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.
