Mixed Signals by Borbi

[raw]
made by Borbi for Ludum Dare 59 (JAM)

Mixed Signals

You stayed home to take care of your girlfriend. At the same time, you're working remotely.

Through a network of cameras, you observe her behavior across the apartment. Something feels... off.

Subtle changes. Missing objects. Unnatural reactions. Small details that don't quite add up.


Observation & Communication

When something catches your attention, you can contact her - but choosing the wrong words may make things worse.

You only get limited attempts to understand what's really going on. Her responses aren't always clear... and they don't always match what you see.

Some situations require action. Others don't. Misjudge it, and you'll pay the price.

Life-AnomalyGIF-ezgif.com-optimize.gif


Work Never Stops

While you're watching her, work keeps coming in.

Emails. System scans. File cleanup.

Ignore them, and your boss will notice.

WorkGIF-ezgif.com-optimize.gif


Multitasking

You can only focus on one thing at a time:

  • Observation
  • Communication
  • Work

Time keeps moving, no matter where you are.

SurveilanceGIF-ezgif.com-optimize.gif


Goal

Balance all three. Stay focused. Don't overreact. Don't ignore what matters.

Don't mix the signals.


Controls

  • Left / Right Arrow - Change camera (when focused on cameras)
  • Left Click - Interact / focus (monitors, phone)
  • Right Click - Exit current interaction

Notes

  • Web version has limited shader support (camera distortion may not work correctly)
  • For best experience, use the Windows version

If the resolution breaks:

> press ALT + ENTER twice

Ratings

Overall 667th 3.196⭐ 30🧑‍⚖️
Fun 713th 2.845⭐ 31🧑‍⚖️
Innovation 594th 3.086⭐ 31🧑‍⚖️
Theme 627th 3.276⭐ 31🧑‍⚖️
Audio 495th 2.964⭐ 30🧑‍⚖️
Humor 211th 3.404⭐ 28🧑‍⚖️
Mood 630th 3.268⭐ 30🧑‍⚖️
Given 51🗳️ 38🗨️

Feedback

LDJam user 409682
Apr 21st · 01:23 UTC
The losing animation is so funny. Overall, it’s really entertaining to look for the answers that make her get angry :D

Thanks!

P.S. Pressing space at the beginning doesn’t work :(
Alex O
Apr 21st · 01:34 UTC
Nice game, although the concept with the anomalies and messages is a bit confusing. Didn't really understand what they were doing gameplay-wise
rta228
Apr 21st · 01:42 UTC
@fassenberg
Glad you like it!
We're aware of the issue where the space key doesn't work even though it says it does.
So we decided to remove the message entirely to avoid giving players false hope.
There is no escape from our cutscene HaHaHa

Hope you like it! :D
LionLlamaLuver
Apr 21st · 01:44 UTC
Great Game, I found it super fun. The design and gameplay are amazing, would highly recommend. The only bug? I encountered was with the File.exe, it would not go away and just wouldn't stop showing up eventually lagging my computer. I had to have the girlfriend kill me before it lagged my computer more, lol. Thought it was part of the game for a bit, until they wouldn't stop popping up. Made for a great laugh
rta228
Apr 21st · 01:46 UTC
@alex-o Thanks for the feedback.
I wouldn't agree with you cause in my head everything was so clear... UNTIL
Until I had to explain whole system to my girlfriend, then and only then I realized that our game needed a guide.
I think every Observation Duty type game have this exact problem.
Anyways thanks for the review and the time :D
GreenRadiation
Apr 21st · 19:23 UTC
I fell in love with the concept of this game, but it's so hard to figure out what exactly to text the girl and when her reaction is normal and when it's not. I know it's somewhat realistic, but the lack of clear feedback on how I should act, as well as when a situation is abnormal and when it isn't, makes the game really difficult.

