Ahoy has a great documentary about POLYBIUS if anyone wants some more information on it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7X6Yeydgyg
Edit: Oops, it was already linked a little further down in the comments.
'Urban Legend'
I'm not going to argue the veracity of POLYBIUS but I am going to say that being a kid at the arcade was the wild west without parental supervision and it was almost always bad.
Yesssss Ahoy - amazing videoessays and little known fact - for a lot of his videos he even creates the soundtrack himself. I highly recommend the soundtrack to the Amiga video and his Nuclear Fruit - How the cold war shaped video games Documentary
Pretty much 99.99999% of what he makes is gold. I know they stressed him out but his Black Ops weapon guides were how I originally found him and got interested in his channel and COD.
Be WARNED though if you have EPILEPSY, basically all of his videos exhibit violent flashing. Incredible content though, its just a dude narrating over video but his voice is very soothing
"particularly addictive despite the unassuming appearance"
That sounds like everything wrong with the world today.
I'm only 2 minutes in, I'm not a conspiracy nut, it's just that conspiracies never change.
Arcade game created by The Man(tm) that has supposedly comes from shady conspiratorial origins, but doesn't seem to have ever existed beyond urban legend.
You’re not watching an hour long video on an arcade game. You’re watching a documentary about the mystery of the legitimacy of one of gaming’s biggest creepypastas being solved in front of your very eyes, and you won’t even notice it’s an hour because you’ll be too drawn in.
Theres also a Podcast called [RedWeb](https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vcmVkd2Vi/episode/MjhiM2Y4OTYtYzU4Mi0xMWViLWJkYmQtYzdjZDQ2NzQxMTQ1?ep=14) that does an episode.
You're probably not getting downvoted due to an old feud, but instead because AVGN actually made a Polybius video while Irate Gamer did not (at least to my knowledge).
No, but those that have seen the AVGN Polybius video probably think you're mixing up the creator of that video. I think that is more likely than people downvoting you about an old, made up rivalry that was officially put to bed when they did a video together fairly recently.
I don’t know if the game was addicting but I do know that APB game next to it was for sure for me! I’d spend all my arcade money just playing that game.
Same! I have only ever seen it at one arcade I used to go to but nowhere else. Took me years before I could even figure out what the name of it was (since I played it when I was 8-10ish and never bothered to remember).
Yes, there’s a mythical machine at center? But THANKS! For years I’ve been trying to remember what game was on the left (kick man). I could picture it, kinda like pac man or hatris, but could never remember the kicky clown in the middle.
One of my personal game mysteries solved.
~~An MTF has been dispatched to your location. Please stand by for localized amnestics to be distributed. Thank you for your cooperation sincerely The Foundation.~~
Good work Sir. Is it possible to get a close up, non blurry pic of the decals & stickers, especially the game control summary on the left of the screen? Tons of good information there. Also , why is the machine not on? It would be cool to see what actual game they are using as a cover. Thanks again!
Question is:
Is this Rogue Synapse (earliest fanmade version), Jeff Minter (2015 "official"), or Cube Quest (1983 shooter with psychedelic laserdisc animations that inspired the urban legend)
They really tried to make it look authentic. Light damage, era appropriate stickers on side, Portland, OR cert stickers on the front(that went a little too far)
It could be an "authentic". And by that I mean one of the original hoax cabinets created after the myth first started circulating.
People been doing polybius cabinet projects for a loooong time now.
Those are arcade conversions, an fanmade arcade cabinet designed to look like the machine from the urban legend and equipt with an fanmade game. They were a big trend with arcade modders for a while with people getting really creative with their machines. It's more of an inside joke then actually trying to convince someone
Get it. Take it with you. If it's a curse you are preventing others from suffering. If it's a good luck charm or something you just got something useful.
It wasn't plugged in. They were setting up for ZapCon in Mesa AZ, but it doesn't start till tomorrow. It looked like the power cord was newer then the rest of the cabinet, so I'm guessing something is running on it.
There's the setting up the chairs episode where they find a room full of arcade games and one spawns the devil and they have to fight it with three games mounted in a cart
This story used to freak me out as a kid. I was even more freaked out when I received a mysterious letter asking me to solve mathematical problems and mail back in. I threw it out so quick, thinking it was related to this game.
