10. Pitchforks, Torches, and DRM

The topic of Digital Rights Management was tough to escape in 2008, as publishers continued to approach copyright protection in numerous ways, often to the chagrin of PC gamers.

The most conspicuous instance of DRM uproar was EA's use of SecuROM in the million-selling Maxis life-sim Spore, which launched in September. Amazon.com users slammed the game in its comments section over EA's decision to limit the number of computers the game could be installed on. After user outburst, EA loosened install restrictions. Nevertheless, a class action lawsuit against EA is on the table, and Spore became the most-pirated game of the year.

But the Great DRM Debacle of '08 can be used by publishers as a reference point to strike a better balance between user-friendliness and protection of copyrighted material. It's not in a publisher's best interest to haphazardly kick around the DRM hornets' nest.

Stardock's Brad Wardell and Gas Powered Games' Chris Taylor in August also announced The Gamer's Bill of Rights, with one of the major points being gamer-friendly copyright protection. A practical solution would be a major step forward for PC gaming.



9. Midway Sold for $100K

Chicago-based Midway had been puttering along for the past several years, failing to turn a profit since 1999. With the failing economy taken into consideration and mounting financial pressure on majority stakeholder Sumner Redstone, the entertainment industry exec finally offloaded the Mortal Kombat house in late November for the rock-bottom price of $100K in order to alleviate debt. The buyer, private investor Mark Thomas, assumed $70 million in debt.

Midway's troubles have continued, with the company announcing in December that it would cut 25 percent of its global workforce, or 180 people. It's currently working with investment bank Lazard to formulate strategic alternatives to filing bankruptcy, as it's in danger of defaulting on $240 million of debt.



8. Grand Theft Auto IV Commandeers Charts

Everyone knew Grand Theft Auto IV was going to be a hit, but it wasn't until consumers turned anticipation into cold hard numbers that Rockstar was able to truly remind the industry that GTA was king.

Launched in April, GTA IV generated $500 million worldwide during its first week on sale, selling 6 million units. In its first day alone, publisher Take-Two shifted 3.6 million units. The publisher declared the game's release the biggest entertainment launch of all time. A true phenomenon and one testament to just how big games can be.



7. The Wii Fit Sensation

The floor-bound, weight scale-inspired Wii Balance Board and its accompanying Wii Fit software have proven yet again that Nintendo has its finger firmly on the pulse of the mass market.

The exer-game so far has sold around 9 million units worldwide after having launched in the West this year and in December 2007 in Japan. With continuing high demand, the game--described by Nintendo as "evergreen"--is on track to outsell even the mighty Grand Theft Auto IV.

Wii Fit's wonderful, thoroughly weird, and bona fide commercial hit.



6. Phil Harrison Quits Sony, Joins Atari

Harrison was the face of Sony software, having joined the company in 1992, fostering relationships with developers and turning Sony Computer Entertainment into a worldwide software publishing powerhouse. So when he announced out of the blue that he would be leaving the company in February this year, more than a few mouths were gaped with surprise.

And if that wasn't enough of a shock, in March, Harrison announced that he would be serving as president of Infogrames subsidiary Atari, a company whose classic brand had been watered down over years of abuse.

But already, with David Gardner and Harrison leading Infogrames, we're seeing change. Atari recently beat out a disappointed Ubisoft in a bid to acquire City of Heroes creator Cryptic Studios, and signed intriguing new publishing deals that will bring games like Ghostbusters and titles from Q Entertainment to market. With Harrison's keen software know-how, he may be Atari's best bet in bringing some respect back to the slandered label.