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Game Rules

Ghost in the Machine

A real-time multiplayer social deduction game where engineers race to fix bugs while a hidden ghost sabotages the codebase.

How It Works

Engineers

Fix all 3 broken files in the codebase before time runs out. Verify the system to win.

The Ghost

Sabotage the code, raise paranoia, and prevent engineers from fixing the bugs. Stay hidden.

4 Minutes

The clock is ticking. Engineers must fix and verify all files before time expires.

Game Flow

  1. 1

    Create or Join a Room

    One player creates a game and shares the 6-character room code. Up to 4 players can join. Everyone readies up.

  2. 2

    Roles Are Assigned

    When the host starts the game, one random player becomes the Ghost. Everyone else is an Engineer. You see your role for 4 seconds — then the game begins.

  3. 3

    The Scenario Loads

    An AI generates a unique 3-file broken system (or a pre-built scenario is used as fallback). Files unlock in stages as time progresses.

  4. 4

    Engineers Fix, Ghost Sabotages

    Engineers collaborate in real-time to find and fix bugs in each file. The Ghost secretly uses abilities to break code, fake progress, and sow distrust.

  5. 5

    Verify the System

    Engineers click "Verify System" to run tests on all files. Files are tested in dependency order — if a dependency fails, dependent files are blocked. All 3 must pass to win.

  6. 6

    Someone Wins

    Engineers win by verifying all files or correctly voting out the Ghost. The Ghost wins if time runs out, paranoia hits 100%, or engineers vote out the wrong player.

Staged Difficulty

Files unlock over time. Each stage introduces harder bugs.

S10:00 – 1:30FoundationSyntax bugs — missing semicolons, typos, unclosed tags
S21:30 – 3:00IntegrationLogic bugs — wrong comparisons, off-by-one errors, cache misses
S33:00 – 4:00SystemAlgorithmic bugs — missing null checks, wrong error handling, broken chains

Files form a dependency chain — Stage 2 depends on Stage 1, Stage 3 depends on Stage 2.

Win Conditions

Engineers Win
  • All 3 files pass verification (system becomes operational)
  • Correctly vote out the Ghost (majority guilty vote on the actual Ghost)
Ghost Wins
  • Timer reaches 0:00
  • Paranoia meter reaches 100%
  • Engineers vote out the wrong player (-30 seconds penalty)

Ghost Abilities

The Ghost has 5 silent abilities. None alert the engineers directly. Each one also broadcasts a fake system warning blaming a random engineer.

Ghost Edit Restriction: The Ghost can edit code directly but is limited to changing 5 lines maximum per edit. Mass deletions (Ctrl+A → Delete) are also blocked. This keeps sabotage subtle and strategic.

Inject Bug
20s+5

Reverts a verified file back to buggy code. Cascades — all dependent files are also invalidated.

Fake Fix
25s+3

Makes an unverified file appear as 'verified' for 15 seconds. Engineers waste time thinking it's done.

Blackout
45s+8

5-second full-screen dark overlay for all engineers. The Ghost can still see and edit code.

Screen Glitch
30s+6

3-second screen distortion with RGB splits, tearing, and static noise. Disorienting for engineers.

Phantom Cursor
12s+2

Spawns a fake cursor with a real engineer's name that moves around for 6 seconds.

Engineer Tools

Verify System

Run tests on all files in dependency order. All 3 must pass to win. Blocked files can't be tested until their dependencies pass.

Take Snapshot
30s

Save the current state of all files. Use 'Revert System' to undo Ghost sabotage.

Security Scan
45s

Scans code for lines that don't match the original or the fix — reveals Ghost edits.

Emergency Vote
60s

Accuse a player of being the Ghost. Majority guilty = instant win (if correct) or -30s penalty (if wrong).

Paranoia System

Paranoia rises automatically and from Ghost abilities. At 100%, the Ghost wins instantly.

Auto+0.1/sec normally, +0.3/sec in final 60 seconds
Fix a bug-10 paranoia
30%+Subtle color shifts on the UI
50%+Random micro-glitch lines flash across the screen
60%+Eerie whispers start playing for engineers
70%+Cursor color glitches, pulsing red border
80%+Screen tearing effects
100%Ghost wins instantly

Voice & Audio

Ghost VoiceClick to record your voice. It gets distorted into a demon voice and broadcast to all players. Gets clearer in the final minute.
Demon Taunts8 pre-written taunts plus a custom text input. Messages get converted to AI demon speech. 10-second cooldown.
Paranoia WhispersEngineers hear eerie AI-generated whispers when paranoia is above 60%. They get louder as paranoia rises.
Ambient MusicThree AI-generated ambient layers (calm, tense, critical) crossfade based on paranoia level.
Dynamic NarratorAI narrator announces key moments: file corrupted, file verified, stage unlocks, votes, time warnings.

Strategy Tips

For Engineers

  • Take snapshots early — they save you from sabotage
  • Watch the Edit Activity Log for suspicious large edits
  • Use Security Scan to detect Ghost modifications
  • Fix files in order — Stage 1 first, since others depend on it
  • Verify often — don't wait until all files look fixed
  • Be careful with votes — wrong accusations cost 30 seconds

For the Ghost

  • Make small, subtle edits — large edits get flagged
  • Use Inject Bug on Stage 1 files to cascade-break everything
  • Fake Fix wastes engineers' time without raising much paranoia
  • Breadcrumbs blame random engineers — let them fight each other
  • Vote "Guilty" on an engineer to cause confusion
  • Use taunts and voice to psychologically pressure engineers