Bugs in video games have been a part of the industry since its inception. Whether it’s a glitch that causes characters to float in the air, a problem that causes the game to crash, or a miscommunication between the player and the game, bugs have been a constant source of frustration and amusement for players. Despite the efforts of game developers to eliminate them, bugs continue to persist and often become a part of gaming folklore. If you’re interested in more of these bugs, see CyberGhost’s blog post.
World of Warcraft: The Corrupted Blood Incident
World of Warcraft, the massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) released by Blizzard Entertainment in 2004, has seen its fair share of bugs and glitches over the years. But none have been as memorable or impactful as the Corrupted Blood incident.
In September 2005, an in-game event introduced a new raid called Zul’Gurub. The event featured a new boss called Hakkar the Soulflayer, who had a debuff called “Corrupted Blood” that would infect players and spread to others in close proximity. However, the debuff was not intended to leave the raid instance and spread to the rest of the game world. But due to a bug, the debuff started spreading uncontrollably and soon infected entire cities, causing widespread panic and chaos.
Players found themselves unable to log out of the game, as the debuff would kill their characters as soon as they logged back in. That resulted in virtual cities being abandoned as players fled, fearing the virus. The debuff spread mirrored real-world pandemics, with players acting as carriers and spreading the disease to others.
The Corrupted Blood incident lasted for several days, and its impact on Azeroth’s virtual world was significant. Blizzard eventually managed to contain the spread of the debuff, but the incident remains one of the most memorable and impactful events in World of Warcraft’s history.
Madden NFL 15: Tiny Titan Christian Kirksey
Madden NFL 15, the 2014 installment of the popular NFL video game series, introduced a new player to the game, Christian Kirksey. The linebacker for the Cleveland Browns was listed as a 6’2″, 235-pound player, but he appeared much smaller in the game due to a glitch. That resulted in Kirksey being dubbed the “Tiny Titan” by players and fans.
The glitch was quickly fixed, but the nickname stuck, and Kirksey became a fan favorite due to his small but mighty appearance in the game. The incident also highlights the importance of accurate player representation in sports video games and the potential impact a simple glitch can have on a player’s virtual reputation.
Assassin's Creed Unity: Disappearing Face Glitch
Assassin’s Creed Unity, released in 2014, was a highly anticipated game set in revolutionary Paris. However, the game was plagued by a number of technical issues, including the infamous disappearing face glitch. The glitch resulted in NPC (non-playable character) faces disappearing or becoming distorted, making it difficult for players to complete missions or interact with characters.
The glitch was a significant embarrassment for Ubisoft, the game’s developer, and was widely criticized by fans and media outlets. The incident also highlights the importance of thorough testing and quality assurance and the potential consequences of releasing a game with significant technical issues.
The Witcher 3: Roach's Bug
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, released in 2015, is widely regarded as one of the best role-playing games of all time. However, the game was not without its share of bugs and glitches. One of the most memorable was the Roach’s bug, which involved the player’s horse, Roach, getting stuck in the game world and being unable to be retrieved.
The bug was particularly frustrating for players as Roach is a central aspect of the game and is used to travel throughout the game world. The incident serves as a reminder of the potential for bugs and glitches to impact player experience and highlights the importance of thorough testing to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for players.
Super Mario Bros: Minus World
Super Mario Bros. is a classic platformer published by Nintendo in 1985. The game, which legendary game designer Shigeru Miyamoto designed, has become one of the most popular video games of all time and has spawned countless sequels, spin-offs, and adaptations.
One of the most famous glitches in Super Mario Bros. is the Minus World. This glitch can be triggered by entering a specific sequence of actions while playing the game, allowing players to access a personal level known as the Minus World. This level, which is a seemingly endless underwater course, has become infamous for its impossible difficulty and is often cited as one of the most memorable glitches in video game history.
While the Minus World is a fascinating example of how video games can be both entertaining and unpredictable, it is important to note that glitches like this can also have negative consequences. For example, glitches in video games can disrupt the player experience, cause players to become stuck, or even render a game unplayable. Nevertheless, glitches like the Minus World continue to captivate players and demonstrate the creative potential of video games as a medium.
In summary, bugs in video games are common and can have various effects, from minor annoyances to game-breaking glitches. These bugs can arise from several factors, including the game’s complexity, the speed at which it is developed, and the number of platforms it is released on. Despite their prevalence, developers work to fix bugs through patches and updates, and the player community also plays a role in reporting and finding solutions for these glitches. Ultimately, bugs are a reminder of the immense effort into creating and maintaining modern video games and the creative potential for players to discover and share their unique experiences.
