British game publisher Codemasters is enjoying the best fiscal cycle yet in its 22-year history as its US sales spiked up by 22% sparking a North American overall growth of 150%. Considered instrumental in the deal is its distribution pact with Warner Home Entertainment and titles such as Overlord (PC, Microsoft Xbox 360) and DiRT (PC, Xbox 360).

The year 2007 marks the firs cycle when Codemasters successfully broke into American soil. Even if its latest big release Clive Barker's Jericho received lukewarm response from fans and critics, it still enjoys good business across the region.

Overlord is a unique role-playing, strategy hybrid developed for the Microsoft Xbox 360 and the PC which lets players take on the role of a powerful overlord who can choose to either be bad or be very, very bad. Spells can be learned, creatures can be summoned and castles can be designed in this non-linear genre-buster.

DiRT, on the other hand, is a rough-riding off-road racer that tests the driving skills of players in fearsome courses aboard iron beasts.

The calendar year 2008 is also looking great for Codemasters as more top class titles are in the works in their studios. Here's to more good games and a better year than ever!