New Studio

Zoë Mode Sets Up Home In London

Ah, my darling Zoë Mode. I knew Brighton was too small for you. You're a big city girl, with hopes and dreams that Brighton just couldn't contain. The rebranded Kuju Brighton is launching a new studio in London in order to make room for the influx of talent the rhythm game developer has seen since they unveiled their adorable mascot last year.

“Since we re-branded last year we have had an enormous interest in the studio from both publishers and new recruits” says Ed Daly, Studio Head. “Following on from our huge growth in Brighton where we are now approaching 150 staff, we felt the time was right to open a second studio. This will enable us to take on more projects and staff without losing the intimate company culture that is so central to our approach”.

The new studio will hit the ground running, with two projects lined up for the new team, overseen by current Zoë Mode Brighton executive producer Nick Rodriguez.

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Interesting Developments

Zoë Mode Revealed As Rock Revolution Dev

Konami's answer to Rock Band - Rock Revolution - is being developed by a playful blonde girl sticking out her tongue. Brighton's Zoë Mode studio have been announced as the developers behind the latest ensemble rhythm game, set to go up against Rock Band and Guitar Hero: World Tour in an all-out battle for the space in your living room reserved for plastic instruments.

Formerly Kuju Brighton, Zoë Mode has been responsible for several rhythm-action games over the past few years, including Dancing with the Stars and Singstar, in collaboration with Sony London Studio. The cheeky blonde's official website also indicates that they are working on five unannounced music and party games on top of Konami's Rock Revolution. That's one busy cute blonde right there.

Zoë Mode to develop Rock Revolution [GI.biz]

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Gallery: Crush at the Fair

Remember awhile back when I wouldn't shut up about SEGA's innovative PSP platformer Crush? The game is actually hitting stores next week, and when I saw this latest batch of screenshots I found myself pondering what had caused me to stop thinking about it. The answer? Super Paper Mario. I guess suddenly switching between 2D and 3D worlds didn't seem quite so groundbreaking once I witnessed Mario doing it. Way to kill a buzz Nintendo. More »

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Gallery: New Crush Screenies

Sometimes I wish they wouldn't show you movies or screens from a game until a good week or so before the release date. That way you'd only have a few days to be excited, and didn't find yourself slowly starting to grow bored with each bit of new media released. So far I've seen a ton of screenshots, a handful of videos, and read at least three press releases regarding Zoe Mode's innovative new 2D/3D platforming hybrid for the PSP, as well as hearing the developer talk about the game during GDC. Stop teasing me already!, you little minx! Michael Fahey More »

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Kuju Brighton Becomes Zo Mode

In a move as quirky and odd as their upcoming PSP title Crush, Kuju's Brighton Studio has been renamed Zo Mode and given a mascot in the form of a blonde girl with her tongue sticking out. Seriously. I have no clue here.

We've created Zo Mode; she is the personality that reflects our in-house philosophy of accessible, fun gaming for everyone."

So she's accessible to everyone and fun. I think I knew her back in high school. Big hit at parties, much like Kuju Brighton's previous games for the PS2, like the Eyetoy Play and SingStar titles. So I suppose it makes sense in a gonzo marketing sort of way. Hit the press release after the jump for more of an explanation of why the game studio is now a playful blonde chick. Michael Fahey More »