Pixel Nation Issue 2 is here!

[Lorfarius]

As a few of you are I'm sure are aware I recently worked on a magazine for NES-Bit, a small community based project which I think met with great success. During the later stages of this magazine I got to chatting to a few other forumites and started working on something completely new, a retro publication called Pixel Nation.

After 5 months of hard work, determination, professional designs and gallons of coffee I'm now proud to announce that the first issue and website is finally complete:

http://pixel-nation.co.uk/

We are launching with a regular quarterly book with Issue 1 consisting of 100 full colour printed glossy pages, packed with articles/exclusive interviews, in handy A5 book size. Perfect for train journeys! We also have a PDF version as well for all those who prefer to read it on tablets, PC's etc. It's packed full of content, including the following:

Can video games be considered art? - We talk to Jose Emroca Flores (responsible for our cover), Dutch artist Metin Sevin from Seventh Heaven as we attempt to answer the question “Can video games truly be considered as art?“
2D Platform Revival - An in-depth look at the classic 2D Platform genre, how it faded away, and its current resurgence on modern platforms.
Design Classic: NiGHTS into Dreams - Huge feature on the beautiful Sega title Nights into Dreams. This is a “Design Classic” concept, where we outline in detail a particular game, and what makes it a design classic as well as its history.
Retro Icon: Outrun - Yes, we obviously love Sega, but really, all the cool kids do! A huge in-depth feature, and our regular “Retro Icon“ concept, going into mega detail about the original Outrun Coin-Op and what makes it unquestionably a Retro Icon.
Bob Wakelin Interview - We interview super influential 80’s British video game artist Bob Wakelin, and take a look at some of his favourite pieces of game art.
Retro Collect guide to Floppy Discs, the Gaming Black Market and the Far East - Yeah, we’re going there! The awesome and very knowledgeable Adam of RetroCollect joins the Pixel Nation, and gives you a wonderfully entertaining look at the various copying devices and black market shadiness from the world of retro games.
Confessions of a Girl Gamer - But I thought this was a geeky boys club? No! Geeky girls play too! An excellent and thought provoking look at some of video games most iconic female characters, as written from the perspective of an actual real life girl gamer!
Zelda Cartoon Feature - “Well, excuse me Princess!” We interview the two voice actors from the 1980’s Zelda cartoon, to get an insiders perspective on the show.
Spotlight: Koji Kando - A look at some of the awesome output from the Japanese video game music composer who has composed some of the most iconic game music of all time.
Amiga 1200 Look Back - Who doesn’t go weak at the knee’s for Commodores super beast of an Amiga? This is a richly detailed look at the history behind the system and how it came to be.
Shadow of the Beast Interview - Another exclusive interview, as we talk to the man behind the Amiga classic Shadow of the Beast, Martin Edmondson, in the first of a two part special speaking to the people behind the games.

Also:

· Tomb Raider 2 – A Saturn vs. PlayStation Story
· The Rise & Fall of Arcades
· The Year in Games - 1985

And more!

We basically went all out to get some great stuff and I'm very proud of the Legend of Zelda cartoon interview! The printed version includes the PDF for those who simply can't wait for it to arrive! There's a few pics towards the end of the post so let me know what you think!

U-Publish

In creating NES-Bit magazine I was always wandering around the web, trying to see what other fan based communities were trying to come up. One thing I noticed is the huge number of fanzine type books/mags that were available yet most of the time are hardly seen by many. So with this in mind I came up with the idea of why not have a central place where everyone can visit to discover retro publications that you might have missed. I managed to add a few books to the library so far in Pixellation Issue 1 and Hidden Treasures but I'm really hoping this will expand over time. It's on the site so please have a look at the few we have to offer.

The whole goal of Pixel Nation is to create a dedicated retro community that can actually share stuff with everyone, get things published without spending thousands (something I found the case to be with NES-Bit Magazine System). I'm very, very excited about all this as I'm sure you can imagine and I'm looking for as much support as I can muster, so please visit the site! There's also a store packed with retro goodies so I'm hoping its enough to entice you all.

[slapdash]

Will order soon... Good luck with it!

[Lorfarius]

Thanks slapdash Put a lot of hard work into it and hope everyone enjoys it!

[thom_m]

Looks great! Good luck with the publication, man!

[theMot]

Looks interesting. It would be good if you did a Series for the SNES like you are doing for the mega drive.

[Lorfarius]

Looks interesting. It would be good if you did a Series for the SNES like you are doing for the mega drive.

I probably shouldn't be saying this yet but the very next book I want to push for is a SNES one I think it would tie up the major players of the 16 Bit war nicely!

[theMot]

Well, if you do it you have your first order right here.

[Lorfarius]

Well work on issue 2 has begun, not long to go. Managed to get a fair few interviews in and some special articles of course, bit early to say what but expect some news soon

[Lorfarius]

Couple of new titles added to U-Publish, PC Engine Gamer and ZX Spectrum Gamer:

http://pixel-nation.co.uk/index.php/...c-engine-gamer

http://pixel-nation.co.uk/index.php/...spectrum-gamer

There's 8 issues available and all free to download. It's a very good start for the U-Publish concept as I want this to grow and offer a central download section for people to visit. We will offer free downloads as well as books/mags that authors want to sell so it's well worth checking back. Just in talks with another author for a further 4 magazines, so more to follow!

[c2000]

Looking good!

[wiggyx]

Wow! I'll be ordering a copy, for sure!

