Good Boy

A quiet game about five whistles and one good boy.

You stand at the gate. The dog works the flock. Four short levels carry one full year — spring to winter — and it ends quietly. No score, no timer, no Game Over.

Controls

Real shepherds command their dogs over distance with a handful of short whistles. Same here — tiny bandwidth, precise meaning.

• ← / A — Come Bye — dog orbits clockwise around the flock
• → / D — Away — dog orbits counter-clockwise around the flock
• ↑ / W — Walk Up — dog advances on the flock (applies pressure)
• ↓ / S — Stand — dog stops, releases pressure
• ↓ / S while stopped — That’ll Do — dog comes home

Whistles latch until you change them. HUD pills click too, if you’re on touch.

The idea

• Indirect control is the joy. Five whistles; the dog interprets.
• Never lose, only linger. Sheep can’t die or escape.
• The shepherd is still. He watches from the gate.

Scottish Borders, present day. A small hill farm at the foot of a fell.

Credits

Made solo in 48 hours for Ludum Dare 59 Compo — theme: Signal.
Author: Christoph Dietze