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They're Not Called "Killer Apps" For Nothin'

MediaWise is an excellent resource for keeping tabs on the trends and conditions of video and technology aimed at young people. And they've recently published a 10-year assessment of the game industry (online and Sony Playstation 2 Game Controllers products), concluding that progress not withstanding, "killer apps" (the most popular software in a given category) still tend towards the violent and ugly aspects of life.

Nevertheless, they do remain optimistic that things are changing. And in particular they are pleased that an international rating system is moving the game industry closer to an understanding of the impact these products actually have on the thinking and behavior of our young (and increasingly older) players.

Recommended Video Games for Kids

In addition to their assessment of the decade, they also published their 2005 Video Game Report Card. In that, they identify the Good and the Bad of gaming options, using their standards about the social and learning value. MediaWise recommends the following games for children and teens

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (E 10+)

The Incredibles: Rise of the Underminer (E 10+)

Peter Jackson's King Kong (T)

Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap (E)

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe (T)

Sly 3: Honor Amongst Thieves (E 10+)

We Love Katamari (E)

Sid Meier's Pirates! (E)

Dance Dance Revolution ULTRAMIX3 (E 10+)

Backyard Baseball 2005 (E)

On the serious Gamer's side of the story, a website called GameSpot has posted its year-end assessment of downloads or actually played games. They have a wide range of "Best of" categories under such interesting titles as:

Best Original Music

Most Surprisingly Good

Best Story

Best Voice Acting

Best Creative License

Best Use of Sweat

"Danger, Warning!

Obviously, Gamers take this stuff seriously when it comes to fun and artistic expression. But interestingly, GameSpot's 2005 popular play list somewhat mirrors the "Parent Alert" warnings provided by MediaWise. Most of the popular games from GameSpot are rated Mature with warnings on the store packaging or Web portals. Their list includes:

Civilization IV

Ninja Gaiden Black

Resident Evil 4

Battlefield 2

Mario Kant DS

Fifa 06

Need for Speed

Grand Most Popular Video Games Auto

FEAR

Food Fight!

Interestingly, a game of remarkable popularity called Food-Force.com was released and enhanced over the last PC Video Games by the United Nations. It simulates the experience of the player being part of a collaborative team of experts who come together on a dangerous adventure to feed the hungry and malnourished in a fictional nation. As the players go through this adventure, they learn fascinating facts about the true issues of food policies and practices worldwide.

Perhaps it says something that while this online game received little marketing attention (and was not AGame Boy Batteries & Chargers reviewed by MediaWise), some 2 million people downloaded the game in its first six months. By comparison, the top games of GameSpot seldom exceeded 50,000 downloads.

More Recommended Game Sites

While it is X-Box360 Video Games big names in Nintendo 64 Mem Cards & Expansion Paks massively multiplayer online role playing game (MMORPG) world that get all of the publicity, there is still strong support for the underdog independent publishers who put out lesser known games. The well known MMORPGs have alot of financial backing, which in turn makes them more lucritive. These games are usually offered as free MMORPG downloads to anyone who wishes to participate and provide a great way for people to get their feet wet in the world of MMORPG games without paying the hefty monthly fees. Many of the independent game developers make titles that offer greater variety of free MMORPG downloads so there is certainly something for everyone. It just takes a little time in order to find a game online, but not impossible.

There are essentially two different types of free MMORPG downloads. The first is the graphical variety. These are the types of games which provide an environment much like you would get in a pay-for online RPG like Ultima Online. The graphics PC Video Games some of these games are not quite as spectacular as one would find on the newer, more costly games, but the same depth of gameplay is available. On the other hand, some free MMORPG downloads come in the form of web based games.

These are games that harness the power of your web browser usually with a Java plug-in. The games in this form are rudimentary and mostly text based, but can still provide the interactions with other players as one would finds on the graphical variety. I have personally seen these games played and they are tremedously well written.

After deciding which category of free MMORPG downloads to choose from, you can try checking out some of the top games for free. Currently, the most downloaded free MMORPG is Aegis; a text based online RPG set in a fantasy world where players try to Video Games the most powerful provincial leader of all. Another highly competitive browser based title is Space: Glory through Conquest where players choose which alien race to be as they attempt to take over one of several galaxies. As a graphical game, Nexus: the Kingdom of the Winds also offers free MMORPG downloads for its game but requires a subscription fee to play. The subscription fees are justified by the popularity of the games. Use your favorite search engine, such as Google (tm) to find these online games.

Keith Londrie II is the Webmaster of http://www.mmorpg-info.info/ A website that specializes in providing information on MMORP Games that you can research on the internet. Please Visit http://www.mmorpg-info.info/ now!

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