Ian Malcolm
@ianmalcolm.bsky.social
Melbourne-based writer, editor and proofreader for books, publications and web.
Game designer from Star Wars on NES to Need For Speed: Shift on iOS, with dozens of titles in between.
Bass, uke and low whistle player. Unrepentant folkie.
Game designer from Star Wars on NES to Need For Speed: Shift on iOS, with dozens of titles in between.
Bass, uke and low whistle player. Unrepentant folkie.
Pinned
Ian Malcolm
@ianmalcolm.bsky.social
· May 11
Flashback: How An Australian Developer Helped Lucasfilm Make Its First Star Wars Game
"It was pre-Special Editions. Pre-prequels." - When people talk about the history of Star Wars games, Star Wars (1991) for the Nintendo Entertainment System ...
www.timeextension.com
May 4th was a week ago, but as I've just joined Bluesky here's a little #StarWars gaming history for the three people possibly interested - an interview I did with Jack Yarwood at @timeextension.com last year, about developing #NES Star Wars for Lucasfilm.
www.timeextension.com/features/fla...
www.timeextension.com/features/fla...
Reposted by Ian Malcolm
Sung to the tune of Dreams by Fleetwood Mac, but in a pirate voice:
🎶 Plunder only happens when we’re sailing
Pirates only love you when they're parlaying 🎶
🎶 Plunder only happens when we’re sailing
Pirates only love you when they're parlaying 🎶
February 13, 2026 at 11:08 PM
Sung to the tune of Dreams by Fleetwood Mac, but in a pirate voice:
🎶 Plunder only happens when we’re sailing
Pirates only love you when they're parlaying 🎶
🎶 Plunder only happens when we’re sailing
Pirates only love you when they're parlaying 🎶
Reposted by Ian Malcolm
The mighty @maxgladstone.bsky.social is very smart about making things and you should read his newsletter.
buttondown.com/MaxGladstone...
buttondown.com/MaxGladstone...
Writing Doesn't Always Look the Way You Think
A couple days ago Penny Arcade posted a great scathing comic about an ad for an LLM; the ad promised that new users could “start writing for free!” Of course...
buttondown.com
February 13, 2026 at 1:07 AM
The mighty @maxgladstone.bsky.social is very smart about making things and you should read his newsletter.
buttondown.com/MaxGladstone...
buttondown.com/MaxGladstone...
Finished 'The KLF: Chaos, Magic and the Band Who Burned A Million Pounds' by John Higgs a few days ago, and been thinking about it ever since.
Fascinating and compelling, I cannot recommend it highly enough - with the caveat it's not much a straight bio as... (Cont. next post!) 💙📚 1/2
Fascinating and compelling, I cannot recommend it highly enough - with the caveat it's not much a straight bio as... (Cont. next post!) 💙📚 1/2
February 10, 2026 at 5:56 AM
Finished 'The KLF: Chaos, Magic and the Band Who Burned A Million Pounds' by John Higgs a few days ago, and been thinking about it ever since.
Fascinating and compelling, I cannot recommend it highly enough - with the caveat it's not much a straight bio as... (Cont. next post!) 💙📚 1/2
Fascinating and compelling, I cannot recommend it highly enough - with the caveat it's not much a straight bio as... (Cont. next post!) 💙📚 1/2
Catching up on the day 1 highlights from #MilanoCortina2026 and my main take-away so far is that the standard soundtrack of all the more spectacular events from now on is going to be the high-pitched whine of camera drones following the athletes down slopes.
February 8, 2026 at 11:27 PM
Catching up on the day 1 highlights from #MilanoCortina2026 and my main take-away so far is that the standard soundtrack of all the more spectacular events from now on is going to be the high-pitched whine of camera drones following the athletes down slopes.
Reposted by Ian Malcolm
As a lover of good ambient I'm a big fan of Carbon Based Lifeforms, and of Sync24, the solo offshoot by CBL's Daniel Vadestrid.
