| They're Not Called "Killer Apps" For | | | | Best Use of Sweat |
| Nothin'MediaWise is an excellent resource for | | | | "Danger, Warning!Obviously, Gamers take this |
| keeping tabs on the trends and conditions of | | | | stuff seriously when it comes to fun and artistic |
| video and technology aimed at young people. And | | | | expression. But interestingly, GameSpot's 2005 |
| they've recently published a 10-year assessment | | | | popular play list somewhat mirrors the "Parent |
| of the game industry (online and personal | | | | Alert" warnings provided by MediaWise. Most of |
| products), concluding that progress not | | | | the popular games from GameSpot are rated |
| withstanding, "killer apps" (the most popular | | | | Mature with warnings on the store packaging or |
| software in a given category) still tend towards | | | | Web portals. Their list includes: |
| the violent and ugly aspects of life.Nevertheless, | | | | Civilization IV |
| they do remain optimistic that things are changing. | | | | Ninja Gaiden Black |
| And in particular they are pleased that an | | | | Resident Evil 4 |
| international rating system is moving the game | | | | Battlefield 2 |
| industry closer to an understanding of the impact | | | | Mario Kant DS |
| these products actually have on the thinking and | | | | Fifa 06 |
| behavior of our young (and increasingly older) | | | | Need for Speed |
| players.Recommended Video Games for KidsIn | | | | Grand Theft Auto |
| addition to their assessment of the decade, they | | | | FEAR |
| also published their 2005 Video Game Report | | | | Food Fight!Interestingly, a game of remarkable |
| Card. In that, they identify the Good and the Bad | | | | popularity called was released and enhanced over |
| of gaming options, using their standards about the | | | | the last year by the United Nations. It simulates |
| social and learning value. MediaWise recommends | | | | the experience of the player being part of a |
| the following games for children and teens | | | | collaborative team of experts who come |
| Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (E 10+) | | | | together on a dangerous adventure to feed the |
| The Incredibles: Rise of the Underminer (E 10+) | | | | hungry and malnourished in a fictional nation. As |
| Peter Jackson's King Kong (T) | | | | the players go through this adventure, they learn |
| Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap (E) | | | | fascinating facts about the true issues of food |
| The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, | | | | policies and practices worldwide.Perhaps it says |
| and The Wardrobe (T) | | | | something that while this online game received |
| Sly 3: Honor Amongst Thieves (E 10+) | | | | little marketing attention (and was not even |
| We Love Katamari (E) | | | | reviewed by MediaWise), some 2 million people |
| Sid Meier's Pirates! (E) | | | | downloaded the game in its first six months. By |
| Dance Dance Revolution ULTRAMIX3 (E 10+) | | | | comparison, the top games of GameSpot seldom |
| Backyard Baseball 2005 (E) | | | | exceeded 50,000 downloads.More Recommended |
| On the serious Gamer's side of the story, a | | | | Game Sites Surfing the Net with Kids |
| website called GameSpot has posted its year-end | | | | Yahoo Games |
| assessment of downloads or actually played | | | | FunBrainReprinted from: RANKIN... is a tech writer |
| games. They have a wide range of "Best of" | | | | and computer programmer who enjoys exploring |
| categories under such interesting titles as: | | | | the Internet and sharing the fruit of his |
| Best Original Music | | | | experience with others. His work has appeared in |
| Most Surprisingly Good | | | | ComputerWorld, NetGuide, and NY Newsday. Bob |
| Best Story | | | | is publisher of the Internet TOURBUS newsletter, |
| Best Voice Acting | | | | author of several computer books, and creator of |
| Best Creative License | | | | the website. |