Happy Birthday Stéphane Picq, you would've been 61 today.
SynaMax 🎧 Nested Dreams Dev // Video Game Historian
@synamax.bsky.social
Video game historian, Music/SFX, self-taught programmer, 1/2 of Psychic Rink (w/ @shoffur.bsky.social) Working on: Nested Dreams (punk duck game), Vid Kidz Documentary youtube.com/synamax psychicrink.itch.io patreon.com/synamax synamax.bandcamp.com
On August 8th, I had the pleasure and privilege of hosting the "Return of the Vid Kidz" panel at the 2026 California Extreme arcade show. We had Paul Dussault, Duncan Brown, and Larry Demar join in via video call, where we discussed Robotron and Blaster, plus recent incredible findings from backups.
I'm back from my trip to CAX 2026 and I'll be talking more about what I did there in another post. While the Nested Dreams Kickstarter didn't meet its goal, the encouragement from everyone has only reinforced our commitment to getting a playable demo ready for December. Let's do this. #devlog #godot
Final update on Nested Dreams kickstarter.
I'll be making the last video about the Nested Dreams kickstarter today. We need $3000+ to get this game fully funded, with less than 3 days remaining. Regardless if we make the goal or not, we're still committed to completing a playable demo for December. Thanks to everyone for their support.
this game needs almost $3k more to reach its goal with only 3 days remaining. watch the trailer if you haven't!
SynaMax 🎧 Nested Dreams Dev // Video Game Historian@synamax.bsky.social · 3w agoNested Dreams is a game about a punk duck stuck in a strange network of pixelated worlds. Featuring music from yours truly and @shoffur.bsky.social, this "Yume-like" adventure game rewards exploration with a moving narrative, wacky interactive NPCs, and secret events! #indiegame #anthro #duck #punk
Nested Dreams will be one of the games featured in the next video from Brendan; looking forward to seeing the premiere later this morning!
Brendan Hesse@brendanlh.bsky.social · 2w agoHello. The next The Crawl video premieres tomorrow, August 4, at 7:30 am PT / 10:30 am ET. It features 20 new indie RPGs, dungeon crawlers, adventure games, and more. Hope to see you then! youtu.be/BkGAiIO_lBo
4 days left and 44%!! To anyone who follows me or my creative and life partner @synamax.bsky.social , all of your support over these last several months has meant the absolute world to us. If you wish to pledge your support, follow the link below. #indiegame #punk www.kickstarter.com/projects/syn...
Nested Dreams for PC/MAC/LINUX, by artists SynaMax & Shoffur
Play as a punk duck stuck in an endless network of surreal and strange worlds. Use your guitar to blast through enemies. Get back home.
kickstarter.com
I made a vertical version of the latest Nested Dreams trailer, you can see some more details like Nikki's guitar (it shoots music notes!) #animation #indiegame #pixelart youtube.com/shorts/DxVVL...
We're making a punk duck adventure game! #NestedDreams #indiegame #animation #pixelart
YouTube video by SynaMax
youtube.com
i feel like my thoughts on the matter have been pretty clear from the word go, but just in case: the moment i think automating creativity out of existence is a good idea is the day i've been unceremoniously replaced by an evil lena that has bad opinions. (put another way: i'll never use gen ai)
The vibe coded decomps miss half the point of decompilation. To gain back the knowledge of how these games tick and give that back to the public. Instead we just get barely working messes no one understands. It’s not even of value for preservation.
Wow, we're at 43% funded, thank you!!
SynaMax 🎧 Nested Dreams Dev // Video Game Historian@synamax.bsky.social · 3w agoNested Dreams is a game about a punk duck stuck in a strange network of pixelated worlds. Featuring music from yours truly and @shoffur.bsky.social, this "Yume-like" adventure game rewards exploration with a moving narrative, wacky interactive NPCs, and secret events! #indiegame #anthro #duck #punk
Nested Dreams is a game about a punk duck stuck in a strange network of pixelated worlds. Featuring music from yours truly and @shoffur.bsky.social, this "Yume-like" adventure game rewards exploration with a moving narrative, wacky interactive NPCs, and secret events! #indiegame #anthro #duck #punk
AI podcast with an AI co-host and an AI generated website with AI portraits and AI-maintained scheduled just sent me an AI generated letter asking me if I am up for a 30 minute podcast interview.
