Pixel Piracy: Difference between revisions
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| alt = Logo of Pixel Piracy, showcasing a pirate ship in the background |
| alt = Logo of Pixel Piracy, showcasing a pirate ship in the background |
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| developer = Quadro Delta{{efn|Ported to [[PlayStation 4]] and [[Xbox One]] by Abstraction Games.}} |
| developer = Quadro Delta{{efn|Ported to [[PlayStation 4]] and [[Xbox One]] by Abstraction Games.}} |
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| publisher = [[Re-Logic]]{{efn|Published to PlayStation 4 and Xbox One by [[505 Games]]}} |
| publisher = [[Re-Logic]]{{efn|Published to PlayStation 4 and Xbox One by [[505 Games]].}} |
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| platforms = {{ubl|[[Microsoft Windows]]|[[OS X]]|[[Linux]]|[[PlayStation 4]]|[[Xbox One]]}} |
| platforms = {{ubl|[[Microsoft Windows]]|[[OS X]]|[[Linux]]|[[PlayStation 4]]|[[Xbox One]]}} |
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| engine = [[Unity (game engine)|Unity]] |
| engine = [[Unity (game engine)|Unity]] |
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| released = {{ubl|'''Windows''', '''OS X''', '''Linux'''|July 31, 2014|'''PlayStation 4''', '''Xbox One'''|February 16, 2016}} |
| released = {{ubl|'''Windows''', '''OS X''', '''Linux'''|July 31, 2014|'''PlayStation 4''', '''Xbox One'''|February 16, 2016}} |
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| genre = [[ |
| genre = [[Action-adventure]] |
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| modes = [[ |
| modes = [[Single-player]] |
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| producer = Alexander Poysky |
| producer = Alexander Poysky |
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| composer = Kole Hiks |
| composer = Kole Hiks |
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}} |
}} |
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'''''Pixel Piracy''''' is a 2014 [[ |
'''''Pixel Piracy''''' is a 2014 [[side-scrolling]] [[action-adventure game]] with [[roguelike]] elements, developed by Quadro Delta and published by [[Re-Logic]]. In the [[indie game]], players construct a pirate ship, hire and train a crew, and guide their crew toward notoriety by defeating the four pirate captains in a [[procedurally-generated]] world full of islands. The game features several difficulty modes. |
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The developers began working on the game in 2013. |
The developers began working on the game in 2013. It went through several development stages, including being released in [[early access]]. The game was fully released on [[Steam (service)|Steam]] on July 31, 2014, for PC and on February 16, 2016, for [[PlayStation 4]] and [[Xbox One]] platforms. ''Pixel Piracy'' received a major update in 2015; the game's development stopped in 2016 but resumed in 2023. Since then, one [[downloadable content]] was published and an [[Online game|online version]] of the game was announced for 2025. The game received mixed reviews, with the praise going to its [[Sandbox game|sandbox]] elements, graphics, and soundtrack, specially due to the addition of [[sea shanties]] in the game. Its repetitive gameplay, mechanics, primarily the controls and combat system, and [[user interface]] were, however, criticised. |
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== Gameplay == |
== Gameplay == |
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[[File:Pixel Piracy gameplay.png|thumb|alt=Five pirates and a pet chicken on the edge of a foresty island|''Pixel Piracy'' takes place on procedurally-generated islands]] |
[[File:Pixel Piracy gameplay.png|thumb|alt=Five pirates and a pet chicken on the edge of a foresty island|''Pixel Piracy'' takes place on procedurally-generated islands]] |
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''Pixel Piracy'' is an [[open world]] and [[side-scrolling]] [[action-adventure game]] that uses [[16-bit era|16-bit]]-styled sprites and [[ |
''Pixel Piracy'' is an [[open world]] and [[side-scrolling]] [[action-adventure game]] that uses [[16-bit era|16-bit]]-styled sprites and [[2D graphics]].<ref name="pcg">{{cite magazine |last=Pearson |first=Craig |date=January 29, 2014 |title=The Early Access Report – Divinity: Original Sin, Pixel Piracy and Final Rush |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/the-early-access-report-divinity-original-sin-pixel-piracy-and-final-rush/ |access-date=August 13, 2024 |magazine=[[PC Gamer]] |archive-date=September 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230930235751/https://www.pcgamer.com/the-early-access-report-divinity-original-sin-pixel-piracy-and-final-rush/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Lawton |first=Josephine |date=February 25, 2016 |title=Pixel Piracy: Review |url=http://www.purexbox.com/reviews/xbox-one/pixel_piracy |access-date=August 13, 2024 |work=[[Pure Xbox]] |archive-date=March 28, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160328204612/http://www.purexbox.com/reviews/xbox-one/pixel_piracy |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite news |title=Pixel Piracy |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/games/pixel-piracy |access-date=August 13, 2024 |work=[[Rock Paper Shotgun]]}}</ref><ref name=":3" /> The [[single-player]] game combines elements of [[Role-playing video game|role-playing]], particularly the [[roguelike]] subgenre, [[platformer]], [[Simulation video game|simulation]], and [[Strategy video game|strategy]] genres.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3">{{cite web |last=Craft |first=Scott |date=August 11, 2014 |title=Pixel Piracy Review: What Shall We Do With The Drunken Sailor? |url=https://www.player.one/pixel-piracy-review-what-shall-we-do-drunken-sailor-376736 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240815195955/https://www.player.one/pixel-piracy-review-what-shall-we-do-drunken-sailor-376736 |archive-date=August 15, 2024 |access-date=August 13, 2024 |website=Player.One }}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite news |last=Pearson |first=Craig |date=December 3, 2013 |title=Pixel Piracy Devs Pirate Pixel Piracy |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/pixel-piracy-devs-pirate-pixel-piracy |access-date=August 13, 2024 |work=[[Rock Paper Shotgun]] |archive-date=August 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240813210317/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/pixel-piracy-devs-pirate-pixel-piracy |url-status=live }}</ref> The goal of the game is to beat four notorious pirate captains, but players are allowed to explore the game as they wish.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3" /> The game's goal can be completed in approximately 20 hours.<ref name=":18">{{Cite news |last=Varela |first=Ramón |date=February 18, 2016 |title=Análisis de Pixel Piracy (PS4, PC, Xbox One) |trans-title=Pixel Piracy Review (PS4, PC, Xbox One) |url=https://vandal.elespanol.com/analisis/ps4/pixel-piracy/35667#p-73 |access-date=August 15, 2024 |work=Vandal |language=es |archive-date=August 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240813210323/https://vandal.elespanol.com/analisis/ps4/pixel-piracy/35667#p-73 |url-status=live }}</ref> The game includes a [[Tutorial (video games)|tutorial]] that teaches players the game's core mechanics.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":18" /> |