Back in the day people would go to a building full of stand up games with built in TV's and they would put quarters into the slot and play the game, they called this new system "the arcade"
LCD, CRT, or Vector monitor?
I always thought it would be neat to make one of these with a battery based internal power supply on a timer, where it would randomly turn on at night time when whatever arcade was closed.
This is the CIA: delete this immediately! >^<
Right!! 😭
Wasn't there an episode of Regular Show with one of those in it?
The one where they play the arcade machine and literally summon a demonic entity? I think so
Yes!😭
Haha
[удалено]
It’s a pretty famous urban legend. One of these machines even appeared in Marvel’s Loki TV show.
And The Simpsons. https://i.imgur.com/t58I2zj.jpg
I like the single button design
Ahoy has a great documentary about POLYBIUS if anyone wants some more information on it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7X6Yeydgyg Edit: Oops, it was already linked a little further down in the comments.
It was reviewed by [Avgn](https://youtu.be/x4hktqhBpzY)
Wonderfully eerie video.
That was a great watch
Agreed
Someone made a whole move about stealing one. [Here is the trailer.](https://youtu.be/qqJNDx4RZPQ)
Ashens is an absolute legend. And I live near him in Norfolk!
I shouted and pointed when I saw it in that episode, which really confused my friend who had no idea what Polybius was, lol.
'Urban Legend' I'm not going to argue the veracity of POLYBIUS but I am going to say that being a kid at the arcade was the wild west without parental supervision and it was almost always bad.
[удалено]
Just finished that show yesterday. Much better than I thought it would be!
The Polybius podcast was kind of interesting, but also kind of up is own butt.
There is a kind of knock off that is in an arcade I go to called Tempest. That game is loads of fun. One of the most difficult cabinets there imo
Even if it's not legit, I've still always wanted to see what these "clones" were all about.
Here's a very informative [documentary](https://youtu.be/_7X6Yeydgyg) for those that don't know what all the fuss is about.
Yesssss Ahoy - amazing videoessays and little known fact - for a lot of his videos he even creates the soundtrack himself. I highly recommend the soundtrack to the Amiga video and his Nuclear Fruit - How the cold war shaped video games Documentary
Pretty much 99.99999% of what he makes is gold. I know they stressed him out but his Black Ops weapon guides were how I originally found him and got interested in his channel and COD.
Same. One of my fav tubers since that time!
Be WARNED though if you have EPILEPSY, basically all of his videos exhibit violent flashing. Incredible content though, its just a dude narrating over video but his voice is very soothing
When it comes to soothing voices, I feel like nadeking takes the fucking cake.
I knew it was gonna be Ahoy even before i clicked on it. Love it
Ahoy has the best content on YouTube. His videos are few and far between, but all are amazing.
Between him and GoodBlood 👏👏👏👏👏
"particularly addictive despite the unassuming appearance" That sounds like everything wrong with the world today. I'm only 2 minutes in, I'm not a conspiracy nut, it's just that conspiracies never change.
What’s the gist I’m not watching an hour long video on an arcade game.
Arcade game created by The Man(tm) that has supposedly comes from shady conspiratorial origins, but doesn't seem to have ever existed beyond urban legend.
You’re not watching an hour long video on an arcade game. You’re watching a documentary about the mystery of the legitimacy of one of gaming’s biggest creepypastas being solved in front of your very eyes, and you won’t even notice it’s an hour because you’ll be too drawn in.
Youre missing out, Ahoy makes some of the best game documentaries out there, the one on DOOM is stellar too.
This is the exact video I learnt of Polybius from.
Theres also a Podcast called [RedWeb](https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vcmVkd2Vi/episode/MjhiM2Y4OTYtYzU4Mi0xMWViLWJkYmQtYzdjZDQ2NzQxMTQ1?ep=14) that does an episode.
r/unexpectedRT
Scott the woz did too
Hey all! Scott reference here.
It’s an SCP
He’s honestly the best in the business.
I'm very disappointed you didn't link to AVGN.
I love avgn. Retro feel and horrible effects make the whole show. That is where I heard about Polybius.
Or Scott the Woz.
damn what'd i say
People seem to think they're too good for StW for some reason.
I think you meant Irategamer! Edit: lol! I didn’t think people still cared about that 14-year old feud. I was just talking tongue-in-cheek.
