7 Legal Decisions That Changed Gaming History

"Games are for kids"? Well, they certainly used to be.

By Scott Tailford /

iD Software

As one of the most profitable and widely enjoyed mediums on the planet, gaming's history is fraught with controversy, genius business moves and cutting edge technology. It is hands-down, the most fascinating medium to watch unfold in terms of how we tell stories, twinned with new forms of hardware that actively make users a core part of the experience.

Advertisement

That said, 40+ years of progress in the public eye isn't without hiccups, and occasionally - whether it be down to copyright infringements, awkward firings or any number of contentious issues - things can escalate to the point of legal action.

In modern times it's nigh-on impossible to keep a high-profile lawsuit secret - what with social media and active fan forums digging for info around the clock - but back in the days before broadband? The industry had quite a few contentious issues that even after being resolved, went unnoticed.

Advertisement

Of course there are many modern examples too, but with so many furtive and impactful decisions shaping the industry at any given time, it's fascinating to pick apart how things have gone.