Project Overview
Introduction
Pressed is a life simulator and narrative adventure about job hunting. Created for TOjam 2026, I developed the game on my own with assistance from art and audio volunteers.
In Pressed, players must complete daily tasks, represented through short button-press minigames, with the ultimate goal of finding a job in 100 days or less. Stress accumulates over time and, if not managed properly, can lead to burnout, forcing the player to take time off to recover.
Project Details
Timeline: 4 Weeks | Engine: RPG Maker MZ | Platform: Browser
Design Process
Conceptualization
The theme of TOjam 2026 was to mash up any two previous themes. I chose "The more you have, the worse it gets" and "Once more, with feeling" to create a life simulator that captured the following experiences:
1. Feeling overwhelmed by a lengthy list of responsibilities
2. Stressing over not having enough time to complete tasks
3. Burnout that occurs when failing to manage stress
Inspired by personal experience, I decided the player's main objective would be to find a job while completing an endless list of errands and chores within a limited time frame.
Implementation
Minigames
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Successes
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Post-Mortem
Shortcomings
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Highlights
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Takeaways
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