Lately I've been pondering game lengths, and how game design has changed over the years.
Specifically I was thinking of Sly Cooper. In days of yore, after
dying three times, you'd be forced to start from the beginning again. Some of us still have nightmares about
Jet Set Willy. (I can only imagine the looks that page will get
from anyone under the age of about 20.)
Gamasutra has an interesting piece on short games, and how we shouldn't be so quick to dismiss them.
Engadget
TUAW