Between 2009 and 2010, the video game industry underwent monumental shifts. In 2009, as the world grappled with a recession, gaming conventions proliferated, transforming gaming from niche pastime to mainstream phenomenon. The rise of casual gaming, exemplified by the Wii's overwhelming success, signaled a demographic shift, pushing companies to reevaluate their design and marketing strategies. Yet, alongside triumphs came challenges, as evidenced by the Xbox 360's hardware issues. Controversies also emerged, like EA's "Project Ten Dollar" which aimed to curb used game sales but sparked debates about game value. Meanwhile, 2010 marked the indie game scene's further ascent, with initiatives like Humble Bundle and platforms like Kickstarter supporting indie developers. New gaming horizons were also unlocked with motion controls like Kinect and PlayStation Move. This period encapsulated the gaming world's rapid transformation, from the rudimentary games of the early 2000s to the technologically advanced, socially integrated, and diverse landscape of 2010. The industry faced both the excitement of evolution and the challenges of addressing the varied desires of an expanding gamer demographic.

Featured Games:
Halo 3: ODST, Halo Wars, Killzone 2, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, Batman: Arkham Asylum, Demon's Souls, Street Fighter IV, Red Dead REdemption, Mass Effect 2, Fallout: New Vegas, Limbo, Super Meat Boy, StarCraft II: WIngs of Liberty, Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker

• (00:00) - Episode 9