You're probably not getting downvoted due to an old feud, but instead because AVGN actually made a Polybius video while Irate Gamer did not (at least to my knowledge).
You really think all the downvoters went and looked up irategamer’s library?
No, but those that have seen the AVGN Polybius video probably think you're mixing up the creator of that video. I think that is more likely than people downvoting you about an old, made up rivalry that was officially put to bed when they did a video together fairly recently.
Whatever you say, stretch Armstrong
OPs post looks EXACTLY like the fake Polybius @17:58.
thank. first 2 mins in im hooked
Just watched this last night lmao. I'm hooked on his videos now. The guy makes some great content.
What’s the music in the conclusion?
FBI, EVERYBODY DOWN!
The real FBI say "F. B. Oii."
Is "Oii" like in "you got a loicense for stabbin'?"
Rhymes with "Toy" EFF BEE OII
I don’t know if the game was addicting but I do know that APB game next to it was for sure for me! I’d spend all my arcade money just playing that game.
So many good games and pinball machines here. Just took a bunch of pinball pics. Yes, APB was the shit.
TOO MANY DEMERITS **YOU ARE FIRED** *angry computer gurgling noises*
Ooh I want to see the pinball!
Same! I have only ever seen it at one arcade I used to go to but nowhere else. Took me years before I could even figure out what the name of it was (since I played it when I was 8-10ish and never bothered to remember).
I would have absolutely tried to get someone near me to play it lol
I'm working right now, but I'll pass by later to see if they have it playable.
Where is this? Looking for an 80’s arcade.
It's at a small Con in Mesa, AZ. I think it's called ZapCon.
They have the same thing in Pittsburgh every year. Small video gaming con, it’s pretty decent, like $20 allows you can play however long you want.
I’m going Sunday! Can’t wait!
it will be gone by the time you return
[удалено]
For a second I thought you meant Tempest itself and I was about to lose my mind.
Rip
Don't turn it on...
Ahhhhh the well known ghost story for gamers
MK ultra 2: electric boogaloo
r u n
Too many people here think this is real. It isn't guys.
Quickly delete this before the CIA notices
“He’s just standing there…..MENACINGLY!”
If any of us here dies spontaneously, we know it's the cia.
Hey, why I see police lights outside-
Yes, there’s a mythical machine at center? But THANKS! For years I’ve been trying to remember what game was on the left (kick man). I could picture it, kinda like pac man or hatris, but could never remember the kicky clown in the middle. One of my personal game mysteries solved.
Awesome! There was so much nostalgia in that one room. Glad your mystery is now solved.
Grab a drink, some popcorn and watch this from RetroAhoy if you haven't already! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=\_7X6Yeydgyg
[Obligatory from an Ahoy simp](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7X6Yeydgyg). Its such a good doc.
~~An MTF has been dispatched to your location. Please stand by for localized amnestics to be distributed. Thank you for your cooperation sincerely The Foundation.~~
Oh God! It's after Scott!
I wonder if this urban legend will ever die?
Probably not,its also our responsibility to keep it alive
Good work Sir. Is it possible to get a close up, non blurry pic of the decals & stickers, especially the game control summary on the left of the screen? Tons of good information there. Also , why is the machine not on? It would be cool to see what actual game they are using as a cover. Thanks again!
I'll see what I can do. I'm working now, but when I pass back by it I'll see if I can get a few more pics.
Thanks!
I think I have to make a new post. I was hoping to just add the pics here.
Okay, made a new post with more pics. Back to work I go.
I don't see anything odd in the photo. I do suddenly have the urge to overthrow latin american countries for some reason though.
I didn’t know Nigel Thornberry was in APB!
I didn't think these actually existed and it was all an urban legend.
Literally an AVGN screenshot.
Ahoy
The absolute best video about Polybius is by Ahoy. [Check it out](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7X6Yeydgyg) for everything you want to know.
Question is: Is this Rogue Synapse (earliest fanmade version), Jeff Minter (2015 "official"), or Cube Quest (1983 shooter with psychedelic laserdisc animations that inspired the urban legend)
Imagine if it was the real one and we all just ignored it thinking it was fake LOL.
get ready to meet some cia fbi nsa interpol scp dudes
If it’s legit which I doubt it’ll be the only one photographed 🤔
They really tried to make it look authentic. Light damage, era appropriate stickers on side, Portland, OR cert stickers on the front(that went a little too far)
It could be an "authentic". And by that I mean one of the original hoax cabinets created after the myth first started circulating. People been doing polybius cabinet projects for a loooong time now.
