Move using the faint crosshair that marks your current position; do not chase the bright dot as though it were live. The displayed signal lags by 0.2 seconds at first and reaches 0.5 seconds by the seventh second. During a 3.5-second synchronization window, the lag disappears and every catch is worth double, making that short window especially valuable.
Play, controls and objective
Play HALF-BEAT free in your browser. It was published by irobot-halfbeat on October 8, 2026 at 19:29 UTC and updated October 23 at 23:28 UTC. It is entered in 20 Second Game Jam 2026. The developer describes a 20-second catch challenge, rather than a campaign with a published ending or required completion score.
The supported inputs are mouse and touch. The faint cross shows where you are now; the bright dot shows an older signal. The game intentionally separates your present input from the feedback you see.
A useful 20-second plan
- Opening moments: Move a short distance and compare the faint cross with the delayed bright dot. The initial 0.2-second gap is your chance to learn the relationship.
- Up to second seven: The delay grows toward 0.5 seconds. Instead of zigzagging after each visible dot movement, position the current cross slightly ahead of where you want the signal to go and allow for the lag.
- Mid-run sync: For 3.5 seconds, the developer says your signal is synchronized and each catch counts twice. Stop compensating for delay while the controls are immediate; aim directly.
- After sync: The lag returns. Recheck the difference between the cross and the dot before making large corrections.
- At 20 seconds: Review whether you overcorrected during lag or failed to exploit the synchronized interval, then adjust one habit on your next attempt.
Leading the signal and avoiding frantic reversals are reasoned tactics, not a tested guaranteed route. The official description does not publish target sequences or a perfect-score method.
Troubleshooting
| What you notice | What it means for your next move |
|---|---|
| Bright dot trails your input | It represents the past; follow the faint cross for your current position |
| You keep reversing direction | Check whether you are chasing delayed feedback rather than steering deliberately |
| Timing feels worse near seven seconds | The delay has grown from 0.2 toward 0.5 seconds |
| Movement suddenly feels direct | You may be in the 3.5-second sync; catches score double |
| Direct aiming stops working afterward | The delayed phase has returned; lead the signal again |
FAQ
Which marker is current? The faint cross. Is the lag always half a second? No: it begins at 0.2 seconds, grows to 0.5 by second seven, and temporarily vanishes during sync. Exactly when does sync begin? The developer says mid-run and specifies 3.5 seconds, but not an exact starting timestamp. What is the highest score? No verified maximum or exact catch tolerance was established here.
Bottom line and sources
Lead the delayed signal, then switch to direct aiming when double-scoring sync begins. The trick is that following what you see can leave you behind.
Sources: official HALF-BEAT description and update; 20 Second Game Jam 2026. Checked October 25, 2026 JST. No hands-on completed run, fixed catch order, or measured social-media growth is claimed.
