Canon
This will make someone angry
A list of important and influential games that is useful to know about as a game developer. Subjective in all ways possible. Major series are listed only once.
1972
Pong
1976
Breakout
1978
1979
1980
1981
Galaga
Ultima
1986
1989
1991
Alien Breed
Another World
Lemmings
1992
Pinball Dreams
1993
Civilization
Maniac Mansion: Day of the Tentacle
Pirates! Gold
Syndicate
1994
Dune II Battle for Arrakis
X-Com: Ufo Defense
1995
Command & Conquer
1996
Quake
Diablo
Duke Nukem 3D
WarCraft
1997
Phantasmagoria: A Puzzle of Flesh
1998
Half-Life
Kings Quest
1999
Aliens Versus Predator
2000
Deus Ex
2001
Operation Flashpoint: Cold War Crisis
2002
Battlefield 1942
Grand theft Auto
Hitman
Metroid Prime
2003
Call of Duty
Halo
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
2004
Counter-Strike
Far Cry
World of Warcraft
2006
Gears of war
2007
Portal
Assassin's Creed
Bioshock
Europa Universalis III
2008
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
Braid
Dead Space
Fallout
Left 4 Dead
2009
Hearts of Iron III
2010
Amnesia: The Dark Descent
Splinter Cell
2011
Magica
Minecraft
2012
Dear Esther
Dishonered
2013
Need for Speed Rivals
Aliens: Colonial Marines