Sync24's 2018 album 'Omnious' has hundreds of plays racked up here, and I expect 'Hope', my first #BandcampFriday purchase for the month, will be another keeper. 😎
Sync24's 2018 album 'Omnious' has hundreds of plays racked up here, and I expect 'Hope', my first #BandcampFriday purchase for the month, will be another keeper. 😎
Hope, by Sync24
9 track album
sync24.bandcamp.com
February 6, 2026 at 7:38 AM
As a lover of good ambient I'm a big fan of Carbon Based Lifeforms, and of Sync24, the solo offshoot by CBL's Daniel Vadestrid.
Sync24's 2018 album 'Omnious' has hundreds of plays racked up here, and I expect 'Hope', my first #BandcampFriday purchase for the month, will be another keeper. 😎
Sync24's 2018 album 'Omnious' has hundreds of plays racked up here, and I expect 'Hope', my first #BandcampFriday purchase for the month, will be another keeper. 😎
Every two to three years the YouTube algorithm decides that I need to watch/listen to this again.
And now it's your turn. 😉
#music #MusicVideo
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHLb...
And now it's your turn. 😉
#music #MusicVideo
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHLb...
Orkestra Obsolete play Blue Monday using 1930s instruments - BBC Arts
YouTube video by BBC
www.youtube.com
February 1, 2026 at 9:55 AM
Every two to three years the YouTube algorithm decides that I need to watch/listen to this again.
And now it's your turn. 😉
#music #MusicVideo
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHLb...
And now it's your turn. 😉
#music #MusicVideo
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHLb...
Reposted by Ian Malcolm
The State Library OF Victoria seems to have a Board much like the Bendigo Writers Festival: only management “experts” with fluent jargon in their bag of tricks. One of their decisions was to grant the running of Mr Tulk to a dubious corporation. Sign this petition, please. #SLV
Sign the Petition
SAVE MR TULK!
c.org
February 1, 2026 at 4:51 AM
The State Library OF Victoria seems to have a Board much like the Bendigo Writers Festival: only management “experts” with fluent jargon in their bag of tricks. One of their decisions was to grant the running of Mr Tulk to a dubious corporation. Sign this petition, please. #SLV
Just finished this, having picked it up at an op shop recently.
Inventive and amusing comic fantasy. Didn't quite stick the landing IMHO, but the journey was fun, so will keep an eye out for more (his only other book I've read was 'Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Sausages').
💙📚 #books #reading
Inventive and amusing comic fantasy. Didn't quite stick the landing IMHO, but the journey was fun, so will keep an eye out for more (his only other book I've read was 'Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Sausages').
💙📚 #books #reading
January 31, 2026 at 6:18 AM
Reposted by Ian Malcolm
Finished TR-49 last night, so am feeling quite pleased* with myself.
*Confession: I did "brute-force" my way to a couple of solutions, and it took three attempts on the final section to get what I'm assuming is the "true" ending. But I'll replay later to better see how the pieces fit together.
*Confession: I did "brute-force" my way to a couple of solutions, and it took three attempts on the final section to get what I'm assuming is the "true" ending. But I'll replay later to better see how the pieces fit together.
January 26, 2026 at 11:25 PM
Finished TR-49 last night, so am feeling quite pleased* with myself.
*Confession: I did "brute-force" my way to a couple of solutions, and it took three attempts on the final section to get what I'm assuming is the "true" ending. But I'll replay later to better see how the pieces fit together.
*Confession: I did "brute-force" my way to a couple of solutions, and it took three attempts on the final section to get what I'm assuming is the "true" ending. But I'll replay later to better see how the pieces fit together.
January 26, 2026 at 6:58 AM
Just rewatched Castle in the Sky for the first time in (checks Letterboxd) six years.
Studio Ghibli really came out of the gates firing on all cylinders with this, their first feature - pure Miyazaki magic.
#movie
Studio Ghibli really came out of the gates firing on all cylinders with this, their first feature - pure Miyazaki magic.
#movie
January 25, 2026 at 11:54 PM
Just rewatched Castle in the Sky for the first time in (checks Letterboxd) six years.
Studio Ghibli really came out of the gates firing on all cylinders with this, their first feature - pure Miyazaki magic.
#movie
Studio Ghibli really came out of the gates firing on all cylinders with this, their first feature - pure Miyazaki magic.
