What multiplayer games for a 10yr old?

[Combat Wombat]

I'm looking at getting my 10 year old son a new game (probably via Steam, though not necessarily). It needs to be for PC and preferably online multiplayer (from 2 player to MMO).

For the past 2 weeks he's been playing TF2 which he loves but I've just discovered it is MA15+ and so I don't really like him playing it. (And yes there is a whole other debate here about kids playing MA15+ games, especially in Aus where a new R18 rating is due to come out, but I'll leave that for another thread...)

So far I've recommended Portal 2 which may be a winner, but I was wondering what people here would recommend. (Anything up to M rating would be ok)

[Dreadly]

What games does he like? Most driving games are suitable for kids. I recommend

Dirt 2 or 3 - not sure how active dirt 2 is online anymore
Flatout ultimate carnage
Trackmania nations (free) or Trackmania United

Non driving maybe

Worms Reloaded
Splinter Cell ?

Portal 2 IS GREAT and there are some custom maps to keep it running a bit longer.

Is about all I can think of the top of my head at the moment.

[Drac]

Almost all of Valve's games have a "Low Violence" option - it removes the blood and the TF2 Low Violence version is actually kinda funny, all the gibs and body parts turn into hamburgers and other crazy stuff.



Edit: Seems there's no simple -lv launch switch for TF2 like there is in Left 4 Dead. But there's a Low Violence TF2 mod on FPS Banana: http://www.gamebanana.com/skins/89389

Then there's games like Minecraft or Terraria.

For Driving games, if crashing isn't enough perhaps look at Blur or Need For Speed Hot Pursuit - both of which have a more driving combat play style. Trackmania is also good if they like to build stuff too as it has a track editor.

There are also a lot of great strategy games around that generally aren't as violent as the general FPS fair. Stracraft II (how has free starter edition: https://sea.battle.net/account/sc2/starter-edition/), RUSE, Civilization, Puzzle Quest, Magic The Gathering, Defcon, Frozen Synapse and many more.

[Reoh]

Yeah I was going to suggest Portal 1/2 and Minecraft if that's their flair. Great games for people that like working out puzzles or building things.

Hmm there was a robot ninja's FPS style game that a friend's kid loved, but I don't know how the population of that game is now it's been out for a while.

[Beavis]

Garry's Mod

[Justin Kace]

I second Minecraft. It's pretty innocent and ace for the youngsters!

[Combat Wombat]

Thanks, for the suggestions guys. He's already into Minecraft and Terraria and I'll be checking out the games with him over the next few days and also the funny gibs mod for TF2.

[T0by1]

World of Goo would be a great one as well although it is only single player

[Dalienx]

maybe starwars online?
Havent tried it myself though, might be crap lol

[Reoh]

If you mean the Lego Starwars, Australians can't join (even though they could the beta). Need an NA CC and address.