Q-Games has revealed the name for the next game in the popular PixelJunk series. The new game, affectionately referred to as PixelJunk 1-4 up until now, will be titled PixelJunk Shooter.

The publisher unveiled the trailer for the new game a couple of weeks ago. In addition a naming contest was launched, calling upon PixelJunk fans to submit names for the new title. The contest was a hit, with over 100 000 visitors logging on to www.pixeljunk.jp and 10 000 gamers offering names based on the trailer.

Yesterday Dylan Cuthbert, President and Executive Producer of Q-Games, announced on SCEA’s PlayStation Blog that the new game would be called PixelJunk Shooter and unveiled the new logo for the game. Runner-up names included PixelJunk Depths, PixelJunk Atlantis, PixelJunk Caves, PixelJunk Blaster and PixelJunk S.O.S!

Cuthbert explained that PixelJunk Shooter was chosen because it’s simple, describes the main thing you do in the game and it makes a great logo. He also revealed that PixelJunk Elements was the most popular name but was ultimately dropped because it didn’t capture the shooting side of the game well enough.

So, what do the fans think about the new name? So far there has been a mixed response, with many gamers not happy about the choice. However, Cuthbert has assured us that “once you get to play the game you’ll see why this is the perfect name for the game. The logo and name captures the essence of the game perfectly.”

Cuthbert went on to say that “ the name has to work on many levels, and because it is a name that we use worldwide across a huge number of non-english speaking territories it needs to be fairly readable and understandable to all.”

“The game’s core is shooting, as well as being a strange puzzle hybrid with the fluid dynamics. We have “incoming boss” battles, and lots of aliens to kill, different weapons, shields etc.”

Have a little faith – these are the guys that brought us Monsters and Eden after all!

A new demo of PixelJunk Shooter will be available at E3 next week – it will include co-op play among other things.