This fall looks to deliver another epic clash of the video game bands. Konami is set to join the console skirmishes with its new Rock Revolution, and developer Zoe Mode has been tapped to work on it. A new feature is primed to give the rhythm genre some breaths of freshness, and you can find out what it is by reading the full article after the jump.

Given that this year's biggest games are Nintendo's Wii Fit and Rockstar North's Grand Theft Auto 4 (Xbox 360, PlayStation 3), you guys might be thinking there's just too little space for both games to survive in the market. Well, that's not Zoe Mode's Ste Curran thinks. In an interview, both games can actually co-exist. Details in the full article.

People say the third time's a charm, but what do they say about the fourth? Hopefully it's something good, because part four of our 25 bargain video game titles for your PlayStation Portable takes some interesting games from the East and West. Better yet, they're offered at a price point with as big a discount as the depth of your soon-to-be-floored jaw. But do these deserve some play time with you on Sony's portable console? Find out at the full story.

Develop Magazine's Industry Excellence Awards broke records after gathering 500 games industry executives last night. Among them, 17 different companies and individuals claimed the 18 awards over 15 categories.

A panel of industry experts voted for the best in different categories to reward various creative achievements in game development - from visual arts to innovation. The diversity of the list gives us nothing but a positive outlook, and assurance that the market won't run out of good games if these guys are around.

Here's the list of winners that deserve our cheers:

• New Console IP - MotorStorm (Evolution/SCEE External Development)
• New Handheld IP - Crush (Zoe Mode)
• Best Use of a License - Lego Star Wars II (Traveller's Tales)
• Visual Arts - Rare (for Viva Piñata)
• Audio Accomplishment - FreeStyle (for B-Boy)
• Publishing Hero - Sega
• Innovation - Real Time Worlds (for Crackdown)
• Tools Provider - Havok
• Best Use of Online - Eden Studios (for Test Drive Unlimited)
• Services & Outsourcing - Babel Media
• Recruitment Company - Datascope
• New UK Studio - Realtime Worlds
• Handheld Studio - Rockstar Leeds
• Business Development - Blitz
• Independent Developer - Traveller's Tales
• In-house Developer - Ubisoft France
• Development Legend - Ian Hetherington
• Grand Prix - Sony

We're not sure about the exact criteria, but a good guess would say Sega earned the "Publishing Hero" award for having plenty of titles in all flavors under its belt. With Rockstar Leeds' big games in its arsenal (GTA: Liberty City/Vice City Stories), it's no surprise why the company is branded the best "Handheld Studio."

Sony's Grand Prix Award is due to 12 months of extensive support for internal and external developers to create cutting edge next-gen games.

Innovative. That's probably the best word we could use to describe Crush. Being able to move from 2D to 3D and back has been explored in many games by many developers, but few can boast what the guys at Zoe Mode have accomplished. They even upped the ante by allowing players to switch views on six axes at any time during the game. Crush is without a doubt one of the best games on the PSP to date. It marries innovative gameplay with a storyline that's interesting, innovative and compelling

The game is about a kid named Danny, who was hospitalized for his insomnia. Danny's is not your average Joe and has a lot of emotional baggage that begins manifesting in his subconscious. He seeks help from Dr. Reubens, whom other professionals in the field of psychology criticize for being a bit too... eccentric.

Dr. Reubens "suggests" a treatment that uses a special machine he created: C.R.U.S.H (Cognitive Regression Utilizing pSychiatric Heuristics). The therapy has Danny undergoing hypnosis while hooked up to said machine. It should allow him to cut through his neuroses and come to terms with the secrets he has hidden in his psyche. At least in theory...

Senior Producer Paul Mottram at Zoe Mode was nice enough to let us pick at his brain regarding Crush. He discussed their choice to release it on the PSP, the current lack of multiplayer options, and even the possibility of user created levels. Those who have been enamored by the game will also want to read about the possibility of a sequel to the game (which is referred to multiple times in the interview).

The full interview can be found after the jump!

