Pixel Factory is the 16th level found in World 8: Avenue of Memories. It is based on the game roster for the classic Atari 2600 console, and contains enemies, hazards, and references from a number of Atari 2600 games, such as Adventure, Berzerk, Pitfall, Frogs and Flies, H.E.R.O., Jungle Hunt, Space Invaders, Reactor, Kaboom!, etc. It also contains a large number of custom hazards and environments made in a similar style to the games of that era, and even a few elements from Pong, possibly the most recognized game in classic video game history.
Layout[]
This level is essentially a large factory, where portions of classic Atari games are being assembled. As the player passes through a few completed rooms of various Atari games at the start of the level, the rooms gradually showing more and more signs of being under construction, with visible girderwork and Berzerk cyborgs hefting around pieces of the environment in the background. While the player will continue to occasionally pass through sections from classic games in various states of assembly, much of the level takes place in the inner workings of the factory, where the player will have to avoid deadly crushers, crane claws, and steam vents while maneuvering across conveyor belts and avoiding deadly spikes. The second section of the level is a vertical stretch, similar to the first section apart from overall direction. After exiting this area, the player will find the flagpole to end the level...
...But wait! There's a Thief there, who suddenly steals the flag from the pole and runs off, forcing the player to give chase. He leaves a bomb behind to cover his escape, that starts exploding shortly after the player runs past it. The last section of the level is a non-scrolling RUN! section where the player has to escape from the massive blast wave caused by the bomb, that is rippling throughout the factory destroying everything in it's path. The player will need to evade a number of obstacles placed in his or her path in order to avoid being blown to pieces and reach the true flagpole, where a helpful policeman has apprehended the crook and restored the flag to its pole.
The most notable feature of this level is the camera system; rather than scrolling to follow the player like in other levels, the camera stays fixed on one section of the level at a time, only moving and locking onto a new section when the player leaves the screen, and preventing them from returning to previous screens. This camera system is in place throughout the entire level, including the vertical and RUN! sections; even at the flagpole room at the end. In addition, several areas of the vertical section of the level allow for a special screen-wrap mechanic, that allows the player to run off one side of the screen and re-enter from the other. The player will be required to utilize this feature in several places in order to progress through the level or avoid danger.
History[]
Pixel Factory is, in fact, a revamp of the scrapped level Arcade Factory, which was originally found in the since-removed Minus World. The level was redesigned by developer Lars Luron and his associate Dr. Flard to correct a number of issues with the original, notably the rather vague theme of the level, along with various design issues that left the original feeling somewhat "cramped" as several obstacles and enemies were extremely difficult to avoid due to lack of room and/or bad placement.
Portions of the original level designed by Weird Bananas still exist within the revamped version, as do most of the original hazards and enemies (albeit reworked slightly).
Enemies[]
Mario Enemies:
- Goomba (Atari skin)
- Shellcreeper (Mario Bros) (Atari skin)
Pitfall Enemies:
Other Atari-themed Enemies:
- Web Spider (H.E.R.O.)
- Rolling Skull (Montezuma's Revenge)
- Cyborg (Berzerk)
- Grundle the Dragon (Adventure)
- Pong (Pong)
- Mad Bomber (Kaboom)
- Space Invaders (Space Invaders)
- Cannibal (Jungle Hunt)
- Shifty-Eyed Promoter (Journey Escape)
- Love-Crazed Groupie (Journey Escape)
Original/Unknown Enemies:
Boss[]
- Thief (Keystone Kapers)
Trivia[]
- The music used in this level is Jet Set Willy Serge P. Remix by Ron Hubbard.
- This was one of five levels originally located in the now-removed World -1: Minus World that were relocated to World 8 starting with the v0.82 update. The others being Pibble Plateau, Doh's Dimension, Neon Labyrinth and The Minefield.
- Warnings are placed at screen boundaries whenever there's an obstacle or pitfall at the start of the next screen, to warn the player before they run to their death.
Gallery[]
Video[]
MKF v0.7 Playthrough: Pixel Factory