The closure rumor from earlier this week turns out to be true as GRIN just issued a statement. "It is with a heavy heart we announce today that GRIN has been forced to close its doors. This as too many publishers have been delaying their payments, causing an unbearable cashflow situation." A group of 25 former employees have already split off as started Outbreak Studios.

Ship Simulator Extremes gives players the opportunity to take on exciting missions all over the world as they captain an impressive array of vessels and live the story of real ship captains.

Digital distribution outlet GamersGate announced that this week is the Meridian 4 5th anniversary week, so you get 50% off on all their titles, or get the entire Meridian 4 catalog for $79.95/€79.95/£69.95 and save $500 (86% discount). This coming weekend (Aug. 13-16) GSC World's S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky is 50% off, and next week will see the launch of new titles such as All Aspect Warfare, Angel of Attack, and Return to Mysterious Island 2.

Swedish developer GRIN has been around for over a decade, founded in 1997, but it was not until 2006's PC edition of Ubisoft's GRAW that it became widely known. Shortly thereafter, it grew rapidly, opening offices in Barcelona and Gothenburg, to deal with a slew of high-profile titles (Bionic Commando, Wanted, Terminator) in development. However, sales on all of them were disappointing, and earlier this year GRIN closed all but its main office in Stockholm, which is now also rumored to be in trouble, with employees being asked to not come to work. Oddly enough, earlier today, one of its subsidiaries announced a new title.

Already revealed in our E3 coverage, Sushi Academy reveals the art of preparing traditional Japanese sushi via a series of fun, interactive challenges that ultimately lead to becoming a video game Sushi Master.

Digital distribution outlet GamersGate announced that this week people who pre-order its WWII strategy title Hearts of Iron III will also receive the DLC Sprite Pack. The coming weekend The Club, Imperium Romanum, and Tibor: Tales of a Kind Vampire are all getting a 50% price drop, while Foreign Legion: Buckets of Blood is now $6.99.

EA's preliminary financial results for its fiscal Q1 reveals $644 million net revenue, weaker than last year's $804 million, with a loss of $234 million, compared to 2008's $95 million. Sales were driven by The Sims 3 (3.7 million units) , EA Sports Active (1.8 million copies), and Fight Night Round 4. In the investor's conference call CEO John Riccitiello mentioned a new Medal of Honor installment, previously only rumored, while EA Sport's Peter Moore revealed a downloadable Madden Arcade for this holiday, similar to its 3 on 3 NHL Arcade, a delay for X360/PS3 versions of GRand Slam Tennis in favor of expanding EA Sports Active.

Digital distribution outlet GamersGate announced that this week people who pre-order its WWII strategy title Hearts of Iron III will also receive the DLC Sprite Pack. The coming weekend Bioshock goes on sale for 60% off, while Juiced 2 Hot Import Nights drops 50% in price. Next week Nitro Games' naval strategy game East India Company will become available.

For the fiscal Q1 2009, THQ’s net sales climbed 77% (from $137.6 million to $243.5 million compared to 2008) primarily by UFC 2009 Undisputed (2.9 million units sold), and Red Faction: Guerrilla (1 million units sold). In the follow up conference call CEO Brian Farrell revealed that THQ will be bringing the UFC franchise to Wii and handhelds, but gave no further details.

Ubisoft reported its sales for the first fiscal Q1 2009 ended June 30, 2009. Citing market conditions and lower than expected NDS/back catalog numbers, first-quarter sales were down 51%. More importantly, Ubisoft is delaying the release of several major titles such as Red Steel 2, Splinter Cell, Ghost Recon and I Am Alive, while keeping Assassin's Creed II on track.

In Diablo II players return to a dark world plagued by evil forces. After possessing the body of the hero who defeated him, Diablo resumes his nefarious scheme to shackle humanity into unholy slavery by joining forces with the other Prime Evils, Mephisto and Baal. This unofficial patch allows you to play Diablo II in resolutions other than 640x480 and 800x600.

Revealed a few days ago, Metalocalypse: Dethgame will immerse you in the world of Dethklok. As a Klokateer, one of the band's loyal roadies, you will be unleashed on a heinous rampage against rabid mutant fans in brutal combat. Fight mutants, explore the rooms and dungeons of Mordhaus and protect the Metal faithful.

Originally revealed in May, the Where the Wild Things Are movie tie-in games will be available this October, according to Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. The film, directed by Spike Jonze, opens Oct. 16, 2009.

Harmonix and MTV Games announced a new initiative that gives musicians and record labels the ability to author their own original recordings into gameplay files and sell their music as playable tracks through the newly-created Music Store.

Digital distribution outlet GamersGate announced that this week all Spellforce games are 30% off, same as with all Penumbra titles. On July 14 Fairy Tale: Three Heroes goes on sale for $24.95/€ 24.95/£19.95, Wed. July 15 Youda Sushi Chef will be available for $19.95/€ 19.95/£17.95, while World War 2 Time of Wrath arrives on July 16, and this coming weekend Civilization 3 Complete and Iron Man are 50% off.

The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition is a completely re-imagined version of the original that adds updated high definition graphics, a re-mastered musical score, and full voice-over to the classic adventure game originally launched in 1990.

Introducing new class-based gameplay, mobile bases and persistent player progression throughout all game modes, Command & Conquer 4 offers players new, innovative and compelling strategic depth.

Digital distribution outlet GamersGate announced a Red Faction Guerrilla Pre-order Special that gets you Red Faction 1 and Red Faction 2 for free, while Titan Quest Gold Edition and Eve Online are 50% off, this coming weekend only.

Disney's A Christmas Carol is an adventure puzzler that celebrates the spirit of the holidays with a Scrooge twist. It is the only video game inspired by the re-envisioned classic Dickens tale and gives Nintendo DS players a fantastical, super-sensory adventure with engaging activities for the yuletide season.

The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition is a completely re-imagined version of the original that adds updated high definition graphics, a re-mastered musical score, and full voice-over to the classic adventure game originally launched in 1990.

Battlefield 1943 takes players back to WWII. The game offers endless hours of 24 player multiplayer action over three classic and tropic locations; Wake Island, Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima. While we already revealed that Battlefield 1943 is scheduled for release on XBL/PSN on July 9, 2009, EA officially announced it.

MapleStory is an online adventure game that centers around the "Maple World," allowing players to combat monsters and develop their characters' skills and abilities in an immense platform-inspired persistent world.

Social games developer Zynga appointed Brian Reynolds to the newly created position of chief designer, where he will lead the product development team and will be responsible for developing new social strategy games.

The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition is a completely re-imagined version of the original that adds updated high definition graphics, a re-mastered musical score, and full voiceover to the classic adventure game originally launched in 1990.

Digital distribution outlet GamersGate announced its specials for the week, selling Dark SEctor, Anno Gold Bundle, Sword of the Stars Complete Collection at 50% off, and all Epic Games are 15% off. New additions to the portfolio are Anno 1404 Dawn of Discovery, Spore Galactic Adventures, Braid, and ArmA 2.