[GameSetLinks is GameSetWatch's semi-regular link round-up post, culling from hundreds of weblogs and outlets to compile the most interesting longform writing, links, and criticism on the art and culture of video games.]

While the GameSetLinks aren't quite as regular as they used to be, you have my word that you'll get carefully curated links from the web such as this at least weekly, and this is the first of a three-part catch-up series of RSS-mined goodness.

Some of the highlights in here - indie music management gold that should be carefully read by indie game creators, plus Charlie Brooker on Modern Warfare, the modern U.S. arcade machine success interviewed, David Sirlin on Wegner and Swink's 'make games fast' lectures, and lots more besides.

Oh yes yes:

Koalas and Uzis: Managing Get Busy Committee at FISTFULAYEN
Ian Rogers, who runs amazing 'digital music indie distribution helper' company TopSpin, is managing an artist to see how the whole 'success in a digital world' thing works - this is his first post, and there's a second, too - and they are super relevant (esp. the second!) to publicizing anything - including games - in a digital world.

1UP's Retro Gaming Blog : Lost Levels: Titan Warriors
Yeah, the awesome Frank Cifaldi is writing for 1UP's Retro Blog now, as it should be.

Action Button Dot Net: Tim Rogers reviews Tetris
Also see a Noby Noby Boy discussion - I enjoy this kind of stuff a lot.

Incredible Technologies announces Silver Strike LIVE for Q1 2010 « Arcade Heroes
Fascinating Q&A, since it's an area that makes great money and is underdiscussed: 'Silver Strike Bowling has been a huge success since its launch in 2004. There are nearly 25,000 units in bars and pubs around the world with 10,000 of those units online.'

Press Pass: Gaming's Grassroots with GamePolitics' Pete Gallagher > Kyle Orland | Crispy Gamer
I'm a big fan of GP's previous editor Dennis McCauley, but good luck with the new focus, GP folks...

Game Design, Psychology, Flow, and Mastery - Blog - Making Games Faster
Matthew and Steve did a version of this talk at GDC Austin, too, and it was really high-level neatness.

Christian Allen's Corner: Max Brooks will get you killed...
Not actually about games, but ex-U.S. soldier and Bungie alum Christian Allen is hilarious when discussing incorrect ammo choices for fictional zombie attacks.

Modern Warfare 2: Brilliant, but just a machine | Charlie Brooker | Technology | The Guardian
'Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is the Citizen Kane of repeatedly shooting people in the face.'