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Can your online character be defamed?
A topic I considered for my paper, but later abandoned, was whether your online character (such as in an MMORPG) could be defamed. In certain games, your reputation is quite important and the goodwill you have accumulated in the community can directly affect your ability to enjoy, succeed, and even profit from the game. For […]
The Stanley Parable and Contracts
I finally got around to looking for the demo for “The Stanley Parable” game discussed previously. This involved signing up for Steam, an act I had avoided for reasons of removing temptations whilst still a student. Thus the entire process of getting the game off the internet and downloading involved assenting to four separate legal […]
EULAs and TOS as Adhesionary Contracts
As I understand, EULAs and TOS are a type of adhesionary contracts. The Legal Information Institute at Cornell University defines an adhesionary contract as “a standard form contract drafted by one party (usually a business with stronger bargaining power) and signed by the weaker party (usually a consumer in need of goods or services), who must adhere to […]
News of the Week; August 27, 2014
GAMES 1. Capcom suing Koei Tecmo 2. Nintendo files copyright claims to have Super Smash Bros. leaks removed 3. Trolls drive Anita Sarkeesian out of her house to prove misogyny doesn’t exist 4. The Porn Viewing Habits of Console Owners 5. Report: Adult women gamers now double the number of under-18 boys 6. Rockstar: Lohan’s GTA suit is “for publicity purposes” 7. Police […]
Full Indie Summit 2014
Had a blast this morning giving a talk at the Full Indie Summit called “Law-ification”. The basic premise was just as game mechanics have been co-opted and applied well beyond video games, legal issues are becoming a factor in games in unforeseen and sometimes unusual ways. Reviewing the “News of the Week” over the last […]
News of the Week; August 6, 2014
GAMES 1. Artist claims she invented Angry Birds, files complaint seeking compensation 2. Thailand’s military junta bans dictator-simulator Tropico 5: State reportedly worried game “might affect peace and order” in the country. 3. Gearbox responds to Aliens class-action lawsuit, throws Sega under bus: Says dev spent “millions” of its own to finish game, never repaid by Sega. 4. Of […]
Use of Personal Information: Is Knowledge Really Power?
In 2003 a law referred to as “Shine the Light” was passed in California. One part of the law requires many businesses to respond to requests from customers about whether their private information was sold for marketing purposes, and who it was sold to. It also requires that the businesses disclose their practices surrounding […]
Video Game talk on StarTalk
I just listened to this great talk on StarTalk about video games. It’s a little older, but still really relevant and touched upon many of the things we discuss in class: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNTH2JqrdfA
Increasing Inclusivity in the Video Game Community 8bits at a Time
With the discussion last week turning to the controversy surrounding misogynistic, and at times also homophobic, transphobic, and racist, elements in the video game community, I became curious as to alternative user-oriented game conventions designed to address such issues. GaymerX, previously GaymerCon, was a convention organized with the idea of creating a safe space for […]