[throwawaygh]

> I don't know what it is about gaming

Gaming tends to attract a population that is tech-savvy (means), competitive (motive), and has copious leisure time (opportunity). Combine those three things and you have the kindling.

The spark, I think, is due to the fact that the crowd was historically quite young. That means three things. First, impulsive. Second, nothing/less to lose (someone with real assets they Worked Hard For wouldn't Risk It All over an in-game spat). Third, might not've learned how to handle competition in a healthy way.

A DDoS attack is a crime, but the sort that most law enforcement don't really care about at least in the context of a small-time game server. It's kind of the modern equivalent of knocking down mailboxes or shooting out traffic signs with a shotgun. Both things that cause actual damage that costs actual money, but which teenage males have been doing probably since the advent of mailboxes and shotguns.