The Los Angeles Times has reported on a list of "the 10 most violent video games" compiled by a coalition of "concerned citizens", made up of members of the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility and Mothers Against Violence In America. The list, while featuring the usual suspects from the past year, also includes titles such as Mortal Kombat, Postal and Shadow Hearts. Interesting to note, as the Los Angeles Times reported, "When asked, none of the organizations' representatives said they had played the games on their list." What right do these people have, then, to skew public opinion about the general content of computer games?

The group's primary concern is that the industry rating system - that bit which says a game is inappropriate for people under 18 - is misunderstood by parents. Really, how hard is it to understand?

In this country, the body responsible for rating content is ELSPA and at the Media Meets Gaming event on Monday Director General Roger Bennett recognised this parental ignorance. In fact, ELSPA plans on running a campaign in the New Year to educate concerned (and confused) individuals about what the "18" on the front of the game box means. In lay terms, it means games for adults who would otherwise be watching The Sopranos. With a reported 50% of the consumer public over the age of 18, why shouldn't the games industry make products that appeal to this huge market?

It would be nice if the LA Times or other news sources would print something celebrating the games that are both appropriate for an under-18 age group, and are good for them as well. Maybe something on their educational value. Even a contravening argument discussing government funding of research into games for the classroom would be appropriate. Still, no bananas. We'll just have to make up our own list from the commercial products which found their ways onto our consoles in 2004.

I'll start you off. In the meantime, don't forget to vote for your top games (over or under 18) of 2004 here.

Great games for everyone (and what they teach us) Fable (XBox) - every action has a consequence, from the physical to the social Animal Crossing (Nintendo) - another inherently social game, it encourages exploration and real-life interaction Prince of Persia: Sands of Time (multi-format) - creative problem solving and lateral thinking in finest form SingStar (PlayStation 2) - nothing but pure, unadulterated fun with a little bit of skill thrown in