All good things...

[Darren]

Hi there. You're looking well. Is that a new shirt? No? New haircut? Okay, enough of that... time for some news.

As many of you know, the editorship of Hyper was left in a limbo-ish state following Daniel's departure. I won't bore you with the details of what happened during the weeks that followed, but the end result was a major reshuffling in games mag management, and PC PowerPlay editor Anthony Fordham was made overall Group Editor of nextmedia's gaming titles. With that change now in effect, I'm announcing that I've decided to take my leave from Hyper. My last day is today.

It's been a downright pleasure writing for Hyper over the last couple of years, and I've genuinely enjoyed being a part of an exciting and rewarding industry. You'll be able to catch my final game reviews in issue 202, and after that... well, who knows.

So, that's pretty much the sum of it. Sincere thanks for reading my work, and for all the feedback received. If you want to keep following me post-Hyper, I'm on Twitter (@DarrenWells) where I'll regale you with all sorts of tales, from what game I'm playing to what the weird guy sitting next to me on the train smells like.

Thanks, guys. It really has been fun.





http://img824.imageshack.us/img824/5357/darren.gif

[sausage]

Reading between the lines it sounds like you got shafted mate and this is a very bitter pill for you to swallow; as it is for the rest of us I'm sure.

Good luck for whatever you have lined up next (hoho) and all the best from me.



EDITAT: steal whatever you can from the storeroom before you go and start a small fire in someone's rubbish bin.

It'd be rude not to.

[JimmyKane]

They took Darren's red stapler one too many times.

[Stevorooni]

Goodbye Darren, thanks for helping to keep Hyper a sweet mag and good luck with whatever thing you're doing next.

Let's hope the new guys don't **** it up!

[FX-GTZ]

Will you still be able to post at hyper forums Darren?

[fishfishmonkeyhat]

No I'm banning him.

Ciao and good luck.

[Australian Ninja]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

You should get a free cake imo.

Well, thanks for your quality contributions to the mag, and all the best / yadda yadda yadda - you will be missed!

At least you'll have more time for kung-fu and finding your brothers killer while cleaning up the streets and stopping those damn orphans getting hooked on more crack.

So long sucka!

[SOX]

Sucks for you but probably good for the magazine considering you were a shit editor...








































I kid, I kid

[enrique]

Reading between the lines it sounds like you got shafted mate and this is a very bitter pill for you to swallow; as it is for the rest of us I'm sure.


Sure sounds like it to me too. :mad:

Thanks for everything Darren, best of luck for the future. :) Congratulations on the new haircut.

[Lazlow]

Fordham was sacked by The Australian for publishing a satircal blog post as factual news (http://www.abc.net.au/mediawatch/transcripts/s1406194.htm)

He was also in charge when PCPP screwed up the 12 tasks of Christmas competition (http://www.abc.net.au/mediawatch/transcripts/s2530234.htm)

Like rats leaving a sinking ship

[HiredMan]

All the best mate, and keep posting here!

[Super Mario]

So long, and thanks for all the fish.

[Jay]

Can we finally get a re-review of Dead Space now please? :p

Seriously though Darren all the best. Sounds like things have been pretty fraught. I have a number of trepidations about the centralising of editorial control, so it will interesting to see how that plays out. Stick around, or otherwise I'll see you on Live/PSN sometime and hit you up for a game of UNO.

[Stevorooni]

So Anthony is reponsible for killing Bottom of the Barrel? That's a paddling

[ireadtabloids]

Thanks for everything Darren. I really enjoyed reading your stuff in Hyper and PCPowerplay. Take care mate. I wish you all the best in the future and look forward to seeing more of you, whether it be published work or gaming online =)

[Lazlow]

Darren and Daniel should start a site called "Dirty Wankers", the #1 source for English language eroge reviews.

[Stevorooni]

Or form a new hip hop group called DarDan

[Lazlow]

Or make their own motoring show called "Double Wishbone"

[Rambo]

They should make a new bra line and call it Double D's DD's.

[JimmyKane]

Don't Do What Darren Daniel Does

[BB2K]

Have you noticed that after one left the mag, the other did too?

So the same person.

[FX-GTZ]

Diablo 3 (that or DoA)
Assassins Creed II
Red Dead Redemption
Rhythm Heaven
Earthworm Jim 2
Ninjabread Man

There.
Best Ediotr Ever.

