The late 2000s were a period where shooters blossomed, largely in part to the ongoing popularity of Halo, newcomers like Gears of War, and the rise of Activision’s cultural juggernaut, Call of Duty.

The age of video game rivalries is coming to an end. As markets shift, corporations merge, and fortunes change, the hostilities that once defined the industry have become legends of the past. Sonic ...