A study revealed today that retail sales of U.S. video games hardware, software and accessories jumped up by 21 percent in the first six months of the year, as the popularity of handheld devices offset a decline in aging game consoles.

Claire Forlani is joining the cast of "Dungeon Siege," director Uwe Boll's adaptation of the video game of the same name currently shooting in Vancouver. Forlani will play Solana, wife of the film's hero, Farmer, played by Jason Statham. Forlani has appeared in such films as "Mystery Men" and "Meet Joe Black."

Namco announced today the soundtrack for the upcoming Namco Museum 50th Anniversary. Like the rock band Loverboy, every gamer "wants a second chance," and now they will have it – to play their favorite classic games while rocking out to the tunes that made the 80's great.

A free-flowing game during which players can assume the role of multiple characters and experience the game from multiple viewpoints, Fahrenheit allows players' actions to affect the plot by offering a scenario driven interactive experience.

Take command in this dynamic turn-based game and test strategies that long-past generals and world leaders could only dream of: make it happen in Gary Grigsby’s World at War. The entire saga of World War II is yours to re-enact or to re-make in your own vision. This demo includes two tutorial scenarios as well as a full year of the 1941 campaign scenario.

Another day, another batch of game trailers were released. Instead of giving them all their own posts, we grouped them, and so far there are trailers for :

• Madden NFL 2006 - Offense Tutorial and Vision Precision Trailers (2)
• Virtua Tennis World Tour [PSP] - Trailer
• The Warriors - Trailer #2
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  We will update this throughout the day when new trailers become available. Read more for download links ...

From Quarterback Vision Control and Precision Passing to the new NFL Superstar Mode and the Truck Stick, Madden NFL 06 will revolutionize the way you play football. This year's game is so groundbreaking and innovative EA SPORTS built a whole new web site to get you ready for the Madden experience. But beware -- once you check out the new sights and sounds of Madden NFL 06, your life will never be the same. Head on over to the official Madden NFL 06 website, for the latest on the greatest ...

Frogwares is working on a game based on Jules Verne's novel Around The World In 80 Days. Journey on every existing means of transport, making you to use all inventiveness ingenuity, full of discoveries of unseen and unheard beauties. New gentleman, new bet, but it is up to you to choose itinerary. Would you do it in 80 days? Maybe you would rather make a stop at Bahamas, and give up the race for good?

NovaLogic is giving gamers the chance to step inside the combat boots of America's elite warriors. Its tactical shooter Delta Force: Black Hawk Down is now available at retail stores nationwide with a portion of all game sales going to the Special Operations Warrior Foundation.

UC 2: The Liandri Conflict introduces a new gameplay style to the traditional FPS genre: acrobatic melee combat. Unreal Championship fans can play as any one of 14 characters from the Unreal universe, each with spectacular new Adrenaline Powers that enable new offensive and defensive combos. Midway is awaiting Microsoft approval to roll out a patch which will make various graphical & gameplay changes, network optimizations, and a few other fixes. No specific date for its release has been announced yet. Read more for details ..

Set in early 20th century Europe, this PC adaptation brings the power struggles of seven mighty nations to life like never before. Its abstracted and simple gameplay puts the focus on the need for shrewd negotiations and overall strategy. Check out the freshly launched webiste, or read more for new screens ...

Xing Interactive has released the first patch for Unicejo Entertainment RTS game Cloven Crania Meadow. This update brings your retail game to v1.05 and adds a group selection feature, fixes minor problems, and addresses a registry issue. An update demo is also available (thanks 3DGamers). Read more for download links ...

Koei Europe today announced plans to publish Makai Kingdom: Chronicles of the Sacred Tome for the PS2 in Europe. Makai Kingdom is the latest in a line of hit strategy role-playing games that includes Disgaea: Hour of Darkness, La Pucelle: Tactics, and Phantom Brave. The European release of Makai Kingdom is scheduled for October 28, 2005.

WEBZEN's Endless Saga, under development at D-Studio, is a new massively multiplayer online role-playing game for the PS3 and PC, and slated for release in 2007. No further details are available, but check the first screens ...

El Matador is a third person action game with stealth elements set in the environment of the Central and South America. It takes proven features of the genre and enhances them with the latest technology, to provide the player with an opportunity to experience the excitement of espionage first hand.

Taking place a year after Aria of Sorrow, the game’s protagonist – Soma Cruz – finds himself at the center of a mysterious cult’s plan to resurrect their evil lord and master Dracula. To save himself and protect the lives of those he loves, Soma must infiltrate the enemy’s home base, a towering replica of Dracula’s castle that is teaming with monstrous creatures. Players’ abilities develop as they collect items and gather experience points by defeating a multitude of gruesome enemies.

Take 2 and Rockstar are being sued in federal court in Manhattan over hidden sexual content in their "GTA: San Andreas" video game. The plaintiff, Florence Cohen, claims that she purchased the game for her teenage grandson in or about late 2004 when the game was rated "M" and was damaged when it came to light that sexually explicit scenes believed to be inaccessible by players were left in the game by developers.

City of Villains will provide players with a chance to play the "bad guy" in the comic-book inspired world created by Cryptic Studios. Take on the role of super-powered villains and create your own character using thousands of power and costume options. Then battle heroes and become a true menace to society while plotting your way to world domination.

Midway Arcade Treasures 3 is a collection of eight classic arcade racing games featuring insane jumps and stunts in RUSH: The Rock and RUSH 2049 along with jet boat adventures in Hydro Thunder. Test your arena-style 4x4 driving skills in Super Off Road or get down in the dirt with Off Road Thunder: Mud, Sweat and Gears. Experience stunt driving in Race Drivin’ or jump to the future for the post-nuclear battle of Badlands or shoot things up in S.T.U.N. Runner.

NIS America announced today that Makai Kingdom: Chronicles of the Sacred Tome for the PS2 has shipped to North American retailers and is in stores now. Makai Kingdom is developed by the core team that brought gamers Disgaea: Hour of Darkness. Forget about all the strategy RPGs you have ever played before, Makai Kingdom redefines and sets a new standard for the genre.