#movie
Started playing TR-49 today and am absolutely loving this eerie and intriguing world.
Huge congrats to @jon.inkle.co, @joe.inkle.co, @anastasiawyatt.bsky.social and all at @inkle.co for this unique mystery narrative experience. 🏆
#MacGaming #iOSGaming #iPadGaming
Huge congrats to @jon.inkle.co, @joe.inkle.co, @anastasiawyatt.bsky.social and all at @inkle.co for this unique mystery narrative experience. 🏆
#MacGaming #iOSGaming #iPadGaming
January 25, 2026 at 7:18 AM
Started playing TR-49 today and am absolutely loving this eerie and intriguing world.
Huge congrats to @jon.inkle.co, @joe.inkle.co, @anastasiawyatt.bsky.social and all at @inkle.co for this unique mystery narrative experience. 🏆
#MacGaming #iOSGaming #iPadGaming
Huge congrats to @jon.inkle.co, @joe.inkle.co, @anastasiawyatt.bsky.social and all at @inkle.co for this unique mystery narrative experience. 🏆
#MacGaming #iOSGaming #iPadGaming
Well, it took being killed on my first attempt (then returning from the dead - bound to happen sooner or later), but on my second I've defeated Feducci, the mysteriously bandaged Black Ribbon Society leader, in single combat.
So am now a revered duellist. Quite happy with that. 😉 #FallenLondon
So am now a revered duellist. Quite happy with that. 😉 #FallenLondon
January 25, 2026 at 12:46 AM
Well, it took being killed on my first attempt (then returning from the dead - bound to happen sooner or later), but on my second I've defeated Feducci, the mysteriously bandaged Black Ribbon Society leader, in single combat.
So am now a revered duellist. Quite happy with that. 😉 #FallenLondon
So am now a revered duellist. Quite happy with that. 😉 #FallenLondon
Five concerts you've seen with women lead singers.
(Going to cheat and do two lists.)
Oz artists:
Tiddas
The Waifs
Ruby Fruit Jungle
The Audreys
Bluehouse
International:
Tori Amos
Ani DiFranco
Sinéad O'Connor
Cowboy Junkies
Beth Orton
(Going to cheat and do two lists.)
Oz artists:
Tiddas
The Waifs
Ruby Fruit Jungle
The Audreys
Bluehouse
International:
Tori Amos
Ani DiFranco
Sinéad O'Connor
Cowboy Junkies
Beth Orton
Five concerts you've seen with women lead singers
Dolly Parton
The Hummingbirds
The Sugarcubes
The Breeders
Tiddas
Dolly Parton
The Hummingbirds
The Sugarcubes
The Breeders
Tiddas
Five concerts you've seen with women lead singers
Blondie
Pretenders
Portishead
Anna Calvi
Sharon van Etten
Blondie
Pretenders
Portishead
Anna Calvi
Sharon van Etten
January 22, 2026 at 5:32 AM
Five concerts you've seen with women lead singers.
(Going to cheat and do two lists.)
Oz artists:
Tiddas
The Waifs
Ruby Fruit Jungle
The Audreys
Bluehouse
International:
Tori Amos
Ani DiFranco
Sinéad O'Connor
Cowboy Junkies
Beth Orton
(Going to cheat and do two lists.)
Oz artists:
Tiddas
The Waifs
Ruby Fruit Jungle
The Audreys
Bluehouse
International:
Tori Amos
Ani DiFranco
Sinéad O'Connor
Cowboy Junkies
Beth Orton
January 21, 2026 at 2:06 AM
Post four albums from your time In high school.
Here's mine:
Here's mine:
January 20, 2026 at 9:32 PM
Post four albums from your time In high school.
Here's mine:
Here's mine:
It's not a boom at all if you've only gotten to this point by forcing your shitty slop-tech into millions of places it wasn't wanted or needed in the first place.
Cry harder, then go broke, slop-shills.
Cry harder, then go broke, slop-shills.
