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