Introduction
Polybius is an urban legend about a mysterious arcade game allegedly created by the government for mind control experiments in the 1980s.
Origins
First appearing in online forums in the early 2000s, Polybius is said to have caused psychoactive effects, addiction, and government intervention. No physical machine has ever been found.
Key Examples
- Stories of black-suited men collecting data from the game’s players.
- Alleged government testing of subliminal messaging on unsuspecting teens.
- Polybius’s place in creepypasta and gaming culture.
Critical Analysis
No credible evidence for Polybius exists, but the story reflects Cold War fears about mind control.
Influential Literature: Pro & Contra
- Brian Dunning – “Skeptoid” (podcast & book) – Skeptoid Media, 2016. Dunning, Skeptoid. Skeptoid, 2016.
- Michael Barkun – “A Culture of Conspiracy” – University of California Press, 2013. Barkun, A Culture of Conspiracy. UCP, 2013.
- Jan Harold Brunvand – “Encyclopedia of Urban Legends” – W.W. Norton, 2001. Brunvand, Encyclopedia of Urban Legends. Norton, 2001.
- Lynne Kelly – “The Skeptic’s Guide to the Paranormal” – Allen & Unwin, 2004. Kelly, Skeptic’s Guide to the Paranormal. Allen & Unwin, 2004.
- Colin Dickey – “Ghostland” – Viking, 2016. Dickey, Ghostland. Viking, 2016.
- Colin Wilson – “The Occult” – Random House, 1971. Wilson, The Occult. RH, 1971.
- David Clarke – “Supernatural” – Hodder & Stoughton, 2011. Clarke, Supernatural. Hodder, 2011.
- Chris Aubeck & Martin Shough – “Return to Magonia” – Anomalist Books, 2015. Aubeck & Shough, Return to Magonia. Anomalist, 2015.
- Brian Raftery – “Best. Movie. Year. Ever.” – Simon & Schuster, 2019. Raftery, Best. Movie. Year. Ever.. S&S, 2019.