Robot's Shocked Expression
ALT: Robot's Shocked Expression
static.klipy.com
A little birdie told me that next month is going to be huge for video game cyber-archeology. In the meantime, check out our game about punk birds! *link in the comments* #birds #animation #indiegame
Wow, we jumped from 25% to 34% today! This is getting exciting, let's keep building that momentum! Thank you so much for your continued support!
SynaMax 🎧 Nested Dreams Dev // Video Game Historian@synamax.bsky.social · 4w agoWe have less than 14 days to go for our Kickstarter. Nested Dreams is inspired by many games from the 90s and 2000s including #YumeNikki and #UmJammerLammy. It combines punk rock with "cozy" gameplay. Incredibly grateful for all the support the project has received so far. #duck #indiegame
VO and Guitar: @shoffur.bsky.social Animation made using #aseprite and #Godot Nested Dreams Kickstarter ends on August 7th!
We have less than 14 days to go for our Kickstarter. Nested Dreams is inspired by many games from the 90s and 2000s including #YumeNikki and #UmJammerLammy. It combines punk rock with "cozy" gameplay. Incredibly grateful for all the support the project has received so far. #duck #indiegame
Nested Dreams for PC/MAC/LINUX, by artists SynaMax & Shoffur
Play as a punk duck stuck in an endless network of surreal and strange worlds. Use your guitar to blast through enemies. Get back home.
kickstarter.com
Derek Drymon's unspeakably brilliant rough drawing for this classic beat. Can't be topped!
Every SpongeBob Frame In Order@esfio.bsky.social · 2mo agoSeason 3 Episode 5 - Frame 2283 out of 2600
@shoffur.bsky.social and I have been using #aseprite to draw all the pixel art for Nested Dreams. I'm currently working on a short animation that I hope to finish today, complete with voice acting and music! #gamedev #duck
Nested Dreams is now 25% funded; thank you to everyone who has pledged so far! There's only 16 days left until the Kickstarter closes so let's make this happen! #kickstarter #indiegame #duck
Nested Dreams takes inspiration from retro games and more recent titles like Yume Nikki, Night in the Woods, Um Jammer Lammy, and Celeste. Part of the story takes place in the '90s and focuses on punk rock (and what it's like to be in a rock band while still in high school). #art #duck #indiegame
You were my favorite of the band, Jennifer. Forever in our hearts and speakers!! Thanks for everything badass you brought to rock n' roll, photography, and music culture. 1966 - 2026 #l7 #jenniferfinch #rip
RIP Jennifer Finch. I just started listening to L7 not too long ago so to hear this terrible news as a new fan is devastating. May your soul continue to live forever through your music.
19 days to go until the Kickstarter is over! @shoffur.bsky.social and I are making a video update so expect to see that very soon. One thing that we can't show too much without spoilers is the story itself but we have something that we're very proud of. #kickstarter #godot #gamedev #indiedev
Nested Dreams for PC/MAC/LINUX, by artists SynaMax & Shoffur
Play as a punk duck stuck in an endless network of surreal and strange worlds. Use your guitar to blast through enemies. Get back home.
kickstarter.com
These past 5 months of unemployment have been a true test of my character. I am happy to report that my negativity is finally dissipating and I truly believe that I will achieve my goals. I thank my family and friends who have reminded me of this important fact.
I'm currently working on the "sequel" to my Sinistar arcade documentary. It's about Robotron and Blaster, two incredibly important coin-op titles from Vid Kidz. Thanks to some recent discoveries this past year, we have found so much that hasn't been seen before and I can't wait to share it.
Punk duck? ✔️ Guitar that shoots music notes? ✔️ All that remains is your support! **link below** #indiegame #gamedev #godot