[Jay]

I would have lead with Dead Space personally.

Oh, and 'Ediotr' is a genius typo. Makes him sound like an editor and an idiot at the same time (which would have tied beautifully into leading with Dead Space!) :p

[Optimus]

Holy mother of shit. I'm cancelling my PCPP and Hyper subs now.

[Natrak]

Balls.

I'm guessing in 12 months GI will own the 'local' gaming mag roost, pretty sad.

[Starscream]

Gerstmann-type shenanigans at Next media?

Darren & Daniel now work at PixelHunt.

Good luck dude.

[AranchineD]

CYBERGAMER HERE WE COME

Now I'll never know what you were going to give Dead Space 2.

[Lazlow]

So was there an application process?

Because it be pretty funny if Fordham got the job by default... much like his second stint at the helm of PCPP.

[grishnahk]

Best o' luck from all the dudes at the other place Dazza.

[9warbane]

CYBERGAMER HERE WE COME

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[Space_Monkey]

Wasn't there some conspiracy theory that Daniel Wilks and Darren Wells where the one and the same man?

And now they both leave in the space of two issues?

...Just saying is all.

[JimmyKane]

Have you noticed that after one left the mag, the other did too?

So the same person.
oh hey

[Mr.Mew]

This is turning out to be like the Prestige. Someone needs to fill the void of the jealous guy creating copies of himself though.

[Allick]

Wasn't there some conspiracy theory that Daniel Wilks and Darren Wells where the one and the same man?

And now they both leave in the space of two issues?

...Just saying is all.

Oh it's more than a theory :cool:

[SOX]

Wait - this isn't the same guy that left in issue 200?

[REQUIEM]

Oh cya thats a shame and makes my post in 201 feedback redundant now. Ever since Next media took over prices have gone up and heads have rolled. Shame Shame Shame.

[RunningMild]

Oh cya thats a shame and makes my post in 201 feedback redundant now. Ever since Next media took over prices have gone up and heads have rolled. Shame Shame Shame.

What? Next Media have been publishing Hyper for as long as I can remember.

[lex3191]

I am sad to see you go Darren. I am pretty disappointed by this news. Fordham has always pushed the whole 'PC gamers are the real hardcore, PC gamers are hobbyists cause they overclock PC's; console games are dumbed down cause console gamers are dumb casual gamers'. basically he spends most of his editorials pushing PC gaming and dissing console gaming... now he's the new editor. Wow whose brilliant idea was that. Well i guess he did have the brilliant idea of deciding to review xbox games in PC Powerplay cause you know... an xbox is basically just a PC. So maybe he is a secret console gamer after all :eek:

[Stevorooni]

What? Next Media have been publishing Hyper for as long as I can remember.

Since forever actually


Next was bought/absorbed by someone else though in recent times

[Lazlow]

I'm guessing all this upheaval is the reason the front end blog is nowadays largely neglected.

[Sweating Bullets]

Holy shit man. Sad to see you leave! This extremely unexpected!!!
All the best for the future! See you on Xbox live.

[Spazzola]

It's a sad time for Hyper and I wish you all the best for the future.

Now to sit back, enjoy the ride and hope the plane doesn't go down in flames.

[REQUIEM]

It's a sad time for Hyper and I wish you all the best for the future.

Now to sit back, enjoy the ride and hope the plane doesn't go down in flames.

Please place your head between your knees and kiss your arse goodbye.

[schrodingerscat]

I wonder why all this is going down? Economic downturn?

[Frostillicus]

I'm in no position to judge, but i hope Next realise its the writers which make Hyper what it is. Not the paper, staples and glue (though that does help a shit load)

I bought Hyper every month for 10 years (only recently having stopped due to being out of uni and living on struggle street), and the reason i continued reading was because i felt as though i could trust the editors and deputy editors.

When i start buying Hyper consistantly again, i hope i return to a crew who are as passionate about the magazine as the previous crews where.

Good luck folks.

[Allick]

Staples?

