The jumpscare comes from the long running scary maze game prank that spread across early video sites and forums, where players were tricked into focusing closely before a screaming face appeared. Clips of victims reacting were shared widely and the format became a staple scream meme online. Shorter sound only versions later circulated on soundboards and in edits, letting creators recreate the prank without the game itself. It remains popular because the setup is instantly understood, the payoff takes seconds, and the reaction it provokes still reads as funny rather than genuinely frightening for most viewers.