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Top 20 Biggest Controversies In Gaming History

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Ignacio Weil

Gaming - June 28th 2025, 15:00 GMT+2

About this gallery:

To create this list, we decided to focus on the behind-the-scenes aspects – that is, on players, studios, and video game companies that stirred the industry's waters, whether through unfulfilled promises, failed launches, or... inappropriate behavior.

If you think we missed a historical controversy, why not add it in the comments? | © CD Projekt RED

No Mans Sky — 20. "No Man's Sky" launch (2016)

*No Man's Sky* promised players the universe – literally. Infinite exploration, multiplayer interactions, and unique discoveries were all teased, but what they got at launch felt like a half-empty galaxy with no one else around. The reality was a repetitive grind across empty planets with missing features and no sign of other players.

The backlash was intense, but credit where it's due: Hello Games kept updating, and eventually, they turned the game into what they had promised. It’s a classic example of over-promising and under-delivering, only to slowly win back everyone's trust. | © Hello Games

19. "Fallout 76" launch (2018)

*Fallout 76* was Bethesda’s attempt to bring the *Fallout* universe into an online multiplayer experience, but what players got was a wasteland of bugs and a world without NPCs to make it feel alive. The issues ranged from game-breaking glitches to a complete lack of engaging content, and then there was the infamous collector's edition debacle where canvas bags turned out to be cheap nylon.

Bethesda’s “fix-it-later” approach didn’t help much either, making fans feel like they were beta testers for a game already on sale. It took a lot of patches and content updates to make the game fun, but the initial launch remains a classic example of how to stumble hard out of the gate. | © Bethesda

STAR WARS Battlefront II — 18. Star Wars Battlefront II loot box fiasco (2017)

EA’s *Star Wars Battlefront II* is perhaps the most infamous example of loot boxes done wrong, with beloved heroes like Darth Vader locked behind an obscene grind or a hefty paywall. The community was outraged by how pay-to-win the system was, with even the progression tied to random loot boxes. The backlash was so severe that it led to an official response from EA that became the most downvoted comment in Reddit history.

The controversy even prompted governments to investigate loot boxes as a form of gambling. EA had to rethink and rework their monetization strategy entirely, eventually transforming the game, but the launch left a Death Star-sized dent in its reputation. | © EA

17. Mass Effect 3 ending (2012)

*Mass Effect 3* was the conclusion to BioWare’s space opera trilogy, where every decision you made across three games was supposed to shape your unique ending. Fans were shocked when they discovered that all their choices boiled down to picking one of three colored explosions, with only minor differences. It felt like years of investment in Shepard’s story had been trivialized, and the community’s reaction was swift and unforgiving.

BioWare eventually released an “Extended Cut” to add more closure, but the damage was done. It was a lesson in how crucial endings are, especially for a series where players believed they were in the captain's chair. | © Bioware

Cropped Cyberpunk — 16. Cyberpunk 2077 launch disaster (2020)

Few games were as hyped as *Cyberpunk 2077*, with CD Projekt Red promising a sprawling, futuristic RPG filled with endless possibilities. When the game launched, however, players – especially on last-gen consoles – were greeted with bugs, crashes, and a game that often struggled to run at all. The disappointment was palpable as refunds were issued, and Sony even pulled the game from the PlayStation Store, which is almost unheard of for a big-budget title.

CD Projekt Red's reputation took a huge hit, and while they’ve worked tirelessly to fix the game, the launch became a cautionary tale about overpromising and crunch culture. Night City was bright, but the launch was a dark chapter for gaming. | © CD Projekt RED

15. Telltale Games sudden closure (2018)

The sudden closure of Telltale Games was a shock not just to the gaming community, but also to its employees, many of whom were left jobless without severance. Known for story-driven, episodic adventures like *The Walking Dead* and *The Wolf Among Us*, the studio’s downfall was a stark reminder of the dangers of rapid expansion without a solid foundation.

The closure left fans with unfinished tales, like the much-anticipated sequel to *The Wolf Among Us*, and cast a harsh light on industry working conditions. It felt like one of their stories had ended on a cruel cliffhanger, except this time there was no next episode. Telltale’s downfall showed that even beloved creators aren’t immune to bad management and overreach | © Telltale Games

Aliens Colonial Marines — 14. Aliens: Colonial Marines false advertising (2013)

*Aliens: Colonial Marines* looked incredible in trailers, with Gearbox promising intense Xenomorph battles and atmospheric horror akin to the classic films. When the game actually released, players were greeted with terrible AI, outdated graphics, and a completely different experience than what was advertised. The infamous story of a typo in the code affecting the enemy AI’s behavior became emblematic of how shoddy the development process was.