[/backslash]

Hmm...probably a good thing I didn't resubscribe, I'm expecting Hyper will be a totally different magazine soon. Just as the recent changes have shown :( If Hyper should fold there's no other magazine out there thats deemed as readable & worthy of being read - a year's supply of EDGE magazines has told me that :p

[Lazlow]

There's always IGN.com.au >_>

[/backslash]

There's always IGN.com.au >_>
I still can't be bothered with that even though it has some of the old Hyper writers. Its the presentation that annoys me although its looking better than it did last time I looked at it

I think now is a good time for Pixel Hunt to turn into a physical mag :)

[lex3191]

I too have cancelled my subscription and will buy on a monthly basis pending how this all pans out. I believe Hyper needs it own editor, Darren would have been perfect. The history of the mag has been this way, the torch is past down from editor to sub-editor... from Eliot Fish to Cam Shea from Wilks to well... oh wait .

I am not a fan of Fordham's editorial style. I stopped reading PC Powerplay (PCPP) a little while back. I just kept finding myself asking, who is this mag written for? It doesn't have relevance to me anymore, and I am a dedicated PC and console gamer. I kept reading in PCPP 'if you are a console gamer you don't belong here' written through the subtext of the mag. I guess it was when they began the whole PC gamers and console gamers are a different breed. PC gamers obviously the superior being. I kept asking myself 'well I am a console gamer and a PC gamer. Am I not a valid reader of the magazine ? As time went on though, the magazine further marginalised me by focusing on an aspect of PC gaming lifestyle that didn't relate to me. Overclocking PC's and competitive gaming and kept drumming it in... 'if you don't care about these things then this magazine isn't for you'. I can appreciate that they may have been trying to carve out a niche in a dwindling PC gaming market. I really hope with the PCPP editor calling the shots the spirit of Hyper isn't lost by this obvious cost- cutting measure.

I know that Fordham will try to do his best, editing two magazines a month...good luck! This isn't in any way a personal attack, I don't know the guy. But I hope Hyper's irreverence and fun isn't lost. Because PCPP is certainly a dull read these days and the high turnover of staff writers through that mag doesn't fill me with confidence for Hyper's future. Wells graciously bowing out, the canning of Bottom of the Barrel, an example of the fun filled attitude of Hyper, does not bode well for the future.
HEY NEXT MEDIA DON"T **** OUR MAGAZINE!

[Stevorooni]

I think now is a good time for Pixel Hunt to turn into a physical mag :)

If everyone prints out 10 copies each and delivers them to their local newsagent then all the printing and distribution problems are taken care of!

[Gameboffin]

/backlash may be onto something - although we'd need a truckload of cash and the address of someone who won't mind spending a small amount of time in prison...

[/backslash]

/backlash may be onto something - although we'd need a truckload of cash and the address of someone who won't mind spending a small amount of time in prison...
Somebody get the russians from Die Hard 2!

Also: Vote 1 for 'Jickle for Hyper Editor' :p

[Knuckle Children]

This is horrible news. I've been a reader since day dot, and a subscriber for the best part of a decade. My subscription expired last issue and I was going to renew on Tuesday, but with this development I'll be going issue by issue from the newsagent to get a gauge on where my favourite mag is headed. It doesn't look good.

Darren, all the best mate and good luck with your next gig. You've done a great job during your tenure at Hyper, and will be missed.

[Zeph101]

I was just thinking, who's going to make and sticky the Hyper issue 202 feedback thread? Does this PC powerplay editor have a Hyperactive forum account? (If not, he really should make one now anyway). Or will Darren continue to do it for a little while?

[Stevorooni]

I'll do it.

I won't know what's in the mag so I'll just guess.


Coming up in Issue 202 we have a bumper of an issue!

Do you like Grand Theft Auto? Well get ready for our exclusive preview of Grand Theft Wheelchair, the free roaming retirement home based game for oldies. We also have 3 interviews with Blake where we delve into his history and how he came to be in the place he is today.

Also due to a typo when researching, all of our E3 coverage will actually be from the 2001 expo so get ready to see the latest happenings on the Gamecube and Xbox and the latest stuff for the Dreamcast which has been going from strength to strength and obviously has a bright future ahead of it.

So that's Issue 202, on sale Octoburary 35th

[Spudzilla]

How... forced.

[REQUIEM]

I'll do it.

I won't know what's in the mag so I'll just guess.


Coming up in Issue 202 we have a bumper of an issue!

Do you like Grand Theft Auto? Well get ready for our exclusive preview of Grand Theft Wheelchair, the free roaming retirement home based game for oldies. We also have 3 interviews with Blake where we delve into his history and how he came to be in the place he is today.

