Pac a Job

by joaog
Overall★★★★★★★★★★2.95
Fun★★★★★★★★★★2.90
Innovation★★★★★★★★★★2.56
Theme★★★★★★★★★★3.71
Graphics★★★★★★★★★★3.29
Humor★★★★★★★★★★3.57
Mood★★★★★★★★★★3.00
#### _Disclaimer & Inspiration:_
##### The game is lightly inspired by the true story of Mike Kasprzak. The "Pinky and the Brain" reference birthed the player's name, Mike Pinky (who uses the Brain's image), and the game's central theme.

_🎮 How to Play_

Help Mike Pinky upgrade his résumé and secure a job before his notebook's old, "addicted" battery dies!

_Instruction:_


_Start Game:_ Click "Play" on Mike Pinky's notebook taskbar (inside the game).

_Access Menu:_ Click the orange "M" icon in the bottom-left corner.

_How to play:_

_Up arrow_ ⬆: Move up.

_Left arrow_ ⬅: Move to the left.

_Down arrow ⬇:_ Move down.

_Right arrow ⬅:_ Move to the right.

🎯 Objective

Navigate the labyrinth to collect Skills and Diplomas, upgrading your résumé and increasing the number of job applications you send (your final score).

Simultaneously, you must collect Energy to keep the notebook battery charged and dodge the Clocks that rapidly drain your life (the battery).

The faulty battery is your ticking clock: when it reaches zero, the game is over!

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##### So, I don't know, but I swear I didn't mark it for the AUDIO to be evaluated, since the game doesn't have audio...
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Pac-a-Job​ is a maze game blending survival and tension, where the player must guide Mike Pinky to upgrade his résumé and secure a job before time runs out.

The main objective is to collect Skills and Diplomas by studying throughout the maze. This action increases Mike Pinky's job prospects because, by upgrading his résumé, he simultaneously increases the number of positions he can apply for.

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#### _About This Game Jam Experience: Reflections on a Healthier Process_

This edition was quite different for me. Besides working solo on a Jam after some time, I accomplished a few things I never would have imagined doing a few years ago: I worked with total calmness, without rushing or pressure, without skipping routine daily tasks, without pushing myself too hard, without giving up sleep, and by keeping some time for fun and rest. But, most importantly, I did everything with the realization that I had nothing to prove to anyone.

I also fulfilled some long-standing development goals, such as simulating a screen within the game view and challenging myself to create non-pixel art. And, I intentionally chose not to produce or add sounds, as I prioritized the time I had left for my rest. Honestly? I don't regret it.
Genres: puzzle
Tools: Construct

Comments11

LDJam user 282870
LDJam user 2828707 Oct 2025, 12:27
The game is fun. The controls need some work and the movement of the character needs work. Other than that for a jam you did a great job
pschichtel
pschichtel7 Oct 2025, 13:46
I like that you went a little meta. Why did you opt out of theme? I would have given 10/10.
Artalasky
Artalasky7 Oct 2025, 13:55
I like the idea, but it's really hard to control the character and navigate corridors. It would be great to have grid-based movement.
JoaoG
JoaoGauthor8 Oct 2025, 01:43
@pschichtel That's a great question, I don't really know either! The only category I didn't opt-in for evaluation was the audio, but thank you for the positive feedback anyway!
JoaoG
JoaoGauthor8 Oct 2025, 01:46
I just corrected the mistake with the evaluation categories, haha, I'm truly not sure what went wrong. @pschichtel
JoaoG
JoaoGauthor8 Oct 2025, 03:30
@beebster-games, @artalasky Thanks for the feedback! I admit the controls definitely needed more polish, but it was truly the best I could do. The player's movement is really clunky (intentionally) 😅😂
GuyInGrey
GuyInGrey8 Oct 2025, 04:19
This is a really fun concept and indeed very meta. I also agree the character controls need a bit of work (e.g. using a circle collider instead of the square it appears to be). I was at times frustrated at something that would spawn, I'd immediately go straight for it, but it'd despawn right before I got to it. This happened quite often. I did enjoy playing though! Nice work, and I'm glad you balanced your life and didn't give up taking care of yourself. Bravo
blatalzar
blatalzar8 Oct 2025, 06:42
The controls feels a bit frustrating, but the game is easily understandable and works quite well!
YurisCat
YurisCat8 Oct 2025, 15:23
Hahahaha this is so funny, I hope he is well, thank you for such a funny work
GonulGaye
GonulGaye9 Oct 2025, 14:42
To be honest, I didn't understand it at first, but then I figured it out easily. It's acually a really cute game.

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