Pixel Words is a pixel word fractal screensaver for Window that generates a hypnotic cascade of interlocked recursive crossword puzzles in real time. Every single word is a legit American English word randomly pulled from the Official Tournament and Club Word List. This is the same dictionary used by tournaments for word games like Scrabble, Boggle, anagrams, etc. Pixel Words can be used as an aid for brainstorming and strengthening vocabulary. I also turned this screensaver into an interactive video game.

Features

Generates 7×7 pixel fractals and recursive crossword puzzles

Smoothly and continuously zooms in or out in real time

Multiple monitor friendly

Randomly picks only valid dictionary words of up to 7 letters

Easy to customize the dictionary and make unique glyph sets

Downloading and Installing

To install the Pixel Words simply run the self installing setup program.

Pixel Words – Download the latest version here. (Requires Windows and DirectX 9)

Video

Desktop Wallpapers

Customizing

It’s easy to customize Pixel Words, just set the custom word list in the Pixel Words settings window to ANY text file! Pixel words will automatically sort through it and pick out all the words of up to 7 letters. Here are a few ideas about how to use the custom dictionary…

If you’re an writer working on a scrip, novel, or poetry try converting it to plain text and set it as the word list to get a fractal mashup.

If you need a company screensaver load it up with a text file filled with positive words that represent your company.

If you trying to think of names for a child or character try a list of first names and maybe you’ll see one you like. I found a few name lists on this page.

Are you a fan of classic literature? Project Gutenberg has plenty of great books you could try setting set it to.

Setting up a custom glyph set requires only basic image editing ability but you will need to follow a few simple guidelines…

First download this template to use as a starting point for your custom glyph set.

Only the first 8 lines are used by the custom glyph set, the bottom 8 are ignored and only there for reference.

Create your custom glyphs by editing the blocks starting from the top left. Pixel Words will read in your custom sheet from left to right, top to bottom and automatically stop when it gets to an empty glyph.

Here’s an example custom glyph set I created as an homage to pac-man.

Installation Help