Previously: Deadman’s Tag.
I had a hell of a time trying to find the original source for the game known as Mr. Eyes; it’s basically been scrubbed from the English language internet. I initially found it on an Indonesian site — and, indeed, as I attempted to dig up more information about it, I mostly found it on Indonesian sites, even though it’s allegedly a Russian game — but it turns out there’s a reason it doesn’t seem to exist in English anymore: It’s, uh… not very good.
I mean, the ritual itself is interesting — it has rather a lot in common with Daruma-san — but, like the Dead’s Poet’s Game and Lady Spades, what I believe to be its original form is just a mediocre creepypasta. From what I can tell, this story was originally published on the Creepypasta Wikia sometime during or prior to 2014; the only screenshot of it accessible via the Wayback Machine is from July 19, 2014. It was later deleted on July 5, 2015, with the reason for its deletion listed as “Housekeeping.” What becomes apparent when you actually read the pasta is that in this case, “Housekeeping” is code for “Quality assurance— bad writing.” I’ve tried to clean up the ritual a bit here so that it has more of a throughline to it.
[Like what you read? Check out Dangerous Games To Play In The Dark, available from Chronicle Books now!]
For what it’s worth, though, the “evil eye”(дурной глаз) does loom large in Russian folklore. Essentially a curse, the evil eye is a human facial expression believed to have a great deal of power; one who has had the evil eye put on them may befall a terrible fate, suffering anything from physical injury or death to severe mental or emotional anguish. It can be warded off by any number of means; according to Russian superstition, removing your coat and putting it back on with your non-dominant hand, pinning a French pin inside your clothing, or making a “figa” with your fist might all help.
It’s not known whether the figure of Mr. Eyes is meant to play off of superstitions surrounding the evil eye… but it couldn’t hurt to have a few of these failsafes in your back pocket if you choose to summon him.
I also feel obligated at this point to tell you that depriving yourself of sleep is not recommended and can cause great harm to your health, your safety, and the safety of others.
As always, play at your own risk.
Players:
- One principal.
Requirements:
- A mirror.
- A timekeeping device equipped with a timer function.
- A bathroom equipped with a bathtub.
- A pin or other sharp object capable of drawing blood.
Instructions:
The Summoning:
- Begin shortly before 2am. Bring your supplies to your chosen bathroom.
- At precisely 2am, set the timer for two minutes; then stare into the mirror, keeping your eyes open as widely as possible the entire time. Do not blink.
- When the timer goes off, set the mirror aside. You may blink now.
- Fill the bathtub with as much water as it will hold.
- Using the pin or other sharp object, prick your finger until blood appears. Hold your hand over the tub and allow the blood to drip into the water. Do NOT allow your hand to touch the surface of the water.
- Set the timer for two more minutes and stare into the water in the tub. Again, keep your eyes open as widely as possible for the entire time. Do not blink. When the timer goes off, one of two things may occur:
- If the water remains still: The summoning has failed. Do not proceed. Leave the premises immediately and do not return until daylight. When the sun has risen, you may drain the tub.
- If the water begins to bubble: Look away from the water immediately. The summoning has succeeded, and you may proceed — but you must act quickly. Do not look back at the water while it is bubbling. You may blink now, but keep your gaze averted.
- When the water has ceased bubbling, you may look back at the water.
- If you see nothing: Mr. Eyes has decided not to play with you. Leave the premises immediately and do not return until daylight. When the sun has risen, you may drain the tub.
- If you see the image of a man: Mr. Eyes has accepted your invitation to play. You may proceed.
- Drain the tub and break the mirror. Dispose of the pieces.
The Main Event:
- Go about your daily life. As you do so, you will notice a constant… presence nearby. You might see him directly in your field of vision; however, you might also just sense him hovering just of out of sight — in the corner of your eye, for example, or lurking in the shadows. You’ll know it’s him by his eyes… or, perhaps more accurately, by his lack of eyes. But do NOT allow your gaze to linger on him for too long.
- He’ll follow you wherever you go. Let him; that’s his goal in the game.
- Your goal in the game is to outlast him — to survive until he’s given up and gone home.
- Do NOT fall asleep. That’s how you survive: You stay awake for as long as possible. You may do so by any means necessary.
The Ending:
- The game is over when one of two things occurs: Either Mr. Eyes decides it’s over, or when you fall asleep.
- If Mr. Eyes decides to end the game: He will fade from view. You will no longer sense his presence; he will cease hovering in your field of vision. Congratulations — you have survived.
- If you fall asleep: When you awaken, you will see nothing but darkness.
- Well… I say “see,” but really, what I mean is that you won’t see.
- You fell asleep.
- You allowed him to take his prize.
- But take what comfort you can in this one fact: He’ll take good care of your eyes for you.
- It would be unthinkable for him not to. After all, he finds them so very, very beautiful.
Additional Notes:
This game may be played with multiple players by making the following adjustments:
- Each player must have their own mirror and their own pin.
- During the Summoning:
- In Step 2, all players should stare into their own mirror for two minutes.
