Chris Iacobucci of PixelNAUTS beemed onto the PlayStation Blog earlier today to talk about the newest game coming out of the studio, Lost Orbit. Described as a “dodge-’em up,” players will take the role of an astronaut trying to get back home, but must dodge various obstacles across many levels at very high speeds.

Chris went in-depth on the post, elaborating and explaining the deep creative processes involved with the making of the game. Most particularly were the themes of death, which isn’t an easy subject to express. Death can be incredibly depressing or it can be very enthusiastic, joyful, and flamboyant.

Even big-budget films have turned themes, like modern war, into a comedy of some sort and games have the capacity to do tell such an emotion. Chris uses movies, like Starship Troopers and Total Recall, to explain his execution in taking a scary, depressing situation and making it fun.

“Max Payne, Total Recall (Starship Troopers, Robocop if you prefer…), Road Runner, and Monty Python have all mastered the art of fusing dark themes with comedy. We were inspired to do the same […] The inspiration behind the visual effects came from sources like Army of Darkness, Looney Toons, and Itchy & Scratchy. Harrison has packed inside his little suit, not only a skeleton, but all of his major organs, modelled and rigged with physics so they plop around the screen when released. In addition, he is crammed with so much blood, that in an instant, you’ll leave a lasting mark on any asteroid you meet.”

Look for Lost Orbit on May 12th when the PlayStation store refreshes.