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jakefriend

@jakefriend.bsky.social

Hi, I'm Jake! I'm an indie gamedev making Scrabdackle! It's a neat cool weird thing if you wanna check it out: store.steampowered.com/app/1578720/Scrabdackle/

843 Followers  |  43 Following  |  29 Posts  |  Joined: 12.09.2023
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Posts by jakefriend (@jakefriend.bsky.social)

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I've overhauled my puzzle level generation so a level is now "grown" like cell tissue in a triangle tessellation. New elements can be inserted anywhere, and the whole level deforms to make room. This makes it easier to control topology and create paths that loops around areas.
#ProcGen #GameDev

04.01.2026 16:00 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 532    ๐Ÿ” 85    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 18    ๐Ÿ“Œ 2
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The first episode of The So Many Games Podcast for 2026 is now live!

Join us as we chat with developer @jakefriend.bsky.social on the development, the origins and the mechanics of his top-down, Zelda-like Metroidvania, Scrabdackle.

โฌ‡๏ธ Links in the comments below โฌ‡๏ธ

02.01.2026 15:32 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 13    ๐Ÿ” 6    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 1
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ICYMI, Scrabdackle Act 1 is out NOW on Steam ๐Ÿง™

@jakefriend.bsky.social has released their hand-drawn, open adventure with a full 12โ€“15 hour Act 1 ready for you to explore ๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ

If you've been curious, now is the perfect time to hop in ๐Ÿ’›
๐Ÿช„ bit.ly/Scrabdackle

08.12.2025 18:02 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 16    ๐Ÿ” 6    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Scrabdackle- The Best Metroidvania You've Never Heard of How jakefriend (and friends) scribbled an unexpectedly complex world into existence.

My review of Scrabdackle, a special game almost solely made by an ambitious, talented maniac called @jakefriend.bsky.social .

Not only is Scrabdackle fun to say, it is incredibly fun to play. My personal pick for 2025's hidden gem. Congratulations to jake and @fellowtraveller.games.

07.12.2025 19:14 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 15    ๐Ÿ” 4    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 1
A square graphic with an olive-green background, black gradient triangles in the corners, and a black line art floral header & footer.

A circular photo of GardenOfIndie's V-Tuber is on the left surrounded by green vines, with lines of green blocky text above, to the right, and below surrounding the photo, which reads the following:
Sundays at 3PM Eastern Time
Garden Party Weekly Indie Recap
New Release Trailers
Content & DLC updates
Live gameplay & chat
Twitch.tv/GardenOfIndie

A square graphic with an olive-green background, black gradient triangles in the corners, and a black line art floral header & footer. A circular photo of GardenOfIndie's V-Tuber is on the left surrounded by green vines, with lines of green blocky text above, to the right, and below surrounding the photo, which reads the following: Sundays at 3PM Eastern Time Garden Party Weekly Indie Recap New Release Trailers Content & DLC updates Live gameplay & chat Twitch.tv/GardenOfIndie

๐Ÿ’Œ You're invited to a Garden Party @ 3pm [EST]

Another slower week as we head into Winter showcase season (which I mostly expect to hold through the end of the year) BUT Scrabdackle Act 1 is finally out, and I'm so excited to play it today! The demo was so much fun! ๐Ÿ”ฎ๐Ÿง™โ€โ™€๏ธ

โฏ๏ธ twitch.tv/gardenofindie

07.12.2025 16:28 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 3    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Scrabdackle logo with Blue, a faceless wizard in blue robes except for two yellow dot eyes, standing in front of a tower with a variety of monsters and other wizards bursting from it, including bat monsters, armored ducks, a flamingo in a crown, a bull-like cube in a crown, and a wizard in a UFO.

Scrabdackle logo with Blue, a faceless wizard in blue robes except for two yellow dot eyes, standing in front of a tower with a variety of monsters and other wizards bursting from it, including bat monsters, armored ducks, a flamingo in a crown, a bull-like cube in a crown, and a wizard in a UFO.

Blue casts a spell on a farmer duck on a small farm plot.

Blue casts a spell on a farmer duck on a small farm plot.

Blue encounters red (Young-looking Witch) in her stony lair with a fireplace in the back. YLW: Oh, you're just a kid wizard! Who are you to talk? I bet you only know like, *one* spell! 
Reply: Hey, I know at LEAST two!

