Indie punk veteran Mike Huguenor—celebrated for his razor-sharp riffsmanship and signature guitar tone in Jeff Rosenstock’s band, Hard Girls, and Shinobu—has officially launched his debut project as an indie game developer: Surfing the Web With the Alien: The Game.
Released to celebrate the one-year anniversary of his acclaimed 2025 sophomore solo album of the same name, this retro side-scroller is out now on PC via Steam. In true DIY fashion, physical enthusiasts and retro collectors can also grab hand-assembled, limited-edition Game Boy cartridges to experience the game on classic hardware.
From Chords to Code: A DIY Milestone
Known for pushing the boundaries of instrumental guitar music, Huguenor took his creative vision a step further by coding, designing, and scoring the companion game himself. Surfing the Web With the Alien: The Game channels the nostalgia of 8-bit and 16-bit handheld classics, translating the surreal, hyper-connected, and guitar-driven universe of his solo album into a playable adventure.
Players navigate alien landscapes and digital battlegrounds, accompanied by a chiptune-infused reimagining of the album’s tracks.
“I’ve always seen music and gaming through the same DIY lens,” Huguenor shared regarding the release. “Building this game was a way to expand the story of the record and give people a completely new way to interact with the music.”
How to Play
- PC / Steam: Available now for download on Steam, optimised for modern rigs while maintaining an authentic retro feel.
- Physical Game Boy Cartridge: Limited-run physical cartridges are available via Huguenor’s official store. Each cartridge is hand-assembled, making it a rare collector’s item for both retro gaming aficionados and punk rock fans alike.
Whether you’re a long-time fan of Huguenor’s virtuosic fretwork or a lover of retro side-scrollers, Surfing the Web With the Alien: The Game offers a unique crossover between DIY indie rock and chip-era gaming nostalgia.
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