And of course, the strategic element of building bases, researching alien technology and keeping terrified nations onside and funding your shadowy transnational organization is really the heart of the game.

FORBES: Fly-Past Friday: New X-COM: Enemy Unknown Video

Toyota is one of several heavy-weight car manufacturers and technology companies researching autonomous vehicles.

BBC: Toyota sneak previews self-drive car ahead of tech show

Some of NBC's radio profits were funneled into researching the new television technology.

WSJ: Broadcasting pioneer NBC has long, storied history