- In Step 5, all players should prick their fingers and allow the blood to fall into the tub of water.
- In Steps 6 and 7, all players should stare into the water for two minutes, avert their gaze if the water begins bubbling, and look back together when the water ceases bubbling.
- In Step 7, if Mr. Eyes decides to play, he will only appear in the water to the players whom he has opted to challenge.
- In Step 8, all players must break their mirrors.
- During the Main Event:
- Only players with whom Mr. Eyes has decided to play will sense his presence.
- The goal in this version is both to survive Mr. Eyes, and to outlast your fellow players. Do not be the first to fall asleep.
Avoid going near water for the duration of the game. Do not get in any boats; do not go swimming or take a bath; do not get caught outside in the rain.
Do NOT, under ANY circumstances, stare at Mr. Eyes at ANY point throughout the game.
A Note For Winners:
Be careful in the dark from here on out. Those who have one have described hearing footsteps echoing from the blackness, even when no is there — and have also reported seeing the outline of a man in the shadows from time to time. He never approaches — but try not to fall asleep until he leaves again.
Mr. Eyes doesn’t like losing.
And if he loses, he might find a way to take his prize from you anyway.
***
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***
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[Photo via PublicDomainPictures/Pixabay]
Gabrielle says
How long will Mr. Eyes hunt you for? Because going too long without sleep might be bad for you or result in you passing out due to exhaustion and therefore losing the game. If Mr. Eyes doesn’t get bored for a long time, what are some common methods to stay awake longer?
RandomEncounters says
Wait, so Mr. Eyes takes your eyes if you lose!?!? That sounds creepy!!!!
crystal says
2 minutes keeping your eyes open is freaking HARD!! It took me 30 minutes to finally hold them open for 2… no way I could ever play this game… hahaha
DeadlyKitt13 says
Didn’t Jaystation do a video on this? Honestly, these challenges are all creepy AF. Not like in a scary way, as I’m hardly ever scared by anything, they just send a chill up your spine. This is especially creepy. Who wants to deprive themselves of sleep?! Sleep is the best thing in the world!! Who else agrees??? Please agree with me. This is not for those who love sleep.
That one kid says
Jaystation fakes things, so most likely he never actually did it.
Emery says
This game is like going to hell. It would be creepy to fall asleep then “wake up” seeing nothing but darkness. It is also creepy knowing he follows you around wherever you go. >.< is there even a way to end it yourself if you are tired while the ritual is going on? if not, well I have to say sorry to those people who just DIED of an EVIL ENTITY.
Isabell says
This game is so scary? I could never survive that.
BegoneSatan says
If Mr. Eyes has no eyes, is it possible for him to be a player who failed the challenge, and when you fail, you become the new Mr. Eyes? And the cycle just repeats? Just a theory.
DeadlyKitty13 says
That’s honestly one of the best paranormal theories I have EVER heard!! That could most definitely be true. Why would he need all those eyes from the players if he isn’t going to use them for himself?? Would he just be some creepy ghost who was a madman in life and his kids or someone created a ritual to contact him, then fell asleep or went near water?? Honestly, your theory makes total logical sense.
Gabrielle says
With that logic, could it potentially be the same for the MITF? After all, if something takes what they’re missing, they aren’t missing it anymore. You are.
horrorgame46 says
That could be a possibility, because He takes your eyes, leaving you with none, so I’m assuming that He will just continue on with whatever he wants to do with his eyes, while you search for players who are willing to give their eyes up.
Ziaheart says
It would certainly explain why you only need to avoid being the first person to fall asleep in the multiplayer one; Mr. Eyes already got his prize so he wouldn’t care about the rest.
Liji says
So there are no benefits for playing this game?
panda565 says
Can we use a bucket instead of bathtub?
Master Langdon says
I don’t know exactly why, but I know that you should not use a bucket. Try something else instead. Maybe a… bathtub, like the instructions told you to?
Stewie2K says
What if you die during the game? Will he take his prize?
Mark says
Well why not? You aren’t using them so they are fair game.
memes says
if you’re playing the multiplayer version – if he doesn’t appear to you are you still playing? or can you sleep and go near water? also, is the goal in the multiplayer to outlast mr eyes or be the last one to fall asleep?
FromtheShadows says
Yes, if you followed the Summoning correctly. To check this have someone keep a close eye on a burning candle – if the flame grows 4 times or more bigger than before the Summons he is there; if the flame moves strangely (in a triangle, square, or circle motion) he is there; if the candle goes out he is there; also the temperature will drop (get colder) or you may even feel a slight breeze or gust of wind/air. Also if you get goosebumps he is there.
The Goal is to make it until the next morning at sunrise (a day cycle in Pagan and other Coven works is always from Moon Rise to Sun Rise) once the first sun beams light up the sky and you can without a doubt see it is becoming dawn the night is over and vise versa.
Purple Girl The Horror Fan says
Number of things that aren’t gonna work in your favour are infinite:
1) He’s a fucking ghost. He doesn’t need sleep. But YOU do.
2) How can you not blink for 2 minutes and then another 2 minutes after pricking yo damn finger?