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After customizing the player and difficulty settings of the [[procedurally-generated]] world,<ref name=":14">{{Cite news |last=Čmelik |first=Jan |date=September 1, 2014 |title=Pixel Piracy |url=https://www.sk.rs/2014/09/siop12.html |access-date=August 15, 2024 |work=[[Svet kompjutera]] |language=sr |archive-date=May 15, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170515010317/http://www.sk.rs/2014/09/siop12.html |url-status=live }}</ref> the player takes control of a pirate captain who [[Spawning (video gaming)|spawns]] on an island, where players can build their own ship using a set of blocks and hire a crew with [[coin]]s obtained at spawn.<ref name="pcg" /><ref name=":3" /><ref name=":15">{{Cite news |last=Esteve |first=Jaume |date=June 7, 2014 |title=Pixel Piracy: Piratas, piratería y estética retro |trans-title=Pixel Piracy: Pirates, piracy, and retro aesthetics |url=https://es.ign.com/pc/70522/blog/pixel-piracy-piratas-pirateria-y-estetica-retro |access-date=August 15, 2024 |work=[[IGN]] |language=es |archive-date=August 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240813213851/https://es.ign.com/pc/70522/blog/pixel-piracy-piratas-pirateria-y-estetica-retro |url-status=live }}</ref> The pirate captain has nearly complete control over the size of the ship and crew and can upgrade their ship with [[cannon]]s.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":13">{{Cite news |last=Mangot |first=Thomas |date=August 4, 2014 |title=Test: Pixel Piracy (PC) |url=https://www.gamekult.com/jeux/pixel-piracy-3050314865/test.html |access-date=August 14, 2024 |work=[[Gamekult]] |language=fr |archive-date=August 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240813222743/https://www.gamekult.com/jeux/pixel-piracy-3050314865/test.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The captain can also die by starvation, enemy pirates, or wild animals; the game also has [[permadeath]], which means that the captain does not respawn after death.<ref name="pcg" /> The game has a day-night cycle.<ref name=":11">{{Cite news |date=August 4, 2014 |title=Pixel Piracy: Primeras impresiones |trans-title=Pixel Piracy: First impressions |url=https://www.eurogamer.es/pixel-piracy |access-date=August 13, 2024 |work=[[Eurogamer]] |language=es}}</ref> |
After customizing the player and difficulty settings of the [[procedurally-generated]] world,<ref name=":14">{{Cite news |last=Čmelik |first=Jan |date=September 1, 2014 |title=Pixel Piracy |url=https://www.sk.rs/2014/09/siop12.html |access-date=August 15, 2024 |work=[[Svet kompjutera]] |language=sr |archive-date=May 15, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170515010317/http://www.sk.rs/2014/09/siop12.html |url-status=live }}</ref> the player takes control of a pirate captain who [[Spawning (video gaming)|spawns]] on an island, where players can build their own ship using a set of blocks and hire a crew with [[coin]]s obtained at spawn.<ref name="pcg" /><ref name=":3" /><ref name=":15">{{Cite news |last=Esteve |first=Jaume |date=June 7, 2014 |title=Pixel Piracy: Piratas, piratería y estética retro |trans-title=Pixel Piracy: Pirates, piracy, and retro aesthetics |url=https://es.ign.com/pc/70522/blog/pixel-piracy-piratas-pirateria-y-estetica-retro |access-date=August 15, 2024 |work=[[IGN]] |language=es |archive-date=August 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240813213851/https://es.ign.com/pc/70522/blog/pixel-piracy-piratas-pirateria-y-estetica-retro |url-status=live }}</ref> The pirate captain has nearly complete control over the size of the ship and crew and can upgrade their ship with [[cannon]]s.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":13">{{Cite news |last=Mangot |first=Thomas |date=August 4, 2014 |title=Test: Pixel Piracy (PC) |url=https://www.gamekult.com/jeux/pixel-piracy-3050314865/test.html |access-date=August 14, 2024 |work=[[Gamekult]] |language=fr |archive-date=August 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240813222743/https://www.gamekult.com/jeux/pixel-piracy-3050314865/test.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The captain can also die by starvation, enemy pirates, or wild animals; the game also has [[permadeath]], which means that the captain does not respawn after death.<ref name="pcg" /> The game has a day-night cycle.<ref name=":11">{{Cite news |date=August 4, 2014 |title=Pixel Piracy: Primeras impresiones |trans-title=Pixel Piracy: First impressions |url=https://www.eurogamer.es/pixel-piracy |access-date=August 13, 2024 |work=[[Eurogamer]] |language=es}}</ref> |
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While traveling, the player must manage the crew's hunger and deal with equipment requirements.<ref name="pcg" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3" /> To embark, the player can select a destination on the world map.<ref name="pcg" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Pearson |first=Craig |date=October 9, 2013 |title=Place Planks And Plunder: Pixel Piracy |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/place-planks-and-plunder-pixel-piracy |access-date=August 13, 2024 |work=[[Rock Paper Shotgun]] |archive-date=August 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240813210317/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/place-planks-and-plunder-pixel-piracy |url-status=live }}</ref> Locations range in population and danger.<ref name="pcg" /><ref name=":16">{{Cite news |last=Turrini |first=Roberto |date=February 26, 2016 |title=Pixel Piracy – Recensione |trans-title=Pixel Piracy – Review |url=https://www.thegamesmachine.it/pixel-piracy/recensione-pixel-piracy/ |access-date=August 15, 2024 |work=[[The Games Machine (Italy)|The Games Machine]] |language=it |archive-date=August 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240813210320/https://www.thegamesmachine.it/pixel-piracy/recensione-pixel-piracy/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The computer controls the actual sailing, but the ship will stop for a battle if its route crosses an occupied map node.<ref name="pcg" /><ref name=":11" /> Ship battles are determined by acquired stats and by choices the player can make. Winning battles earns the player points and equipment, which they can use to improve the crew's size and abilities.<ref name="pcg" /> In addition, once the foes are defeated, the player can take over their ship or destroy it.<ref name=":1" /> Upon reaching a destination, the inhabitants may be friendly or hostile toward the crew; the islands could also contain animals, valuables, and taverns that can be adopted as the crew's headquarters.<ref name="pcg" /><ref name=":3" /> The crew can also catch wild animals in cages and domesticate them as part of the crew.<ref name=":14" /> Other types of encounters include towns with a mix of the game's four stores.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":5">{{Cite news |last=Lorenzino |first=Lucio |date=August 14, 2014 |title=Review: Pixel Piracy |url=http://enemyslime.com/2014/08/review-pixel-piracy/ |access-date=August 13, 2014 |work=Enemy Slime |archive-date=August 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240813210317/http://enemyslime.com/2014/08/review-pixel-piracy/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The game features "squirrel-ish" [[voice acting]] between the pirates and shop owners.<ref name=":3" /> |
While traveling, the player must manage the crew's hunger and deal with equipment requirements.<ref name="pcg" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3" /> To embark, the player can select a destination on the world map.<ref name="pcg" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Pearson |first=Craig |date=October 9, 2013 |title=Place Planks And Plunder: Pixel Piracy |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/place-planks-and-plunder-pixel-piracy |access-date=August 13, 2024 |work=[[Rock Paper Shotgun]] |archive-date=August 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240813210317/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/place-planks-and-plunder-pixel-piracy |url-status=live }}</ref> Locations range in population and danger.<ref name="pcg" /><ref name=":16">{{Cite news |last=Turrini |first=Roberto |date=February 26, 2016 |title=Pixel Piracy – Recensione |trans-title=Pixel Piracy – Review |url=https://www.thegamesmachine.it/pixel-piracy/recensione-pixel-piracy/ |access-date=August 15, 2024 |work=[[The Games Machine (Italy)|The Games Machine]] |language=it |archive-date=August 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240813210320/https://www.thegamesmachine.it/pixel-piracy/recensione-pixel-piracy/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The computer controls the actual sailing, but the ship will stop for a battle if its route crosses an occupied map node.<ref name="pcg" /><ref name=":11" /> Ship battles are determined by acquired stats and by choices the player can make. Winning battles earns the player points and equipment, which they can use to improve the crew's size and abilities.<ref name="pcg" /> In addition, once the foes are defeated, the player can take over their ship or destroy it.<ref name=":1" /> Upon reaching a destination, the inhabitants may be friendly or hostile toward the crew; the islands could also contain animals, valuables, and taverns that can be adopted as the crew's headquarters.<ref name="pcg" /><ref name=":3" /> The crew can also catch wild animals in cages and domesticate them as part of the crew.<ref name=":14" /> Other types of encounters include towns with a mix of the game's four stores.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":5">{{Cite news |last=Lorenzino |first=Lucio |date=August 14, 2014 |title=Review: Pixel Piracy |url=http://enemyslime.com/2014/08/review-pixel-piracy/ |access-date=August 13, 2014 |work=Enemy Slime |archive-date=August 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240813210317/http://enemyslime.com/2014/08/review-pixel-piracy/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The game features "squirrel-ish" [[voice acting]] between the pirates and shop owners.<ref name=":3" /> |
