The Agonizing Wait: Understanding the 10-Minute Stare in Undertale’s Genocide Route

The “10-minute wait” in Undertale occurs specifically during the Genocide Route, triggered after the player has systematically eliminated all monsters in the Underground and then, in the final confrontation, defeats Sans. Upon booting up the game after this ending, the player is met with a black screen and an unsettling ambient sound of howling wind. This is not a glitch; it’s a deliberate design choice by Toby Fox to force the player to confront the gravity of their actions. After a real-time wait of 10 minutes, Chara, the first fallen human, appears and engages in a dialogue with the player, addressing the destruction they have wrought and questioning their motives. This waiting period serves as a psychological tool, amplifying the sense of unease and guilt associated with completing the Genocide Route.

Why the Wait? The Psychology of Pacelessness

The 10-minute wait is not merely a punitive measure. It’s a carefully constructed narrative element designed to:

• Force Contemplation: The silence and emptiness of the black screen create a void that compels the player to reflect on their choices and the consequences of their actions. There’s nothing to do but think about what you’ve done.

• Break Immersion: The game intentionally breaks the flow of gameplay, reminding the player that they are participating in a virtual world where their actions have simulated consequences.

• Amplify Chara’s Message: By making the player wait, the arrival of Chara becomes more impactful. The player is essentially held in suspense, heightening the emotional weight of their dialogue and the decisions they present.

• Reinforce Consequences: The lack of immediate gratification or resolution underscores the fact that actions have lasting effects. The game world is irrevocably changed, and the player must confront that reality.

The Encounter with Chara

Once the 10 minutes have elapsed, Chara appears. They are not presented as a monstrous villain but as a figure commenting on the player’s actions. They acknowledge that the player’s actions led to the eradication of the world. Chara offers the player a choice: “ERASE” the world or “DO NOT.” Regardless of the player’s choice, the game world is destroyed.

If the player chooses to “ERASE,” Chara praises them as a “great partner.” If the player chooses “DO NOT,” a jumpscare occurs before the screen cuts to black. Either way, the game closes.

The Aftermath

After this encounter, the game is permanently altered. When the player restarts, they are confronted with the same black screen and must wait another 10 minutes before being offered a “compromise” by Chara: to bring the world back in exchange for the player’s SOUL. If the player agrees, the game appears to reset, but the ending of subsequent playthroughs, particularly the True Pacifist ending, will be corrupted, leading to the “Soulless Pacifist” ending, which is arguably more disturbing than the Genocide Route itself.

The Ethical and Narrative Impact

The 10-minute wait, and the Genocide Route as a whole, is a powerful example of narrative game design. It forces players to confront the ethical implications of their choices within the game world and consider the nature of violence, power, and responsibility. It’s a bold decision by Toby Fox that challenges the conventions of traditional video game storytelling.

This element of game design opens up avenues for exploring crucial themes, making Undertale a subject of academic study. To gain further insights into how games can be leveraged for education, explore the resources offered by the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.

Undertale Wait Time FAQs

How long do you have to wait for Chara to come back in Undertale?

You must wait 10 minutes in real-time on a black screen, listening to unsettling wind sounds. The game doesn’t progress until the wait time is over.

How long do I have to wait after Chara kills me in Undertale?

Again, after the encounter with Chara concludes in the Genocide Route, you’ll need to wait 10 minutes on a black screen upon relaunching the game before they offer you a compromise.

How long do you have to wait after Genocide in Undertale?

Following the completion of the Genocide Route and the game closing, you will have to wait a real-time 10 minutes on a black screen upon reloading the game before Chara presents you with a choice.

What is the point of the 10-minute wait?

The 10-minute wait in Undertale is a deliberate design choice to force the player to confront the consequences of their actions in the Genocide Route. It is a psychological tool designed to induce reflection, break immersion, and amplify the impact of Chara’s message.

Can I skip the 10-minute wait?

No, the 10-minute wait is a hard-coded part of the game and cannot be skipped through normal means. The game is specifically designed to prevent you from progressing until the time has elapsed.

Does the 10-minute wait happen on all platforms?

Yes, the 10-minute wait occurs on all platforms where Undertale is available, including PC, Mac, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox.

What happens if I disconnect my internet during the 10-minute wait?

Disconnecting from the internet does not affect the 10-minute wait. The timer is based on the system’s internal clock, not an online connection.

Does the 10-minute wait still occur if I only did a partial Genocide Route?

No, the 10-minute wait only occurs if you complete the full Genocide Route, which involves systematically killing every monster in every area of the Underground.

What if I change my computer’s system clock to skip the wait?

Changing your computer’s system clock might work, but it’s not guaranteed. The game may detect the discrepancy and prevent you from progressing. It is not advised.

Is there a difference in the dialogue based on whether I choose “Erase” or “Do Not” after the wait?

Yes, but the end result is ultimately the same. If you choose to “ERASE,” Chara calls you a “great partner.” If you choose “DO NOT,” there is a jumpscare before the screen cuts to black. The end result is still the same, as the world is destroyed.

Can the Genocide Route be undone?

No, completing the Genocide Route has permanent consequences on your save file. Even after “resetting,” subsequent playthroughs, particularly the True Pacifist ending, will be altered, leading to the “Soulless Pacifist” ending.

Is the Genocide Route necessary to understand the whole story of Undertale?

While the Genocide Route provides additional context and deepens the understanding of certain characters, particularly Chara, it is not strictly necessary to understand the core themes and messages of Undertale. Many players prefer to experience the Neutral and Pacifist routes first.

Why is Chara the one who speaks to you after the Genocide Route?

Chara is the first human to fall into the Underground. The Genocide Route’s power and determination awakens them and gives them control.

How does the Genocide Route affect the True Pacifist ending?

Completing the Genocide Route corrupts the True Pacifist ending, resulting in the “Soulless Pacifist” ending. In this ending, the characters you befriended are shown together in a photo, but Chara replaces everyone’s faces with theirs, suggesting they will eventually kill them all.

Is there a way to truly redeem my game after doing the Genocide Route?

There is no definitive way to fully restore the game to its original state after completing the Genocide Route. Even after deleting the save file, some remnants of the Genocide Route may persist. Some fans believe a lengthy period of time passing in real life before another playthrough can alleviate some of the effects, but this is purely speculative.