CGNetworks has posted their CG Retrospective, a look back at the top 20 “CG-related things that happened in 2004. The criteria for selection were that the event or thing that happened in 2004 had to be innovative, landmark or very cool”. Included in the list are software, video game, and movie news and releases. You can see the list here, but head to their website instead to read the list #20 to #1 with a short article about why each made the list.

CG Top 20 – 2004
1 – The Incredibles, Pixar
2 – Zbrush 2, Pixologic
3 – Pixar and Disney End Relations
4 – Half Life 2, Valve Software
5 – 3-Democracy, Softimage
6 – Normal Mapping Mainstream Implementation in Games
7 – Doom 3, ID Software
8 – Shrek 2, DreamWorks
9 – CGNetworks, CGTalk and Ballistic Media
10 – Electronic Arts – The Human Story
11 – Animation Mentor
12 – Maya 6, Alias
13 – Warhammer 40,000 Opening Cinematics, Blur Studio
14 – Spider-Man 2 VFX
15 – Mental Ray 3.3, mental images
16 – Alias Sold, and Buys Kaydara
17 – The Gnomon Workshop DVDs
18 – Modo, Luxology
19 – Onimusha 3 Cinematics, ROBOT Communication
20 – Gelato, NVIDIA