We reported last March that a new expansion pack is coming to the PlayStation Network for the defense-tower puzzle game PixelJunk Monsters. Today, we get a confirmation from the PlayStation Blog that it is indeed arriving soon. In fact, it's hitting the shelves this week.

Sony Computer Entertainment of America (SCEA) announced that its pairing with Dylan Cuthbert and Q-Games has led to the expansion pack PixelJunk Monsters Encore. SCEA Senior Producer Deborah Mars provides us with a quick rundown of what to expect:

• 1 new island, Toki Island
• 15 new levels
• 5 new music tracks from Otograph
• Ice Tower is now a stock item
• Reduced gem cost to buy the Tesla Tower

Mars also took time to interview main brain Dylan Cuthbert on the nuances of PixelJunk Monsters Encore. According to Cuthbert, Encore was chosen among a host of expansion name titles because the Japanese community are more familiar with the term. Moreover, Cuthbert revealed that the Racer Gardens is his favorite map.

For Cuthbert's thoughts on the game's art style inspiration, the pressure to come up with an expansion, and crazy fan mails, read PS blog post by following the link below.