If we measure the events of this year in pure potential fallout, the case of Schwarzenegger vs. EMA was by far the biggest. Borne from a California law drafted by Senator Leeland Yee, the case granted the state the power to levy large fines for failing to put special warning labels on games. More so, it would have made selling objectionable video games to minors a criminal offense. Games would be singled out in this regard; retailers of movies, books, and music are discouraged from selling mature content to minors, but it’s not against the law. In effect, games would be considered a greater threat than any other media type.

Read more: The Supreme Court rules in favor of games »

After a record-breaking development cycle, this was the year Duke Nukem lived again. It started when Gearbox Software surprised attendees of PAX 2010 with the announcement that it was taking over publishing duties of the beleaguered Duke Nukem Forever. Studio head Randy Pitchford appeared in teaser videos with breathless excitement, and for a brief moment we believed that the game might be worthwhile.

Read more: Duke Nukem returns, finally »