While You Were Away

A taskbar idle game

While You Were Away is a PC idle game about Nib, a small critter who lives in the corner of your screen and plays a digging game called Down Below on a handheld called the Pocket. You set a Plan of up to three lines for what Nib should do, tap to dig when you want, then get on with your day. While you’re away, Nib keeps playing.

When you return, Nib gives you a record of what happened: dirt dug, things found, naps taken, a score, and a crayon drawing of you. Short breaks get a sticky note; after 30 minutes or more, you get a report card with grades. Reports are numbered, tally marks track your returns, and a binder holds them for rereading.