The game Jono offers a peculiar twist on the platforming genre, limiting play to one person at a time with an extensive queue system. Upon launching the game, players are presented with the current gameplay and the option to join a queue. Each player's turn is restricted to one minute or five deaths, whichever concludes first. After a player's turn concludes, control is passed to the next person in line.
As a platformer, Jono is straightforward, featuring a character that can jump and double jump. The objective typically involves reaching a door within the level, navigating hazards like red spikes, portals, ice floors, and collectible keys. The game boasts a massive scale, with a stated goal of one million rooms. Currently, the community has progressed through over 100,000 rooms.
Despite initial concerns about generative AI, Jono's levels are a combination of procedurally generated stages following predefined patterns and player-created levels that have undergone developer review. More challenging player-made levels are reserved for a separate mode known as the Meat Grinder.
The communal aspect of Jono is central to its appeal. A chat window allows players to communicate while observing the game, and stat trackers display information such as total rooms completed and number of deaths. Players can earn cosmetic items like hats and unique tombstones through gameplay. Mini-games, such as "Don't press the button" and a mouse-catching game, are available to occupy players while they wait.
This focus on community transforms what could be a simple platformer into an engaging experience. Jono can be left running in the background, allowing players to passively observe, engage more actively as their turn approaches, and then face a tense minute of gameplay. While not a game for extended active play sessions, its unique setup keeps it a constant, albeit often distracting, presence.
Jono is a free-to-play title available on Steam with no in-game monetization. The author notes a potential drawback of writing about the game: increased interest could lead to longer wait times in the queue. Currently, queues typically hover in the low hundreds during peak hours, with players often completing only one minute of gameplay per hour due to dropouts and quick deaths. The author concludes that while individual players may not become stars, their failures contribute to the collective progress toward completing the game's millionth level.