A brief glimpse at Game History since the turn of the century.
Created by KnowUsByTheDead on May 31, 2010
Last updated: 05/31/10 at 10:50 PM
Tags: 2000's Game History Full Sail John Durbin
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Question 1: What are the details of this event?
Bungie, after a decade of being a Xbox exclusive company, has signed with Activision. 343 Studios will continue the Halo franchise after Bungie completes Halo: Reach. Bungie will begin a new franchise under the Activision banner.
Question 2: Why was this event important to the industry?
This will allow Bungie to develop for multiple platforms, instead of being locked to the Xbox. This will allow Playstation and Nintendo exclusive gamers to finally experience Bungie's renowned games.
http://www.wired.com/gamelife/2010/04/bungie-activision/
Question 1: What are the details of this event?
Activision fires Jason West and Vince Zampella, creators of Modern Warfare 2, due to insubordination. Later litigation shows that Activision refused to pay the two developers their bonuses for Modern Warfare. West and Zampella have since founded Respawn Entertainment under EA's Partners program.
Question 2: Why is this event important to the industry?
This event is important because it shows that greed can leave you high and dry. Since Activision's mistake of firing two of the pioneers in our current generation of gaming, most of the lead developers from Infinity Ward have also left to go to work at Respawn.
http://www.cnbc.com/id/35674577/Activision_Stuns_With_Firing_of_Modern_Warfare_2_Execs
Question 1: What are the details of this event?
Bungie becomes an independent company once more after Halo 3 make 300 million dollars in sales its first week.
Question 2: Why is this event important to the industry?
This event marks one of the few times a company has split from its parent company. While at this time Bungie still planned on developing exclusively for Microsoft's hardware, this split allows for Bungie to have more creative control over the games they develop.
http://games.venturebeat.com/2008/09/05/xbox-360-defects-an-inside-history-of-microsofts-video-game-console-woes/
Question 1: What are the details of this event?
Microsoft, after hearing massive reports of faulty hardware, including everything from discs scratch by the disc drive to full Xbox 360 failure, decide to extend the warranty on all 360s.
Why was this event important to the industry?
This was important because it showed that a company could do something to maintain it's fan base. Since then, Microsoft has went on to sell over 14 million consoles worlwide.
http://games.venturebeat.com/2008/09/05/xbox-360-defects-an-inside-history-of-microsofts-video-game-console-woes/
Question 1: What were the details of this event?
After taking fire from Hilary Clinton because of the sexually explicit "Hot Coffee" mod, Grand Theft Auto: SA is re-rated "AO" or Adults Only by the ESRB.
Question 2: Why was this event important to the industry?
In the past the game industry was under fire for violence in games. This marks the first major attempt to also keep sexuality from games.
http://ps2.ign.com/articles/635/635198p1.html
Question 1: What were the details of this event?
Acclaim, after 17 years in the industry, files bankruptcy and closes its doors.
Question 2: Why is this event important to the industry?
This is one of the many cautionary tales for those in the game business. While there were several good games developed by Acclaim (Turok, NBA Jam) the majority of the studio's lineup was weak.
http://pc.ign.com/articles/543/543191p1.html
Question 1: What were the details of this event?
Aaron Hamel and Kimberly Bede are killed on Interstate 40 in Tennessee by William and Josh Buckner. The two boys when asked why they did it, said they were imitating their favorite video game, Grand Theft Auto III.
Question 2: Why was this event important to the industry?
This event was important because it made game companies address violence in video games. Rockstar was sued by the families of the deceased.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2003/09/11/grand_theft_auto/
Question 1: What were the details of this event?
Enix Corporation and Squaresoft merge to fight off the heightened cost of game development and distribution.
Question 2: Why was this event important to the industry?
These two companies represent the two most powerful companies in the Japanese RPG market. Their merge has since allowed for many great games to be developed including Final Fantasy XIII. If they hadn't of merged it is quite possible that we would no longer have some of these great games to play.
http://ps2.ign.com/articles/378/378635p1.html
Question 1: What were the details of this event?
Sega announced that they would no longer make game consoles after years of financial woes.
Question 2: Why was this event important to the industry?
Sega had been part of the industry since the early years of video gaming. Their departure from the arena left a void, which was quickly filled by Microsoft and the Xbox.
http://dreamcast.ign.com/articles/090/090435p1.html
Question 1: What were the details of this event?
Microsoft, after being determined a monopoly, acquires Bungie Studios (Halo, Oni, Myth series) to provide a cornerstone to Microsoft's foray into the gaming world.
Question 2: Why was this event important to the industry?
This event was important because it gave Microsoft a exclusive franchise to work with on their game platform. Since 2000, Halo has become one of the biggest franchises in gaming history.
http://pc.ign.com/articles/081/081079p1.html
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