don’t have time for this and the fear was gone. I couldn’t fool myself like that. So the next 2 hours I ignored the flickering lights while watching not Jaystation videos. Then I went to sleep. Woke up the next day refreshed.

    Reply
  18. $$$ says

    October 20, 2019 at 8:58 pm

    Does it actually work or is it fake? I won’t sell my soul but i do wanna duplicate my $100 bill wit da spirit of da door if it is real. W/o soul selling 😆

    Reply
  19. alex says

    October 7, 2019 at 12:57 pm

    can you ask it to teleport you to its home?

    Reply
    • Demøn_Wølfie_Playz says

      June 2, 2020 at 3:05 am

      Alex that is NOT I repeat NOT a good idea. It could take you to hell or the middle of nowhere and how would you get home? That’s not a good idea. I don’t know you but I don’t want you to get hurt.

      Reply
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