Computer and video game software sales set a new record in 2004, reaching $7.3 billion, according to final data compiled by the NPD Group. Halo 2, one of the best-selling titles of 2004, took in more revenue in its first day of sales than any movie has ever taken in its opening day. In addition, Nintendo sold over 1 million units of its new handheld game system, Nintendo DS, in North America by the end of 2004, a mark that took Apple's iPod 19 months to achieve.

CDV has launched a new Cossacks II: Napoleonic Wars contest giving fans and gamers a chance to show off their artistic sides by putting together the best Cossacks II wallpaper they can and maybe win a prize for it. The contest runs for the next four weeks, with Cossacks II community forum members choosing the winners. Check the rules for the contest, prizes include copies of Cossacks II: Napoleonic Wars when it ships, and very cool "Napoleon hats." Also, the top three wallpapers will be posted to the official Cossacks II site for download.

DRIV3R is an action-packed driving adventure game that stays true to its roots, incorporating the cinematic gameplay and gritty street crime of its predecessors with ground-breaking graphics and three mammoth, wide-open city environments: Miami, Florida; Nice, France; and Istanbul, Turkey.

Project: Snowblind is a the first-person action shooter putting you in the role of an elite super soldier, fighting on the front lines of a near-future war using unique weapons, abilities and high-tech gadgetry that inject depth and variety to gameplay. Read more for new screens ...

JoWooD is apparently not doing too well financially, as today it was revealed to us that the Austrian publisher is closing down two of its development studios. One of our Jowood sources confirmed that earlier this week, it was decided that Transport Giant house Studio Ebensee and Söldner's Wings Simulations will be shutting down in the next few months. Both studios will finish up current projects and then will have a small core team still in place for future patch releases and customer support. Wing Simulations will finish its current Soldner: Marine Corps addon, which is still scheduled for March, but the previously announced Söldner 2 project has been cancelled.

Today Ubisoft announced an exclusive multi-title licensing agreement with Sony Pictures Consumer Products to develop and publish games based on "Open Season" and "Surf's Up," the first two feature-length animated films from Sony Pictures Animation.

Pure Pinball 2.0: REDUX is the Developer's Cut of the award-winning pinball blockbuster that was originally launched towards the end of 2003. This hugely improved and updated version of the most realistic PC Pinball experience to date now features enhanced PC graphics, as well as the atmospheric music and sound effects – as seen on the Xbox release of the title.

Ubisoft today revealed that Myst IV Revelation will launch for Xbox March 2005 in North America at the manufacturer's suggest retail price of $19.99. Read more for details and screens ...

Live fastballs, suicide squeezes, grass-staining dives, seventh-inning stretches, walk-off homeruns, peanuts and hotdogs… these are just some of the things that make the sport of baseball America’s favorite pastime. The victory of a baseball game can depend on the walk-off homerun in the ninth inning or a simple second base steal.

A lot of titles getting slightly pushed back these days, today Sammy Studios updated its Iron Phoenix product page revealing it has pushed back its online fighter from February to March 22, 2005. Iron Phoenix is the first-ever 16 player simultaneous online fighting game combining live team-oriented strategy with fast paced melee combat. Players are immersed in a fantastic world inspired by mythical China where they engage in battles full of depth, variety, teamwork and challenge.

Face of Mankind combines action and social elements to create a unique online experience where the battle of good and evil is depicted in shades of grey. Set in a living, breathing world full of complex interactions, players are required to call upon their real-life skills such as guile and diplomacy. The Beta download will be available on 28th or 29th, then open the gates the Monday after. Please be aware that this open stage is still beta, it is NO trial, the game is NOT finished and you have to register a portal account.

Drawing on the knowledge of one of the most highly decorated general officers ever to serve in the US Army, Atari announced that it has retained General Barry McCaffrey, USA (Ret.) to offer his feedback and direction on Act of War: Direct Action, a real-time military strategy game for the PC.

Vista Engine is an integrated system for the creation of modern high-quality RTS & RPG games. The system unites the latest technological innovations, multi-purpose tools for creation and assembling of game content and the most important part - full visual control over general structure, content and game logic without additional programming or scripting. Read more for details and screens...

Majesco today announced the pricing of a $75 million public offering comprised of approximately 3.7 million shares issued by the company and approximately 2.3 million existing shares offered by selling stockholders.

Combining third person action, horse-riding and sneak'em up assassination with a cinematography inspired rail shooter FPS mode, Wanted Guns is a story driven action game for the PC set in Mexico and the Wild West during the American Civil War. Previously signed by Big Ben and due for release end of 2003, Wanted Guns is now picked up by Fusion Labs and due for release in March.

THQ and Climax today announced that MotoGP: Ultimate Racing Technology 3 for the Xbox and PC will ship with a host of new and original features, designed to reward gamers with the most complete racing experience ever! Read more for details ...

Take-Two today announced that it has purchased certain rights to the multi-million unit selling Civilization franchise, and has signed a long-term, multi-title publishing agreement with FIRAXIS Games, developers of Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri, SimGolf, Gettysburg, Civilization III, Pirates! and other critically acclaimed simulation and strategy games.

In Soldner: Marine Corps, you become part of a special operations squad or could even command the team. Equipped with the best weapons in modern warfare the player joins one of two teams who combat each other in an action driven tactical war. With ground, airborne and water vehicles available, it’s the players choice how to support the team and how to achieve victory.

Quantum Legacy: Initial Tactics is the first true 3D cross platform, in-browser, multiplayer capable RTS game of its kind. Currently in beta stage, the final version will feature a complex single player story line, online death-match, as well as never before seen concept in RTS gaming known as "multi-time".

Oddworld just got Stranger! In this new chapter in the award-winning Oddworld series, players step into the role of the Stranger, a mysterious bounty hunter who tracks down outlaws for moolah. Using a special weapons system that gives a whole new meaning to "live" ammo, players will encounter massive environments, devious opponents and hostile challenges along the way.

Star Wolves is a 3D space RPG with strategy elements. The game thrusts players into a world of freelance space hunters in the XXI-XXII Century A.D. during a time of political crisis for the all-powerful Empire and the three mega-corporations that control all the known worlds.

Developed by Mad Doc Software and due for release in the first half of 2005, Empire Earth 2 will build upon the award-winning formula of its predecessor by adding features requested both by casual game players interested in a brief spin through history and by more hard core gamers who demand a real-time strategy game that will challenge them for dozens, if not hundreds, of hours.

Captured, conveniently forgotten, tortured, and left for dead, MI6 agent Andrew Sterling awaits execution in a Chinese prison. The story begins when a mysterious friend from his past rescues him, setting off a chain of events that could rock the very foundations of global security and wreak chaos on a worldwide level. Check the freshly launched Cold Winter website, or read more for some new screens ...

Alawar Entertainment has released Sea Wolves, a 3D action game in which you explore the ocean in search of enemies, treasure and uncharted territory. Featuring simple controls, intense combat and the latest visual effects, Sea Wolves is designed to appeal to both casual and hardcore gamers.