"Doctor Stiles! The patient is reaching critical condition!" Yeah, well, I might not be a master at surgical procedures using a stylus or Wii remote, but maybe using a SIXAXIS perhaps? The game is called Bacterius in Japan, but in other shores, we know it quite well as none other than Nucleus. Or, if you wanna be smarty-pants about it, it's "the fl0w meets Blast Factor game" for the PSN (with a Trauma Center theme too).

We've got a couple of new screens for Nucleus today, all magnified to high-res love. The game is just about ready to roll out. But as to when specifically, we can't quite get a hold of a date yet.

   

Take your scalpel, more high-res pics behind the Full Article link.

Developer Zoe Mode yesterday hinted that they're considering bringing video game Crush to other platforms. Currently, the adventures of "Danny the troubled insomniac" is exclusive to the PlayStation Portable owners. Zoe Mode's Paul Mottram said that to have versions for Wii, DS, and PlayStation 2 is not impossible.

Some of Mottram's exact words include "It's something we'd all love to do since there are so many features we didn't get the opportunity to put into this version". However, Crush's publisher Sega refused to comment on the matter. Gaming site Eurogamer tried to contact Sega for an official statement but was unable to get a response.

If you ask me, the DS and PS2 version is highly feasible provided that Zoe Mode is really serious about it. The interesting part here is whether Nintendo will allow it on the Wii. The thing with Crush is that it has this 3D to 2D gig going on for it but Super Paper Mario already has that.

Will Nintendo let its most-famed plumber befriend a troubled insomniac?

We know video game title Crush has been available for a couple of weeks now but this recent interview with Zoe Mode Senior Producer Paul Mottram is really interesting as it gives some insights regarding the game and possible future versions.

According to Mottram, Zoe Mode really wanted Crush to become a handheld game because of its very nature. In this game, the objective is for players to help Danny get rid of his sleeping disorders and rather troubling past by solving various puzzles. The main thing about this title is that it allows players to change the 3D world into a 2D one and vice versa to accomplish the goals.

When asked about their plans on porting Crush to other platforms, Mottram answered,

There is no reason why it couldn't be transferred to multiple different platforms especially the Wii, DS, and PS2 and this is something we are thinking about. If we do move Crush onto new platforms, we'd want to ensure that each version fully utilizes the strengths of the platform and alternate controls and mechanics it can offer.

The senior producer also mentioned that there are actually a lot of features they originally planned to include but weren't able to because of time constraints. One such example he gave was something to do with a "blue hedgehog" that will allow players create their own levels.

Paul Mottram then shared that given Crush's success even this early, Zoe Mode is already considering a sequel to the title. He explained,

It's something we'd all love to do since there are so many features we didn't get the opportunity to put into this version. The feedback from players has been phenomenal, and we really believe that we have so much more crushing features and puzzles to explore.

SPOILER ALERT! If you already have the Zoe Mode PSP video game Crush, you've probably been through the first few of stages and wouldn't mind a video of all the stages you've cleared. But if you don't have the game yet, be forewarned: this post contains videos of the PlayStation Portable-exclusive's tutorials and the first six stages, courtesy of PSP Gadgetz.

Still there? We'll plunge right in then. The in-game videos are pretty entertaining; the dialogue between Danny and mad scientist Dr. Reubens gets pretty hilarious. The basics are pretty simple and easy to remember. Three videos are dedicated to tutorials so we're sure you got the feel of it by then. The two other videos are the actual first six stages in Crush. We see how complicated the levels get as the player progresses through the game.

Anyway, check out the videos at your own risk. Don't say we didn't warn you.

More videos at the Full Article!

Some of you might already be enjoying the mind bending gameplay of Zoe Mode and Sega's Crush, but for those who don't have the PlayStation Portable exclusive yet, here's another sneak peek.

In Crush, Danny's got to solve puzzles and collect blue orbs to get his life - and his normal sleeping patterns - back. These gameplay videos show just how you can guide Danny into sanity again by crushing the game's environment in three different perspectives. Just be careful not to crush Danny in the process.

Anyway, Crush is already on the shelves. For those who haven't gotten it for their PSPs, then you should watch the videos. Enjoy!

Another video awaits after the jump!