One day, in the very near future I think, we may well all be privy to the land that Infendo contributor Malstrom now inhabits. I’d like to think that I have purchased the ticket, but have not yet stepped foot on the ship. Many of you who have read these epic articles might consider yourselves in that same boat, pardon the pun.

In this the penultimate article to Malstrom’s recent series of observations, musings and insights, we experience a glimpse of a whisper of what the future of gaming could be if the Blue Ocean truly does as advertised. For some, that island is an exicting one teeming with unknowns and new possibilities. For others, it is a dark place where the normal is dead, and lashing out is the only recourse. But, as usual, I digress into rambling…

Again, I give you one of Malstrom’s finest, “The New World…” – Jack (more…)

If this were December, and not the still rather toasty month of September, I’d say you should curl up with a nice cup of cocoa and enjoy this latest epic novella from Infendo resident savant Malstrom by a crackling fire of burning Lair discs and instruction manuals. But it’s not. But read it anyway. Every last word.

It’s an epic piece on hardcore gamers (and much, much more), and when I first read it I really did lose track of time. The thing breezed by, and I found myself one step closer to crossing through the Stargate to the land where Malstrom now inhabits. That little island where you can look back and see what was invisible before, because it took a paradigm shift to get there.

And with that bombastic diatribe now complete, I offer you “Washing the Hardcore Away” by Malstrom…

– Jack (more…)

Malstrom is at it again. Today he’s delivered us a series of new (and lengthy!) articles about gaming, Nintendo and the future of the industry as a whole. I think with the outrageous success currently being enjoyed by the Wii and its software (you know, the software that ignoramuses say doesn’t exist yet) this is an especially timely delivery.

On a personal note, the reason I enjoy these columns is two-fold. First, the style is unique. There are no other writers out there today in the gaming industry that can hold a candle to the style that Malstrom brings in his articles. They tell a story, create characters and include real life quotes from industry movers and shakers, and advance the conversation instead of miring it in stagnation. Kind of like the Wii and DS.

Secondly, they use words from the analysts and industry players themselves. Oftentimes Malstrom simply sits back and lets some of these clowns set the stage for him. In this light, the columns cannot be dismissed as fanboyism or marketing because they employ something rarely seen in the putrid, vitriolic message boards and forums of today: facts. For those reasons alone, these are a welcome addition to Infendo. I haven’t seen these columns outside of Infendo (aside from at the now-retired Wiikly.com), so for that I thank Mal for the pro bono contribution. I think I speak for Blake, David and the rest of Infendo when I say thanks a million for these articles. But I digress, as usual.

On that note, here’s one of Malstrom’s latest, A Rising Continent.

– Jack (more…)