August 1st — The Urban Arts Gallery buzzed with excitement as Spy Hop students took over a section of this incredible local spot to showcase their creativity for Pixel Gallery. The main event for the evening? The debut of a brand new video game, Dig! Shovel! Go!, which the Power Up! students have spent the last year bringing to life through design, code, and a lot of heart.
Dig! Shovel! Go! — a teen-produced video game
Dig! Shovel! Go! is an arcade-style game where the player’s goal is to dig through the environment and gather as much “happy money” as possible before the time runs out. Between each level is a pixel-style cutscene, illustrating how, although you’re collecting lots of happy money, you’re also slowly destroying the planet. The game lightheartedly explores the consequences of exploiting our home for monetary gain.
The game is engaging, from the level and cutscene design to the music and controls. As you dig through each map, you’ll find some fun hidden easter eggs, including a nod to The Legend of Zelda and pop vocaloid icon, Hatsune Miku.
As attendees strolled through the gallery, they were among the first people to play Dig! Shovel! Go!. The game stations were a hit, with players navigating each level, having fun, and engaging with the story.
Q&A with the Power Up! Game Development Team
One of the highlights of the evening was the Q&A session with the game’s designers and programmers. The tight-knit team each shared one thing they loved and one thing they learned over the course of the class. They talked about the challenges and work it takes to go from an idea to a fully playable game, and how much teamwork goes into a big project like this. They’re super proud of what they created — and so are we!
Art on Display
Pixel Gallery also featured a stunning collection of 2D and 3D artwork from our design programs! The gallery walls showcased the creative fruits of our students’ hard work and the diverse styles and perspectives of each young artist who enters Spy Hop’s doors.
A Lasting Impression
The Pixel Gallery will remain at the Urban Arts Gallery throughout the rest of August, offering more people the opportunity to explore the creative artwork of Salt Lake’s youth. If you haven’t had a chance to visit yet, stop by to experience their artwork firsthand!
The Pixel Gallery shows the power of youth voice and creativity. It’s critical that the next generation has the information, tools, and platforms to share their ideas with the world. We invite you to support youth voices by attending future Spy Hop events and, if you can, consider donating to our mission! Our community’s support helps keep our classes free and ensures that the next gen of creatives have the tools and skills they need to make their voices heard.