Blue encounters red (Young-looking Witch) in her stony lair with a fireplace in the back. YLW: Oh, you're just a kid wizard! Who are you to talk? I bet you only know like, *one* spell! Reply: Hey, I know at LEAST two!

Scrabdackle by @jakefriend.bsky.social, an open world adventure, is out now in early access! [PC]

The academy was attacked and novice Blue was tossed out a window. Out of his sheltered life, help him find his way home through the weird world.

#indiegame

04.12.2025 15:23 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 9    ๐Ÿ” 3    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Scrabdackle turns a notebook into the best vehicle for discovery Scrabdackle's in-game notebook is seemingly hand-drawn by its lead character, adding a human touch that makes the world feel real and lived-in.

Scrabdackle is good. Very good! My playthrough of it left me high on many things - bosses kick ass, world is very amusing and way more interconnected than expected - but what makes me want to bring attention to @jakefriend.bsky.social's game is Blue's lovely notebook:

www.avclub.com/scrabdackle-...

02.12.2025 17:26 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 7    ๐Ÿ” 5    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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๐—ฆ๐—–๐—ฅ๐—”๐—•๐——๐—”๐—–๐—ž๐—Ÿ๐—˜ is ๐—ข๐—จ๐—งโต‘โต‘

5.5 years in development!! Try it NOW! It would mean so much I AM NOT JOKING this day is TRULY THE BEST KIND OF SURREAL! ๐Ÿ˜ญ๐Ÿ’™

store.steampowered.com/app/1578720/...
A bunch of bundles on the store page too!

#indiedev #indiegames #gamedev #animation

02.12.2025 17:17 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 68    ๐Ÿ” 38    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 4    ๐Ÿ“Œ 5

โค๏ธโค๏ธโค๏ธ๐Ÿ˜ญ

02.12.2025 10:26 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Aaah, thank you Evan!!! ๐Ÿ˜ญ

02.12.2025 02:46 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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My game Scrabdackle releases TOMORROW, Dec 2nd!! I've been trying to explain what it is for years - here's my final attempt before launch.

store.steampowered.com/app/1578720/...
#videogame #indiegames #cutegame #animation

02.12.2025 01:28 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 152    ๐Ÿ” 37    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 6    ๐Ÿ“Œ 2

๐Ÿ˜ญ

02.12.2025 01:21 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 7    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Awhh, thank you James!! It was such a lovely review you wrote too ๐Ÿ˜Š

02.12.2025 01:20 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Blue the wizard who stands in the middle is surrounded by enemies and other characters from the game. 

The following quote is included: 

"Scrabdackle equals fun. Fun writing, fun exploration, fun combat, fun visuals and a fun narrative. It's a big ball of fun that only small issues dampen very slightly."

Blue the wizard who stands in the middle is surrounded by enemies and other characters from the game. The following quote is included: "Scrabdackle equals fun. Fun writing, fun exploration, fun combat, fun visuals and a fun narrative. It's a big ball of fun that only small issues dampen very slightly."

Go on a sprawling hand-drawn adventure with spells to study, bosses to best, and a huge handcrafted world to traverse on the long journey home.

Take a look at our full review of Scrabdackle Act 1 to learn more:

somanygames.co.uk/review/scrab...

@jakefriend.bsky.social

01.12.2025 18:03 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 25    ๐Ÿ” 5    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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How the conversations (and 'scrying' spell) work in my game, Scrabdackle! Convo trees are so branchy that I had to make my own editor tool to manage them ๐Ÿ˜… It's launching tomorrow (TOMORROW) if it sounds neat!

store.steampowered.com/app/1578720/...
#game #videogame #indiegame #cutegame #animation

01.12.2025 15:12 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 65    ๐Ÿ” 20    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 2    ๐Ÿ“Œ 1
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Sharing some of my favourite smear frames in my handmade game, Scrabdackle! It's coming out TUESDAY! Dec 2! Would love if y'all took a look! ๐Ÿ˜Š๐Ÿ’™

store.steampowered.com/app/1578720/...
#game #videogame #indiegame #cutegame #animation

29.11.2025 15:25 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 37    ๐Ÿ” 20    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 3    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Hello indies! It's almost Thanksgaming 2025!

If you have an unknown indie project in dev or just released, please could you email me at jwalker@kotaku.com with the subject "THANKSGAMING 2025", and a store page and YouTube link? I'll put as many as I can on Kotaku.

