5 Mins with Orange Pixel

Being the fans we are of Orange Pixels contribution the Xperia PLAY games library, we wanted to find out exactly where their fascination comes from for the retro style gameplay.  So we sent them a five minute interview to get to know them a little better.

 

 

Before we start asking our questions, please tell us a little about Orange Pixel's origins.  How long have you been developing games for?  And... What was your first ever release?

"We started developing mobile games in 2005 for the Java mobile platform. I believe our first game was Smash Dizzy, where you played Smash who was a little chap with a huge hammer and you bashed various creatures as you progressed. We still had a lot to learn, so even tho the game was reviewed great, it only ran on a limited amount of handsets."

It is ever so clear from your titles that you are huge retro gamers.  What is your favorite game of all time and why?  I guess that includes console too.
"Turrican 2 on the C64. It was technically awesome, but gameplay wise it was just perfect. An 8bit computer with 64k memory and less then 1mhz cpu, and it ran a game that looked and played like any Arcade machine. The game got released on various systems, but the c64 version was brilliant and designed + developed by a single guy: Manfred Trenz.  Our games actually have a lot of little inspirational stuff from this game in them."

You are clearly passionate about the Xperia PLAY?  Is this over other Android devices?  Or dare I ask, even more than iOS perhaps?  What is it that you like making games for the Xperia PLAY so much?
"At first we thought this was just a gimicky device, but if you are a gamer, there is something awesome about sliding open your phone and suddenly having a game console in your hand.  We certainly love all these new mobile gadgets with Android and iOS, but if a game supports the Xperia Play controls it's an easy choice, it simply plays better!"

What can we expect to see from Orange Pixel in the future?  Will you always be making retro style games?  Any plans to branch out into other genres?  Perhaps a RPG?  A puzzler?  Or... a racer?
"If a game requires a different art style then we will go for that, but we love the look and sound of retro games, and we work hard to make sure our gameplay is up to the highest standards.  We are just extremely happy to see so many people enjoying our games and not just how they play but also the way they look and sound!"

Out of your portfolio of games out there at the moment.  Which is your favorite?
"It's hard to pick, they all have some great parts, but in every game we can probably find something that could be done better or different. So if you ask about the favorite? then it's probably the next game.. or the one after that ;)"


If you were granted one wish and you could improve the Xperia PLAY in anyway... what would it be?  From a developers point of view perhaps.
"The game controls are perfect, I think the touch screen could use some work, it feels less reactive when the controls are in or when it's connected to the power-cord. Might just be that we are wearing out the device a bit too much tho!"


What games are you playing at the moment?  Is there any that you are looking forward to Santa bringing this year?
"R-Type on the Xperia Play... and people call our games hard!"


PS3 or XBOX?
"xbox, but the consoles could use something different instead of all those same-looking shooters."


Check out Orange Pixel's website for all the details of their games.