What it is
People Watching is a short, surreal point-and-click adventure created for the South Africa Game Jam 2026. The player descends into an underground world and deals with strange characters while solving a small chain of item-based puzzles.
From the developer
In the developer’s own words, from mikdog.itch.io.
Created for the South Africa Game Jam 2026 for the theme 'People Watching'! Process post is here .
How to Play
- Mouse to move the cursor.
Read more
- Left-click to interact.
- When you pick up an item it will appear in your inventory at the top of the screen. Click on the item and then click on an object to use the item with the object.
Walkthrough
In case you get stuck: in the back alley, get the knife. Go down the manhole to the underground sewer, and give the knife to the Rat, he'll let you cross the bridge. Ask the Window Lady what she's doing and then you can ask her for some cheese. Give the cheese to the Rat, who will teleport you to a field. Pick up the binoculars, use the binocs on the house. Inside the house, walk to the left and go to the Atrium. Interact with the Cocoon Man. Click on the bird to go to the Showers. Talk to the Bunny and ask her what this place is. Use the jewel. In the Dart room, pick up the dart and use it on Brickshaw.
Changelog
4 Oct: OG upload 5 Oct: Sound and more anims, bug fixes
Editor takes
“The cartoon sprites and animations carry the surreal charm, and a color-blind-friendly palette is a nice touch; a few-minute sketch rather than a full animated feature.”
“An absurdist descent with rat deals and a window lady; the deadpan weirdness is charming, though it's over before you can really settle into the underground.”
“Strong jam scope: a complete point-and-click loop, one-button-friendly controls and clear accessibility choices, though a few-minute runtime keeps it a snack, not a full meal.”
How to play
Move the cursor with the mouse and left-click to interact with people and objects. Items you pick up appear in an inventory at the top; click an item, then click an object or character to use it.
Tips
- Look around the back alley first and take anything you can carry.
- Talk to characters repeatedly — new dialogue options can appear after asking questions.
- If a character asks for something, check your inventory for an item that might satisfy them.
- Use inventory items on unusual characters like the Rat to open new areas.
- If you get stuck, the game's itch.io page includes a written walkthrough.
Questions
What platforms can I play People Watching on?
The game runs in the browser as an HTML5 game, and Windows downloads are also available on its itch.io page.
How long is the game?
The developer lists the average session as a few minutes, making it a short experience.
Is there a walkthrough?
Yes, the itch.io page includes a walkthrough for players who get stuck.
What accessibility features are included?
The page lists color-blind friendly visuals, subtitles, and one-button input support.
Does the game save progress?
The page text does not mention saving; the short session length suggests it is meant to be played through in one sitting.
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