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Crew stats, including health, morale, and supply level, affect the success of pillaging at a destination.<ref name="pcg" /> Taverns provide an infinite supply of food and beverages, like [[ale]], to aid the crew in healing their wounds, as well as armed pirates for crew expansion.<ref name=":3" /> The captain can use books, either found or purchased, to teach the crew new abilities, such as swimming, cleaning, cooking, and fishing.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3" /><ref name=":13" /><ref name=":21">{{Cite news |last=Serino |first=Francesco |date=February 20, 2016 |title=Recensione Pixel Piracy |trans-title=Pixel Piracy Review |url=https://www.everyeye.it/articoli/recensione-pixel-piracy-28752.html |access-date=August 15, 2024 |work={{ill|Everyeye.it|it|Everyeye.it}} |language=it}}</ref> Additionally, crew members may defecate aboard the ship.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Robinson |first=Martin |date=June 23, 2014 |title=Video: Pixel Piracy live stream |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/video-pixel-piracy-live-stream |access-date=August 15, 2024 |work=[[Eurogamer]] |archive-date=May 21, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240521211920/https://www.eurogamer.net/video-pixel-piracy-live-stream |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":22">{{Cite news |last=Ostrowski |first=Andrzej |date=February 24, 2016 |title=Recenzja: Pixel Piracy (PS4) |trans-title=Review: Pixel Piracy (PS4) |url=https://www.ppe.pl/recenzje/205970/Recenzja-Pixel-Piracy-PS4.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240815200002/https://www.ppe.pl/recenzje/205970/Recenzja-Pixel-Piracy-PS4.html |archive-date=August 15, 2024 |access-date=August 15, 2024 |work=PPE |language=pl}}</ref> Pirates can equip [[melee]], |
Crew stats, including health, morale, and supply level, affect the success of pillaging at a destination.<ref name="pcg" /> Taverns provide an infinite supply of food and beverages, like [[ale]], to aid the crew in healing their wounds, as well as armed pirates for crew expansion.<ref name=":3" /> The captain can use books, either found or purchased, to teach the crew new abilities, such as swimming, cleaning, cooking, and fishing.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3" /><ref name=":13" /><ref name=":21">{{Cite news |last=Serino |first=Francesco |date=February 20, 2016 |title=Recensione Pixel Piracy |trans-title=Pixel Piracy Review |url=https://www.everyeye.it/articoli/recensione-pixel-piracy-28752.html |access-date=August 15, 2024 |work={{ill|Everyeye.it|it|Everyeye.it}} |language=it}}</ref> Additionally, crew members may defecate aboard the ship.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Robinson |first=Martin |date=June 23, 2014 |title=Video: Pixel Piracy live stream |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/video-pixel-piracy-live-stream |access-date=August 15, 2024 |work=[[Eurogamer]] |archive-date=May 21, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240521211920/https://www.eurogamer.net/video-pixel-piracy-live-stream |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":22">{{Cite news |last=Ostrowski |first=Andrzej |date=February 24, 2016 |title=Recenzja: Pixel Piracy (PS4) |trans-title=Review: Pixel Piracy (PS4) |url=https://www.ppe.pl/recenzje/205970/Recenzja-Pixel-Piracy-PS4.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240815200002/https://www.ppe.pl/recenzje/205970/Recenzja-Pixel-Piracy-PS4.html |archive-date=August 15, 2024 |access-date=August 15, 2024 |work=PPE |language=pl}}</ref> Pirates can equip [[melee]], ranged, or rock weaponry.<ref name=":14" /> |
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The game was updated over time, introducing a variety of difficulty modes.<ref name=":18" /> In addition to the standard gameplay, ''Pixel Piracy'' previously offered an "arena mode" in which the pirate captain would defend an island that was being invaded by a wave of pirates who progressively increased in difficulty and speed.<ref name=":14" /> |
The game was updated over time, introducing a variety of difficulty modes.<ref name=":18" /> In addition to the standard gameplay, ''Pixel Piracy'' previously offered an "arena mode" in which the pirate captain would defend an island that was being invaded by a wave of pirates who progressively increased in difficulty and speed.<ref name=":14" /> |
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''Pixel Piracy'' continued to receive incremental updates until February 2016, when a 7-year hiatus began.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Quadro Delta |date=February 10, 2016 |title=1.1.25 & 1.1.26 Patchnotes |url=https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/264140/view/2908718631241582952?l=english |access-date=August 13, 2024 |website=[[Steam (service)|Steam]] |archive-date=August 15, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240815200010/https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/264140/view/2908718631241582952?l=english |url-status=live }}</ref> Quadro Delta went bankrupt in late 2017, after which the duo split up; Kirpu remained the sole developer of the game.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kirpu |first=Vitali |date=February 6, 2018 |title=You deserve to know the truth about Quadro Delta and Alexander Poysky |url=https://store.steampowered.com/oldnews/?appids=342640&appgroupname=Pixel+Privateers&feed=steam_community_announcements |access-date=August 16, 2024 |website=[[Steam (service)|Steam]]}}</ref> Development continued with its next [[Patch (computing)|patch]] in January 2023. Since then, the game has received regular updates.<ref name=":23">{{Cite news |date=May 29, 2023 |title=日本語にも翻訳可能に!ユーザーの愛がインディーゲーム作者の情熱蘇らせる―「少年ジャンプのような週刊更新を目指したい」精力的に更新続く復活の2D海賊シム『Pixel Piracy』 |trans-title=Now available in Japanese! The love of users revives the passion of indie game creators – "We want to aim for weekly updates like Shonen Jump" Revived 2D pirate sim "Pixel Piracy" continues to be updated energetically |url=https://www.gamespark.jp/article/2023/05/29/130392.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230923182945/https://www.gamespark.jp/article/2023/05/29/130392.html |archive-date=September 23, 2023 |access-date=August 15, 2024 |work=GameSpark |language=ja}}</ref> Its first [[downloadable content]], ''Pixel Piracy – Shrimp Legacy'', was released a month later.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kirpu |first=Vitali |date=February 13, 2023 |title=Pixel Piracy – Shrimp Legacy |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/2314920/Pixel_Piracy__Shrimp_Legacy/ |access-date=August 15, 2024 |website=[[Steam (service)|Steam]] |archive-date=January 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240103080942/https://store.steampowered.com/app/2314920/Pixel_Piracy__Shrimp_Legacy/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In September 2023, Kirpu announced that an [[Online game|online version]] of the game, ''Pixel Piracy Online'', was in development.<ref>{{Cite tweet |number=1708116052562112924 |user=PixelPiracyGame |title=Pixel Piracy Online Steam Page is now Up. Please RT & Wishlist, Jolly Roger thanks! 🏴☠️🏴☠️🏴☠️ #gamedev #indiedev #mmo #games #madewithunity |first=Vitali |last=Kirpu |date=September 30, 2023 |access-date=August 15, 2024}}</ref> The game is set to release in 2025.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Pixel Piracy Online |url=https://kotaku.com/games/pixel-piracy-online |access-date=August 15, 2024 |work=[[Kotaku]]}}</ref> |
