RTFM
A downloadable prototype for Windows and macOS
Solve puzzles and stay one step ahead of [redacted] in this co-op tech support simulator. One player, the Troubleshooter, uses the User Manual to troubleshoot for the Terminal Operator, who must convey what’s on the screen. Players must work together — or not — in this atmospheric game of trust and communication.
To get the best experience, we recommend that whoever plays the Troubleshooter have their back to the Terminal Operator's screen if playing in person, or if playing on a call, have the streaming/call window minimised. The Terminal Operator shouldn't be able to see your print-out or PDF, either.
Download
Install instructions
Both game components are required to solve the puzzles. The User Manual is bundled into the .zip file:
- Mac - Same folder as the Application.
- Windows - Inside the RTFM_Data folder.
- Download separately from this same page.
Share (or even better, print) the manual for another player to use. The game can be played single player, but it's more fun with a friend!
Comments
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I think there is a very frustrating, game-breaking bug on mac. We got to a point where it showed 7 shapes in a row onscreen, and there were 3 more off-screen to the right. The first two were not selectable, and the ones that were selectable were selected out of order. They were rearrangeable, like section 2. There were duplicates of the same shape. Couldn't find an input that worked.
The malware input also didn't work, so I don't think it was the ending. It was very frustrating, since the nature of the game makes it unclear if this was an intentional "glitch" or a real bug, so we banged our collective head against the wall for a long time and eventually gave up. I retried on windows and had no issues, so I don't think it was intentional. Has anyone else encountered this?
Does anyone know similar games? Either online or physical (printed maybe)
Tin Can has a similar mode where you have to ask friends what error codes mean as your escape pod is destroying itself.
Thanks!
Haven’t played it yet but looking at the blurb, the whole schtick sounds similar to Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes (steam) and Defusal (Roblox).
"Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes" was the flagship title of this genre some years back.
Hey, I’m not sure whether I got the right ending? I tried entering override butterfly but I just got a syntax error. divingbomb is the only thing that worked/I found out. idk whether it’s relevant, but I used a german keyboard layout.
Anyways, I already liked what I saw up until now, but wish I could’ve gotten more of the lore :3
also would be very fun as a boardgame
someone explain lore pls
any plans to build a native version for linux gamers?
the logo looks like the steam deck one, still cool
bro why only 32 bit for windows
wait your the devs of mini metro??
We sure are :)
just wasn't expecting such a shift in ambience! really cool game though. it seems you take making games pretty seriously :)
ts
no Linux :(. But that makes sense, because there is nothing to troubleshoot. ;)~
This was enjoyable. Thank you
Thanks for checking it out! <3
Pretty cool vibe, might have been a bit boring for my troubleshooter but idk
you should have a paperback copy of the manual available for sale
We NEED mobile version
You might wanna make a APK so you can Make alot of Downloads.
early gamer on this game (2026-04-07)
yea it looks really fun but i got an anti-virus warning when i tried to launch i so im a little worried but its never stopped me before
relax smartsrceen is just lying to you
if the game is not signed it will ask if you want to launch or not does it say any thing about that?
why are there no comments on this page, has me suspect
New to itch! All of the hype has been on our bluesky/twitter/insta :)