Also due to a typo when researching, all of our E3 coverage will actually be from the 2001 expo so get ready to see the latest happenings on the Gamecube and Xbox and the latest stuff for the Dreamcast which has been going from strength to strength and obviously has a bright future ahead of it.

So that's Issue 202, on sale Octoburary 35th

Yes but was there any typos?

[Spudzilla]

*Yes, but were there any typos?

[REQUIEM]

*Yes, but were there any typos?

ah "Touché"

[fishfishmonkeyhat]

mrlk "Douché" lol

[Australian Ninja]

I was just thinking, who's going to make and sticky the Hyper issue 202 feedback thread? Does this PC powerplay editor have a Hyperactive forum account? (If not, he really should make one now anyway). Or will Darren continue to do it for a little while?

Sounds like you're volunteering....

[REQUIEM]

Why hasnt he been here to answer all our questions. :P
I demand he answer to us the forum public.

[Lazlow]

Probably because the two guys that would frequently post in here no longer work for the mag.

[REQUIEM]

Probably because the two guys that would frequently post in here no longer work for the mag.

Im talking about the PCPP Editor??? It was also a sarcastic remark not literal.

[dude]

Hi all,

I'm Anthony Fordham, Group Editor of nextmedia's two gaming mags - PCPP and Hyper. I'll post a thread explaining all the changes as soon as a kindly admin authorises my account... (or we dig out the superadmin login on Monday).

Given the nature of Darren's announcement, however, I would like to take this opportunity on nextmedia's behalf to point out that he was offered the editor's position (to be formalised after a trial period - which is standard business practice) and an increase in salary, but he chose not to take it.

While Darren will always have a different perspective on these things, it was the company's view that Darren would be carrying the magazine forward and all we asked was a little patience and forbearance during the transition period. We had big plans for him and were prepared to back him as editor. Alas, it was not to be.

We're disappointed, but the mag will go on. I should also point out that I am not "editor" of Hyper. I am Group Editor of the gaming mags. We will be hiring a new Hyper editor (or deputy editor depending on the candidate).

Thanks!

AF

[Vindik8or]

Magazine?

[sausage]

Coming up....


http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Wb7gmBhM3z4/SGEDROWsC0I/AAAAAAAAAdQ/9d1DLzoQsYY/s400/Bottom+Line.jpg

[Lazlow]

We're disappointed, but the mag will go on. I should also point out that I am not "editor" of Hyper. I am Group Editor of the gaming mags. We will be hiring a new Hyper editor (or deputy editor depending on the candidate).




So what does the position of 'Group Editor' entail? Because content changes are obviously being made, and without an editor these decisions coming from somewhere.

[Spudzilla]

You're doing well as an editor; I saw that post get edited 3 times.

[lex3191]

the plot thickens...

Darren used to write for PCPP and left that mag and moved to hyper. I'll let you guys join the dots as to why he might not have been happy with the 'new' editorial arrangement NextMedia proposed.

[Jay]

Just like when you eat fibre.

No, wait, that's plop. Sorry.

[Vindik8or]

Who are these guys?

[jawsy]

That's Jay. He's been around for a while and even served as a mod' for a period of time, if my memory serves me correctly. Nice guy and he loves puns, but he has been tagged as a threat to Oldskool's 'Most Average Forumer' title, so that may be why you're having trouble remembering him.

[lex3191]

Who are these guys?

yeah... strange as it may seem hyper is actually a magazine that you can you know... buy from a newsagent. but you knew that didn't you.:rolleyes:

[Jay]

That's Jay. He's been around for a while and even served as a mod' for a period of time, if my memory serves me correctly. Nice guy and he loves puns, but he has been tagged as a threat to Oldskool's 'Most Average Forumer' title, so that may be why you're having trouble remembering him.

:(

That's mean. Just like me, apparently.

[dude]

So what does the position of 'Group Editor' entail? Because content changes are obviously being made, and without an editor these decisions coming from somewhere.

Yes, I am ultimately responsible for Hyper's editorial content and certainly many of the changes made are intiated by myself.

The Group Editor is supposed to be less concerned with monthly deadlines, specific game coverage, spelling errors etc, and more with the magazine's overall direction and position in the market.

