iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

*to allow *using* AI. Darn typos.

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(This is why I'm so annoyed at @panic.com still allowing AI code in #Playdate Catalog games, btw. Like, is that really their stance? That the visual style of @play.date is too important to allow use AI, but when it's "just code" that's just fine? Too many people share this view. It's infuriating.)

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Hear, hear! I know too many engineers, designers, testers, etc. who have been laid off in the last couple years because management thought they could do more with less thanks to AI. Fuck that. It's not enough to say "no AI art" any more.

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NickZ2112 @nickz2112.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Any chance of Catalog policy getting updated to prohibit genAI code as well? Allowing AI code while prohibiting AI creative assets is kind of a half-measure that isn't really fair.

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Reposted by Jon Simantov

Way too late to the party… but Season 3 inspired me to look back at my #Playdate library and holy crap is Cranky Cove phenomenal Such a great core concept, executed perfectly and then thoroughly explored and rung out for every drop of fun. It’s a 10/10 Masterpiece

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Jon Simantov @jonsimantov.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Flash sale! Cranky Cove is 50% off in #Playdate Catalog for the next 12 hours (or so)! play.date/games/cranky...

play.date

Cranky Cove for Playdate

Spin, craft, serve, and grow a thriving town!

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Jon Simantov @jonsimantov.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

I can imagine! I'm gonna reach out on Discord and pick your brain, if that's okay?

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Jon Simantov @jonsimantov.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

So, #Playdate devs that have ported games to PC/Steam, sound off! How was the experience? Are you happy you did it? I've been wanting to bring Cranky Cove to PC, but I'm not sure if it's worth the effort. I'm not expecting huge sales or anything, but it would be nice to have more people play it. 🤔

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Jon Simantov @jonsimantov.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

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Creature From The Zach Lagoon @emo-sludge.com · 29/07/2026

Hi #Playdate Community! Me and some other devs have put together a new unofficial server for people developing for the playdate device. No minimum skill level required. The server is dedicated to human creativity (no AI) so come by Playdate Café if that sounds like your vibe: discord.gg/ppqeURy9m

discord.gg

Join the Playdate Café Discord Server!

A place for humans to discuss, help each other, and share cool stuff around Playdate development. | 15 members

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Jon Simantov @jonsimantov.bsky.social · 13/06/2026

I made one as well! Beta test link: www.hankgreen.com/fourbythree#...

hankgreen.com

4 × 3

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Jon Simantov @jonsimantov.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

Thank YOU for all you've done for the community! Best of luck with what's next.

J from 3 Minute board games @3mbg.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

Reposted by Jon Simantov

Some fundy christian who believes exorcisms and possessions are real refused to let this game advertise on BGG. So here is a free ad for the game. Here's hoping it's the last BGG ad rejected by them and that their future endeavors are elsewhere. gamefound.com/en/projects/...

gamefound.com

Possess Me, Satan by Falling Whale Games - Gamefound

The chaotically fun social deduction game where even your host, Satan, has a role.

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Alanna Smith @alannamode.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

Hard to read major publications when the only article genres are like: - "Is this criminal thing that harms the world bad? We asked the guy doing it" - "Bigotry is warranted if I'm upset about life" - "Stop being poor so loud" and - "What Does It Mean: Debating horrible thing he said very clearly"

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New Cranky Cove update! I've added a feature to help you remember how to craft everything: an in-game recipe list! You can page through multiple screens with the d-pad, and highlight each customer to see how to craft the item they want. Only on #Playdate Catalog! play.date/g/cc

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A lot of folks (including @helloplaydate.bsky.social) have asked for the ability to quickly page through long recipe lists (sometimes 10+ pages) on later levels. Thanks for the suggestion! Hopefully this feature also makes it easier to get back into the game after a break!

Plus, right now it's on sale for 20% off! And there's a free demo too: jonsimantov.itch.io/cranky-cove

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Jon Simantov @jonsimantov.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

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Surprisingly emotional about the launch. It's been a time.

Jon Simantov @jonsimantov.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

I found that downsampling the music tracks to mono 22050 Hz (or even 18000 Hz in some cases) before encoding to ADPCM helps keep the size not QUITE as bad...

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Jon Simantov @jonsimantov.bsky.social · 14/03/2026

I watched the live stream with some non-Playdate friends and they were like "oh wow, we didn't know there were so many cool #Playdate games!" and I was like "that's what I have been trying to tell you this whole time!"

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Jon Simantov @jonsimantov.bsky.social · 14/03/2026

I'm sad I didn't win any awards, but still incredibly proud and happy to have been nominated. Congratulations to all the winners! I love the #Playdate development community and am excited to see (and be a part of) what comes next!

