Independent game and software company, Midori, announced the release of a new computer game, Smack Solitaire, developed for both Mac and PC. Smack Solitaire is a collection of 30 different types of Solitaire games, including the ever popular Klondike, Aces Up, Australian Patience, Baker's Dozen, Baker's Game, and Beleaguered Castle. Smack Solitaire is available to purchase online for $20 (or 20 Euros) - a playable demo has been added in our download area.

Artificial Studios has released a new trailer for Monster Madness, showcasing this 4-player cooperative online-enabled action game slated for a Q1 2006 release, on PC and Xbox 360. Monster Madness will make full use of the Ageia NovodeX Physics platform, including the PhysX PPU, and will take advantage of the Shader Model 3.0 capabilities, including High Dynamic Range Rendering.

NCsoft North America announced the release of a new feature-packed game time card package for Lineage II: The Chaotic Chronicle, available at retail outlets in the U.S. and Canada. The package includes a 60-day pre-paid Lineage II game time card and a game pack with the full version of Lineage II, including the latest content expansions: Chronicle 1: Harbingers of War; Chronicle 2: Age of Splendor and Chronicle 3: Rise of Darkness. Additionally, players will find a 14-day free trial game code for purchasers to share with a friend. Check full story for the entire press release.

Merscom LLC announced that Hamburg-based 49Games, known for the long-running Ski Jumping series, the Alpine Skiing franchise and Torino 2006, the official Olympic videogame, is developing Bode Miller Alpine Skiing, a skiing sports game scheduled for January 2006. Featuring 32 slopes spanning 18 world-famous venues, Bode Miller Alpine Skiing lets you train with your coach, buy ski gear and score
lucrative sponsorship deals as you rise to the top of the industry. Press 'read more' for details and check out these screenshots.

Nintendo released the intro movie of Mario Superstar Baseball, a GameCube title launched across Europe this November. The game features 5 different themed stadiums, over 30 characters and several game types, including Exhibition and Challenge modes.

The Adventure Company has released a playable demo for And Then There Were None, the first title in a series of games based on the books from legendary mystery author, Agatha Christie. If you read the book, you know the story: 10 people, each with something to hide and something to fear, are invited to a lonely mansion on Shipwreck Island by a host who, surprisingly, fails to appear. One by one, they share the darkest secrets of their wicked pasts, and one by one, they die. Compared with the book, there will be a 11th character, the player, a boatman who brings the others to the island and then is trapped there himself. To save the lives of the intended victims, the player must unravel the motives behind the murders and uncover the identity of the killer. If successful, he will spare not only the lives of the remaining guests, but also his own.

Codemasters today announced that Dance Factory will launch in North America and Europe in April 2006, exclusively to PlayStation 2. The game generates dance moves from your own music CDs, which means that the game choreographs dance moves specifically for the track that you've chosen in real time. This way, there's no need to get titles with pre-set track lists or music genres. Check the press release for more details.

Electronic Arts today announced they will be shipping The Sims 2 for the PSP to retailers across Europe on December 16th. For the first time, players will be able to take direct control of their Sim without having to use their cursor. PSP players will be able to delve deep into the mysteries of Strangetown and discover the secrets hidden in five brand new neighborhoods and 20 unique locations custom-built for the PSP. In addition to fulfilling their Sims' aspirations, PSP gamers can collect and trade secrets, perks, potions and inventions.

Konami today released lots of screenshots from Rumble Rose XX for Xbox 360. The game features over 20 female characters, each with her distinct personality. Guess what happens when they all....meet.

Monte Cristo and Deep Silver today announced that City Life will be released during April 2006, priced £29.99. Distribution in the UK is handled by Koch Media. The game is a modern city building simulation in a detailed real-time 3D view, which allows you to build and manage 21st century cities in animated environments full of special effects. At the same time, the interests of six different population groups must be considered. City Life's 3D engine even allows zooming right into the heart of the city to watch life from the perspective of its inhabitants. Check the latest screenshots.

Eidos today released more screenshots from the PSP version of Championship Manager, which will be released on December 9th. Developed by Gusto Games, this version features a realistic 2D match engine, 55 playable leagues across the top 12 footballing nations, including Europe, Asia and South America, 25,000 players from 100 nations, exclusive PSP game modes, including Challenge mode and Quick-play 3 season mode, and more.

Stainless Games and Pompom Software today announced the release of their new next-gen titles, Crystal Quest and Mutant Storm Reloaded on Xbox 360 Live Arcade. Buckland's Crystal Quest is one of the genuine classic arcade titles, originally premiering as one of the first ever games on the colour Macintosh. The millions who played it then now have the chance to play a totally revamped Xbox 360 version – or they can experience authentic 80's flashbacks by playing in Retro mode. Check the screens here and here.

Vivendi Universal Games (VU Games) has released four more screenshots from SWAT 4: The Stetchkov Syndicate, showcasing the first expansion pack scheduled for release in Q1 2006. The Stetchkov Syndicate will offer 7 new single and multiplayer player levels, voice over IP, 10 player Coop, a new multiplayer mode (Smash & Grab), as well as new weapons and equipment for both SWAT members and suspects. Don't forget to grab the SWAT 4 demo if you haven't done so yet.

Napoleon Games announced the development of a new third-person shooter entitled Mutant where you shoot enemies with more than two hands. Mutant can hold different guns in his four hands and he can fire to different targets at once. The player can control one of the hands or several hands at once. Other hands are automatically seeking enemies when not controlled. We have the first screenshots of the game, so check them out now.

Futrix Studios, a studio formed by former Ritual designer Thearrel 'Kiltron' McKinney, announced Future Killer, a first-person shooter for the PC set in a futuristic Earth where you play the part of the only survivor of a failed genetic experiment (thanks Blues). Just visit their website for a brief presentation of the background story.