''Pixel Piracy'' continued to receive incremental updates until February 2016, when a 7-year hiatus began.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Quadro Delta |date=February 10, 2016 |title=1.1.25 & 1.1.26 Patchnotes |url=https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/264140/view/2908718631241582952?l=english |access-date=August 13, 2024 |website=[[Steam (service)|Steam]] |archive-date=August 15, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240815200010/https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/264140/view/2908718631241582952?l=english |url-status=live }}</ref> Quadro Delta went bankrupt in late 2017, after which the duo split up; Kirpu remained the sole developer of the game.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kirpu |first=Vitali |date=February 6, 2018 |title=You deserve to know the truth about Quadro Delta and Alexander Poysky |url=https://store.steampowered.com/oldnews/?appids=342640&appgroupname=Pixel+Privateers&feed=steam_community_announcements |access-date=August 16, 2024 |website=[[Steam (service)|Steam]]}}</ref> Development continued with its next [[Patch (computing)|patch]] in January 2023. Since then, the game has received regular updates.<ref name=":23">{{Cite news |date=May 29, 2023 |title=日本語にも翻訳可能に!ユーザーの愛がインディーゲーム作者の情熱蘇らせる―「少年ジャンプのような週刊更新を目指したい」精力的に更新続く復活の2D海賊シム『Pixel Piracy』 |trans-title=Now available in Japanese! The love of users revives the passion of indie game creators – "We want to aim for weekly updates like Shonen Jump" Revived 2D pirate sim "Pixel Piracy" continues to be updated energetically |url=https://www.gamespark.jp/article/2023/05/29/130392.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230923182945/https://www.gamespark.jp/article/2023/05/29/130392.html |archive-date=September 23, 2023 |access-date=August 15, 2024 |work=GameSpark |language=ja}}</ref> Its first [[downloadable content]], ''Pixel Piracy – Shrimp Legacy'', was released a month later.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kirpu |first=Vitali |date=February 13, 2023 |title=Pixel Piracy – Shrimp Legacy |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/2314920/Pixel_Piracy__Shrimp_Legacy/ |access-date=August 15, 2024 |website=[[Steam (service)|Steam]] |archive-date=January 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240103080942/https://store.steampowered.com/app/2314920/Pixel_Piracy__Shrimp_Legacy/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In September 2023, Kirpu announced that an [[Online game|online version]] of the game, ''Pixel Piracy Online'', was in development.<ref>{{Cite tweet |number=1708116052562112924 |user=PixelPiracyGame |title=Pixel Piracy Online Steam Page is now Up. Please RT & Wishlist, Jolly Roger thanks! 🏴☠️🏴☠️🏴☠️ #gamedev #indiedev #mmo #games #madewithunity |first=Vitali |last=Kirpu |date=September 30, 2023 |access-date=August 15, 2024}}</ref> The game is set to release in 2025.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Pixel Piracy Online |url=https://kotaku.com/games/pixel-piracy-online |access-date=August 15, 2024 |work=[[Kotaku]]}}</ref> |
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Quadro Delta also worked with Re-Logic on a tactical role-playing game named ''Pixel Privateers'', which was released in 2017.<ref name=":9">{{Cite news |last=Saed |first=Sherif |date=January 27, 2016 |title=Terraria devs announce Pixel Privateers |url=https://www.vg247.com/terraria-devs-announce-pixel-privateers |access-date=August 13, 2024 |work=[[VG247]] |archive-date=August 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240813210318/https://www.vg247.com/terraria-devs-announce-pixel-privateers |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":10">{{Cite news |date=February 25, 2017 |title=Pixel Privateers Is Like Squad-Based Borderlands |url=https://www.kotaku.com.au/2017/02/pixel-privateers-is-like-squad-based-borderlands/ |access-date=August 13, 2024 |work=[[Kotaku]] |archive-date=August 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240813210320/https://www.kotaku.com.au/2017/02/pixel-privateers-is-like-squad-based-borderlands/ |url-status= |
Quadro Delta also worked with Re-Logic on a tactical role-playing game named ''Pixel Privateers'', which was released in 2017.<ref name=":9">{{Cite news |last=Saed |first=Sherif |date=January 27, 2016 |title=Terraria devs announce Pixel Privateers |url=https://www.vg247.com/terraria-devs-announce-pixel-privateers |access-date=August 13, 2024 |work=[[VG247]] |archive-date=August 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240813210318/https://www.vg247.com/terraria-devs-announce-pixel-privateers |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":10">{{Cite news |date=February 25, 2017 |title=Pixel Privateers Is Like Squad-Based Borderlands |url=https://www.kotaku.com.au/2017/02/pixel-privateers-is-like-squad-based-borderlands/ |access-date=August 13, 2024 |work=[[Kotaku]] |archive-date=August 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240813210320/https://www.kotaku.com.au/2017/02/pixel-privateers-is-like-squad-based-borderlands/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> The game adopted elements of ''Pixel Piracy'' and ''Terraria'' while also featuring an online [[cooperative mode]].<ref name=":9" /> It was compared to the ''[[Borderlands (series)|Borderlands]]'' and ''[[Diablo (series)|Diablo]]'' games.<ref name=":10" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Meer |first=Alec |date=March 17, 2017 |title=Wot I Think: Pixel Privateers |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/pixel-privateers-review |access-date=August 13, 2024 |work=[[Rock Paper Shotgun]] |archive-date=August 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240803014816/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/pixel-privateers-review |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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== Reception == |
== Reception == |
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''Pixel Piracy'' received "mixed or average" reviews according to review aggregator [[Metacritic]].<ref name="Metacritic">{{Cite web |title=Pixel Piracy |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/pixel-piracy/ |access-date=August 13, 2024 |website=[[Metacritic]] |archive-date=August 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240813210319/https://www.metacritic.com/game/pixel-piracy/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Initially, during its early access phase, reviewers complimented the game for its potential.<ref name="pcg" /><ref name=":15" /> Craig Pearson of ''[[PC Gamer]]'' described it as a "fine example of a cute Early Access title".<ref name="pcg" /> After its console release, Francesco Serino of {{Ill|Everyeye.it|it|Everyeye.it|italic=yes}} wrote, "the final result is so modest and unconvincing that it leaves one speechlees".<ref name=":21" /> Jose Rodríguez of ''[[IGN]]'' praised the overall game for its innovative and enjoyable elements.<ref name=":17">{{Cite news |last=Rodríguez |first=Jose A. |date=February 24, 2016 |title=Pixel Piracy – Análisis |trans-title=Pixel Piracy – Review |url=https://es.ign.com/pixel-piracy/100445/review/pixel-piracy-analisis-para-ps4-y-xbox-one |access-date=August 15, 2024 |work=[[IGN]] |language=es |archive-date=August 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240813210325/https://es.ign.com/pixel-piracy/100445/review/pixel-piracy-analisis-para-ps4-y-xbox-one |url-status=live }}</ref> The game received the [[Indie DB]] Indie of the Year award in the Editors Choice category.<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 24, 2013 |title=Indie Of The Year 2013 Editor Choice |url=https://www.indiedb.com/games/pixel-piracy/features/indie-of-the-year-2013-editor-choice |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240815200637/https://www.indiedb.com/games/pixel-piracy/features/indie-of-the-year-2013-editor-choice |archive-date=August 15, 2024 |access-date=August 13, 2024 |work=[[Mod DB|Indie DB]]}}</ref> |
