From reading the thread, it seems that the problem with Bionic Commando is that there are both aesthetic differences
and gameplay differences; although, evidently, not enough gameplay differences to justify having two movies published on the site.
If you want strict rules, I propose the following:
- When a game has no movies published, the first author of the first run for this game may choose any ROM for any reason, or for no reason.
- Authors of subsequent runs of this game, whether obsoleting the first published movie or not, must use the same ROM as used in the first published movie unless:
- the subsequent run obsoletes the fist published movie or is to be published alongside such,
- and the subsequent run uses at least one method of play that is impossible or not reasonably feasible (meaning that the method(s) cannot be reproduced without a significant loss of time, as determined by the judges on a game-by-game basis) on the ROM used by the first published movie,
- and the author of the subsequent run thoroughly documents the method(s) used and demonstrates the impossibility and/or unfeasibility of such method(s),
- and judges and members of the TASVideos community generally agree, as determined by site administration, that such method is impossible or not reasonably feasible on the other ROM.
- In the event that the first published movie for a game is obsoleted by a run using a different ROM in accordance with these rules, authors of subsequent runs of the game, whether obsoleting the new movie or not, must use the same ROM as used in the new movie, except as described in these rules.
- In the event that a new movie is published alongside the first published movie that uses a ROM different than that used by the first published movie in accordance with these rules:
- The author of any run that is to obsolete any published movie must use the same ROM as used by the published movie that the new run is intended to obsolete, except as described in these rules.
- The author of any run that is to be published alongside the currently published movies may use any ROM for any reason, or for no reason.
- Except for the reasons listed above, a run of a game with a published movie that uses a ROM different than that used by the published run may only obsolete the published run on the vote of a three-forths (75%) majority of TASVideos community members or on the agreement of three (3) appointed judges.
- At the discretion of the judges and/or site administration, "alternate" runs of a game that use a ROM different than that used by the official, published movie for reasons not permitted by the conditions herein (such as different language or graphics) may be distributed supplementary to the published movie, but such shall be considered official, published movies and shall not be subject to obsoletion.
These rules give the first author the ability to choose whichever ROM is deemed approriate for speed or entertainment or whatever, while providing clear guidelines for what is allowed for obsoletion and what is not, and also allowing for exceptions to be made as seen fit without stepping on too many toes.
My opinion, however, is that this kind of rule set is stupid, and that people shouldn't need them to settle disagreements. But then again, the "human nature" point does seem to be a valid one here. : (