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Jon Simantov @jonsimantov.bsky.social · 13/03/2026

Big #Playdate news: #helloyellow now lets you share your Playdate Achievements on the web! Check mine out at helloyellow.app/ach/hy486349. If you've got a @play.date, grab the free version (helloyellow.app/itch) and post your own! For more info about Playdate Achievements, visit bit.ly/pd-ach!

helloyellow.app

helloyellow: View Playdate Achievements

View a helloyellow user's Playdate Achievements!

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Jon Simantov @jonsimantov.bsky.social · 11/03/2026

If you *did* buy a Playdate at GDC and didn't get a Cranky Cove promo code, message me and I'll hook you up!

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Jon Simantov @jonsimantov.bsky.social · 09/03/2026

At last year's #GDC, there was a huge pro-unionization rally put on by @videogameworkers.bsky.social in Yerba Buena Park. This year, GDC has taken over the park and has asserted control over it. Coincidence??? 🤔

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Jon Simantov @jonsimantov.bsky.social · 09/03/2026

Just for fun, the next few people to buy a #Playdate at GDC will get a little bonus: a Cranky Cove button and promo code!

A small pile of buttons with black-and-white character art from Cranky Cove next to a stack of Playdate cases.

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Jon Simantov @jonsimantov.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

I'm nominated for four awards! Three for Cranky Cove and one for helloyellow. I have no idea if I will actually win, but I will definitely be watching the awards on March 14th. And trying not to obsess about it between now and then. 🫠

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Jon Simantov @jonsimantov.bsky.social · 28/02/2026

I have no words. Cranky Cove was nominated for #Playdate Game of the Year. I... wow. I am incredibly honored. This is wild.

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Synaptic Sugar @synapticsugar.games · 26/02/2026

Play the first level in Agents of Groove and unlock new custom emojis for #playdate voice messaging app helloyellow! Get both on Catalog or itch 🪩 🕺 play.date/games/agents... play.date/games/helloy... synapticsugar.itch.io/agents-of-gr... jonsimantov.itch.io/helloyellow #gamedev #indiedev

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Jon Simantov @jonsimantov.bsky.social · 13/02/2026

My #Playdate game Cranky Cove has been nominated for Best Arcade Game in the 2025 Playdate Community Awards! Holy crank! 😁 I am incredibly honored. Cranky Cove was truly a labor of love, and I am so happy that people have been playing and enjoying it for almost a year now. 🥓

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Jon Simantov @jonsimantov.bsky.social · 12/02/2026

Wow, my #Playdate voice chat app, #helloyellow, was nominated for Best App in the 2025 Playdate Community Awards! It's up against some really fantastic apps (including @blippo.plus!) so I will just say now that it's an honor to be nominated. 😁

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David Hepworth @dhepworth.com · 04/02/2026

Oh, cool! @jonsimantov.bsky.social’s helloyellow voice chat app for the Playdate is now available on the Catalog; it has on-device voice note recording and asynchronous voice chatting between users and via group voice chats of up to 10 people. My user code is hy-512714. play.date/games/helloy...

play.date

helloyellow for Playdate

Voice chat for Playdate

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Jon Simantov @jonsimantov.bsky.social · 03/02/2026

Guess what: helloyellow is now available on #Playdate Catalog! It's a voice chat app for @play.date that lets you send voice messages to friends, show off your 🏆 Playdate Achievements, and more. And now it's easier to install than ever! 💬 Visit play.date/games/helloy... to grab it!

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Jon Simantov @jonsimantov.bsky.social · 03/02/2026

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Jon Simantov @jonsimantov.bsky.social · 19/01/2026

If I have an itch project with a free version and a paid version unlocked at $5, do you know if my joining the jam would give people who buy it my paid tier?

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Greg Wolanski @gregwolanski.com · 31/12/2025

That's fun, @jonsimantov.bsky.social! : D The sound quality is surprisingly good. : )

Playdate with the helloyellow app running

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Reposted by Jon Simantov

404 Media @404media.co · 28/12/2025

Google is hosting a CBP app that uses facial recognition to identify immigrants, while simultaneously removing apps that report the location of ICE officials because Google sees ICE as a vulnerable group. “Big tech has made their choice.” www.404media.co/google-has-c...

404media.co

Google Has Chosen a Side in Trump's Mass Deportation Effort

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Jon Simantov @jonsimantov.bsky.social · 23/12/2025

Hmm, if there's anyone still looking for a holiday present to get me, I'm size L. 😁