This whole thing makes me wonder if it's going to be illegal to post cheat codes, walkthoughs, game FAQs, etc, online now. After all, the companies which publish the game hint books have to be galled at the fact that people are putting online for free the same kind of information which goes into those ultra-expensive to publish game strategy guides and hint manuals. While people might derive it from independent sources (like actually playing the game), it might not matter to the copyright gestapo...
This does raise another question:
Are gamers going to start using code to post game FAQs online? So, instead of "Go to the well, talk to the purple elf and when the three orcs attack, kill them and take their amulets," it'll be: "Move legs by drinky-drinky, move mouth near the 420nm wavelength reflecting object which may be IP of the Tolkien estate, non-Gandhi the 4 minus 1 525nm wavelength reflecting objects which are IP of the Tolkien estate, remove neckline apparel."
Slashdot Mirror
This whole thing makes me wonder if it's going to be illegal to post cheat codes, walkthoughs, game FAQs, etc, online now. After all, the companies which publish the game hint books have to be galled at the fact that people are putting online for free the same kind of information which goes into those ultra-expensive to publish game strategy guides and hint manuals. While people might derive it from independent sources (like actually playing the game), it might not matter to the copyright gestapo... This does raise another question: Are gamers going to start using code to post game FAQs online? So, instead of "Go to the well, talk to the purple elf and when the three orcs attack, kill them and take their amulets," it'll be: "Move legs by drinky-drinky, move mouth near the 420nm wavelength reflecting object which may be IP of the Tolkien estate, non-Gandhi the 4 minus 1 525nm wavelength reflecting objects which are IP of the Tolkien estate, remove neckline apparel."
Big FUDder is watching you!