ROT by X2SHADOW

[raw]
made by X2SHADOW for Ludum Dare 58 (JAM)

ROT<em>Screenshot</em>1.jpg
ROT is a short dark narrative game in which a lonely developer, trapped in a cycle of his own creativity, tries to fill the void inside by endlessly creating games for his collection.

Controls:

WASD    —   Move
C             —   Crouch
LMB       —   Interact
TAB        —   Pause

In the pause menu you can change the volume and camera sensitivity.

P.S. PC build is available too
P.S.S. Can you open full collection?

Collection Screenshot.jpg

Ratings

Overall 483th 3.397⭐ 31🧑‍⚖️
Fun 740th 2.5⭐ 30🧑‍⚖️
Innovation 568th 2.946⭐ 30🧑‍⚖️
Theme 501th 3.518⭐ 30🧑‍⚖️
Graphics 486th 3.467⭐ 32🧑‍⚖️
Humor 520th 2.673⭐ 28🧑‍⚖️
Mood 110th 4.067⭐ 32🧑‍⚖️
Given 36🗳️ 49🗨️

Feedback

Hank Ather
Oct 06th · 23:56 UTC
Yo man you good?

Great spin on the theme, really introspective. Sometimes being an artist is never filling the void, always being hungry. Sometimes its a desperate feeling. Sometimes, though, that hunger is what gets me out of bed and working hard on the things im passionate about.

Great entry. Hope youre well.
vivid-hallucination
Oct 06th · 23:59 UTC
This is very bleak, but great job. That room makes me feel sad and alone.
GeorgeBurg
Oct 07th · 00:02 UTC
The game is quite dark, but it reflects the real world of indie game development.
ZAZiOs
Oct 07th · 00:02 UTC
I hope all is well with the game's author!

Other than that, I liked the game, and I also have the same VCR as the one in this game.

Good job!
Mr.Kliff
Oct 07th · 00:02 UTC
An interesting idea for a game! It's a pity that game development is associated with such a boring life. Joke
🎤 X2SHADOW
Oct 07th · 00:05 UTC
@vivid-hallucination Thank you! Bleak is my style :) I haven't yet managed to make the mechanics of rotting the entire room
GlebSviripa
Oct 07th · 00:05 UTC
It was a bit unclear at the start but then I realized what to do and it was fun. Nice atmosphere btw
Good job
ckane144
Oct 07th · 00:06 UTC
Wow, great narrative. I'll disagree though, I don't think you're collecting monuments to your failure because if they're anything like this game they're creative and thought-provoking. Keep grinding, I see you!
🎤 X2SHADOW
Oct 07th · 00:09 UTC
@hank-ather Thank you for review! Yeah, I'm good, I just love make dark narrative games :)
🎤 X2SHADOW
Oct 07th · 00:14 UTC
@zazios Thank you for review and for asking! I'm doing pretty well :) Yeah I also like Better VCR font, already used it in two games and probably will use later on!
ZAZiOs
Oct 07th · 00:15 UTC
@x2shadow No, I mean literally XDD. I have the same VCR Player that's present in the game
🎤 X2SHADOW
Oct 07th · 00:16 UTC
@ckane144 Thank you! I love making dark narrative games. I definitely check out your game later too!
🎤 X2SHADOW
Oct 07th · 00:24 UTC
@zazios ahahah, damn, my mistake :) It is fun coincidence, plus immersion i guess...
Wishes
Oct 07th · 00:33 UTC
Interesting but also a really confusing game
Sirplop
Oct 07th · 00:40 UTC
Hella moody, man - just wish there was more puzzle to it. Keep up the good work
Braeden
Oct 07th · 01:04 UTC
Honestly I couldn't figure out how to do anything lol, I really like the aesthetic though!
🎤 X2SHADOW
Oct 07th · 09:54 UTC
@wishes Thanks! Can you please tell me what was confusing? I tried my best to keep things clear
🎤 X2SHADOW
Oct 07th · 09:58 UTC
@braeden Thanks! I put a lot to make game atmospheric. Talking about how to play... Actually it's all simple, just mix a few game mechanics and press build! Like "Gameplay + Narrative -> Build = Game"
Ira Baciu
Oct 08th · 08:54 UTC
The game is so depressing, omg. The main character is just like me fr. I got stuck in the table at one point :) I really liked the sound and the mood of the game, good job![Screenshot 2025-10-08 115109.png](///raw/3cf/56/z/6edde.png)
Melomaner
Oct 08th · 18:31 UTC
Pretty fun concept overall — even if it doesn’t go beyond the jam, it still hits me right in my developer heart :)
Eugenik
Oct 09th · 10:44 UTC
Love the whole concept :D Great game.
sick machine
Oct 09th · 19:08 UTC
![Screenshot_20.png](///raw/b7c/66/z/6f1dc.png)

This is simply wow... the first game at this jam that I've really enjoyed and really resonated with.
It's very close to that feeling of Groundhog Day: every day brings a new failure.

I hope all goes well for you. Considering you made the game alone, it's simply amazing in three days!
Le Don
Oct 13th · 16:45 UTC
Great game! I also really appreciate how short and on point it is.
d-demetori
Oct 13th · 17:24 UTC
Yep, that’s how it is, but never forget - you make games for yourself and for the joy of it!
gamebuilder
Oct 14th · 21:06 UTC
It took me a while to learn the drag and drop interface (I thought just clicking would do the trick). Once I figured out that part of the puzzle, it was simple enough. Some of the messages hit home; e.g. "The void didn't shrink, it just took on a different form" (if I remember right). A bleak game, but then again bleakness is an appropriate subject, especially for a game jam like this one. I love the graphics and mood of this game.
Ginger_Kyoko
Oct 20th · 23:09 UTC
I like this depressive concept. It looks like life sometimes...