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synapticsugar.games
Synaptic Sugar
@synapticsugar.games
1.2K followers 15 following 110 posts
We're a small indie dev team aiming to make humorous, whimsical, imaginative games that can be enjoyed by most ages.

Our first game is #AgentsOfGroove, a story-driven rhythm game in development for Playdate.

Find out more at https://synapticsugar.games
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synapticsugar.games
Synaptic Sugar @synapticsugar.games · 10d
New trailer for #AgentsOfGroove on #playdate! 🪩 🕺

vimeo.com/1121610427

We're aiming to launch on itch.io before the end of the year, with a Catalog release soon after!

Learn more about this story-driven rhythm action game at synapticsugar.games/games/agents...!

#gamedev #indiedev #TrailerTuesday
Reposted by Synaptic Sugar
eternalskiestcg.bsky.social
Random person who plays indie games, you are the most important cog in an indie game's success.

Most gamers don't know or care that indies exist.... unless a friend tells them.

Our games succeed because you tell other people you liked our game. Word of mouth is the best marketing there is.
November 14, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Reposted by Synaptic Sugar
synapticsugar.games
We don't use generative AI and have gone to some lengths to find collaborators who don't. Focusing on the human element is an important part of our work and "made by humans" has become part of our motto!
writnelson.bsky.social Xalavier Nelson Jr. @writnelson.bsky.social · 3d
We don’t use generative AI at Strange Scaffold and I can confirm that a *lot* of other studios are not—whether indie or AAA.

Get outta here with this normalization bullshit.
automatonwest.bsky.social AUTOMATON WEST @automatonwest.bsky.social · 3d
“It’s important to assume every game company is now using AI.” Nexon CEO comments on role of human creativity as AI tools become the norm
automaton-media.com/en/news/its-...
November 12, 2025 at 3:47 AM
synapticsugar.games
We don't use generative AI and have gone to some lengths to find collaborators who don't. Focusing on the human element is an important part of our work and "made by humans" has become part of our motto!
writnelson.bsky.social Xalavier Nelson Jr. @writnelson.bsky.social · 3d
We don’t use generative AI at Strange Scaffold and I can confirm that a *lot* of other studios are not—whether indie or AAA.

Get outta here with this normalization bullshit.
automatonwest.bsky.social AUTOMATON WEST @automatonwest.bsky.social · 3d
“It’s important to assume every game company is now using AI.” Nexon CEO comments on role of human creativity as AI tools become the norm
automaton-media.com/en/news/its-...
November 12, 2025 at 3:47 AM
Reposted by Synaptic Sugar
duckvalentine.bsky.social
credits that include the names of everyone who worked on the game at any point
November 11, 2025 at 4:32 AM
Reposted by Synaptic Sugar
synapticsugar.games
In case you missed it, we recently released a new trailer for #AgentsOfGroove, and announced our goal to launch before the end of 2025!

#gamedev #indiedev #playdate #ScreenshotSaturday
synapticsugar.games Synaptic Sugar @synapticsugar.games · 10d
New trailer for #AgentsOfGroove on #playdate! 🪩 🕺

vimeo.com/1121610427

We're aiming to launch on itch.io before the end of the year, with a Catalog release soon after!

Learn more about this story-driven rhythm action game at synapticsugar.games/games/agents...!

#gamedev #indiedev #TrailerTuesday
November 8, 2025 at 10:48 PM
synapticsugar.games
In case you missed it, we recently released a new trailer for #AgentsOfGroove, and announced our goal to launch before the end of 2025!

#gamedev #indiedev #playdate #ScreenshotSaturday
synapticsugar.games Synaptic Sugar @synapticsugar.games · 10d
New trailer for #AgentsOfGroove on #playdate! 🪩 🕺

vimeo.com/1121610427

We're aiming to launch on itch.io before the end of the year, with a Catalog release soon after!

Learn more about this story-driven rhythm action game at synapticsugar.games/games/agents...!

#gamedev #indiedev #TrailerTuesday
November 8, 2025 at 10:48 PM
Reposted by Synaptic Sugar
synapticsugar.games
New trailer for #AgentsOfGroove on #playdate! 🪩 🕺

vimeo.com/1121610427

We're aiming to launch on itch.io before the end of the year, with a Catalog release soon after!

Learn more about this story-driven rhythm action game at synapticsugar.games/games/agents...!

#gamedev #indiedev #TrailerTuesday
November 4, 2025 at 7:50 PM
synapticsugar.games
New trailer for #AgentsOfGroove on #playdate! 🪩 🕺

vimeo.com/1121610427

We're aiming to launch on itch.io before the end of the year, with a Catalog release soon after!

Learn more about this story-driven rhythm action game at synapticsugar.games/games/agents...!