Meanwhile, people looking to "join the dots" may like to consider that a) Darren is an avowed King Geek and a single platform (PC) was never enough for him, and b) his move to Hyper was him seizing the opportunity to work across multiple platforms when Moe went off to TV-land.

If you'd prefer to see me and the company as a supervillian and shadow organisation bent of world domination respectively, well that's fun too... can I have the robot semi-sentient arms though?

[lex3191]

Yes, I am ultimately responsible for Hyper's editorial content and certainly many of the changes made are intiated by myself.

The Group Editor is supposed to be less concerned with monthly deadlines, specific game coverage, spelling errors etc, and more with the magazine's overall direction and position in the market.



SO Darren wouldn't have actually been the editor except for checking for spelling mistakes and making sure the mag hits deadline... sorry but that doesn't sound like the 'fun' bits...

[jawsy]

:(

That's mean. Just like me, apparently.

I meant it as a compliment! That award is one of the most coveted!

Not sure if I should keep mentioning Oldskool by name though. I think he has a Candyman thing going on.

[Jay]

Haha, I know. I'd actually be honoured to take that award for OldSkool, though I doubt even in absentia he'd want to relinquish it. :p

[jawsy]

Oh man, two to go! One if he counts quoting!

[Jay]

Stop before you start something you'll regret, jawsy.

[dude]

SO Darren wouldn't have actually been the editor except for checking for spelling mistakes and making sure the mag hits deadline... sorry but that doesn't sound like the 'fun' bits...

Hi lex3191,

I think your loyalty to Darren and the "old guard" of Hyper is really admirable, and I hope we can do as good a job with the magazine going forward and so inspire similar loyalty/fandom etc.

We appreciate this will take time, so we'll be reading every word on these forums and making sure we respond to your criticisms, comments etc.

Maybe you could outline what it was that Darren brought to the mag - the unique 'Darrenness' as it were - so we can be sure to acknowledge that and consider ways we can live up to it.

:)

[lex3191]

Actually 'dude' I read both PC Powerplay and Hyper each month. I voiced my concern over having one editor overseeing two magazines and felt Darren deserved the gig of editor of the mag, no strings attached.

I have followed both magazines, the changes in editors over the years, and how the torch is generally passed from editor to deputy. I am aware of both your stints as PC Powerplay editor, and I haven't made any judgment on your competence as the editor of a PC based magazine.

Your condescending 'Darrenness' comment belittles his contribution to the mag, he is one of many contributors that made the mag great. You know a magazine is more than one person's effort. I don't need to tell you that. I'm sure the magazine will survive. No need to get your knickers in a knot.

[Vindik8or]

Did this joker really just drop a "going forward"? Sucked in for paying money for his magazines, I suppose.

[Lazlow]

Shift some paradigms, revolutionize outside the box

[Spudzilla]

Don't you worry about Hyper, let me worry about blank.

[BB2K]

Blank? BLANK!?

[fishfishmonkeyhat]

Yes?

Oh.

[REQUIEM]

SO Darren wouldn't have actually been the editor except for checking for spelling mistakes ..

Hyper DOES NOT check for Typos its a tradition.

[Slippery]

Blank? BLANK!?

You're not looking at the big picture!

[Ryan Hayward]

Damn it, I was really looking forward to Darren taking over as Editor. Great guy and he made a good editor over at PCPP too. I respect both Anthony and Darren but it was during Darren's time at PCPP where in the reviews, there was this little box that told you how many hours you could expect from the singleplayer campaigns. I really miss that box. :(

[TAT]

Anything that gets Ryan Howard to return is alright by me!

[dude]

...there was this little box that told you how many hours you could expect from the singleplayer campaigns. I really miss that box. :(

That was a David Wildgoose initiative. :).

[Ryan Hayward]

Anthony, can't you please put me out of my misery and re-introduce it?

[FX-GTZ]

The only time i intend to stop reading Hyper is when the main writer's from 2003 mags onwards quit. Eleanor, Daniel W, Malcolm, and Tracey. Its bad enough Elliot Fish quit.

[Ryan Hayward]

This may be an exciting thing when you think about it. The magazine has been the same old format now for years, needs a facelift like the kind PCPP had. As long as the focus is always on console games, I'm for it.

[Lazlow]

You would say that!

[Spudzilla]

Such a company man

[Australian Ninja]

Such a company man

You will be assimilated:(

The Hyper Collective has use for your brain.