July 11, 2007 - Q Games, a gaijin-heavy development studio down in Kyoto, is hard at work on Pixel Junk, a new gaming property for the PlayStation Network. That much has been known since March, following the product's unveiling in Famitsu. Today, we at long last have additional details, thanks once again to Japan's biggest games magazine.
Pixel Junk isn't a gaming service as originally suggested by the magazine. It's actually just a series of downloadable games, with a new entry set to be released every one or two months. Q currently has six titles planned for the series, and is even hoping to continue beyond that.
The first entry, due for Japanese release in August, is Pixel Junk Racers. This 2D overhead racer looks like it will have some intense races, as over 60 cars will appear on the same track, all powered by some nifty AI routines. While controls are meant to be simple, allowing players just to change lanes and accelerate, you'll have some strategic options at your disposal. When you pass other cars, your speed increases, and you'll occasionally burst into flames, becoming temporarily invincibility. Q is working on 10 courses and 15 game modes.
Next up following Pixel Junk Racers is Echolism. Little is known about the game, which is said to feature rhythm action gameplay. Q is pairing up with Kyoto-based musicians for the sound side of the game.
All the Pixel Junk games will share one thing in common: 2D visuals. In an interview with Famitsu, Q president Dylan Cuthbert mentioned that the 2D graphics engine will make use of the latest technology, exactly as you'd expect of the PS3. In particular, they'll all be HD compatible.
Pricing for the Pixel Junk games hasn't been finalized, but Q expects somewhere between 500 to 900 yen for the Japanese market.
The name "Hewson" carries a special weight for anyone who grew up during the golden age of British computing. As the son of Andrew Hewson—the man behind legendary publisher Hewson Consultants—Rob Hewson didn't just grow up playing video games; he learned to spell his name from their title screens. However, Rob didn't just rest on his family's 8-bit laurels. From leading major LEGO franchises at TT Games to tackling the high-stakes world of technical porting at Huey Games, Rob has carved out a unique path in an ever-evolving industry. In this candid interview Rob to discussed the burden and beauty of a family legacy, the technical "scar tissue" left by the ambitious Hydrophobia, and why porting a masterpiece like Inscryption to consoles is far more than a simple copy-paste job.
Conan the Barbarian is a well-known name across pop culture and entertainment. Join Netto's Game Room as they dive into his forays into the gaming medium.
Leaked source code for Rockstar Games' GTA V appears to have revealed the protagonist of the now canceled Agent.
