The Start of Something New...

Do you ever feel like posting stuff on social media is kinda like shouting into the void? When I have something I really want to share, I have to carefully word it for maximum engangement and then choose the optimal time to post it. If I’m lucky, a percentage of people who follow me sees it.

Optimising for reach makes me less candid. It forces me to stress about the medium instead of the message— with everything else that’s been going on lately, it feels like the networks we’ve built on social media is diminishing.

That’s scary.

Because many good things that has happened in my career have come from connecting with people on social media. Everything from creating resources, making video games or writing a book ultimately started (and was amplified) through these networks.

I have been thinking about how to improve that lately.

I’d like to create a more direct, informal and candid space where I don’t have to jump through the algorithmic hoops of social media. I’ll still be tweeting, instagramming, youtubing (and tooting?) but I’d like to invite you to this space.

Infrequent, short messages from one creator to another. A personal newsletter about making things, the projects I’m working on and things I like.

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Why did you get this email?

Because you have either signed up (thanks!) or because you have previously given me your email in a project of mine. I have been authoring the newsletter at Apply Pixels for many years and have several little islands of subscribers connected to things I have made.

If that’s not your thing, then please accept my apologies and click the unsubscribe link at the bottom of this. You won’t get another email from me.

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🔦 Highlights

Content gathering for the next book

We’re getting closer to layout of the next appiconbook.com and we’re wrapping up our content collection. If you still have icons you’d like to have us consider for the book— then use the tool we set up at submit.appiconbook.com to submit your artwork.

🔖 Use the code FLARUP.EMAIL for 5% off on all flarup.shop orders

Conduct milestone

Our Conduct-series of games recently hit 9m downloads. Really proud of how far this game has come.

🔖 It’s on Sale on Switch & Steam right now.

Heropack

At the end of last year I launched a little AI project with my brothers: Heropack. A profile picture generator that turns you (or someone you know) into video game inspired characters.

🔖 Use the coupon Y3B7X5 for 50% off.

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💚 Likes

• Loved this trip down memory lane with Maggie Appleton rediscovering her old macOS Desktop Designs.

• Jim Nielsen wrote a nice little piece on Digital Preservation

• This GB Operator from Epilogue. Easily play (and authenticate) GBA games on your desktop. I used this recently.

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I hope you enjoyed this inaugural issue and I hope you’ll stick around. I won’t make any promises on how often I’ll write these and what exact shape they’ll take, but I promise to always try to make it worth your while.

Sincerely,
Michael