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