But the concept is hilarious and brilliantly executed. Great job!
rta228
Apr 22nd · 08:49 UTC
@greenradiation Great to hear that you liked it. To be honest it wasn't supposed to be This difficult, although now it perfectly resembles real life. Thanks for your feedback <3
N.O.X
Apr 22nd · 11:11 UTC
Some conversations just feel too authentic. stay strong. Nice concept overall :)
gubo
Apr 22nd · 16:36 UTC
love the pixalated vibe and music, though I got lost at the file generation part and didn't know what to do.
Liked the experience though :) ![Screenshot 2026-04-22 122929.png](///raw/abc/86/z/724e1.png)
🎤 Borbi
Apr 22nd · 16:48 UTC
@gubo yup it's a bug we missed it before uploading build
snk
Apr 22nd · 16:53 UTC
Ehrm... this feels way too real... I felt the frustration while playing. I didn't even manage to win the whole game after many tries. This girl is so annoying haha. However nice job with this (too) real life simulator :unicorn:
pragmascript
Apr 22nd · 18:20 UTC
Nice concept. It fits the theme very well. I found it very difficult to understand which messages to pick and when she is doing normal things.
3blackpixels
Apr 22nd · 18:34 UTC
Addicting gameplay. Love the idea to switch attention.
hoarime
Apr 22nd · 19:18 UTC
when the files flooded the screen i thought it was intended and were waiting for something to happen xd. generally, i think the idea/concept is pretty good, but gameplay felt too repetitive for me, although it makes you feel the same as in real life, so it has to be like that i think
Andrian
Apr 22nd · 19:33 UTC
I've always wanted to play a cool game using surveillance cameras, and this was such an interesting experience! I have to admit, though—trying to figure out what was wrong with the girl was the hardest part. Maybe that’s why I’m single, haha. Anyway, it’s a truly original game, and I’m definitely going back for another playthrough. Great job!
Alexander Stepanov
Apr 22nd · 20:27 UTC
I liked the concept, but it's not really clear. I have no idea how or when to click what. why and why he's freaking out. I didn't text her at all for 4 game hours and everything was fine. Maybe it should have been left that way?))) The screen on the left did not changing the camera
rta228
Apr 23rd · 17:51 UTC
@snk Hahaha, yeah... It turned out to be WAYYYY too real, also do not fear for what we know there is little to no ppl that managed to win this. But as it is irl "nothing is easy". Nonheless thanks for your feedback <3
rta228
Apr 23rd · 17:52 UTC
@pragmascript Thanks for your feedback. The whole mixed and not clear signals from her was intended for it to be realistic XD
rta228
Apr 23rd · 17:52 UTC
@3blackpixels Great to hear that <3
rta228
Apr 23rd · 17:55 UTC
@hoarime Yeah, this file.txt bug sucks. It is a shame that we didn't manage to catch it earlier. Yeah we planned more anomalies and minigames, but as the time was passing by we decided that it is better to have less features than to the game to be unplayable. Thanks for your feedback <3
rta228
Apr 23rd · 17:57 UTC
@andrian We are were there... I can assure that the signals from gf is non fictional XD. Thanks for your feedback <3
rta228
Apr 23rd · 18:01 UTC
@alexander-stepanov Thanks for your feedback. Yeah gf's signals aren't very clear and this was the whole gimmick. It is realy interesting that you had so much luck for gf not to do any anomalies for 4 in game hours straight. As for the screen I think you weren't focused on it, cause from not focused perspective you cannot do anything on any screen. Thanks for playing <3
marudziik
Apr 24th · 00:18 UTC
I liked the idea, though it was very difficult for me to decipher when I need to text her, or what do I do. Seems the only clear thing was how to do my job, which is kinda funny now that I think about it. I get that the game is called "Mixed Signals" and not "Obvious Signals", but still - in terms of the gameplay, I wish they were just a little bit more clear. :sweat_smile:

Presentation wise, it is very cool. I also liked the audio, and the job tasks were also quite fun. Obviously, I only managed to get the bad ending. Anyways, congrats on the entry!
IRKAR
Apr 25th · 11:40 UTC
I like the menu, but I haven't quite got the hang of the game yet![photo_2026-04-25_14-38-35.jpg](///raw/25b/76/z/72ada.jpg)
ionhaven
Apr 26th · 20:38 UTC
I loved how people kept saying “too real,” because that’s exactly the charm: weird, funny, frustrating, and surprisingly original. The split attention mechanic plus pixel vibe makes it feel like a cursed little gem you replay to decode.
Nnican
Apr 29th · 18:38 UTC
Nice game!
The game is very similar to mine.
JuanRod707
May 02nd · 00:28 UTC
Loved this game, very unique concept, my PC started dying with the eternal files task. I can see this becoming something bigger indeed.
R4ndomThunder
May 04th · 21:37 UTC
Nice game, got the unlimited files bug so i gotta quit my run, the anomalies mechanic was not too clear to me and I haven't figured out how i lost 2 lives.

Overall it's a great entry that reminds me my everyday life, maybe a little too much :joy:
EllaS
May 06th · 06:49 UTC
Love the idea! Lost instantly though. Pretty accurate to my life.