Squared Up! is a new series of publications dedicated to pixel art and the people who love it. A few artists got together and decided that they wanted to bring their style to a new platform and show off a few original pieces in some form of collaborative effort. Pixel art has grown into medium of its own and so much more since the early days of the Atari and arcade cabinets, yet there is something familiar and nostalgic about it no matter how big the sprite or plentiful the palette. It's something that many of us hold dear to our hearts and we just wanted to share it with the rest of the world. With all that in mind, a zine seemed like the perfect medium for this new endeavor and also brought forth a good opportunity to donate to an amazing charity, The AbleGamers.

Lands of Valnor by DidiGameBoy

Aerial by Lu Nascimento "Viiolaceus"

For the first issue, "A Grand Adventure" we took a poll and quickly settled on a simple, high-concept theme that could be interpreted in a variety of creative ways. Adventure: exploration, conflict, wandering. Inspiring vistas and intimate stories of growth and personal conquest. High Tech or High Fantasy, we explored a lot of different possibilities and are super happy with how they all turned out! 

When you buy your own copy, you are supporting gamers with disabilities by helping to enable the mission and initiatives of AbleGamers. If you're not familiar with them, they are the leading charity for people with disabilities in the videogame space.

AbleGamers brings people with disabilities into their headquarters or meets with them virtually online in one-on-one consultations, free of charge, and figures out exactly what technology they need to be able to get back into the game. Once an assessment is made, they give the equipment to people in need thanks to donations and support from wonderful people just like you. Purchasing this book will aid in their quest to make it so everyone can game.

For more information on the organization and how to help their cause please head over to
their website.

When you pledge enough to receive the physical copy of Squared Up! , here is what you are getting:

• A 6.75" x 10.25" copy of Squared Up!: A Grand Adventure with 18 full color pages filled with the works of 35 amazing artists and game developers.
• The digital PDF of Squared Up!: A Grand Adventure soon after the funding goal is met.
• Your name in the thank you section.

Your contribution will be used to cover the printing and shipping costs of the physical copy, with all other proceeds going to the AbleGamers charity.

Forbidden Path by ActionCancel

Long Road Ahead by Jorge "Lunate" Rocha

The Globetrotting Monkey Caper Begins! by Phil Giarrusso

As for risks? Well there really aren't any. The art has already been created and assembled, we just lack the funds for printing and distribution while still making a sizable donation to the AbleGamers charity. And that's where you all come in!

thirteen                                                       Simon "Snakepixel" Andersen

8pxl                                                                Merlemage

Shoehead                                                    Colin Brown

Hendry "Iceztiq" Roesly                         Skydevilpalm

Brunopixels                                                Nate Kling

Emimonserrate                                         Roy Nathan de Groot 

Enchae                                                         Drew Wise

Metaru                                                          Eto

Jeremy Hobbs                                           Ricardojuchem         

DidiGameboy                                             Gabe Fern

ActionCancel                                             Victor "Crowno" Moura

Maruki                                                          Jamie Rollo

Neoriceisgood                                            Kelly Robotoson

Kyle Olson                                                    Anubis Jr.

Riv Hester                                                     Asaf Gazit "Gaziter"

Jorge "Lunate" Rocha                              MthBitencourt

Goawayimcrabby                                       Phil Giarrusso

Lu Nascimento "Viiolaceus"                   Clairvoire

Bakudas                                                        Filipe "Filiperama" Brizolara

Wandering by 8pxl