A unique mix of turn-based and role-play, Hammer & Sickle is a brand-new gaming experience. The dizzying array of tactical solutions for each situation is greatly deepened by the fully destructible environments - while an open mission structure and the non-linear story put you in complete control of the game world.

2K Sports announced today that College Hoops 2K6 for the Xbox is now available at retailers across North America, delivering the most realistic collegiate experience yet, featuring an enhanced Legacy mode, underclassmen recruiting, high school camps, virtual coaches and an unprecedented five in-game commentators.

Experience the American Civil War and key events immediately prior to and following the conflict that changed the United States. In Divided Nation, players take on multiple roles in 19th century America, including Civil War General, pirate commander and militia leader in the Texas War of Independence.

A community developer chat on Adventure Europe with Michel Bams, one of White Birds Productions' founders, reveals that besides Paradise, Beniot Sokal's studio is working on an additional two titles, "Sinking Island" and "Aquarica." Sinking Island is a dark detective adventure story, set on a tropical paradise, at a millionaire's hotel a crime is commited, and while the island seems to be sinking for unknown reasons, you have to find out who did it. Aquarica is still in the early stages of development but will have full 3D graphics and be a tie in with a movie.

Sid Meier's Civilization IV expands on the beloved gameplay of its predecessors with countless new gameplay changes and improvements, including religion, great people and for the first time in the Civilization series, a full 3D engine. 2K Games has released a demo for Firaxis' Civ IV allowing you to try out a tutorial and a 100 turn demo level (thanks GameDemos). Read more for download links ...

GarageGames announced the release of the new Torque Game Engine (TGE), version 1.4, featuring hundreds of technology enhancements, from improved work flow and tutorials, to localization support and editor updates.

A few weeks ago Ubisoft announced that it will publish Faces of War (previously known as Outfront II), a World War II squad-based, RTS game developed by Best Way, the people behind Soldiers: Heroes of World War II. Read more for additional details ..

Kylotonn announces that it has terminated the distributing and publishing agreement Digital Jesters due to non-payment and breaches of contract perpetrated by the Digital Jesters management. Kylotonn owns Bet on Soldier and will shortly arrange a new agreement with another publisher for this title in the UK and in the US.

Ubisoft Europe is pleased to announce that it is extending its publishing agreement with Sony Online Entertainment to introduce two new games for the PSP: Field Commander and Untold Legends: The Warrior’s Code. Both games are scheduled for release in spring 2006 throughout Europe, Asia and Australia/New Zealand.

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. Frogwares has released a new demo allowing you to try out the train level. You are traveling aboard the super train "Goliath." Your goal is to reach the destination as fast as possible.