Although it can be frustrating to be told “patience is a virtue” while you wait for something menial, bored out of your mind, there is sometimes enjoyment and peace to be found in the everyday mundane. This is something California studio Optillusion is trying to capture with its tongue-in-cheek patience simulator, While Waiting. “Often, when we’re waiting – whether for a bus, in traffic or in a line – we seek ways to entertain ourselves,” says producer Dong Zhou. “People just play with their phones because there is nothing to do, but is that even true? I believe everyone hates waiting, but that’s just because they are not playful enough. We want to create a game from every mundane moment to help players find their own ways to kill time.”
In While Waiting, players follow the life of Adam, an everyman who must traverse a series of tedious tasks – waiting for a bus, lining up for a carnival ride, or staring out of the window until the rain stops. “Waiting is not purely a negative experience but a part of life,” Zhou says. “Each situation carries its unique anticipation and anxiety.” The game is a personal journey of growth, as Adam’s goals shift from simple pleasures to complex aspirations. “Depending on the different waiting scenarios, he may end up happy, relieved, or sad. But all he knows is that the only solution is to wait,” says Zhou.
This feast of patience-testing predicaments, is delivered via cartoon renditions of elevator lobbies, doctor’s receptions and airport-baggage claims, evoking our most familiar frustrations. Although unavoidably fatalistic to a degree, While Waiting blends its thoughtful ruminations on life with bouts of irreverent animated humour. “We hope that players will not only laugh but also reflect on the deeper meanings within the game,” says Zhou.
To placate your inner fidgeter, While Waiting presents a pool of time-wasting mini-games, such as luggage stacking or filling out paperwork. “They could be classic arcade games, puzzle games, or even action games,” says Zhou. “Each level will give you a very different experience.” However, you won’t win any bounties by tackling these secondary tasks, with their only benefit being to help you kill time. “No matter what you do, you can always achieve your goal – wait for something to happen,” Zhou says. “Sometimes, if you try to do something, you may mess it up and wait for a longer time. That’s the thesis: if you do nothing, you can speedrun this game.”
Inspired by animated comedy classics such as Tom and Jerry, While Waiting features orchestral instrumentation that accents the lighthearted and thoughtful aspects of this stoic journey. Jolts of brass and strings offer an auditory salve to the quotidian discomfort of doing nothing.
But despite its curious and silly nature, While Waiting won’t shy away from the profound. As players close in on the endgame, they will revisit previous scenes and ponder the cyclical nature of life with new perspectives and emotions. “Life is filled with joy and sorrow,” says Zhou. “I hope players will look back on the various moments of waiting and realise how precious each of those moments truly is.”
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