Fans and critics lambasted the game, and it became a symbol of misleading marketing in gaming. It’s still remembered as a “what not to do” example for developers hoping to trade on nostalgia without delivering the goods. | © Gearbox Software

Cropped Blizzard Blitzchung — 13. Blizzard's Blitzchung suspension (2019)

Blizzard found itself at the center of a major controversy when it suspended Hearthstone player Blitzchung for voicing support for Hong Kong’s pro-democracy protests during a tournament. The reaction was swift, with fans and even Blizzard’s own employees accusing the company of bowing to Chinese government pressure.

The “free speech vs. profits” debate put Blizzard in a tight spot, leading to protests and boycotts from gamers around the world. Blizzard eventually softened the punishment, but the damage to their reputation was significant. It was a case of corporate interests clashing with social values, and Blizzard learned the hard way that staying neutral sometimes just makes everyone mad. | © Jae C Hong

Cropped Pokémon Sword and Shields National Dex Cut — 12. Pokémon Sword and Shield's National Dex cut ("Dexit") (2019)

When *Pokémon Sword and Shield* announced that not every Pokémon from previous games would make the cut, the reaction was explosive. Fans, who were used to the “Gotta Catch ‘Em All” mantra, found it hard to accept that some of their favorite Pokémon wouldn’t be included in the new game.

Dubbed “Dexit,” the controversy sparked debates about developer Game Freak’s transparency, technical limitations, and whether they were cutting corners. Game Freak argued it was necessary for quality, but fans saw it as a betrayal of the franchise’s core promise. In the end, the game still sold millions, but the controversy highlighted the perils of managing fan expectations. | © Nintendo

Cropped Diablo Inmmortal — 11. Diablo Immortal announcement backlash (2018)

Blizzard’s announcement of *Diablo Immortal –* a mobile-only *Diablo* game – was met with almost immediate backlash. Fans who had gathered at BlizzCon expected news of *Diablo 4*, and instead, they were greeted with “Do you guys not have phones?” It was the wrong audience and the wrong platform, and the tone-deaf response only made things worse.

The internet erupted in memes, and the incident became a symbol of how out of touch companies could be with their fanbase. Blizzard has since moved on, and *Diablo 4* did get announced, but *Immortal* remains a classic example of misreading your audience entirely. | © Blizcon

Cropped Grand Theft Auto San Andreas — 10. The "Hot Coffee" mod in GTA: San Andreas (2004)

*Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas* was already notorious for its edgy content, but the discovery of the hidden "Hot Coffee" mod took things to another level. The mod unlocked an unfinished and rather explicit mini-game, which triggered a media firestorm and a change in the game’s rating to "Adults Only." Rockstar was sued, politicians were outraged, and parents were, well, not amused.

The controversy led to debates about video game regulation and developer responsibility. In the end, it was a reminder that what’s hidden in the code doesn’t always stay hidden, especially if it’s that spicy. | © Rockstar

9. Konami vs. Hideo Kojima (2015)

The breakup between Konami and Hideo Kojima was as dramatic as any *Metal Gear Solid* plot twist. Kojima, the iconic creator of the *Metal Gear* series, found himself mysteriously absent from *Metal Gear Solid V’s* marketing, and rumors of a falling out with Konami began to circulate. Eventually, it became clear that there was major bad blood, leading to Kojima’s departure and the cancellation of *Silent Hills*.

Konami's treatment of Kojima sparked outrage among fans, turning the company into gaming’s new villain. Kojima, meanwhile, went on to make *Death Stranding*, proving that sometimes, the hero comes out on top in the end. | © Theo Wargo

8. The Concord fiasco (2024)

*Concord* was supposed to be the next big thing in online multiplayer gaming, but instead, it quickly became synonymous with "how not to launch a game." Promises of groundbreaking features and seamless connectivity turned into a reality filled with bugs, disconnects, and gameplay that felt half-baked. Players were so frustrated that "Concord" became a meme for failed hype, and it didn’t help that the developers were suspiciously quiet about fixing anything.

It was a reminder that in 2024, players still expected games to work on day one – and companies still managed to forget that. The fiasco has become a symbol of how ambitious marketing without substance is a recipe for failure. | © Firewalk Studios

Cropped Gamergate — 7. Gamergate (2014)

*Gamergate* began with discussions about ethics in video game journalism, but quickly spiraled into a harassment campaign targeting women and marginalized voices in gaming. It was a toxic period where social media became a battleground, and the controversy drew mainstream attention to the darker side of gamer culture. Issues of misogyny, harassment, and ethics collided, dividing the gaming community and sparking intense debate.

