Recently the Internet and some parts of the dead tree press have embroiled themselves in a a debate regarding innovation in video game making. Most of this stemmed from EA's Mirror's Edge (reviewed here). It appears, however, that while hacks worry themselves to sleep over why 'innovative gaming experiences' aren't being written (or written about) the general public simply goes out and buys good, old fashioned, tried and tested video games for their platforms of choice.

Yes, the UK video game All Formats Top 10 (the second last before the Christmas chart) is overflowing with the predictable, trustworthy and the familiar. You can see it at the bottom of this story.

Call of Duty: World at War (reviewed here), despite dropping 15% in sales over last week, retains its Number 1 slot for the fourth week running. No wonder Activision Blizzard is already working on new versions.

Making a return to the Top 10 is Bethesda's TV advertised Fallout 3 (reviewed here).

So, what of the games that made fanpeople bray and mewl but are not in the Top 10?

Resistance 2 - sits at Number 20.

Fable II sits at 19 (up from 35).

Prince of Persia awaits at Number 30.

Sonic Unleashed bounces around at Number 33.

Gears of War 2, Far Cry 2, Mirror's Edge? LittleBigPlanet? None of them make the Top 10, not a single one.

So, while the media has a mass debate over itself and innovation, the game-buying public simply buys games.

UK All Prices Top 10
(1) - 1 - Call of Duty: World at War - ActiBlizz
(4) - 2 - Mario Kart Wii - Nintendo
(3) - 3 - FIFA '09 - EA
(5) - 4 - Dr Kawashima’s Brain Training - Nintendo
(2) - 5 - Need For Speed: Undercover - EA
(7) - 6 - Tomb Raider: Underworld - Eidos
(RE) - 7 - Fallout 3 - Bethesda
(RE) - 8 - Wii Fit - Nintendo
(8) - 9 - Wii Play - Nintendo
(9) - 10 - Guitar Hero: World Tour - ActiBlizz