Rules next. Reposts appreciated!

24.11.2025 17:59 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 146    ๐Ÿ” 83    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 5    ๐Ÿ“Œ 4
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Just 7 days until Scrabdackle Act 1 launches on Steam ๐Ÿ—“๏ธ

ICYMI, the trailer from Six One Indie Showcase earlier this year gives you a closer look at @jakefriend.bsky.social's vast world of Scrabdackle and its strange but genuine inhabitants ๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ

๐Ÿช„ bit.ly/Scrabdackle

25.11.2025 16:57 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 20    ๐Ÿ” 11    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 1

Very soon!! ๐Ÿ˜… I can get everytrhing ready in just three more weeks, SURELY...??

11.11.2025 20:46 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 4    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Having a LOT of fun making the key art look like a CD label while prepping the soundtrack release! ๐Ÿ˜„

#indiedev #indiegames #gamedev

11.11.2025 20:41 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 34    ๐Ÿ” 18    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 5    ๐Ÿ“Œ 1
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Se confirma el lanzamiento del primer acto del videojuego de aventuras โ€œScrabdackleโ€ para el 2 de diciembre Esta aventura invita a explorar un vasto universo dibujado a mano y repleto de personajes encantadores, caminos ocultos y jefes difรญciles, pero justos de vencer.

๐ŸŽฎ #Scrabdackle es una aventura que invita a explorar un vasto mundo dibujado a mano y repleto de personajes encantadores, caminos ocultos y jefes desafiantes. El primer acto llega en diciembre. @jakefriend.bsky.social @fellowtraveller.games #Videojuegos #Noticias

Lee mi nota aquรญ. ๐Ÿ‘‡

11.11.2025 13:31 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 7    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

That's me! That's my little game! Dec 2!

06.11.2025 02:24 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 13    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Thanks Ben!! It's happening!! ๐Ÿ˜„๐Ÿ˜„๐Ÿ˜„

05.11.2025 22:42 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

OH DANG

Super excited for you @jakefriend.bsky.social!!

(make sure you check this one out, itโ€™s just so goshdarn charming)

05.11.2025 21:56 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 4    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 2    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Mark your calendars, because Scrabdackle Act 1 is out Dec 2๐Ÿ“…

Scrabdackle is a scribbly, hand-drawn adventure full of wit, secrets, tough-but-fair bosses, curious encounters, and oodles of charm and genuine joy ๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ

Wishlist now to get thrown into a whole new world on launch day ๐Ÿง™
๐Ÿช„ bit.ly/Scrabdackle

05.11.2025 21:49 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 35    ๐Ÿ” 16    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 4
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Scrabdackle on Steam The magical misadventure of a novice wizard thrown (literally) into the unfamiliar world outside. Go on a sprawling hand-drawn adventure with spells to study, bosses to best, and a huge handcrafted wo...

Scrabdackle

Straight up the funniest game I've played in a minute. A whimsical and charming adventure through a doodle-core world that'll have you blowing up garbage, hanging out with peanuts, and scanning everything like you're Magical Samus Aran.

store.steampowered.com/app/1578720/...

14.10.2025 16:53 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 12    ๐Ÿ” 3    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

This is my favourite thing anyone has ever written about my game and it's not even close

24.10.2025 02:55 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 19    ๐Ÿ” 4    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 2    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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โœจ My Little Spider releases Nov 7th!!โœจ

๐Ÿ› care for a cozy spider companion that lives on your PC
๐Ÿก collect 50+ unique bugs at different locations and times of day
๐Ÿ•ธ๏ธ adorn your web with fun decorations and colors

โฌ‡๏ธ link below โฌ‡๏ธ

#gamedev #cozygames #indiegame

21.10.2025 17:23 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 21    ๐Ÿ” 13    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 3    ๐Ÿ“Œ 1

Thank you!! ๐Ÿ˜„ I'm really excited for people to get to finally see what I've been cooking with Act 1, too; most of the narrative of the game isn't really 'present' in the demo

20.10.2025 20:26 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Thank you!! That's a good note - I'll file that away; the 'main' font is one I designed to be more varying than usual to be easier to read with dyslexia, but I should really put in a toggle to use a more standard system font in the settings. (Glad you enjoyed!!)

18.10.2025 22:13 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0