Movie: Deadly Arcade Game, Find Programmer to Stop It (Not Brainscan/Stay Alive)

Your description matches several "cursed media" horror films. Top candidates:

• The Ring (2002) – Cursed videotape kills in 7 days; protagonists trace origin to stop it. (Not a game, but closest mainstream match.)
• Pulse (2006 / Kairo 2001) – Ghosts spread via internet/tech; players die in real life.
• Arcade (1993) – VR arcade game traps souls; teens must beat it to survive. Strong match for "arcade game" + "find programmer."
• Brainscan (1994) – You excluded this, but it fits: hypnosis game blurs reality.
• Stay Alive (2006) – You excluded this; online game kills players for real.
• Game Box 1.0 (2004) – Beta VR game traps protagonist.
• Open Graves (2009) – Cursed board game (not video).
• Choose or Die (2022) – Retro text-based game forces deadly choices.

To Narrow It Down

Recall any of these?

• Decade / visual style (80s practical FX vs. 2000s CGI)?
• Protagonist: solo teen, group, adult investigator?
• Game cabinet: stand-up arcade, VR headset, PC, console cartridge?
• Ending: game destroyed, programmer killed, cycle continues?

Arcade (1993) is the strongest match for "arcade cabinet + find programmer." Check its trailer.