20Q
20Q is a computerized game of twenty questions that began as a test in artificial intelligence (AI). It was invented by Robin Burgener in 1988. The game was made handheld by Radica in 2003, but was discontinued in 2011 because Techno Source took the license for 20Q handheld devices.
A red 20Q by Radica | |
| Type | Electronic game Online game iOS iPad App customized knowledgebases |
|---|---|
| Inventor(s) | Robin Burgener |
| Company | Radica (2003 - 2011) Techno Source (2011-2015) Uncle Milton Industries (2015–2017) Irwin Toys (2017-2019) Hansen Toys (2020-present) |
| Country | United States |
| Availability | 1988–present |
| Materials | Artificial Intelligence |
| Official website | |
The game 20Q is based on the spoken parlor game known as twenty questions, and is both a website and a handheld device. 20Q asks the player to think of something and will then try to guess what they are thinking of with twenty yes-or-no questions. If it fails to guess in 20 questions, it will ask an additional 5 questions. If it fails to guess even with 25 (or 30) questions, the player is declared the winner. Sometimes the first guess of the object can be asked at question 14.