PixelJunk SideScroller is not far from your hands! Yes, it has kind of crept up upon us, but the release date is 2nd of November in Europe. I really can’t emphasize enough how really, really good old school fun SideScroller has turned out to be. I’m sure some of you have played the “bonus” stage in PixelJunk Shooter 2 called “The Road to Dawn”, well that is what gave us the urge to make an entire side scrolling shoot-em-up game! Back in the day I used to love games such as R-Type and Darius, and going even further back there were games such as Scramble and Defender that inspired me as a child. So… we decided to dip our toes in and see what PixelJunk could bring to the side-scroller world.

We used the same engine as for the two Shooter titles, but the game itself is entirely different. To begin with this is a single-stick controlled game rather than the dual-stick control we had in Shooter, which makes it even more addictive and easy to control. And of course, you can only face to the right as you fly your craft! The only similarity really is that a handful of enemies from Shooter have been “re-imagined” for SideScroller, but to add to them we created a whole slew of new enemies and bosses for you to try to destroy also.

The back-story of the game is that SideScroller is the game the pilot of PixelJunk Shooter is playing on his old computer console in his ship on the way home to Earth after the ending of Shooter 2. This explains the cool “retro” look we have designed with the curved CRT (cathode ray tube) screen and the monochrome look of the interface. However, during its orbit of Apoxus Prime perhaps the computer has been infected.. a little?

Some people reckon PixelJunk games are a little tough, and well.. yes, they are a little because I think games should be a challenge. However, what we’ve done this time is scattered loads of checkpoints so even if you do die you’ll restart really close, and we also give you the option to downgrade your difficulty setting if you get a Game Over too. We’ve created 4 difficulty levels so everyone is catered for (I hope!).

Oh and did I mention, the bosses are AWESOME! Maybe I should mention that again…

I’ve got to head off and start finishing off PixelJunk 4am, so I’m going to leave you with this really cool trailer for SideScroller we created. Definitely check it out, because you might be able to spot one of the AWESOME bosses in there!

Remember everyone – Oct 26th!

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So here we are creeping up onto yet another Tokyo Game Show and we have a big announcement to make, and an unusual one at that! We are announcing a name change – I’m sure many of you have seen information about PixelJunk Lifelike over the past year or so, including some live demo performances we did during E3, and a few of you might have noticed how much the core concept of Lifelike expanded and shifted since it was first announced as we explored more and more ideas. Well, after long deliberation we are changing the name to “PixelJunk 4am” to better match the atmosphere we are trying to create… and for more information about that I have asked some questions and translated Baiyon’s answers for you:

Why the name change?

Baiyon: PixelJunk lifelike was originally conceived as an extension of the PixelJunk Eden world. Our idea was to create a kind of living speaker for people to play their music through, using natural imagery and taking strong visual cues from Eden. There wasn’t even the concept of a “player”. We’ve since moved far beyond that simple idea to new and uncharted waters both visually and musically. The style has evolved now into something that is really quite different from anything we’ve ever made before. It was only natural we’d want to chase this new concept and capture it with a new title.

Why 4am?

Baiyon: 4am represents the exact mood and feeling we’ve captured. 4am is that deep night hour. In clubs, the music drifts to a new level entering a deepened state that often seems removed from reality. Whether you’re in a club or not, 4am always feels like the night has gone on forever, where there’s still a little time left before dawn. This late night feel better represents our current visual and musical style.

So what can we expect now?

Baiyon: PixelJunk 4am is something unique that has never been tried before, so we’re treading in new territory. We’re using the PlayStation Move in truly experimental ways to give people control of making their own style of music. Being able to stream your music live on PSN also gives people the chance to broadcast a new kind of online performance. We can’t wait to see people playing 4am deep into the early morning hours.

So there you have it, from the horse’s mouth so to speak, and to get an even better sense of this “4am” atmosphere Baiyon is talking about check out the brand new trailer we made below and see Baiyon himself creating an awesome track.

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You saw us delve into the totally twisted minds of real life survivors in PixelJunk Shooter 2: The Survivor Files (on a YouTube docking station near you!). In the next installment of PixelJunk Shooter 2 video goodness, Q-Games presents a unique, documentary-style twist to the tutorial formula in our new PixelJunk Shooter 2 Online Battle Tutorial: Frolicking with Fleck!

Who here as been hesitant to hop into the PixelJunk Shooter 2 multiplayer fray? Are you too afraid to get your tail kicked by the hardcore vets? Well, join “Dustin Fleck,” our esteemed narrator and battling expert, as he takes you back to Online Battle Basics. With great panache and verve, he’ll show you how to hone the twitch reflexes you’ll need to succeed in battle. And since the (free!) Shooter 2 multiplayer demo has been released, I’m sure there’s plenty of fresh blood for you to take advantage of. You’ll be an online battling stud in minutes!

Having fun playing Shooter 2′s Online Battle? Share your favorite Online Battle moments by sending an e-mail to podcast@q-games.com. If they’re up to snuff, we’ll read them on our podcast, PixelJunk Radio. Click here for details on how to subscribe.

With that, I leave you one deep and profound observation: better THAT than an eggplant up the nose, kid! Just watch the video. You’ll understand what I mean when you see it for yourself.

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Hey PixelJunkies, the date has been set in stone – PixelJunk Shooter 2 will be released on March 2nd! The glowing previews should begin flying in soon too (fingers crossed).

Compared to the original this game is packed even more full of lovely gushing liquid action across three entire new worlds, and there is a whole new game in itself with the online versus mode we have put in there (over 20 weapons and abilities for you to use against your opponent). This is why it has taken a little longer than expected to get this into your hands, but we’re really happy that now, after winging its way through the digital tapestry called “game submission”, it has been approved for release.

Keep your eyes peeled over the next few weeks as we have some very interesting things to announce and remember to tune into our PixelJunk Radio podcast if only to hear us talk in dulcet tones.

If you have any questions about Shooter 2, fire away below and either myself or Ariel will attempt to answer them.

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It’s that time of the week again! Tomorrow we’ll be updating PlayStationHome, and this week we’ve got a great new personal space and a pair of PixelJunk spaces for you. In Home Estates tomorrow you’ll find the Musicality personal space, while on the world map there will be the visually stunning PixelJunk Museum and PixelJunk Shooter Exhibition spaces.

We’ve been eagerly awaiting the opportunity to announce the Musicality personal space, where you can host your own private disco! Featuring balconies overlooking a big open space perfect for dancing, the Musicality space is a party just waiting to happen. Adding that personal touch couldn’t be easier, as we’re also releasing some funky disco floor tiles; pick these up and arrange them for a colourful area to get your moves happening!

The fun doesn’t stop there, the Musicality personal space also features a musical mini-game as well. Filling an entire end of the Musicality space is a stage area devoted to band equipment. Launch into the multiplayer music game, where you can compete against your friends for a top score playing on drums, guitar and more! For added challenges, pick up the shirts from the Musicality store to unlock new music.

Also arriving in PS Home this week, we have two spaces dedicated to PixelJunk. Once you’ve finished exploring and viewing the displays in the PixelJunk Museum, stop off at the store and pick up a new mask, headphones or shirt before heading to the PixelJunk Shooter Exhibition. Here you can unlock the PixelJunk Shooter Flight Suit items!

Finally, don’t forget to go to the Theatre and watch the latest episode of Home TV. Perry and the crew are running a competition to find the best interior designer. If you think your personal space has that unique touch, get your entry in for your chance to win a PSPgo and Home TV Hat. For all the details, visit the competition page here.

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