My name is Troy S. Goodfellow and Flash of Steel is my blog. I’ve been writing about computer games in one place or another since 2000 with a focus on strategy games. This blog has that same focus, but will also deal with other gaming issues as they arise. So this is a strategy game blog, except for when it is not a strategy gaming blog.

Born in Canada, living in America, and I have far too many degrees that I am not using. I have written on gaming for a number of websites, both professionally and on a volunteer basis, and was a frequent contributor to the late, great Computer Games magazine. I am currently a regular contributor to Gameshark and, until recently, Crispy Gamer. A portfolio of my stuff is linked up top. I update it irregularly.

In 2006, I contributed to 2k Games’ Civilization Chronicles compilation pack, writing the history of the beloved franchise and conducting interviews with major players in the series.

Though I will occasionally have guest contributors, 99% of the content on the site is authored by me alone. I’m not responsible for how the blog looks.

The main banner up top and the logo for our official podcast, Three Moves Ahead, were designed by Jennifer Sparks. The Wordpress theme is Cutline modified and customized by Jenn Cutter. You can follow my Twitter feed if you like, though it’s not very interesting.

Why “flash of steel”? The phrase itself comes from Sikh Guru Gobind Singh who writes:

When all efforts to restore peace
Prove useless and no words avail
Lawful is the flash of steel then
And right it is the sword to hail.

A reasonable philosophy I think. And since most strategy and war games assume that words will be to little avail (or have already proven useless), the steel flashes quite a bit, be it the steel of a sword or a bayonet or a grenade launcher.

All original material on this site is the property of and copyrighted to Troy S. Goodfellow. All guest contributors retain copyright and ownership of their posts.