''Pixel Piracy'' received "mixed or average" reviews according to review aggregator [[Metacritic]].<ref name="Metacritic">{{Cite web |title=Pixel Piracy |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/pixel-piracy/ |access-date=August 13, 2024 |website=[[Metacritic]] |archive-date=August 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240813210319/https://www.metacritic.com/game/pixel-piracy/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Initially, during its early access phase, reviewers complimented the game for its potential.<ref name="pcg" /><ref name=":15" /> Craig Pearson of ''[[PC Gamer]]'' described it as a "fine example of a cute Early Access title".<ref name="pcg" /> After its console release, Francesco Serino of {{Ill|Everyeye.it|it|Everyeye.it|italic=yes}} wrote, "the final result is so modest and unconvincing that it leaves one speechlees".<ref name=":21" /> Jose Rodríguez of ''[[IGN]]'' praised the overall game for its innovative and enjoyable elements.<ref name=":17">{{Cite news |last=Rodríguez |first=Jose A. |date=February 24, 2016 |title=Pixel Piracy – Análisis |trans-title=Pixel Piracy – Review |url=https://es.ign.com/pixel-piracy/100445/review/pixel-piracy-analisis-para-ps4-y-xbox-one |access-date=August 15, 2024 |work=[[IGN]] |language=es |archive-date=August 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240813210325/https://es.ign.com/pixel-piracy/100445/review/pixel-piracy-analisis-para-ps4-y-xbox-one |url-status=live }}</ref> The game received the [[Indie DB]] Indie of the Year award in the Editors Choice category.<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 24, 2013 |title=Indie Of The Year 2013 Editor Choice |url=https://www.indiedb.com/games/pixel-piracy/features/indie-of-the-year-2013-editor-choice |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240815200637/https://www.indiedb.com/games/pixel-piracy/features/indie-of-the-year-2013-editor-choice |archive-date=August 15, 2024 |access-date=August 13, 2024 |work=[[Mod DB|Indie DB]]}}</ref> |
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Reviewers criticised the gameplay and its mechanics, describing the controls as complicated,<ref name=":16" /><ref name=":17" /> and the combat system as perplexing. |
Reviewers criticised the gameplay and its mechanics, describing the controls as complicated,<ref name=":16" /><ref name=":17" /> and the combat system as perplexing.<ref name=":13" /><ref name=":22" /><ref name=":19">{{Cite news |last=Spotti |first=Davide |date=February 26, 2016 |title=All'arrembaggio! |trans-title=To the boarding! |url=https://multiplayer.it/recensioni/164144-pixel-piracy-allarrembaggio.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240813210325/https://multiplayer.it/recensioni/164144-pixel-piracy-allarrembaggio.html |archive-date=August 13, 2024 |access-date=August 15, 2024 |work={{ill|Multiplayer.it|it|Multiplayer.it}} |language=it}}</ref> Lucio Lorenzino of ''Enemy Slime'' described the game as uncomplete upon its PC debut, citing missing textures, incorrect character pronouns, and broken AI. He also said that "the game is not interested in explaining how anything works".<ref name=":5" /> Writing for ''[[Gamekult]]'', Thomas Mangot mentioned that it had bugs upon full release and that the game's artificial intelligence was "chaotic".<ref name=":13" /> Pearson characterized the map as vague and said that combat could have been improved.<ref name="pcg" /> Josephine Lawton of ''[[Pure Xbox]]'' stated that the ability to control both the pirate captain and the crew "often doesn't work as expected", explaining that the crew often refused to jump on the enemy ship or walk, and that even after the enemy ship was defeated, the crew would not move.<ref name=":1" /> Upon its full release in 2014, the game lacked tutorials that explained the game's mechanisms.<ref name=":14" /><ref name=":15" /> Lawton observed that upon their addition, the tutorial does not introduce the player to the majority of the game's elements.<ref name=":1" /> Lorenzino said that the crew would sometimes refuse to leave enemy vessels, and the player could not use the interact option.<ref name=":5" /> The game was nonetheless lauded for its sandbox elements.<ref name=":15" /><ref name=":13" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Baki |first=Győző |date=March 1, 2016 |title=Recensione – Pixel Piracy |trans-title=Review – Pixel Piracy |url=https://www.mondoxbox.com/recensione/2264/pixel-piracy.html |access-date=August 15, 2024 |work=Mondo Xbox |language=it}}</ref> The game's concepts of building were compared to ''[[Sid Meier's Pirates!]]''.<ref name=":14" /><ref name=":21" /> The game also garnered criticism for its repetitive gameplay mechanisms.{{efn|Attributed to following reviews:<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":18" /><ref name=":16" /><ref name=":22" /><ref name=":19" />}} Scott Craft of ''Player.One'' said that "the game fails to offer players any real incentive to keep playing after their first couple of sessions". He noted that the gameplay was initially entertaining but that the game quickly becomes dull.<ref name=":3" /> |
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The game was praised for its graphics and textures.{{efn|<ref name="pcg" /><ref name=":3" /><ref name=":14" /><ref name=":13" /><ref name=":12" />}} Pearson observed that its graphics and soundtrack contrasted with the difficulty of the gameplay, whilst Craft said that "''Pixel Piracy'''s rather vibrant aesthetic lends itself well to the subject".<ref name="pcg" /><ref name=":3" /> Lawton, on the other hand, disliked that the sprites did not integrate with the backgrounds that she saw as dry, while Roberto Turrini of ''[[The Games Machine (Italy)|The Games Machine]]'' found the pixel graphics confusing at times.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":16" /> Emmanuel González of ''IGN'' described the design of the islands as "repetitive" but graphically pleasant.<ref name=":12" /> According to Rodríguez, the PC version is more detailed than the Xbox One version.<ref name=":17" /> The [[HUD (video games)|user interface]] was criticized as confusing. |
The game was praised for its graphics and textures.{{efn|Attributed to following reviews:<ref name="pcg" /><ref name=":3" /><ref name=":14" /><ref name=":13" /><ref name=":12" />}} Pearson observed that its graphics and soundtrack contrasted with the difficulty of the gameplay, whilst Craft said that "''Pixel Piracy'''s rather vibrant aesthetic lends itself well to the subject".<ref name="pcg" /><ref name=":3" /> Lawton, on the other hand, disliked that the sprites did not integrate with the backgrounds that she saw as dry, while Roberto Turrini of ''[[The Games Machine (Italy)|The Games Machine]]'' found the pixel graphics confusing at times.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":16" /> Emmanuel González of ''IGN'' described the design of the islands as "repetitive" but graphically pleasant.<ref name=":12" /> According to Rodríguez, the PC version is more detailed than the Xbox One version.<ref name=":17" /> The [[HUD (video games)|user interface]] was criticized as confusing.<ref name=":14" /><ref name=":13" /><ref name=":5" /> Furthermore, the interface's [[point-and-click]] nature makes it unfriendly for console versions of the game.<ref name=":18" /> |
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Reviewers praised the game's soundtrack, especially the use of sea shanties.{{efn|<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3" /><ref name=":18" /><ref name=":17" />}} Lawton, however, claimed that the overall soundtrack is repetitious and annoying; Lorenzino conversely said that the music suits the game well.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":5" /> González said that the game's "sound effects are simple but effective".<ref name=":12" /> The voice acting also gained acclaim by ''Player.One''.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mozuch |first=Mo |date=March 21, 2014 |title=Pixel Piracy Review: Low-Res Adventure On The High Seas Is A Barrel O' Fun [VIDEO] |url=https://www.player.one/pixel-piracy-review-low-res-adventure-high-seas-barrel-o-fun-video-370979 |access-date=August 15, 2024 |work=Player.One |archive-date=July 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210725124321/https://www.player.one/pixel-piracy-review-low-res-adventure-high-seas-barrel-o-fun-video-370979 |url-status=live }}</ref> Ramón Varela of ''Vandal'' likened the game's voice acting to the ''[[Worms (series)|Worms]]'' video game series.<ref name=":18" /> |
