The games industry is extremely competitive - sometimes it's not enough for a game to be good in order for it to be a commercial success. In spite of their great qualities - and in spite of critical acclaim - each year certain games fail to draw the kind of public attention they seem to deserve. The cause of this can be bad marketing, bad timing, an overly ambitious design, or something else. The following five games are those that sold the smallest number of copies despite the relatively high acclaim they received.

This online-only game integrates real-time strategy elements into a solid space combat 3D engine to create the most realistic strategic space combat simulation to date. Sales of fewer than 29,000 units so far this year (according to PC Data) have hurt the game's online community and have consequently affected the game experience, since it is so closely tied to cooperative tactical team play.

This World War II turn-based strategy game combines sophisticated 3D graphics and advanced artificial intelligence to provide an unmatched wargaming experience. The game is only available through the Battlefront.com Web site, and although sales have exceeded the publisher's initial expectations, they are much lower than typical retail releases.

This first-person shooter combines great special effects, piloting and sharpshooting skills, and a fantasy theme to create a game experience unlike any other action game on the market. Its slower pace requires tactical thinking and a sharp aim, but its meager sales are an indication that hardly anyone ended up playing the game.

The latest installment in the Incredible Machine puzzle game series brings the fun old-fashioned puzzles into the new millennium with several additions and improvements. The puzzle game has sold only around 16,000 units so far this year, despite good reviews and a fan base of players of the previous Incredible Machine games.

The latest installment in the Warlords fantasy strategy game series adds new twists to the traditional 2D strategy game. Although the real-time game received good reviews and is based on a strong license, the game has sold less than 20,000 units since its release in July.