GDC 2013: Peeking into PixelJunk Inc.

f you ever wanted to build your own secret underground Bond-like installation, or... you know, a soup company with robots, Q-Games and the PixelJunk team have the title for you.

Among the many other wonders at this year’s GDC, we also received more details regarding a new PixelJunk game titled PixelJunk Inc. The game features robots, underground facilities, and co-op galore.

In fact, you could say it’s “totally co-op.”

“We have a name,” lead designer Rowan wrote on the game’s official blog. “I feel more industrious now. Officially ‘incorporated.’”

Excited for the reveal, Rowan also handed out multiple business cards in the shape of tiny cardboard robots. On the back of each card was the new title in all of its glory.

Designed by a team of four, PixelJunk Inc. contains small bits and pieces from mechanics in other PixelJunk games, but is the first to really house a broader array of features. The general premise of the two-dimensional platformer involves a future where robots expand a secret underground soup factory. Up to four players work together to manage the perfect factory and maintain order, all while essentially blasting things with lasers. Because seriously, what are robots without lasers?

The “laserising” mechanics consist of a primary dematterising ray for destructive purposes, and an alternate nano particle matterising beam used to build structures. And once constructed, players can use a series of tubes to deliver any content they want inside of the actual factory. That’s right -- just like the Internet.

Your world in PixelJunk Inc. remains constantly active. Since game progress saves via cloud, realtime events always occur, even when you turn the game off. One reference Rowan made was how players could leave for a day, come back, and possibly notice a new form of life in an area. And hopefully, this said form of life won’t aspire to destroy everything you’ve constructed.

And yes -- like in games such as PixelJunk Monsters, there exist enemies with the purpose of destroying the hell out of you. Since they’re looking to eliminate what they can in your facility, it’s also your responsibility to construct any defenses you can in order to ward them off and prolong both construction and another day’s hard work.

PixelJunk Inc. will initially release on Steam. The developers aren’t yet sure if we’ll see a console release, but it has been considered depending on the game’s overall reception. We can’t wait to see the game’s full potential, but we will. Meanwhile, hopefully we don’t get killed by laser-wielding robots.