[Lorfarius]

Thanks both

[Lorfarius]

Very proud to announce that we have just added Retro Action Magazine to the U-Publish section of the site:

http://pixel-nation.co.uk/index.php/...ction-magazine

We have all fours issues available and free to download. We are always looking for more titles to host on U-Publish so if you have something to offer or even know of something that might be suitable, let me know

[tom]

Will you cover the classics? VCS, Coleco, Intellivision, Vectrex...

[Lorfarius]

All in good time Been in talks with a writer about a Vectrex special. But to be honest I'd love to see us doing a book for it, would be a great piece with lots of artwork, specs and info on the games.

[Lorfarius]

Just had a new entry in the U-Publish library, the second issue of Retrocade magazine:

http://pixel-nation.co.uk/index.php/...lume-1-issue-2

Also in other news... PN2 is almost complete! Designers have been working like crazy and the last page designs are almost there. Not much longer now.

[Lorfarius]

Well it’s been a long month but after many late nights (far too many early mornings!) I’m proud to announce that issue 2 of Pixel Nation is now available on the site and of course every printed copy comes with a free PDF for those who can’t wait:

http://pixel-nation.co.uk/index.php/...nation-issue-2

One of the great things about PN is that we can really take feedback on board and make changes yes we have listened to everyone’s comments. This time offering a more streamlined and professional look yet still maintaining that retro feel the first issue brought. We have also changed the binding and page sets of the books which was a comment a few made with PN1, it’s a much nicer look and feel all round!

With a mix of hired writers, designers and a push to improve here’s what we have to show for all our efforts:

Wizard of Woz - Proud to present an interview with Steve Wozniak who talks about his time developing the BASIC language behind Apple Computers and his own introduction to programming. You have no idea how big of a plus this is for us! Not just another Apple story, it goes into details you won't have read about before!
Atari in the Land of the Rising Sun – There aren’t many retro gamers that don’t know the rise and fall of Atari. But little is said of what happened to its Japanese division during these times. Pixel Nation explores the unknown history behind Atari Japan.
Dizzy: The Journey – One of the most fondly remembered heroes of yesteryear, we take a walk through the full series from past to present.
Philip Vachey interview - A chat with the composer behind Alone in the Dark, Little Big Adventure series and the Dreamcast classic Toy Commander.
Bluffers Guide to Touhou – A literal trip through a series of bullet hell shooters, our Touhou article aims to give the definitive introduction to this classic series.
Guy Wilhelmy – One of the most infamous Spectrum games collections ever committed to tape, Pixel Nation speaks to the man behind Cassette 50 of Cascade Games Ltd.
Final Fantasy VII: Through the Lifestream – A series without an end, there’s nothing Final about this Fantasy. In this issues cover special we take a closer look at the effect of Final Fantasy VII on the JRPG genre and the road to its development.
Peter J. Favoro Ph.D – We sit down with the original Alter Ego creator to discover the story behind its creation, so join us on a journey through the mind and the games creation!
Tim Wright – Discusses the music behind the Shadow Of The Beast games
The Cats out the Bag – Before the Atari Jaguar there was another cat that prowled the gaming forest. We take a look into a lost piece of gaming history, the Atari Panther.

Also:

Bubble Bobble Design Classics
World of NES Accessories

And many more!

[tom]

Found this in my storage box, gotta love Cascade. I think they had the best chicks at the trade/computer shows in London

[Lorfarius]

Was chuffed we managed to get an interview!

[Lorfarius]

Fantastic news and what I'm hoping will excite some of you, both issues of Pixel Nation are now available for £5.99. This lasts until the 20th August so just 2 weeks or until the stock runs out.

Thanks to a special offer from the printers we have been given a much lower price on the current print run but once they are gone its back to normal. We only have a small number of these so it really is first come, first serve.

Who knows if this goes well it might become a more regular price assuming I can negotiate enough with the printers!

Issue 1 can be found here:

http://pixel-nation....-nation-issue-1

Issue 2:

http://pixel-nation....-nation-issue-2

I've also dropped the price of the PDF download to match as well.

[Lorfarius]

We have managed to snag exclusive looks at a couple of unreleased games, a GBA and PC title. One of our writers is doing both pieces but the plan is also to take a lot of screenshots and video footage so there will be a decent online record available beyond the actual issue. Hoping to turn this into a regular feature with a decent look at a new unreleased game each issue.

We are also looking for writers so if anyone would like to take part just drop me a line.

[Lorfarius]

Bit of a hectic week, all of the articles for PN3 are in and we are well under way with the design work. Still amazed we have made it to a 3rd issue and I'm already starting to look beyond it for PN4!

Wouldn't be doing it if wasn't for you lot so thanks again everyone

[Lorfarius]

Just added the 4th issue of Retrocade magazine to U-Publish. Packed full of content with a rather in depth look at sex in video games!

http://pixel-nation.co.uk/index.php/...-4-pdf-edition

[Lorfarius]

Some news! Work on PN3 is forging ahead and we have around 80 pages finished so far so expect a release soon!

David Marsh of Shadowgate fame talks to us, a look at the GBA unreleased game Spiralstone and a lengthy chat with Stephen Hornback responsible for the likes of Duke Nukem/Alice and a pretty in-depth look at Myth (one of my all time favs as a kid for the Speccy).

More interviews, improvements to designs and even more writers are joining the team. Really proud with what we have managed to achieve so far and looking forward to hearing what people thing.

As PN3 comes round seriously considering stopping the print runs for older issues, it costs a lot of money to get these done guys and it always has to be in bulk. So there's a good chance that once the older issues have sold out there won't be reprints so grab em while you can.

Some previews of pages to follow, still in the design page but should give you an idea of what to expect