During the 2008 U.S. presidential campaign, Barack Obama made history by becoming the first political candidate to buy in-game advertising in a video game. The title he chose for this groundbreaking move was Burnout Paradise, an open-world racing game developed by Criterion Games and published by Electronic Arts (EA).
The world of gaming has often been an escape, a form of entertainment, or even a competitive arena for millions of players across the globe. However, for some prisoners in China, World of Warcraft (WoW) became a digital labor camp rather than a source of enjoyment. Reports have surfaced over the years detailing shocking allegations that prisoners in Chinese labor camps were forced to play World of Warcraft for long hours to farm in-game currency—gold—that was later sold for real-world profit.
The iconic rock band Aerosmith is no stranger to breaking records, but one of their most surprising achievements didn’t happen on a stage or with a new album—it happened in the gaming world. Their collaboration with the hit video game Guitar Hero: Aerosmith not only delighted fans but also generated more revenue than any album they’ve ever released.
The Grand Theft Auto (GTA) franchise, famous for its open worlds and groundbreaking gameplay, started out very differently from what it is today. What many fans might not realize is that the original GTA was born from an unexpected bug that reshaped the entire game concept, leading to one of the most iconic series in video game history.
When the iconic mobile game Angry Birds was released in 2009, it quickly became a cultural phenomenon. Players were enthralled by the simple yet addictive gameplay of slinging birds to topple structures and defeat green pigs. But what many might not know is the unique backstory behind the game's antagonists—the green pigs.
Released in 1980, Pac-Man is one of the most iconic video games in history, with a simple yet unforgettable design. Surprisingly, the character's shape was inspired by something many of us love: a pizza with a missing slice. This creative choice turned a culinary concept into a cultural phenomenon.
