Firstly, one of the IGF's media sponsors, Moondance Games, has begun shipping its officially IGF-sanctioned PC game compilation Independent Games to U.S. retailers. Previously IGF-entered games on the compilation (with developer permission!) include full versions of Dark Horizons Lore, Global Defense Network, Rocketbowl and Strange Adventures In Infinite Space, as well as demo versions of Gish, Creatrix and others, with significant other contributions from long-time IGF entrants Digital Eel, Chronic Logic and Large Animal Games.

In addition, following the announcement of the IGF 2006 Main Competition finalists, the IGF has seen news coverage from GameSpot and a host of other major websites, as well as some welcome love from webcomic Penny Arcade. Most recently, consumer game site Eurogamer featured impressions of the Grand Prize finalists, explained in engaging form. Look for more profiles of the finalists as GDC approaches.

Finally, we'd like to thank the new IGF sponsors signing up alongside AdultSwim.com, this year's Platinum Sponsor, and collectively helping make the contest possible. These include Microsoft as a Gold Sponsor, Epic Games as a Mod Competition Sponsor, and Digipen as a Student Showcase Sponsor. [Oh, and it doesn't really need to be said, but all judging of winners is done by our independent judges, and separately of those helping us facilitate the IGF through sponsorship this year.]