[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.]

Digging into our cache of GameSetLinks, we come up with some beautifully earthy article goodness, starting out with the 1UP folks discussing just where the character-based rhythm action game went - something I certainly mourn, since musical stories are actually major moneyspinners in other creative industries (uh, Broadway!) Shame.

Also in these links - a neat UK Guardian piece on Britsoft and indie gaming, plus Cartoon Brew gets on the Rockstar quality of life discussion train, Bear McCreary's rather gorgeous Dark Void soundtrack is dissected by the artist himself, and other things occur besides.

Remember me:

Chiptuned: 1UP's Game Music Blog : Mourning the Character-Based Rhythm Game
'We just need a concept as original and interesting as the first Parappa -- and there's never been a better time, now that most rhythm games seek to be indistinguishable from their competitors.'

Retronauts Flashback: January 1990 from 1UP.com
Super-nice Cifaldi snapshot of 20 years ago in gaming...

Bear's Battlestar Blog » Blog Archive » The Dark Void Score
Was really taken by the Dark Void soundtrack, discovered it's by Battlestar Galactica composer Bear McCreary - here's a gigantic making-of blog post with sample music.

Back to the bedroom: how indie gaming is reviving the Britsoft spirit | Technology | guardian.co.uk
Excellent article from Keith Stuart on indie games as creative renaissance: 'Britain used to produce some of the most entertaining and idiosyncratic videogames in the world. Then the eighties ended. But are the glory days returning?'

gamedrinkcode » Archive » How to afford an indie game
Heartily agreed.

Is Rockstar a sweatshop? | Cartoon Brew: Leading the Animation Conversation
Interesting to see this story get as far as one of the major animation sites, and the comments there-in.

BigDownload: IGF 2010 Finalists: Design Excellence
Really nice overview from James Murff and the BigDownload folks.

Life Starts Here: High Society
Writer and former GSW columnist Duncan Fyfe with a great fictional tale taking place at GDC, oddly enough - this is a blog to watch.