Reviewers praised the game's soundtrack, especially the use of sea shanties.{{efn|Attributed to following reviews:<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3" /><ref name=":18" /><ref name=":17" />}} Lawton, however, claimed that the overall soundtrack is repetitious and annoying; Lorenzino conversely said that the music suits the game well.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":5" /> González said that the game's "sound effects are simple but effective".<ref name=":12" /> The voice acting also gained acclaim by ''Player.One''.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mozuch |first=Mo |date=March 21, 2014 |title=Pixel Piracy Review: Low-Res Adventure On The High Seas Is A Barrel O' Fun [VIDEO] |url=https://www.player.one/pixel-piracy-review-low-res-adventure-high-seas-barrel-o-fun-video-370979 |access-date=August 15, 2024 |work=Player.One |archive-date=July 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210725124321/https://www.player.one/pixel-piracy-review-low-res-adventure-high-seas-barrel-o-fun-video-370979 |url-status=live }}</ref> Ramón Varela of ''Vandal'' likened the game's voice acting to the ''[[Worms (series)|Worms]]'' video game series.<ref name=":18" /> |
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== Notes == |
== Notes == |
Latest revision as of 06:26, 4 December 2024
Pixel Piracy | |
---|---|
Developer(s) | Quadro Delta[a] |
Publisher(s) | Re-Logic[b] |
Producer(s) | Alexander Poysky |
Composer(s) | Kole Hiks |
Engine | Unity |
Platform(s) | |
Release |
|
Genre(s) | Action-adventure |
Mode(s) | Single-player |
Pixel Piracy is a 2014 side-scrolling action-adventure game with roguelike elements, developed by Quadro Delta and published by Re-Logic. In the indie game, players construct a pirate ship, hire and train a crew, and guide their crew toward notoriety by defeating the four pirate captains in a procedurally-generated world full of islands. The game features several difficulty modes.
The developers began working on the game in 2013. It went through several development stages, including being released in early access. The game was fully released on Steam on July 31, 2014, for PC and on February 16, 2016, for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One platforms. Pixel Piracy received a major update in 2015; the game's development stopped in 2016 but resumed in 2023. Since then, one downloadable content was published and an online version of the game was announced for 2025. The game received mixed reviews, with the praise going to its sandbox elements, graphics, and soundtrack, specially due to the addition of sea shanties in the game. Its repetitive gameplay, mechanics, primarily the controls and combat system, and user interface were, however, criticised.
Gameplay
[edit]Pixel Piracy is an open world and side-scrolling action-adventure game that uses 16-bit-styled sprites and 2D graphics.[1][2][3][4] The single-player game combines elements of role-playing, particularly the roguelike subgenre, platformer, simulation, and strategy genres.[3][4][5] The goal of the game is to beat four notorious pirate captains, but players are allowed to explore the game as they wish.[2][4] The game's goal can be completed in approximately 20 hours.[6] The game includes a tutorial that teaches players the game's core mechanics.[2][6]
After customizing the player and difficulty settings of the procedurally-generated world,[7] the player takes control of a pirate captain who spawns on an island, where players can build their own ship using a set of blocks and hire a crew with coins obtained at spawn.[1][4][8] The pirate captain has nearly complete control over the size of the ship and crew and can upgrade their ship with cannons.[4][9] The captain can also die by starvation, enemy pirates, or wild animals; the game also has permadeath, which means that the captain does not respawn after death.[1] The game has a day-night cycle.[10]
While traveling, the player must manage the crew's hunger and deal with equipment requirements.[1][2][4] To embark, the player can select a destination on the world map.[1][11] Locations range in population and danger.[1][12] The computer controls the actual sailing, but the ship will stop for a battle if its route crosses an occupied map node.[1][10] Ship battles are determined by acquired stats and by choices the player can make. Winning battles earns the player points and equipment, which they can use to improve the crew's size and abilities.[1] In addition, once the foes are defeated, the player can take over their ship or destroy it.[2] Upon reaching a destination, the inhabitants may be friendly or hostile toward the crew; the islands could also contain animals, valuables, and taverns that can be adopted as the crew's headquarters.[1][4] The crew can also catch wild animals in cages and domesticate them as part of the crew.[7] Other types of encounters include towns with a mix of the game's four stores.[4][13] The game features "squirrel-ish" voice acting between the pirates and shop owners.[4]
Crew stats, including health, morale, and supply level, affect the success of pillaging at a destination.[1] Taverns provide an infinite supply of food and beverages, like ale, to aid the crew in healing their wounds, as well as armed pirates for crew expansion.[4] The captain can use books, either found or purchased, to teach the crew new abilities, such as swimming, cleaning, cooking, and fishing.[2][4][9][14] Additionally, crew members may defecate aboard the ship.[15][16] Pirates can equip melee, ranged, or rock weaponry.[7]
The game was updated over time, introducing a variety of difficulty modes.[6] In addition to the standard gameplay, Pixel Piracy previously offered an "arena mode" in which the pirate captain would defend an island that was being invaded by a wave of pirates who progressively increased in difficulty and speed.[7]
Development and release
[edit]Pixel Piracy was developed by Finnish and Spanish independent developers Vitali Kirpu and Alexander Poysky, collectively known as Quadro Delta, and published by Re-Logic.[4][6][17][18] The game was developed using the Unity game engine.[19] Poysky said that Re-Logic and their 2011 indie sandbox video game Terraria inspired him to pursue a career in video game development. Re-Logic actively contributed to the development of Pixel Piracy, assisting with quality assurance and design. Kirpu initially worked entirely alone on the game, but Mikko Arvala later joined as a maintenance developer. Poysky worked as a producer on the game; Pixel Piracy also had its own testing team.[17]
The development of the game began in mid 2013.[20] The alpha version of the game was released in November 2013, and it was accepted through the Steam Greenlight system.[5][8][21] The game was launched in early access on Steam in December 2013, and its developers also released a free pirated torrent of the game "in an attempt to compromise with users who will pirate the game regardless".[21][22][23] Poysky said that the early access system on Steam allowed the team to grow in momentum and fund the game.[17] During its development, the game regularly received bug fixes and updates.[13] Pixel Piracy remained in early access until it was fully released on Steam on July 31, 2014, for Microsoft Windows, OS X, and Linux platforms.[24][25] The game features a custom soundtrack composed by Kole Hiks, including sea shanties inspired by Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag.[4][26] Pixel Piracy has references to the Monkey Island video game series and the Pirates of the Caribbean film series.[7]