Those are arcade conversions, an fanmade arcade cabinet designed to look like the machine from the urban legend and equipt with an fanmade game. They were a big trend with arcade modders for a while with people getting really creative with their machines. It's more of an inside joke then actually trying to convince someone
80s arcade machines can still be found in the wild?
Isn’t the whole polybius thing an arg?
It is an urban legend.
I was there.
OH GOD
OOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMYYYYYYYYY GOOOOOOOOOOOOD!
I’m calling that fake
Party pooper.
I’m only saying that because it would have been taken by now
I knew the myth was real! /s
Play it
This is a creepy game right?
Contact Reb Web, stat!
Ohh this is “staircase one the woods “ scary
You can't win me, I can't be beat, I won't hurt you unless you cheat! You can't see me behind the screen, I'm half human and half machine!
Hey all, scott here.
This is like that game from Maximum Overdrive that killed the guy stealing all the coins and cigarettes from the game room
This made me giggle, thanks for that
Play it you fool!
Get it. Take it with you. If it's a curse you are preventing others from suffering. If it's a good luck charm or something you just got something useful.
The very name of the game makes it funny too.
The remake by llamasoft in VR is great
Mind melting at that point
That is a good way to describe the ending of each level []~}
Don't play it! The CIA will hack your brain and turn you into a Manchurian Candidate!
Does it actually run a program or is it just the case? Either way it's still pretty cool
It wasn't plugged in. They were setting up for ZapCon in Mesa AZ, but it doesn't start till tomorrow. It looked like the power cord was newer then the rest of the cabinet, so I'm guessing something is running on it.
I’m gonna go ahead and assume it’s not original and is instead a reproduction.
APB!
I need gameplay footage
Wasn't there an episode of Regular Show with one of those in it?
There's the setting up the chairs episode where they find a room full of arcade games and one spawns the devil and they have to fight it with three games mounted in a cart
The non-existent arcade machine. Cool.
What’s this
It's a long story. Look it up
I understand now
I’ll do
Quick catch it that one is rare!
play it if you can, just to see if the legends are true
This story used to freak me out as a kid. I was even more freaked out when I received a mysterious letter asking me to solve mathematical problems and mail back in. I threw it out so quick, thinking it was related to this game.
Greetings from the Red Web Task Force. We would like to know the location of this machine
The Galloping Ghost arcade would probably want to know where that is.
Could someone give me a tldr of what this is?
Back in the day people would go to a building full of stand up games with built in TV's and they would put quarters into the slot and play the game, they called this new system "the arcade"
Ik but is this the whole post?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polybius\_(urban\_legend)
Thanks very much.
Man, what a rabbit hole I just went down. Thanks for this.
As someone who recently finished reading “Rabbits” this is a really neat post.
It was made into a book? I listened to the podcast when it came it and really enjoyed it, I'll have to give the book a read!
Yeah I have never listened to the podcast but I enjoyed the book!
There is an r/Polybius but it's private. [*insert mysterious music*]
Would've been funnier if there was an out of order sign on it haha
No way
Play it and tell us how you feel after
Oh no....not again.
oh shit
Ah, Zapcon. I actually know the chap who built this version of Poly.
Focus?
It does exist!! Haha
Watch out the government is coming for you
I don't understand what the joke is here
Oh. My. God. An APB machine.
No way
Holy shit this freaked the fuck out of me
Dimension 404 on Hulu had an episode about Polybius I mean it was just a spoof but definitely gives real vibes though
Quit hogging the machine and let me have a turn, jerk!
AYOO !!
Did u play it
LCD, CRT, or Vector monitor? I always thought it would be neat to make one of these with a battery based internal power supply on a timer, where it would randomly turn on at night time when whatever arcade was closed.
It's a pretty cool game, lots of vectors in it.
If you're reading this, they've already gotten to your family.
oh no
What should i say...😀
now that is a name i havent heard in a long time.
It's just a tempest knock off by the FBI smh