Harassment Culture in One of Gaming’s Biggest Studio »
By Hunter Young
Franchises like Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, Overwatch, and Diablo have firmly cemented Activision Blizzard in the hearts and minds of gamers and …
Carjackings and Violent Video Games: An Illinois State Representative’s Quest to Outlaw Grand Theft Auto »
By: Victor Pinera
A proposed Illinois state amendment aims to broaden the statutory definitions of “violent video game” and “serious physical harm,” prohibiting …
Beat the Heat, Stay in Your Seat: Proposed Sports Betting Expansion in Arizona »
By: Riley Williams
Gambling on professional sports from the venues where the games take place could soon be a reality in Arizona. Imagine …
Caught in a Web of Intellectual Property Rights: Interpreting Spider-Man’s Exclusivity »
By: Kristen Morrill
The video game company Crystal Dynamics recently released the greatly anticipated Marvel Avengers video game on September 4th, 2020. The game …
Esports: Navigating the Sticky Landscape of Minor Contracts »
By: Tatianna Dunne
Esports has taken over internet gaming by establishing itself as an international sensation. The internet sport is capturing the minds …
Upping The Ante: Single-Game Sports Betting »
By: Mark Bosch
On January 24th, 2018, the National Basketball Association (NBA) advocated for a statutory change that could help …
Hosting a Super Bowl Party – Navigating the “No Fun League” »
By: Cole Kubosumi
Whether you are a die-hard Eagles fan, someone who could care less about sports in general, or …
E-Sports and the Legal Future of Online Gaming »
One hundred million people tune in every month to watch their favorite players go head to head online and on ESPN. Stadiums around the world sell out in minutes when an event comes to town. The superstars of this sport make seven figures for winning a single tournament (that’s not even including the lucrative sponsorship opportunities from companies itching to get in on the action). You may think I’m talking about baseball or basketball, but you’d be wrong. This sport brings in more viewers for a single tournament than the World Series and the NBA Finals combined. What I’m talking about is something called “e-sports” and if you don’t know about it yet, rest assured you will soon. - Read more...
Game Critics and Commercial Bribery: the Original #gamergate Controversy »
Griggs, Behind the Furor Over #Gamergate, CNN.com, , Oct. 19, 2014). The controversy and the hastag #gamergate started when game designer Zoe Quinn’s ex-boyfriend posted an article accusing her of sleeping with a Kotaku.com journalist for positive reviews. This was quickly picked up by many gamers who felt gaming critics lacked integrity either being bought off by publishers or simply rating games based off their own preferences. However, like many things on the internet, it wasn’t long before the movement was overtaken by trolls lashing out at women in the gaming industry in general. Specifically, they targeted women, like Anita Sarkeesian, who spoke out against the current default portrayal of women in videogames as stereotypes. The attacks have included everything from defamation to death threats. Brianna Wu, a female game developer, was forced to leave her home after receiving death threats that included her home address. (Beth Teitell & Callum Borchers, GamerGate anger at women all too real for gamemaker, BostonGlobe.com, Nov. 1, 2014). The Gamergate controversy has become synonymous with arguments about women’s place in videogames. - Read more...
New Jersey Takes a Gamble on Sports Betting »
Sports betting in the United States has become a divisive subject in recent years, partially due to the incredible revenue potential it carries. Online sports betting in the U.S. nearly tripled from 2001 to 2005, resulting in revenues upwards of $4.2 billion. The federal government has effectively outlawed sports gambling through the creation of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA), with the only exception being for states that already had legalized gambling when PASPA was enacted (Delaware, Nevada, Montana, and Oregon). Certain states not within the exception are eager to take advantage of this cash cow to help balance their budgets. - Read more...