3) How long will ya go without showering, brushing your teeth, or even DRINKING water? Trust me kid, this is gonna cost you some serious health problems. (Other than poor hygiene)
4) Everything else! You’re gonna get NOTHING if you win!(which is impossible for you, like I mentioned in number 1.)
In short, this is nothing but a foolish way to commit suicide. There are better ways to do that, like, jumping off from a building would be a better idea.
Purple Girl The Horror Fan says
And one more thing: this is not a ritual good enough to try out if you just want some “thrill”.
There are much better rituals for that, you can find them covered right here. And that’s pretty solid coming from such a big horror fan who likes experimenting with the paranormal just for FUN.
Purple Girl The Horror Fan says
So there’s no fucking point in playing this game. After all, there’s no prize if you win, and seeing that he probably will stick around until its biologically impossible for you to stay awake, you’re gonna lose anyway, duh!
Purple Girl The Horror Fan says
Girl you gotta stop swearing every time you write something lol.
Purple Girl The Horror Fan says
Lol I don’t know why I decided to reply to myself… I talk to myself a lot…its usually criticism!
Jim says
Fine, whether you’re winning or not, play this game if you wish to meet your demise.
Mochi says
Will he be able to trick you by disguising himself?
FromtheShadows says
Yes, most spirits, angels and Demons included, can shape shift they can even become solid matter, meaning you would think they are a real person or animal.
Kombayeet says
Yes, he can, but he still won’t have eyes. He can’t change that. So, he can, but there would be no point whether he did or not.
OwO says
So… you just kinda lose anyway?
Lukas says
Mr. Eyes might decide to take his prize if he thinks he deserves it or if he thinks you some how cheated.
LoneComa says
What about getting a drink of water? Does that count as going near water or is it safe to do that?
Sophie says
You might but I wouldn’t try it. It seems like you would really be tempting fate with that, and why would you give Mr. Eyes a reason to get you? Other drinks are safe I’m assuming.
Lukas says
You could always drink something other than water.
Giwafe says
Yeah but it’s liquid. And liquid is related to water. I recommend something juicy like pineapple or IDK.
FromtheShadows says
it counts, and in fact, drink a glass of water and he will use it as a conduit to travel through and into your body (remember water conducts electricity and thus conducts energy). all living and even dead entities are comprised of Energy; in fact every thing in the universe has their own special signature of voltage/current or if you will energy they put out. it is as unique to each of us as your fingerprints or eyes and can even be used to track you and even kill you using either technology or black magick.
Matty says
Yay! Another dangerous game. I really love all the creepy games, but I will never play them. I only played concentrate once with my friend and she saw red color.
Jamel says
Yeah I always look forward to these, but I for sure would never play them. I think reading them is terrifying enough. Especially in the dark.
Unknown says
Hey Lucia, creepy as always. I think I’m might or might not try this (Even though I am SO 100% sure I’m not gonna.) Are you gonna include the Blue Whale Challenge? It might be interesting.
Rose says
The blue whale challenge would be in very poor taste, despite possibly being the most dangerous game of all. For those unaware it’s a 50 day challenge that eventually leads to self-harm & on day 50, suicide. While not proven to have caused any deaths, there are many deaths and suicide attempts that have been linked to this challenge. Google doesn’t auto populate challenge if you search for blue whale & brings up only news stories and suicide hotlines if you search the actual term. I believe that’s to prevent those unaware of what this is from learning about it. There’s nothing otherwordly about it.
It’s basically peer pressure to see if they, the group that started this, can make others harm & kill themselves. It would not be a good idea to post that game here.
Marshi says
I don’t think it would be a good idea to do the blue whale challenge since it’s something really harmful. It’s not just a ghost story but a “challenge” that has taken many lives of young teens.
AA says
I don’t think she’d do the blue whale challenge simply because this is a paranormal site and the most dangerous games are related to paranormal entities and games. The blue whale challenge isn’t paranormal so I doubt that she’ll include it.
Unknown says
Edit: You probably won’t. But if you do, it could be in stories or in the encyclopaedia.
Girl A says
Late response, but I don’t think Lucia would include that kind of game. Most of these contact spirits and are to learn something or whatever or just front the thrill of it— The blue whale challenge is dangerous and really doesn’t fit along those lines. I don’t take that Lucia would like to inform us about a deadly challenge that results in self harm and suicide.
MadGastronomer says
So you know, there’s something weird going on where the right-click context menu on your site is disabled.
Molly says
How do you not blink for 2 minutes?
Sophie says
Practice before you play. Keep them open for longer and longer periods of time until you can positively go for 2 or more minutes
fury, king of fears says
I’d recommend bringing something to wet your eyes, it doesn’t say anything about that
Mistress Langdon says
Although I don’t necessarily see it as a form of cheating, Mr. Eyes may see it that way. And for as far as I remember, entities don’t take kindly to cheating participants. So I’d advice you not to do so.
butter says
translation: don’t play this game unless you want to meet up your life.
Nyssa says
Well that’s a scary game…