LEBLOX & FabZat Offer the World Customized 3D Printed Figures from the Pixels Movie

For most classic gaming fans the signature look of the 8-bit characters from their favorite video games could easily be used to symbolize their entire generation. At the time, the design of 8-bit characters was of course a limitation of technology. While that technology now allows for more detailed characters than ever before, the nostalgia for the simpler look of the games of the era has hardly diminished. LEBLOX is a smartphone application capitalizing on that nostalgia by allowing users to create their own 8-bit artwork, avatars and figures. Users are able to share their designs on social media, and even have them 3D printed and shipped directly to them.

LEBLOX’s ability to offer 3D printing services is enabled by FabZat, an in-app merchandising tool that allows smaller businesses and startups access to services that would be too expensive or difficult to develop for their apps. FabZat can be integrated with all sorts of mobile games, apps and websites so they can offer branded or official merchandise like t-shirts, posters, phone cases and of course 3D printed figures based on their own designs and IP. Naturally, the team up of an instant customized merchandise delivery system and an app that allows users to create 8-bit artwork was an ideal match, especially when a new movie based on several classic and iconic 8-bit video games is in theaters.

FabZat has just announced that their app is again assisting LEBLOX, this time with their recent partnership with Sony Pictures Entertainment to offer 3D printed figures based on the new action comedy Pixels. Now I’m sure most of you have read the reviews on the Pixels movie, and safely avoided the theaters playing it. But the movie doesn’t diminish the awesomeness of those classic games, or the excitement of being able to customize some great classic video game characters and have them easily 3D printed and shipped to you. While there are certainly other methods of getting 3D printed versions of many of your favorite video game characters, many of them are unofficial products not licensed by their owners and possibly of dubious quality.

3D printable Qbert figure from LEBLOX

“We’ve been working with FabZat for years to enable our users to custom design and print thousands of 3D printed objects, which also provides us with a recurring revenue stream. Our users love being able to create truly unique 3D collectibles that they can keep forever. When we first started discussing this initiative, we knew that FabZat would be a perfect fit for delivering high-quality, custom 3D printing to Pixels fans,” said LEBLOX co-founder Mathieu Lecoupeur.

Here is a brief video demonstration of how easy the app is to use:

I think fans should always try to buy officially licensed products over unauthorized options because it encourages companies to offer more of their products to 3D printing services. There is also another very good reason to purchase your favorite video game characters from official, licensed channels like LEBLOX: the price.

Their 3D printing services are typically about $20 to $30 for a small mini figure, which is more than competitive with most 3D printing services. It is also extremely easy to alter or customize any figure that you want, and the app is really quite simple to use. In addition to the new licensed Pixels figures, LEBLOX also offers several officially authorized celebrity figurines from celebrities as diverse as Serena Williams, Peter Dinklage and Alicia Keys.

3D printable classic arcade cabinet from LEBLOX

FabZat and LEBLOX started their partnership back in 2013 and since offering their 3D printing service the duo have shipped out thousands of 3D printed figures to LEBLOX users. And LEBLOX is only one of the dozens of companies, apps and mobile games currently using their services to ship custom merchandise to over 70 countries. FabZat boasts that they have already delivered over 15,000 objects from the various games and apps that use their plugin, and the ability to 3D print just about anything that you find in a smartphone app or game is rapidly becoming reality. FabZat has recently secured a new round of inventors to help increase their presence throughout the US and Europe. Currently the FabZat in-app merchandising plugin is available for apps on iOS, Android and Unity. It is also available to Facebook apps, websites and even for PC gaming.

While it may be best to completely avoid the Pixels movie at all costs, or at least wait until it can be rented, fans of classic video games should take a look at the LEBLOX app and get themselves some awesome 3D printed 8-bit figurines.