Gridiron! is a sports video game developed by Bethesda Softworks and published by Electronic Arts in 1986. The project was led by Bethesda founder Christopher Weaver and lead programmer Ed Fletcher. Their objective was to create a sports simulation game with a physics-based engine. The game was developed on a low budget, with the development team creating the necessary tools and engine themselves. Electronic Arts handled the marketing and distribution of Gridiron! as part of an agreement for Bethesda to develop a licensed John Madden football game. In 1988, Bethesda filed a $7.3 million lawsuit against Electronic Arts, claiming that EA had ceased distribution of Gridiron! to incorporate its features into their Madden title. The lawsuit was ultimately settled out of court. By 1989, Gridiron! had sold nearly 20,000 units. The game was also included in Amiga World's list of the "40 Best Games of All Time."