PAX East 2017: Pixel Noir

Weeks after PAX East and I still have a few games left to talk about that you might still not know about. Pixel Noir is another title I’ve had the chance to look at, and honestly it is one like many of the others I’ve written about that will grab your attention for it’s atmosphere and setting even though the game might look less appealing than AAA titles.

I interviewed Pixel Noir’s Creative Director Len Stuart, with a look at the booth and already seen trailers for the game I wanted to talk about the game as soon as possible, skipping the demo as well for it only being two stations and wanted to let everyone else get a go at it. Pixel Noir is set in the grim and crime ridden Pinnacle City as you play an ex cop with a mission to redeem yourself for what got you thrown in jail. Now a private eye, a chance for you to clear your name to reveal what really happened ten years ago. For a simple looking game (based on JRPGs), the game has a big history behind it to reaching where it is now. Originally kickstarted in 2014 and reaching $90,000 by the deadline, but had no rewards for the backers. The game was later kicstarted again in 2015 and this time giving backers a demo for those who backed the game. And then in late 2016 SWDTech Games came together with Backland Games to fully support the games development.
For what really grabbed me to cover Pixel Noir was the games setting, the night life of the city, the aesthetic of street lights and business signs illuminating the grey and dark city. Stuart responded with asking how he got the inspiration with:

“the developer for the game worked in Philadelphia before. Walking at night is what really inspired to create Pinnacle City. The people and the feel at night makes the setting feel more involved when playing as well.”

 
Following with me asking the different inputs that they’ve got from the demo they released. They created a survey for those who played and asked them what should be fixed, added, cut, etc. By the time the responses came in, many of the things people have asked for were already added into the alpha for the game; such things like faster battles, special effects and more in-depth story. Already answered my next question asking “What will keep people playing Pixel Noir?”, it’s the story. A very different JRPG compared to most, referring it to a combination between Sin City and Final Fantasy.
Pixel Noir is set to be available for Xbox One, Playstation 4, Playstation Vita, Steam in Q1 of 2018. (and possibly mobile with a kickstarter for it in 2019).