Game People rounds off a year of family game reviews by opening voting for the 2008 Age Appropriate Game Awards.

The opposite of age restrictions and sensorship, these awards show off the games that work well for particular ages. Each of the six awards (Infants, Juniors, Students, Workers, Parents and Seniors) highlights games with different qualities that match gamers at different stages of life.

"So often we are trying to keep people away from inappropriate games. It's refreshing to introduce these different groups to experiences tailored for them." - Paul Govan for Game People

Voting has now opened for the overall family game in each category (Infants, Juniors, Students, Workers, Parents and Seniors). Pick your favourites from the list and email them with "2008 Family Game of the Year" as the subject to paulgovan@gamepeople.co.uk.

Once voting has finished (25/12/2008) and the votes counted we'll be able to announce our top six Age Specific Family Games for 2008.

More about the Age Awards

Game People doesn't score games like other sites. Instead, they provide the information readers need to work out how highly they rate them.

They do however highlight the games they think excel for gamers of different ages. Once a quarter (Winter, Spring, Summer, Autumn) they pick one game in the following categories to receive this award.

These games work with the basics of play and should engage the super young players in our families. Children from 2 to 4 are ideally placed to get the most from these games.

These games provide experiences that connect with a basic joy of discovery and play. Although still simplistic they engage with a wide range of basic principles that our 5 to 10 year olds will best appreciate.

These games provide thrilling experiences that major on brash, loud (sometimes busty) protagonists and should connect with the 11 to 16 year old students in our families.

These games provide more of a challenge in both dexterity and problem solving. Hard working hard core gamers 17 and older will rise to these heady experiences.

These games connect with the gamer on a more mature level. Story driven and often open ended, the experiences here provide space to play with complex issues and engage in moral dilemmas. Either that or to esacpe the grind of the work/home balance.

These games provide a slightly slower, although no less challenging experience. Time and consideration are of the essence as our most senior gamers enjoy interacting with other players and perfecting their approach.

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