Theory on how to solve the countdown/confusion ending

[abinmorth]

Maybe there is a way to use the mind controls against the narrator and forcing him to stop the countdown? In the confusion ending the schedule doesn't continue because the narrator doesn't want it to continue notice how the narrator does all the decisions in the path that leads there. But if we can use the machine we can force hm to restart and continue on the schedule.

[tloyc2017]

You cannot stop the bomb.

At all.

That's the ending. Believe me, I've tried.

[Minoris]

It's been confirmed by the dev somewhere that you can't as well, so if it's not coded in you can try all you want, but...

[abinmorth]

well yea its very likely that its impossible to solve :(

there are still some things in the countdown room i want to figure out
- how do you activate the failsafe? i think i have seen it activating in some youtube vids but didn't manage to activate it myself
- there is a lot of text on the big screen in the room with the on and off button
(program code, some random numbers and letters and a sentence)
unfortunately even with zooming in i am unable to read anything on that screen

i know these things won't help to solve the countdown but i am still curious what the text says :)

[Talon]

The purpose of the Countdown ending is it to be hopeless. All those buttons and objects that you can interact with? All red herrings. As the Narrator EXPLICTLY tells you. The game (or I should say, the ending) can not be won or solved. There is no puzzle... just you dieing and restarting back at the beginning. Heck... he even mocks you for going back and trying again.

[Zesc]

EXPLICTLY tells you? In a game like this, where the narrator spoilers often you couldnt know if he maens it like he says... for example when you go to the <--escape sign befor you enter the facility, at you first time you cant know if he really mean it.

[Crooked_Mantis]

On my first run I didn't try anything. I totally believed him, until he mentioned, "Just look at you running around from button to button, screen to screen, clicking on every little thing in this room..." That was when I realized he intended me to push those buttons this whole time.