Simply Sweet Games

Simply Sweet Games is thrilled to partner with Spectrum Laboratory in a collaboration that benefits both our organizations and, most importantly, the gaming community. This partnership aligns SSG’s mission to create inclusive, accessible, and fun casual games with Spectrum Laboratory's dedication to fostering innovation for neurodiverse audiences. Through this collaboration: ➡️ Simply Sweet Games gains insight: We’re leveragingSpectrum Laboratory's expertise and working with students on the autism spectrum to ensure our games, like Criss Cross Castle, resonate with and meet the needs of neurodiverse players. ➡️ Spectrum Laboratory expands impact: By engaging in game testing and providing design feedback, they’re offering valuable opportunities for neurodiverse students to influence the development of accessible gaming experiences. Together, we’re championing the importance of inclusivity in the gaming industry and setting a new standard for accessibility. We’re excited to share updates as this partnership unfolds and to continue creating games that truly welcome everyone. #inclusivegaming #neurodiversegames #accessiblegaming #indiedev #gamedevelopment #collaboration #innovation #diversityintech #crisscrosscastle #gametesting #autismcommunity #gamedesign #impactgaming #wordgames #gamesindustry #inclusionmatters

What a week! Carina Kom and I wrapped up last week pitching for the Accelerate Okanagan Fundable Demo Day, followed by some incredible in-person collaborations—both in Osoyoos and with our full team in Vancouver. A huge thank-you to the DigiBC - The Creative Technology Association of British Columbia team for letting us use their office space to meet. There’s a lot of excitement happening at Simply Sweet Games (SSG), but here are some highlights we’re thrilled to share: ✨ Picked up a cheque from our latest Angel investor!✨ 📱 Preparing for our next Closed Alpha, this time for iOS players! 🤝 Collaborating with amazing impact organizations like Spectrum Laboratory 🎨 Achieved design breakthroughs, thanks to insights from our super fans and talented team. 📊 Received excellent feedback on our business plan and pitch. While I’m ending this week a bit tired, I’m also feeling incredibly inspired and excited for the future of SSG. We are more confident than ever in our ability to make a meaningful impact and to prove that diverse teams and inclusive leadership are the key to creating games that truly connect us. #indiedev #gamedevelopment #iosgames #inclusiveleadership #diversityintech #angelinvestor #gamealpha #impactgaming #gamedesign #teamcollaboration #womeningaming #neurodiversegames

🎉 One Year of Simply Sweet Games! 🎉 Today marks the ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY of Simply Sweet Games, and wow, what a ride it’s been! It’s been a year of relentless hard work, navigating challenges, celebrating meaningful wins, and building something which Carina Kom and I truly believe in. We couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve achieved as a team and the foundation we’re laying for the future. This day is especially significant to me personally. Today would also have been my mom’s birthday. 💖 Losing her too early in my life was very hard, and when it came time to officially incorporate SSG, I chose this date to honour her. She and dad both taught me so much about perseverance and kindness— values that have shaped me and are woven into the fabric of this studio. So, what’s next for SSG? We’re gearing up for the Open Alpha of our debut game, Criss Cross Castle, coming in early 2025! This is your chance to experience the magic early and help us shape the final game. If you’d like to join, head over to our website to sign up or simply drop a comment below, and we’ll get you connected. We’d love your feedback as we take this next exciting step! And tomorrow, my co-founder Carina and I will pitch our vision as part of the Accelerate Okanagan “Fundable” program in Kelowna. Along with five cool companies from other industries, we’ll share our story with angel investors and advisors. Wish us luck as we continue hustling to secure funding and support studio growth! Oh, and here’s a fun bonus—a photo of Carina and me on a summer walk near my home in Osoyoos, BC. 🏞️ Although we work remotely most of the time, we love the moments we get to collaborate in person! Thank you to everyone who has supported us on this journey so far. Whether it’s a kind word, a playtest of our game, or encouragement along the way, it’s meant the world to us. Here’s to building Simply Sweet Games into something extraordinary, where everyone feels they belong. 💛 #SSG #anniversary #womeningames #indiedev #CrissCrossCastle #AccelerateOkanagan #crisscrosscastle #gamedev #gamedevelopment #gamesindustry #oneyearcelebration #wordsmatter #startuplife

Fun Fact! 🔎 Did you know our upcoming game, Criss Cross Castle, draws inspiration from Scrabble's blend of luck, strategy, and skill? Scrabble was initially named “Lexico” in 1931 and later was renamed to “Criss-Cross Words” before finally being dubbed “Scrabble”! #crisscrosscastle #funfact #scrabble #wordgames #gamedev #videogames #wordsmatter Simply Sweet Games #startup #inspiration #mobilegames Carina Kom

🎉 Exciting Milestone Alert! 🎉 We’re thrilled to share a first real peek at Criss Cross Castle as we head into Closed Alpha — our team at Simply Sweet Games has been pouring our hearts into this! This short video represents months of dedication, creativity, and teamwork, and it wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible support Carina Kom and I have received along the way. 🙏 A HUGE Thank You to ALL Our Amazing Supporters 🙏 We specifically want to extend our deepest gratitude to: ✨ Nicky Flello, bravely leading the engineering charge for the past 9 months! ✨ Armish Imtiaz Elahi , for leading the creative effort of our whimsical visuals! ✨ Mark Ahmadi, for enthusiasm and a can-do spirit tackling complex engineering challenges! ✨ Keeley Bunting, for your guidance and insights related to game design! ✨ Jairo Fula, Chloé G., Valeriia Kapelyush, Nicole Senger and George Ashcroft for your many and varied fabulous contributions to game art! ✨ Funky Swadling for setting us on the right technical path with our pre-GDC prototype earlier in the year! 💖 And to all our friends, family, and community who’ve encouraged us at every step! 💖 This journey has been challenging but incredibly rewarding, and we’re just getting started! We’re eager to hear what you think, and we can’t wait to continue building and improving thanks to your feedback. A final ask of our supporters: please check out our website to sign up for Open Alpha, plus follow along with SSG on Instagram and Facebook! Stay tuned for more updates and thank you for being part of our journey! #grateful Simply Sweet Games #startuplife #crisscrosscastle #wordgames #sizzlereel #wordgame #wordsmatter #indiegames #cozygames #cozygaming #puzzlegames #puzzles #familygames #crisscrosscastle #ssg #demoreel #demo #videogame #gamedev #womeningaming

FUN FACT🔎 Did you know playing puzzle and word games can boost mental health by improving cognitive function and reducing stress? Many studies show these games engage our brain in ways that enhance memory, problem-solving skills, and mental agility. Regularly playing word games in particular has been linked to delaying cognitive decline and fostering creativity, making them both entertaining and fabulous for our mental wellbeing! Slow down the onset of old age, and play a puzzle or word game today. 😉 Simply Sweet Games #crisscrosscastle #wordgames #gamedev #puzzlegames #SSG #wordsmatter Carina Kom