In able to successfully render the realm of Lucas Arts' upcoming Star Wars: The Force Unleashed game, three different physics engines were used. In a video we have for you, the developers talk about how Havok, Euphoria, and DMM take part in making the world of the Star Wars unlike any other game under the franchise.

Gabe's back in the fray and he's looking better than ever in this gameplay video update of SCEA's Syphon Filter: Logan's Shadow. Complete with his trademark buzzcut and bad-ass gravelly voice, the guy can still take down any heavily-armed tango with a couple of shots from his handy pistol despite having a name that's rather metrosexual-ish. Awesome.

One thing yours truly immediately noticed from this video is that the game itself looks a whole lot better from the previous gameplay videos we've seen. This is probably due to the fact that the title's developers have only recently revealed the little fact of Logan's Shadow being made to take full advantage of the PSP's processor - all 333 MHz of it.

We also get to sneak a peek at the Havok physics, with the enemies' models falling in unscripted positions as Gabe put their lights out. Even more awesome.

Check out the video at the embed below, you won't be disappointed. Enjoy!

 

Over at the PlayStation blogs, Chris Reese, technical director of SCEA Bend Studio, announced that Syphon Filter: Logan's Shadow is using all of the 333 MHz power of the PSP processor. Picking up from Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror, Logan's Shadow is also about visuals, says Reese, and so they pushed further with detail, producing effects such as realistic water rendering in gameplay.

Additionally, they've introduced Havok physics and more interactivity with elements in-game, while giving allowance to faster artificial intelligence (AI) response time. Logan's Shadow is being touted by the developers as a step up from Dark Mirror, and the expanded processing limit has allowed them to meet that claim with tangible evidence.

"I can't wait until you see for yourself the difference that 333MHz makes when you get your hands on Logan's Shadow this fall," blogged Chris Reese, and we couldn't have said it better ourselves. More on Syphon Filter: Logan's Shadow as they drop in.

A well-deserved shout out goes to themm for the big tip. We owe 'ya one!

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.

 

If it isn't apparent from the pre-vis video that was released months ago, LucasArts wanted emphasize "kicking ass" with the Force in their game Star Wars: The Force Unleashed.

But how does the man behind the force, George Lucas take to all this Force-ass-kicking? Well, Star Wars: Force Unleashed project lead, Hayden Blackman informed the press at the Game Developers Conference 2007 that when he put together a "pre-viz" video (we're assuming that it's similar to the one released to the press) that showed off the interactivity and the force related physics in the game to Mr. Lucas, it was one of the most frightening moments of his life. He explains:

Here we were showing the guy who created the force where we wanted to go with the games. ...He turned to us and said, "That's great, that's exactly what you need to do for games, go make that game." And I was terrified because we didn't have the technology to implement this into a game yet.

Over at LucasArts, they define the term "next-gen gameplay" by its focus on simulation-based gameplay as opposed to hard-coded scripted events. Over at LucasArts, while they still have to "hard code" certain aspects of next-gen gameplay, it is the exception rather than the norm.

Given that the concept they gave Lucas got the approval but they didn't have the tech yet. And LucasArts wanted to do less hard-coding, and focus more on simulation. It's no surprise that they're putting their eggs in the much touted Digital Molecular Matter physics, Euphoria, and Havok engine basket.

Will those engines make LucasArts' Star Wars: The Force Unleashed match up to the pre viz that Blackman showed Lucas? Well, given that there isn't a narrow enough release window yet, we'll just have to hope and pray for a demo or something so we'd have something to chew on.

2K Games has announced that the hilariously dysfunctional family is now out to wreak havoc not only in your own homes, but anywhere and everywhere you go, as the PSP action game Family Guy has shipped to retailers and is now up for grabs.

All the characters you love, or hate, or hate and love, will be featured in the game, along with the entire cast and creative team of the hit TV show, which has been hailed as the closest competition of one of the longest-running cartoon shows, "The Simpsons".

The Family Guy for the PSP lets you take on the role of beer-guzzling Peter Griffin as he tries to stop Mr. Belvedere's sinister plans or Stewie, the diabolical youngster who tries to fight off his half-brother Bertram as the two battle it out to be The One who takes over the world. You'll also get to play as Brian Griffin, the family dog, and devise ways to escape prison and prove to everyone your innocence in a puppy paternity case.

Developed by High Voltage Software, the game combines arcade-like action, platforming, combat, and puzzle-solving as you play and progress through three interweaving stories in the typical hilariously chaotic Family Guy fashion. Family Guy is now out on the market so make sure you check with your local retailers for price and availability.