#gamedev #indiedev #TrailerTuesday
November 4, 2025 at 7:50 PM
Reposted by Synaptic Sugar
synapticsugar.games
Watch the Uncrank'd Pumpkin Patch & Play Showcase in only a few hours and you'll see a new trailer for our spy rhythm action game #AgentsOfGroove! 🕺

📅 - November 1st!
🕘 - 9 AM US Pacific / 🕛 - 12 PM US Eastern time
🪩 - youtu.be/G3HWYy5uM1o

(Agents of Groove is coming soon to a #playdate near you!)
uncrankdpd.bsky.social UncrankdPD @uncrankdpd.bsky.social · 14d
WHAT A DAY! Bugs and an ongoing power outage didn't stop the Uncrank'd Pumpkin Patch + Play Showcase!
Updated link: youtu.be/G3HWYy5uM1o
Nov. 1st at 12pm US EST/9am US PST.
13 #Playdate trailers packed into 40 minutes
Join the live chat. Hope to see you there.
#supportplaydatedevs
November 1, 2025 at 3:23 AM
synapticsugar.games
Watch the Uncrank'd Pumpkin Patch & Play Showcase in only a few hours and you'll see a new trailer for our spy rhythm action game #AgentsOfGroove! 🕺

📅 - November 1st!
🕘 - 9 AM US Pacific / 🕛 - 12 PM US Eastern time
🪩 - youtu.be/G3HWYy5uM1o

(Agents of Groove is coming soon to a #playdate near you!)
uncrankdpd.bsky.social UncrankdPD @uncrankdpd.bsky.social · 14d
WHAT A DAY! Bugs and an ongoing power outage didn't stop the Uncrank'd Pumpkin Patch + Play Showcase!
Updated link: youtu.be/G3HWYy5uM1o
Nov. 1st at 12pm US EST/9am US PST.
13 #Playdate trailers packed into 40 minutes
Join the live chat. Hope to see you there.
#supportplaydatedevs
November 1, 2025 at 3:23 AM
Reposted by Synaptic Sugar
play.date
The Catalog Fall Sale is back, bigger than ever, and it starts… NOW! ⚡

🛍️ Over 200+ games on sale
📅 October 30, 10 AM PT - November 13, 10 AM PT
⬇️ play.date/games
Catalog Fall Sale; October 30, 10 AM – November 13, 10 AM PT. 200+ games on sale.
October 30, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Reposted by Synaptic Sugar
synapticsugar.games
Thank you for joining us on this series about the main characters of #AgentsOfGroove! Our story-driven rhythm action game is coming to #playdate soon, and we'll have many more updates shortly! 🕺 🪩

synapticsugar.games/games/agents...

#gamedev #indiedev
Agents of Groove
Agents of Groove is a story-driven rhythm action game for the Playdate console with a dynamic original soundtrack and a fun cast of characters.
synapticsugar.games
October 25, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Reposted by Synaptic Sugar
synapticsugar.games
What folk dare to whisper under cover of darkness about Angus Weathervane is steeped in mystery and rumors. Surely those tales of pirates controlling the seas with an army of birds at their command cannot be true? Find out in #AgentsOfGroove!

#gamedev #indiedev #playdate #ScreenshotSaturday
A 1-bit screenshot from the game Agents of Groove. A portrait of a pirate wearing a big hat and a thick black beard is on the right side, over a name tag that says "Angus Weathervane". A bird, likely a seagull from the looks of it, sits on the pirate's shoulder, and appears to wear a tiny bandana above its eyes. Both the pirate and the bird have their mouth open as if shouting angrily. A text box on the left side says "Captain Weathervane for th'likes o' ye!" above an icon representing the A button. The whole thing is over a background that looks like a folder complete with a paperclip in the corner, a coffee mug stain and a stamp partially visible that says "Top Secret".
October 18, 2025 at 9:55 PM
synapticsugar.games
Everyone who worked on a video game needs to be in the credits!
aftermath.site Aftermath @aftermath.site · 24d
Everyone who worked on a video game needs to be in the credits:

aftermath.site/video-game-cre...
October 22, 2025 at 1:10 AM
Reposted by Synaptic Sugar
synapticsugar.games
One of the younger #AgentsOfGroove, who often teases Daley for relying on time-tested methods, Paul Hanover may not be the sharpest tool in the shed but is nevertheless an invaluable ally and a skilled tinkerer with H.Y.P.E. equipment in the field!

#playdate #gamedev #indiedev #ScreenshotSaturday
A portrait, on the right side, of a man with long straight hair and a thick horseshoe moustache, wearing a bandana and smiling with his mouth slightly open, over a name tag that says "Paul Hanover". A text box, on the left side, says "Oh, right on, that explains why I can't remember anything! Or I think it does?" above an icon representing the A button.
October 11, 2025 at 10:19 PM
Reposted by Synaptic Sugar
synapticsugar.games
What is this robot after, and how is it connected to the G.R.O.O.V.E. case? A case more unsettling at every step, like a tall tale told by an excitable sailor in exchange for the promise of more attention. Find out in #AgentsOfGroove!

