It is more difficult to make the comparison than simoniker let's on.
As other early commenters have pointed out, the issue of genres is key, since there is little method or point to measuring Baldur's Gate to Tetris. Similarly, regional differences have in some measure evolved into genre differences entirely. The distinction of "console RPG" versus "PC RPG" makes that clear, and in fact it is as pointless to cross those lines as to say Soul Calibur gives more good play time than Mario Party.
Although rare, there are instances of region-crossing in some of these genres, and therein lies the poster's question, I believe. How does Anachronox's (2001, Ion Storm, developed in Texas) length compare to that of, say, Final Fantasy X (2001, Squaresoft, developed in Japan)?
The question was also raised as to how one can objectively measure a game's length. I think like so many things a game's length can never be proven, only approximated. If you really wanted to answer the poster's question as scientifically as possible, you would have a decently large number of randomly distributed players go through a selection of identical genre games from different regions. This could be done for different genres, such as console RPGs and PC RPGs, but no valid comparison could be made between the two (about region, anyway). Then you could get a statistically valid mean for the length of time to play each game, and voila -- a comparison base emerges (also known as a t-test).
Actually, if you check the legal definition (in the United States) of libel, you'll find the plaintiff is not required to prove malicious intent -- it is assumed, should the other criteria be met.
As I understand it, libelous material must be:
a) defamatory -- I think, regardless of factuality, a good case can be made that this article is certainly that.
b) identifiable to a specific person (the plaintiff) -- considering Richard Stenlund is named in and is the focus of the article, this criterion is certainly met.
and
c) must be distributed to someone other than the offended party -- I think the NYT fulfills that requirement!
Although the publication of direct quotes is not admissable as libel, regardless of Mr. Stenlund's requests (yes, he should have had the journalist sign an agreement, but then he likely wouldn't have consented), the doctoring of quotes, as Mr. Stenlund's rebuttal suggested, most definitely is. A recording of the interview, if available, could corroborate that.
Mr. Stenlund, in my interpretation of libel, definitely has grounds for legal action here. If he can prove the above criteria and show that it has adversely affected his business, he could sue the NYT for damages, eventually recouping the requisite lawyer fees. While I'm less sure of this, he could also potentially bring criminal charges against the author of the article, which given the personal nature of their relationship (according to Mr. Stenlund's rebuttal), might be appropriate.
Is that statement from chrisd true, that we don't own the hardware we buy anymore? As I had come to understand, under the DMCA we are not allowed to create/distribute methods of circumventing copy protection, but I had never heard that we are not allowed to use & abuse the hardware we buy how ever we please. This would also include modchips, which despite their reputation CAN be used for legitimate purposes (importing games from other regions, not making backups. No one really does that:)
If this is the case, could we potentially see individuals getting busted for attempting to purchase modchips, or even for having installing them installed, regardless of their intention?
This is rather troubling, I'd say. I don't support ISOnews.com or the acts it promoted, which were far from legitimate. I'm primarily concerned with the notion of being unable to do what I wish with my own hardware.
Slashdot Mirror
It is more difficult to make the comparison than simoniker let's on. As other early commenters have pointed out, the issue of genres is key, since there is little method or point to measuring Baldur's Gate to Tetris. Similarly, regional differences have in some measure evolved into genre differences entirely. The distinction of "console RPG" versus "PC RPG" makes that clear, and in fact it is as pointless to cross those lines as to say Soul Calibur gives more good play time than Mario Party. Although rare, there are instances of region-crossing in some of these genres, and therein lies the poster's question, I believe. How does Anachronox's (2001, Ion Storm, developed in Texas) length compare to that of, say, Final Fantasy X (2001, Squaresoft, developed in Japan)? The question was also raised as to how one can objectively measure a game's length. I think like so many things a game's length can never be proven, only approximated. If you really wanted to answer the poster's question as scientifically as possible, you would have a decently large number of randomly distributed players go through a selection of identical genre games from different regions. This could be done for different genres, such as console RPGs and PC RPGs, but no valid comparison could be made between the two (about region, anyway). Then you could get a statistically valid mean for the length of time to play each game, and voila -- a comparison base emerges (also known as a t-test).
Actually, if you check the legal definition (in the United States) of libel, you'll find the plaintiff is not required to prove malicious intent -- it is assumed, should the other criteria be met.
As I understand it, libelous material must be:
a) defamatory -- I think, regardless of factuality, a good case can be made that this article is certainly that.
b) identifiable to a specific person (the plaintiff) -- considering Richard Stenlund is named in and is the focus of the article, this criterion is certainly met.
and
c) must be distributed to someone other than the offended party -- I think the NYT fulfills that requirement!
Although the publication of direct quotes is not admissable as libel, regardless of Mr. Stenlund's requests (yes, he should have had the journalist sign an agreement, but then he likely wouldn't have consented), the doctoring of quotes, as Mr. Stenlund's rebuttal suggested, most definitely is. A recording of the interview, if available, could corroborate that.
Mr. Stenlund, in my interpretation of libel, definitely has grounds for legal action here. If he can prove the above criteria and show that it has adversely affected his business, he could sue the NYT for damages, eventually recouping the requisite lawyer fees. While I'm less sure of this, he could also potentially bring criminal charges against the author of the article, which given the personal nature of their relationship (according to Mr. Stenlund's rebuttal), might be appropriate.
Diffie and Rivest had better watch out! Microsoft could easily hit them with DMCA violation charges for questioning Palladium's encryption!
Is that statement from chrisd true, that we don't own the hardware we buy anymore? As I had come to understand, under the DMCA we are not allowed to create/distribute methods of circumventing copy protection, but I had never heard that we are not allowed to use & abuse the hardware we buy how ever we please. This would also include modchips, which despite their reputation CAN be used for legitimate purposes (importing games from other regions, not making backups. No one really does that :)
If this is the case, could we potentially see individuals getting busted for attempting to purchase modchips, or even for having installing them installed, regardless of their intention?
This is rather troubling, I'd say. I don't support ISOnews.com or the acts it promoted, which were far from legitimate. I'm primarily concerned with the notion of being unable to do what I wish with my own hardware.