Who would have thought that a group of rubber duckies could actually make it as one of the best downloadable games ever to land on Sony's PlayStation 3? Apparently, Sumo Digital did, hence the creation of Super Rub-a-Dub.

"...Sheffield Hallam University came to us with a technology demo," he explains. "Any objects within the water in this prototype were affected by the flow, and the potential was great... If you're a duck, why not rescue some ducklings? It gives you a purpose and a reason!"

Such simple logic, and yet it turned out so brilliantly. We guess great things come from small beginnings, indeed, then. In case you still haven't jumped aboard the... er - duck wagon, there are over 60 levels to enjoy in Super Rub-a-Dub. In any case, we've grabbed some neat screenshots of the game, too, for your viewing pleasure.

   

After hearing about Sumo Digital's heart-melting story behind the waters of Super Rub-a-Dub, we know that you wanted to learn even more about the title. That's why we hosted this gameplay video that focuses on pool tilting - all with the help of the SIXAXIS, of course.

Basically, the whole video game is about that. Players continuously tilt the bathtub in order to make the big rubber duck move around. The objective of this rubber duck is to get the little rubber ducks to follow it toward the tub's exit. The game isn't as easy as it sounds because there are many dangers lying around such as toy sharks that will eat your little duckies.

Super Rub-a-Dub is expected to become available across the U.S. this coming April.

Sumo Digital reveals that the Sheffield Hallam University was one of the biggest contributors in its Sony PlayStation 3 game Super Rub-a-Dub. The university-developed software that accurately simulates how water behaves, which results in the nice effects seen in the pool filled with rubber duckies.

"Our Thinking Water technology is one such programme which offers a highly efficient means of simulating fluid flow," says Professor Chris Care, the project's lead researcher.

Sumo Digital used Sheffield Hallam's "Thinking Water" technology which was developed in the Materials and Engineering Research. Complex algorithms were involved in the development of the programs resulting in accurate fluid physics simulations.

In fact, the technology was so impressive that companies such as BNEL and Rolls Royce have adopted it for use in their products. "When the University first presented the technology to us we thought this is cool and we could see opportunities to use this in a video game. Our design team fleshed out a few ideas and a year later we have the result," says Sumo's Carl Cabers.

Who says cuddly and cute was solely the Wii's domain? Come on! Just look at the new trailer for Super Rub-a-Dub on Sony's PlayStation 3. Isn't it mind-numbingly cute? Doesn't it ooze with yellow rubber bathtime fun? Okay, I know that last sentence sounded weird, but forgive me, I just listened to (Sesame Street's) Ernie's rubber-ducky song. Yes, the "Rubber Ducky, I'm awfully fond of you" song; combine that with the trailer below and make your brain go bye-bye.

Seriously though, if it isn't apparent from the already released screenies and info, the game is a Monkey Ball type puzzle/platform game. The game's set to solely use the SIXAXIS's tilt-sense, something that could be pretty interesting. A little something for all of you folks waiting for LocoRoco for the PS3.

IGN claims that the game is set to hit retail come April 19 2007.

Everything sure seems to be going according to plan for the European release of Sony's PS3. We've heard of quite a bunch of launch titles already for the PlayStation Network, and there's definitely more coming your way.

Confirming the seven downloadable titles to be up and about Europe's PlayStation Network, this sure is a golden sign that there really is no stopping the PS3 from landing in that part of the world now.

Here's the list of titles coming out. Keep your fingers crossed, cos your personal faves just might be on this first wave. If not, well then, there's still no reason to pout, 'cos we're definitely certain this won't be the last of them headed your way.

March
Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection - March 23 - £6.99 (US$ 9.20)
Blast Factor - March 23 - £3.49 (US$ 4.60)
Gran Turismo HD - March 23 (free)
Super Rub-A-Dub - March 30 - (price TBA)

April
flOw - April 6 (price TBA)
Go! Sudoku - April 13 (price TBA)
Go! Puzzle - April 20 (price TBA)

There's also word that you may very well expect Lemmings, Gripshift and Calling All Cars to be paying courtesy calls to the Euro PSN in the near future.

 

Sumo Digital's Super Rub'a'Dub caught our attention the first time we saw it. While it's release is set to be on March 23 this year, we knew that it had everything that makes a game a classic. It has an innovative control scheme, ducks, and sharks. It plays a bit like Super Monkey Ball in the sense that you don't control the character, or in this case, the ducks. You have to get them to the drain which is located somewhere on the map.

Getting them there however is a bit more difficult since there are sharks which will try to eat the ducks. The different maps, while always in a rectangular shape,  may have some walls missing which could lead to some ducks falling out of the map. To aid you, you will be able to get your ducks to jump by moving your controller in a quick up-down motion. I know it's not much help but it is a necessity if you plan on getting on the online high score table.

So if saving ducks from sharks is your thing, check it out when it's released. For now, content yourself with these few screenshots.