Following its full release, Quadro Delta released the "Enhanced Edition" for free to all Pixel Piracy owners on April 23, 2015. The developers issued a formal apology, acknowledging their failures and assuring players that much work had been and would continue to be done to meet all development promises and fix all the game's issues. Poysky said that the team "felt it wasn't up to snuff with our standards" when the game was first launched. The Enhanced Edition supported more languages and improved items, abilities, and artificial intelligence (AI).[17] The game was later released for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on February 16, 2016.[2][6][27] Abstraction Games developed and 505 Games published the games for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.[3][6] On the release date of console editions, Pixel Piracy received crossover content from Terraria.[28] The game remained available on PlayStation Plus until May 2023.[29]
Pixel Piracy continued to receive incremental updates until February 2016, when a 7-year hiatus began.[30] Quadro Delta went bankrupt in late 2017, after which the duo split up; Kirpu remained the sole developer of the game.[31] Development continued with its next patch in January 2023. Since then, the game has received regular updates.[32] Its first downloadable content, Pixel Piracy – Shrimp Legacy, was released a month later.[33] In September 2023, Kirpu announced that an online version of the game, Pixel Piracy Online, was in development.[34] The game is set to release in 2025.[35]
Quadro Delta also worked with Re-Logic on a tactical role-playing game named Pixel Privateers, which was released in 2017.[36][37] The game adopted elements of Pixel Piracy and Terraria while also featuring an online cooperative mode.[36] It was compared to the Borderlands and Diablo games.[37][38]
Reception
[edit]Aggregator | Score |
---|---|
Metacritic | (PS4) 50/100[39] (Xbox One) 53/100[39] |
Publication | Score |
---|---|
Eurogamer | 5/10[41] |
Gamekult | 5/10[9] |
IGN | 6.8/10[40] |
The Games Machine (Italy) | 6.8/10[12] |
Pure Xbox | 5/10[2] |
Svet kompjutera | 70/100[7] |
Pixel Piracy received "mixed or average" reviews according to review aggregator Metacritic.[39] Initially, during its early access phase, reviewers complimented the game for its potential.[1][8] Craig Pearson of PC Gamer described it as a "fine example of a cute Early Access title".[1] After its console release, Francesco Serino of Everyeye.it wrote, "the final result is so modest and unconvincing that it leaves one speechlees".[14] Jose Rodríguez of IGN praised the overall game for its innovative and enjoyable elements.[40] The game received the Indie DB Indie of the Year award in the Editors Choice category.[42]
Reviewers criticised the gameplay and its mechanics, describing the controls as complicated,[12][40] and the combat system as perplexing.[9][16][43] Lucio Lorenzino of Enemy Slime described the game as uncomplete upon its PC debut, citing missing textures, incorrect character pronouns, and broken AI. He also said that "the game is not interested in explaining how anything works".[13] Writing for Gamekult, Thomas Mangot mentioned that it had bugs upon full release and that the game's artificial intelligence was "chaotic".[9] Pearson characterized the map as vague and said that combat could have been improved.[1] Josephine Lawton of Pure Xbox stated that the ability to control both the pirate captain and the crew "often doesn't work as expected", explaining that the crew often refused to jump on the enemy ship or walk, and that even after the enemy ship was defeated, the crew would not move.[2] Upon its full release in 2014, the game lacked tutorials that explained the game's mechanisms.[7][8] Lawton observed that upon their addition, the tutorial does not introduce the player to the majority of the game's elements.[2] Lorenzino said that the crew would sometimes refuse to leave enemy vessels, and the player could not use the interact option.[13] The game was nonetheless lauded for its sandbox elements.[8][9][44] The game's concepts of building were compared to Sid Meier's Pirates!.[7][14] The game also garnered criticism for its repetitive gameplay mechanisms.[c] Scott Craft of Player.One said that "the game fails to offer players any real incentive to keep playing after their first couple of sessions". He noted that the gameplay was initially entertaining but that the game quickly becomes dull.[4]
The game was praised for its graphics and textures.[d] Pearson observed that its graphics and soundtrack contrasted with the difficulty of the gameplay, whilst Craft said that "Pixel Piracy's rather vibrant aesthetic lends itself well to the subject".[1][4] Lawton, on the other hand, disliked that the sprites did not integrate with the backgrounds that she saw as dry, while Roberto Turrini of The Games Machine found the pixel graphics confusing at times.[2][12] Emmanuel González of IGN described the design of the islands as "repetitive" but graphically pleasant.[25] According to Rodríguez, the PC version is more detailed than the Xbox One version.[40] The user interface was criticized as confusing.[7][9][13] Furthermore, the interface's point-and-click nature makes it unfriendly for console versions of the game.[6]
Reviewers praised the game's soundtrack, especially the use of sea shanties.[e] Lawton, however, claimed that the overall soundtrack is repetitious and annoying; Lorenzino conversely said that the music suits the game well.[2][13] González said that the game's "sound effects are simple but effective".[25] The voice acting also gained acclaim by Player.One.[45] Ramón Varela of Vandal likened the game's voice acting to the Worms video game series.[6]
Notes
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Pearson, Craig (January 29, 2014). "The Early Access Report – Divinity: Original Sin, Pixel Piracy and Final Rush". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on September 30, 2023. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Lawton, Josephine (February 25, 2016). "Pixel Piracy: Review". Pure Xbox. Archived from the original on March 28, 2016. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
{{cite news}}
: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ^ a b c "Pixel Piracy". Rock Paper Shotgun. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r Craft, Scott (August 11, 2014). "Pixel Piracy Review: What Shall We Do With The Drunken Sailor?". Player.One. Archived from the original on August 15, 2024. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
- ^ a b Pearson, Craig (December 3, 2013). "Pixel Piracy Devs Pirate Pixel Piracy". Rock Paper Shotgun. Archived from the original on August 13, 2024. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Varela, Ramón (February 18, 2016). "Análisis de Pixel Piracy (PS4, PC, Xbox One)" [Pixel Piracy Review (PS4, PC, Xbox One)]. Vandal (in Spanish). Archived from the original on August 13, 2024. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Čmelik, Jan (September 1, 2014). "Pixel Piracy". Svet kompjutera (in Serbian). Archived from the original on May 15, 2017. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e Esteve, Jaume (June 7, 2014). "Pixel Piracy: Piratas, piratería y estética retro" [Pixel Piracy: Pirates, piracy, and retro aesthetics]. IGN (in Spanish). Archived from the original on August 13, 2024. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Mangot, Thomas (August 4, 2014). "Test: Pixel Piracy (PC)". Gamekult (in French). Archived from the original on August 13, 2024. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
- ^ a b "Pixel Piracy: Primeras impresiones" [Pixel Piracy: First impressions]. Eurogamer (in Spanish). August 4, 2014. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
- ^ Pearson, Craig (October 9, 2013). "Place Planks And Plunder: Pixel Piracy". Rock Paper Shotgun. Archived from the original on August 13, 2024. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e Turrini, Roberto (February 26, 2016). "Pixel Piracy – Recensione" [Pixel Piracy – Review]. The Games Machine (in Italian). Archived from the original on August 13, 2024. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f Lorenzino, Lucio (August 14, 2014). "Review: Pixel Piracy". Enemy Slime. Archived from the original on August 13, 2024. Retrieved August 13, 2014.
