iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

A big THANK YOU everyone who's checked out Welcome to the Syndicate since it's demo release! I've been quiet since the demo dropped but the brief vacation was just what I needed to come back swinging ✨️ Looking forward to posting a bit more regularly now, so keep an eye out 👁👅👁 #indiegamedev #demo

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Thanks for the heads up! I'll start registering stuff over there

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Hah yeah I dropped it and then straight up ran off to europe for 10 days so the marketing is basically nonexistent right now 😂 not surprised you missed it

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Kay 🔪 @kayillustrations.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Lmao yeah whenever I say the full title I sometimes sing that tune 😂 If you want the actual title inspo song, I recommend listening to Hush by kroh

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Hm seems like it's just an export issue. Thank you for the heads up! I'll have the new build republished in 30ish minutes💕

Kay 🔪 @kayillustrations.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Damn! I'll take a look and see what's making the dialogue stop. It's a plugin called Dialogic so I'll see if they have any documentation on this bug occurring

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Kay 🔪 @kayillustrations.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

📰 EXTRA! EXTRA! 📰 Emerald Times presents: Welcome to the Syndicate has officially released its FREE DEMO on Steam‼️ store.steampowered.com/app/3235320/... #gamedev #indiegame #indiedev

NEW EMERALD TIMES
Headliner: Demo Out Now!
Solo Dev Finally Releases Her Playable Demo
Welcome to the Syndicate has officially released their long awaited demo onto the Steam Marketplace.
According to highly reputable sources players will be able to experience the game up until their 3rd upgrade, to which the game will then lock itself irregardless of which upgrades they choose.
While the full game is under construction, even the demo will be expecting new features, including:
paychecks, unlockable stories, jail time, heists, special team abilities and more!

The game’s creator, Kay Illustrations, admits that the game’s intended release date was for August 26th, though due to unforeseen veterinarian emergencies she had to postpone. Kay thanks everyone for their kind wishes during that stressful time and assures that her focus will return to game development now that her fur baby is back to her healthy routine."

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Kay 🔪 @kayillustrations.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

GUYS WE ARE AT 100 WISHLISTS‼️ not only that but 📣📣DEMO DROPS AT THE END OF THIS MONTH 📣📣 Don't miss out! Head over to the steampage and wishlist to tet notified when it's 🔴LIVE🔴 #indiegamedev #demo #upcominggame #wtts

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Kay 🔪 @kayillustrations.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

Oh ❓ What's this? 👀 Its a sneak peek at Welcome to the Syndicate's new color upgrade before the demo drops ‼️🎨 Do you like the old or the new colors more? 🤔 #indiegamedev #managementgame #gameart #wtts

the old color scheme. colors are more subdued and sepia toned

new colors. contrast is bumped up and now there's a pink overlay. The old Sepia-tone is gone, but colors are more eye-catching

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Kay 🔪 @kayillustrations.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

*hacker voice* I'm in 👓 Don't be fooled, the demo isn't yet live, but this is a huge step forward for me. Now I just need to finish upgrading the save/load system and we are golden ✨️ #indiegamedev #demo #steamnextfest #wtts

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Kay 🔪 @kayillustrations.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

Yooo who's going to be my 69th wishlister?!?!?! #indiegamedev #wtts

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Kay 🔪 @kayillustrations.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

🫴 Will you join her ❓ In the spirit of Welcome to the Syndicate dropping it's demo soon, I redrew one of my favorite Clara artworks from a couple years ago. If you ARE interested in joining, please go wishlist it on Steam 💌 DEMO COMING SOON!!!! 🔗 below #redraw #illustration #creepycute #wtts

Kay 🔪 @kayillustrations.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

I don't mind at all! I look forward to seeing your gameplay when it's available :D

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Kay 🔪 @kayillustrations.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

👋 Hey all! I'm currently working on a lil game called WELCOME TO THE SYNDICATE! Its a clicker management sim where you get to build and manage a team of femme fatales in 1930s NYC. If you're interested, please go wishlist it on Steam 💕 store.steampowered.com/app/3235320/...

store.steampowered.com

Welcome to the Syndicate on Steam

Rise to infamy through hits, heists, and upheaval as you build and manage your own mob of femme fatales in 1930s NYC. Will you be able to succeed against the odds and fight for those who cannot?

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Kay 🔪 @kayillustrations.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

Welcome to the Syndicate is rocking a new look! After some careful consideration, I deemed that the old cover just didn't give the right impression. What do you think? Do you like the new or the old design better? #indiegame #clickergame #managementsim #wtts #solodev

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Kay 🔪 @kayillustrations.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

So excited to be showcasing Welcome to the Syndicate at Anime Ohio on July 11th! If you're a non-local supporter and want to support me still, please go check out and wishlist my game on steam! store.steampowered.com/app/3235320/... #gamedev #clicker #Incremental #indiegame #wtts

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Kay 🔪 @kayillustrations.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

Ive officially wrapped up the playtest so thank you to everyone who took the time to offer me this invaluable feedback! The itchio page is now public! There's nothing to download yet but there'll be screenshots soon 👀 kayillustrations.itch.io/welcome-to-t... #gamedev #indiegame #clickergame #wtts

kayillustrations.itch.io

Welcome to the Syndicate by kayillustrations

Build and manage a mob of femme fatales in 1930s NYC

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Kay 🔪 @kayillustrations.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

Queen Clara is keeping me hard at work this week! Once I get through these final bugs, it's on to the Pre-Alpha stage!!! #gamedev #solodev #indiegamedev #wtts

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Kay 🔪 @kayillustrations.bsky.social · 31/05/2026

While I wait for the last few playtests results to roll in, I've started working on the marketing art for Syndicate. I gotta thank past Kay for doing the heavy lifting here tho. You won't believe how much art I'm repurposing for the capsules 😂 Here's a sneak peek! #wtts #gamedeveloper #indiegame

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Kay 🔪 @kayillustrations.bsky.social · 30/05/2026

Wow! I've been getting so much awesome feedback from my playtest 🤩🤩🤩 My list of improvements is growing and I'm so excited to implement more into Syndicate! Eeeee!!!!! #gamedev #indiegame #wtts

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Kay 🔪 @kayillustrations.bsky.social · 27/05/2026

Want to join the early playtest for my clicker management game called "Welcome to the Syndicate"? Just fill out the form below and be added to the email list to get access TOMORROW!!! forms.gle/NUDom3hveM2G... #indiegame #solodev

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Kay 🔪 @kayillustrations.bsky.social · 25/01/2026

Life gets crazy. Step away if you need to. Even if you're solo. But keep your game in your thoughts. Just sitting down for 30 minutes to think and reflect is invaluable to the process. Study inspo. Analyze milestones. Reflect on your accomplishments. Game dev is far more than just production.

media.tenor.com

a girl wearing headphones with a face on them

ALT: a girl wearing headphones with a face on them

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If youve made it this far, thank you for coming to my TED talk. This new year, I will try to start documenting my thoughts and development organically even if only for future Kay to reflect upon (hi future kay!) Misty says hi 💕

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I've learned far more from about planning, prototyping, and prioritizing from game jams than I ever would have with Cryptid Camp. My journey with Cryptid Camp is not finished. I know I will return to it one day as I have once before, but for now I must pack up the tent and move to the next project

But just because I've stopped Cryptid Camp doesn't mean I've stopped gamedev. In the past year I've joined two game jams, both without a team, and both which I produced something playable. They are small, but mighty. ...