AI boom could falter without wider adoption, Microsoft chief Satya Nadella warns
AI boom could falter without wider adoption, Microsoft chief Satya Nadella warns
Big tech boss tells delegates at Davos that broader global use is essential if technology is to deliver lasting growth
www.irishtimes.com
January 20, 2026 at 8:43 PM
It's not a boom at all if you've only gotten to this point by forcing your shitty slop-tech into millions of places it wasn't wanted or needed in the first place.
Cry harder, then go broke, slop-shills.
Cry harder, then go broke, slop-shills.
Watched 'Arsenic and Old Lace' (1944) - last seen on TV repeats as a kid.
More 'screwball' and longer than remembered, but Cary Grant's shtick was rarely more fun.
Peter Lorre was also a delight: “Not the Melbourne Method, please…”
(Murder whilst wearing black and drinking coffee...? 😉)
#movies
More 'screwball' and longer than remembered, but Cary Grant's shtick was rarely more fun.
Peter Lorre was also a delight: “Not the Melbourne Method, please…”
(Murder whilst wearing black and drinking coffee...? 😉)
#movies
January 18, 2026 at 5:39 AM
Watched 'Arsenic and Old Lace' (1944) - last seen on TV repeats as a kid.
More 'screwball' and longer than remembered, but Cary Grant's shtick was rarely more fun.
Peter Lorre was also a delight: “Not the Melbourne Method, please…”
(Murder whilst wearing black and drinking coffee...? 😉)
#movies
More 'screwball' and longer than remembered, but Cary Grant's shtick was rarely more fun.
Peter Lorre was also a delight: “Not the Melbourne Method, please…”
(Murder whilst wearing black and drinking coffee...? 😉)
#movies
Long assumed I'd seen 'The Swimmer' (1968) starring Burt Lancaster, but turns out that (until today) I'd only watched a few small sections.
Not what I expected, but nonetheless an incredible experience: 'Apocalypse Now' for broken 1960s ad execs.
"Never get out of the pool..."
#movies
Not what I expected, but nonetheless an incredible experience: 'Apocalypse Now' for broken 1960s ad execs.
"Never get out of the pool..."
#movies
January 17, 2026 at 7:43 AM
Long assumed I'd seen 'The Swimmer' (1968) starring Burt Lancaster, but turns out that (until today) I'd only watched a few small sections.
Not what I expected, but nonetheless an incredible experience: 'Apocalypse Now' for broken 1960s ad execs.
"Never get out of the pool..."
#movies
Not what I expected, but nonetheless an incredible experience: 'Apocalypse Now' for broken 1960s ad execs.
"Never get out of the pool..."
#movies
Took time out from retro gaming and Fallen London shenanigans to finish the main story for Pokémon Legends: Z-A, Took me just over 40 hours, but I'm never speedy with these things.
Not particularly difficult, but really enjoyed the storyline. Might get the DLC down the track. 😉
#Pokémon #Switch2
Not particularly difficult, but really enjoyed the storyline. Might get the DLC down the track. 😉
#Pokémon #Switch2
January 16, 2026 at 9:50 AM
Do what indeed. What the what now? 🤷♂️
January 13, 2026 at 10:12 PM
Do what indeed. What the what now? 🤷♂️
Reposted by Ian Malcolm
RT if you've never had a tab of ChatGPT open 'just to do quick research'
![You’ve got super fans pausing and zooming in on individuals frames of your documentary. One allegedly shows one of the Duffers with a ChatGPT tab open on their computer. In your presence, what did they use ChatGPT for?
I mean, are we even sure they had ChatGPT open?
I’m personally not, but the internet seems sure.
Well, there’s a lot of chatter where [social media users] are like, “We don’t really know, but we’re assuming.” But to me it’s like, doesn’t everybody have it open, to just do quick research?
I do.
How can you possibly write a storyline with 19 characters and use ChatGPT, I don’t even understand.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:7t2urmt3i33jl6tjgiolio6g/bafkreidw2tmcr2ayq74oqmjm5pn2tdox6hlxnpqevhuqqj6oa7nsslx3oi@jpeg)
January 13, 2026 at 8:45 PM
RT if you've never had a tab of ChatGPT open 'just to do quick research'