- ^ a b c Serino, Francesco (February 20, 2016). "Recensione Pixel Piracy" [Pixel Piracy Review]. Everyeye.it (in Italian). Retrieved August 15, 2024.
- ^ Robinson, Martin (June 23, 2014). "Video: Pixel Piracy live stream". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on May 21, 2024. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
- ^ a b c Ostrowski, Andrzej (February 24, 2016). "Recenzja: Pixel Piracy (PS4)" [Review: Pixel Piracy (PS4)]. PPE (in Polish). Archived from the original on August 15, 2024. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
- ^ a b c d Priestman, Chris (May 15, 2015). "Why The Pixel Piracy Developer Apologized To Its Community, And How It Bounced Back". Siliconera. Archived from the original on July 10, 2021. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
- ^ "Piętnaście pikseli na "umrzyka skrzyni"!" [Fifteen pixels for a "dead box"!]. Gamer.mag (in Polish). Vol. 10, no. 31. November 28, 2014.
- ^ Kirpu, Vitali [@PixelPiracyGame] (September 15, 2023). "Pixel Piracy still runs on Unity4, Do you want a runtime fee for a game that was made in 2013? 🤣 @unity" (Tweet). Retrieved August 15, 2024 – via Twitter.
- ^ Poysky, Alexander (July 3, 2013). "What is Pixel Piracy Simulator?". Indie DB. Archived from the original on August 13, 2024. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
- ^ a b Gera, Emily (December 3, 2013). "Pixel Piracy studio gives gamers official blessing to pirate the game". Polygon. Archived from the original on August 13, 2024. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
- ^ Quadro Delta (December 12, 2013). "Thank you all for trying our Early Access release!". Steam. Archived from the original on May 28, 2023. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
- ^ Grisci, Bruno (December 3, 2013). "Yarr! Estúdio independente libera cópia pirata de seu jogo de piratas" [Yarr! Independent Studio Releases Pirated Copy of Its Pirate Game]. GameBlast (in Portuguese). Archived from the original on March 25, 2024. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
- ^ "Pixel Piracy". OpenCritic. Archived from the original on August 13, 2024. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
- ^ a b c d González, Emmanuel (September 13, 2014). "Pixel Piracy – Análisis" [Pixel Piracy – Review]. IGN (in Spanish). Archived from the original on August 15, 2024. Retrieved August 13, 2014.
- ^ Quadro Delta (July 31, 2014). Pixel Piracy (PC). Re-Logic. Scene: Credits.
- ^ Thomas, Lucas M. (February 16, 2016) [February 15, 2016]. "Out This Week: Street Fighter V, Fire Emblem Fates: Birthright and Conquest". IGN. Archived from the original on November 10, 2023. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
- ^ "Pixel Piracy Official Terraria Items Trailer". IGN. February 16, 2016. Archived from the original on August 15, 2024. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
- ^ Anderton, Joe (April 15, 2023). "PlayStation Plus losing 50 games in May — including Spider-Man". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on May 24, 2023. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
- ^ Quadro Delta (February 10, 2016). "1.1.25 & 1.1.26 Patchnotes". Steam. Archived from the original on August 15, 2024. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
- ^ Kirpu, Vitali (February 6, 2018). "You deserve to know the truth about Quadro Delta and Alexander Poysky". Steam. Retrieved August 16, 2024.
- ^ "日本語にも翻訳可能に!ユーザーの愛がインディーゲーム作者の情熱蘇らせる―「少年ジャンプのような週刊更新を目指したい」精力的に更新続く復活の2D海賊シム『Pixel Piracy』" [Now available in Japanese! The love of users revives the passion of indie game creators – "We want to aim for weekly updates like Shonen Jump" Revived 2D pirate sim "Pixel Piracy" continues to be updated energetically]. GameSpark (in Japanese). May 29, 2023. Archived from the original on September 23, 2023. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
- ^ Kirpu, Vitali (February 13, 2023). "Pixel Piracy – Shrimp Legacy". Steam. Archived from the original on January 3, 2024. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
- ^ Kirpu, Vitali [@PixelPiracyGame] (September 30, 2023). "Pixel Piracy Online Steam Page is now Up. Please RT & Wishlist, Jolly Roger thanks! 🏴☠️🏴☠️🏴☠️ #gamedev #indiedev #mmo #games #madewithunity" (Tweet). Retrieved August 15, 2024 – via Twitter.
- ^ "Pixel Piracy Online". Kotaku. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
- ^ a b Saed, Sherif (January 27, 2016). "Terraria devs announce Pixel Privateers". VG247. Archived from the original on August 13, 2024. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
- ^ a b "Pixel Privateers Is Like Squad-Based Borderlands". Kotaku. February 25, 2017. Archived from the original on August 13, 2024. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
- ^ Meer, Alec (March 17, 2017). "Wot I Think: Pixel Privateers". Rock Paper Shotgun. Archived from the original on August 3, 2024. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
- ^ a b c "Pixel Piracy". Metacritic. Archived from the original on August 13, 2024. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e Rodríguez, Jose A. (February 24, 2016). "Pixel Piracy – Análisis" [Pixel Piracy – Review]. IGN (in Spanish). Archived from the original on August 13, 2024. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
- ^ Fazio, Lorenzo (April 1, 2016). "Pixel Piracy – recensione" [Pixel Piracy – review]. Eurogamer (in Italian). Retrieved August 15, 2024.
- ^ "Indie Of The Year 2013 Editor Choice". Indie DB. December 24, 2013. Archived from the original on August 15, 2024. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
- ^ a b Spotti, Davide (February 26, 2016). "All'arrembaggio!" [To the boarding!]. Multiplayer.it (in Italian). Archived from the original on August 13, 2024. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
- ^ Baki, Győző (March 1, 2016). "Recensione – Pixel Piracy" [Review – Pixel Piracy]. Mondo Xbox (in Italian). Retrieved August 15, 2024.
- ^ Mozuch, Mo (March 21, 2014). "Pixel Piracy Review: Low-Res Adventure On The High Seas Is A Barrel O' Fun [VIDEO]". Player.One. Archived from the original on July 25, 2021. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
Further reading
[edit]- Converse, Cris (March 10, 2016). Pixel Piracy Game Guide. BooksMango. ISBN 9781633237155.
External links
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