Hey PixelJunk fans,
A couple of weeks ago we unveiled PixelJunk 1-4 in trailer form to the masses and had a HUGE response! I suppose we deserved it because we simultaneously launched our naming contest for the game as well. For those who missed it we decided to let you, the fans, have a go at naming our game for us. It all began to snowball as news sites picked up on the competition and our servers crashed a couple of times from the load!
In just one week we got over 100,000 visitors to http://pixeljunk.jp and 10,000 people offered up ideas for a name based on the trailer. Even though the trailer’s resolution left a lot to be desired, we got a ridiculous amount of praise… and the team’s ego has been inflated a bit, which is a good thing, because now we’ll have to work extra specially hard to live up to everyone’s expectations! :-)
Anyway, we are now proud to announce that the name of the game has been picked! It will be called PixelJunk Shooter. Andy, the artist behind the style of the game, has knocked up a stunning logo that emphasizes the liquid element really well, as you can see below!
The lucky winner, picked from a hat of about 8 other people who voted for the same name, is Mario Paquet from Canada! We chose the name because: 1) it’s simple, 2) it describes the main thing you do in the game, and 3) it makes a great logo!
The other runner-up names were:
- PixelJunk Depths – Thomas Ella
- PixelJunk Atlantis – Takuhiro Hara
- PixelJunk Caves – Chi Lo
- PixelJunk Blaster – Edward Stumpfel
- PixelJunk S.O.S! – Derrick Kross
Other people voted for these names of course, but the above runners-up were picked out of a hat for each name in turn, so congratulations! T-shirts will be winging their way to you.
The most popular name suggested by a long shot was PixelJunk Elements, but we decided that it didn’t capture the shooting side of the game well enough and at the worst people might think it was a game about the weather. “Depths” almost became the chosen name but our producer at Sony Santa Monica, Deborah Mars, sounded like she had a lisp when she said it, so we dropped that one early on. We needed to choose a name everyone can enunciate. ;-)
Thanks for the incredible response and vibe we got from everyone. We are going to make this game a smash hit! If you manage to get into E3 next week you’ll be able to play a newer demo than the one shown in the video which has a number of cool new things in it… including co-op play!
@248
That’s exactly what they’re trying to do. >_>
Are you f-… -_-
I shouldn’t have even bothered- this entire thing was a waste of the time of everyone involved. So disappointed.
When i think about as an english speaking person, i don’t like it, mainly because i think its too simple (like racer, unlike Eden).
But when i try to think it about as a non-english speaking person, the title starts to feel exotic and kool sounding. Like the word “aero”, which just means air.
In the end, all i care about is the 1st part of the title: PixelJunk
I like it, really i do. It is what pixeljunk stands for. Creative art games that have hardcore gameplay, are 2d (in the days of realistic 3d) and a simple name that covers the basic.
I actually think PixelJunk 1-4 is better than that. So dull. It was actually funny when I saw it say drumroll please and to see just that.
Depths, Elements, Blaster were all better and those were just on the list and in the comments.
I thought the PJ games were about being creative and unique.
Booo, that name sucks. :P
Now that I’ve had a while to think about it…
I think Dylan got it right when he said that the video didn’t portray what we were voting for very well.
It was short, not even long enough to be a demo, and we judged it not knowing what the full game would entail.
So after a demo play, I might think about buying it…
But I have a lot more games in mind (can’t get them all with my budget) before I even make that decision.
Shooting is all you do in the game? Last time i checked dont you use water to cool lava to save something? shooting is a defensive tool not an offensive so why the heck are you picking a title that is the secondary gameplay mechanic for the game?
The video of the game looks really cool. But I gotta agree with everyone else. Pretty disappointed that the name is so lame. I’ve read multiple name choices in the comments that are way better.
I can only guess that whoever decided does not speak English as a first language…
This is the worst name I’ve ever heard for a video game ever. With choices like “Pixeljunk Blaster”, and “Pixeljunk Elements” no one is gonna get excited about this name even if it does sum up the game.
p.s. Cross Game Voice Chat needed by Sony.
I think S.O.S! Would have been sick. That a good name for a game.
Guys, guys–we’re thinking about this whole naming thing all wrong! Q are actually on the forefront of modern naming trends. They’re like the “Massive Action Game” of PSN!
@Thrasher20
That’s why I’m a Pixel Junkie. ;D
Holy hell that name sucks.
Who can’t pronounce DEPTHS?! Lisp be damned.
And “Elements” is not going to remind people of the weather, wtf.
Jesus Christ, hire me please!!! I can come up with just as crappy ideas as you guys, LOL.
Actually one of the main programmers of PJ Shooter is French and Depths is apparently very difficult to pronounce in French, never mind english.