Even major media outlets and non-gaming organizations got involved, and the scars from Gamergate linger in the industry to this day. It was a sobering reminder of how gaming culture could be weaponized – and how important it was to make the community more inclusive. | © UN Women

Cropped E T the Extra Terrestrial — 6. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial game disaster (1982)

Often called the "worst game ever made," *E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial* for the Atari 2600 is infamous for almost single-handedly crashing the video game market in 1983. Rushed to release in just five weeks to coincide with the movie, the game was so confusing and poorly made that millions of unsold cartridges ended up buried in a New Mexico landfill.

The story of Atari’s downfall became legend, representing the dangers of cashing in on a popular IP without proper development time. Decades later, the excavation of the landfill became a bizarre gaming archaeological event, proving some myths are real – and that bad games can make history. | © Atari

Cropped Spore — 5. EA's Spore DRM controversy (2008)

When *Spore* launched, it wasn't just the creativity that caught attention – it was the DRM nightmare that came with it. EA implemented SecuROM, a digital rights management tool that limited the number of installs and required constant online verification. Players were furious, and the backlash was swift, with *Spore* quickly becoming one of the most pirated games, ironically due to its draconian anti-piracy measures.

The controversy shined a light on how excessive DRM punishes paying customers more than pirates. EA learned that sometimes, the best way to prevent piracy is simply not to anger your audience. | © EA

4. "Mortal Kombat" and video game ratings (1993)

*Mortal Kombat* didn’t just bring bloody fatalities to arcades – it brought them straight into Congress. The game’s graphic violence led to public outcry, with politicians accusing it of corrupting America’s youth. The controversy was so significant that it led to the creation of the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) to regulate game content. This meant every game would now carry a rating, much like movies.

In the end, *Mortal Kombat* not only spawned countless sequels but also a whole new system for keeping parents informed – and probably gave a few of them nightmares in the process. | © NetherRealm Studios

Cropped Sont 2011 — 3. Sony's PSN Hack (2011)

In 2011, Sony's PlayStation Network was hacked, leading to the personal data of 77 million users being compromised and the service going down for nearly a month. Gamers were left unable to access their online games, and Sony’s lack of communication only fueled the fire. Compensation came in the form of some free games, but it was hardly enough to soothe players' anger and concerns over their data security.

The incident became a cautionary tale about the importance of cybersecurity, especially in an age where online gaming reigns supreme. Sony's blunder taught us that nothing ruins a good gaming session quite like a sudden, month-long blackout. | © Sony

Blizzard sx scandal — 2. The Blizzard harassment scandal (2021)

In 2021, Blizzard found itself at the center of a firestorm as allegations of sexual harassment, discrimination, and a “frat boy” culture came to light. A lawsuit filed by California's Department of Fair Employment and Housing detailed years of misconduct, and the revelations rocked the industry. Employees staged walkouts, and Blizzard’s once-glowing reputation was tarnished as more stories of workplace abuse emerged.

It led to a broader conversation about toxic work environments in gaming and how deeply embedded these issues were. Blizzard's scandal was a harsh reminder that behind some of our favorite games are real people who deserve respect and safe working conditions. | © Jeff Gritchen/ Orange County Register/SCNG

Nintendo Sega — 1. Nintendo vs. Sega console war (1990s)

The *Nintendo vs. Sega* console war of the 1990s was less a controversy and a more legendary marketing brawl that changed gaming forever. With Sega's "Genesis does what Nintendon't" tagline, the rivalry was fierce, with both companies taking public jabs at each other while fans picked sides. It was a time when playgrounds were divided between Sonic and Mario, and commercials were packed with attitude.

While Nintendo ultimately won out in the long run, the console war showcased how competition could push innovation – and how marketing could turn game consoles into a cultural phenomenon. It was the original battle of the fanboys, and nobody could resist joining in. | © Nintendo, Sega

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Gaming has always been about more than just high scores and epic boss battles – it's a world filled with passion, creativity, and sometimes, scandal. Over the decades, the gaming industry has seen its fair share of controversies, some of which shook the community to its core and left lasting marks on the industry.

From lawsuits to surprise game delays, infamous hacks to developer disputes, these moments have sparked debates that extend far beyond the screen. Get ready to dive into the 20 biggest controversies in gaming history, ranked from the relatively tame to the ones that nearly broke the internet.

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Gaming has always been about more than just high scores and epic boss battles – it's a world filled with passion, creativity, and sometimes, scandal. Over the decades, the gaming industry has seen its fair share of controversies, some of which shook the community to its core and left lasting marks on the industry.

From lawsuits to surprise game delays, infamous hacks to developer disputes, these moments have sparked debates that extend far beyond the screen. Get ready to dive into the 20 biggest controversies in gaming history, ranked from the relatively tame to the ones that nearly broke the internet.