Hamburg - Gamers are repeat offenders. There are few other explanations for why revived older games or sequels to famous titles frequently top the sales charts.

The annual autumn roster of games is almost always a good example of this trend. New versions of old favourite Soccer Manager and the FIFA simulation appear each year like clockwork. Passionate monster hunters can look forward to the action role-playing game Sacred 2. The revived game Civilization 4: Colonization is more in the tradition of the round-based original. Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 also picks up on an old and familiar model.

The race for supremacy on the bestseller charts will be a hard fought one in October. The likely winner will be Soccer Manager 09 from Electronic Arts. Ever year, the developers dream up a new facet or two, add more details, and smooth out some rough edges. This new version, due on October 30 for around 50 dollars, promises improved graphics and sound.

The developers also reacted to gamers' comments by redesigning the text mode, as well as adding the "absolute innovation" of a "match prognosis tool" for games in the real soccer world. The computer gamer can set fitness and skill values for real life players from their favourite clubs to generate a virtual simulation played out on the computer.

Soccer Manager is not Electronic Arts's only soccer title this month: FIFA 09 is also awaited by a rabid fan base. The game makes it possible to play through the entire career of a soccer pro. As would be expected, the graphics have been improved. The developers promise nothing less than the "most authentic soccer simulation" anywhere for the 50 dollar investment.

The action in Sacred 2: Fallen Angel is anything but authentic. The game revolves around sojourns through the fantasy word of Ancaria, including a healthy dose of monster-fighting mayhem. The game's predecessor, Sacred, was an international success four years ago. The expectations are correspondingly high for the successor.

While bursting with cutting edge 3D graphics, the game nevertheless remains true to the classic gaming principle. There's more to monster fighting than creating a character and rushing into the fight. Much of the fun comes from plundering new and valuable equipment from treasure chests, doing so until the character is finally strong enough to take on the worst of the baddies and save the word.

Another game detached from reality is the Electronic Arts title Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3. The Red Alert brand has been on a several-year sabbatical within the Command & Conquer universe, but is now back for an encore: Players immerse themselves into a fast-paced, real-time strategy game with a great deal of fighting presented in way over-the-top scenarios with a dose of odd humour. This includes fighting units like sonar dolphins and armoured war bears.

The back story, intended or not, has a whiff of current events: "The desperate leadership of a doomed Soviet Union travels back in time to change history and restore the glory of Mother Russia," the company's information on the title proclaims. The game is expected on October 30 for around 50 dollars.

One master of recycling past successes is legendary developer Sid Meier - the brains behind classics like Civilization, Pirates, and Colonization. While the first two games had enjoyed a revival at one time or another, Colonization had until now remained only in memory.

The point of the new game can be guessed from the title: Civilization 4: Colonization. The underlying gaming system draws on the round-based strategy game Civilization 4, with some changed details and a new scenario.

The goal this time around is the colonization of the Americas by the colonial powers. Players must navigate their ship to a suitable location for an initial colony, which must then be expanded to include handicrafts and commercial trading. A skirmish or two can be expected along the way as well. Fans of these games expect no less, which only adds to the popularity of the titles. The game is expected in October for around 30 dollars. (dpa)