#playdate #gamedev #indiedev #ScreenshotSaturday
October 4, 2025 at 11:51 PM
Reposted by Synaptic Sugar
play.date
3️⃣ OUT TODAY: Playdate system update 3.0. Now with Folders, and a new Game Library app. Organize your games, your way.

⬇️ Get it: Playdate > Settings > System > System Update

🔡 Read more about it: help.play.date/manual/3.0/
October 2, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Reposted by Synaptic Sugar
synapticsugar.games
Melody Handler, information expert on the #AgentsOfGroove team, works behind the scenes planning missions, accessing remote systems, and guiding the agents. Often Daley's last defense against danger, she just as often has to save him from himself.

#gamedev #indiedev #playdate #ScreenshotSaturday
A portrait of a smiling woman wearing stylish glasses, large hoop earrings, and a black turtleneck is on the right side. A text card is on the left side, with the text: "As such, you won't generally see me in the field much, but you'll certainly hear from me!", and an icon representing the A button lies underneath it.
September 27, 2025 at 4:41 AM
Reposted by Synaptic Sugar
uncrankdpd.bsky.social
The clock is ticking! Don't miss the deadline to submit your trailer by October 7th for the upcoming Autumn #Playdate Community Direct on November 1st.
forms.gle/1LGaTVp1Mw3R...

Make sure to spread the word and get those submissions in!
September 30, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Reposted by Synaptic Sugar
synapticsugar.games
It's not too late to get into #playdate, in fact now may be the best time!

Thanks @mattkamen.bsky.social and WIRED for interviewing us for this piece!
September 28, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Reposted by Synaptic Sugar
mattkamen.bsky.social
My deep dive retrospective on @play.date at three years old, over @wired.com - from getting started to the current development scene of this quirky handheld!

Thanks to developers @synapticsugar.games, @raphcal.bsky.social, and @loudo.lugludum.com for their contributions!
September 29, 2025 at 2:25 PM
synapticsugar.games
It's not too late to get into #playdate, in fact now may be the best time!

Thanks @mattkamen.bsky.social and WIRED for interviewing us for this piece!
September 28, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Reposted by Synaptic Sugar
synapticsugar.games
Let's start a series about the characters of #AgentsOfGroove! And who best to start with than Daley Bellbottoms, legendary undercover dancer and Rhythm wrangler of secret organization G.R.O.O.V.E.? 🪩

#gamedev #indiedev #playdate #ScreenshotSaturday #pixelart #1bit
A portrait of Daley Bellbottoms, a friendly-looking man with a big head of curly hair, glasses and thick sideburns and mustache. Some chest hair pokes through the open collar of his shirt. A dialog card on the right side of the portrait reads: I've been doing this for a long time, with Mel's help of course!
September 21, 2025 at 1:49 AM
synapticsugar.games
Let's start a series about the characters of #AgentsOfGroove! And who best to start with than Daley Bellbottoms, legendary undercover dancer and Rhythm wrangler of secret organization G.R.O.O.V.E.? 🪩

#gamedev #indiedev #playdate #ScreenshotSaturday #pixelart #1bit
A portrait of Daley Bellbottoms, a friendly-looking man with a big head of curly hair, glasses and thick sideburns and mustache. Some chest hair pokes through the open collar of his shirt. A dialog card on the right side of the portrait reads: I've been doing this for a long time, with Mel's help of course!
September 21, 2025 at 1:49 AM
Reposted by Synaptic Sugar
synapticsugar.games
You've seen how the art for #playdate game #AgentsOfGroove evolved over time, but how did the game levels come together?

We made a simple visual editor to make the process a lot easier, especially for long levels like this one. This is what it looks like!

#gamedev #indiedev #ScreenshotSaturday
A level editor screenshot showing the title "Synaptic Sugar Level Editor - doc01Level" at the very top. Right below the title and the program's menu bar, a rendered view of the art from the Docks level of Agents of Groove covers the full width and about a third of the image. This view shows the same spot we showed in previous posts, with 1-bit pixel art of the loading docks, crates, barrels and oil drums scattered around in a messy arrangement, broken glass and a hole in the ground surrounded by construction cones. A guard is in the top middle, with his back turned. Below the rendered view, the image is split in three sections: the leftmost area shows a list of collapsible UI elements referencing the objects in the rendered view. One element is expanded and shows four sub-fields: name, position, type, layer, with associated values. A delete button is also visible for this entry. The middle portion contains a grid with individual sprites and their internal names ("docksCrate", "docksBottle3", and several others). The rightmost area is empty and only contains two buttons that say "collapse all" and "expand all". Horizontal or vertical scroll bars in all sections imply that there's a lot more to scroll through.
September 14, 2025 at 12:03 AM