Readers pick best webcomic: Disincentives

by Ross Miller { Apr 30th 2008 at 10:05PM }

Personally, use of power items on the Olympics would make them exponentially more entertaining. Penny Arcade's "Disincentives," which gave us this mental image, took first place in this week's webcomic wrapup.

Second and third place go to 2P Start--our personal favorite this week--and Dueling Analogs, respectively. Thanks to everyone who voted, and be sure to let us know of any game-related webcomics you stumble upon this week!

Tags: 2p-start, blue-shell, dueling-analogs, mario-kart, penny-arcade, webcomic

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

DBuck_Eye @ Apr 30th 2008 10:13PM

I know that I will get 1/2 of a heart for this, but here goes. This is why I hate talking about recent Mario Kart games. You people are so full of yourselves and your "1337 pwn493" skill that you think everything you play should be a measure of purely skill. I know blue shells can be cheap and pretty annoying, but it just so happens that they are a part of the game and you should live with an unlucky loss every now and then.

The Artist formally known as Jesus @ Apr 30th 2008 10:17PM

I play Mario Kart with items off on Final Destination.

And what do you mean by "you people"?

Sir Fidlious Wong (Zeon Defense Force) @ Apr 30th 2008 10:19PM

Actually, I wouldn't mind an occasional unlucky loss. But it's NOT an occassional unlucky lose. Getting hit with a quake while drifting through a harsh turn, losing control and wiping is an unlucky lose. Getting hit with two blue shells in a row is just a broken game.

Even 2pStart agrees with that point. It takes almost all of the fun of single player away entirely and makes the game ONLY enjoyable online. Because here's a clue, REAL opponents are nowhere near as vindictive as the AI players.

mr nimblewick @ Apr 30th 2008 10:32PM

Yeah, I'm totally fine with blue shells in multiplayer. My friends and I can cuss each other out.

In single player, however, it makes it feel like all the skill in the world is worthless. When I get hit by a blue shell, lightning, POW, red shell, and then another blue shell all in a row, something is wrong.

I never had this problem in DD. I think it comes down to more of these items and more racers. 12 people on one track, each getting way too powerful items is just too much.

mr nimblewick @ Apr 30th 2008 10:36PM

And is it just me, or are the "i've been hit!" animations longer in this one? I always seem to be yelling at luigi to stop waving his arms and start racing again.

T @ May 1st 2008 8:53AM

As many have said, it's not so bad in multiplayer...because there actually IS skill level, and though items cause unlucky losses, over time it evens out.

But when I'm racing the CPU, the following things happen:

1) A specific CPU racer is assigned the role "The one that needs to win." This racer will come in first unless you specifically beat them, or manage to pummel them with enough items that some other racer will pass them on the final straight away.

2) If you're in a situation where you need to finish "at least X" in the final race to secure the gold, you can be guaranteed that not only will the items come out in full force (Bolt/Blue/POW/Bullet combo), but the CPU that needs to get first will recieve a personal escort from another CPU racer that's currently ranked 12th.

3) People aren't going to believe me, but I twice saw a CPU racer in 2nd place fire a red shell backwards at me when the 1st place CPU racer was within striking distance.

4) 4 Blue Shells in a single lap is broken regardless of how you slice it. One a race wouldn't be so bad...but 4 in a lap is horrific. Especially when you have NO means to defend yourself.

As much as I love the online, Nintendo has made the single player experience a combination of futility and frustration. Beyond 100cc, any 1st places finishes I can muster feel more like a matter of luck than anything.

And I SWEAR the game is cheating with items. I've had way too many instances of the right item hitting me at the wrong time. (What are the odds that thrice in a race a bolt would shrink me precisely as I was going over a jump?....or the odds that the massive bullet bill coming from 12th place would manage to not only catch me at 2nd, but not hit a single person on its way?

Sir Fidlious Wong (Zeon Defense Force) @ Apr 30th 2008 10:15PM

Oh well, didn't win. But here's my monday and wednesday entry. Have no clue what friday will be about....

http://sheppyboy2000.deviantart.com/art/Angry-Stick-7-Broken-84192920

http://sheppyboy2000.deviantart.com/art/Angry-Stick-8-Checking-Out-84337450

Sir Fidlious Wong (Zeon Defense Force) @ Apr 30th 2008 10:19PM

Do want to offer my congrats to the winners though

DBuck_Eye @ Apr 30th 2008 10:35PM

Don't blame me. I voted for your comic.

Sir Fidlious Wong (Zeon Defense Force) @ Apr 30th 2008 10:45PM

Actually, was quite pleased with my debut. Could have been better but what can I say? I throw these together lazily during breaks at work. If at the end of the one month period, enough people dig em, I may do this up right.

Sir Fidlious Wong (Zeon Defense Force) @ May 2nd 2008 3:47PM

Just thought I would link my Friday strip in case Ross looks back here for the list. I feel this is my best for the week. http://sheppyboy2000.deviantart.com/art/Angry-Stick-9-Ancient-Ways-84526588

Donald @ Apr 30th 2008 10:34PM

http://www.vgcats.com/super/images/080428.gif

No, you're NOT the only one to do it Scott.

hvnlysoldr @ Apr 30th 2008 11:37PM

I've named myself: ASH, GARY, Ash, Blue, BLUE, YELLOW, RED, SILVER, TOM ATO, MSYX, PKMNTRNR, (personal name with held), Dawn, Rival, Monty, and maybe some random others. I've named my rival: GARY, Gary, RED, Ash, GOLD, Jerk, Brendan, and well I didn't put nearly as much effort as in my own name.

Fernando Rocker @ Apr 30th 2008 10:46PM

I already have 2 stars rating in every cup, except Mirror Cup... people can check it when they race me online.

People need to stop complaining... weapons mean nothing.

TheOverlord#2 can has Mario Karts?(MK:2578-3517-9859) @ Apr 30th 2008 11:09PM

I don't think you can see another player's licence online, I think it's licence screen only.
Unless you mean a star next a player's name though.

Fernando Rocker @ Apr 30th 2008 11:11PM

Yeah, you can see a star icon next to the plyer name if you beat all the cups with at least one star rating.

But if you want to unlock all karts, you need to win every cup with at least one star ranking too.

mr nimblewick @ May 1st 2008 12:18AM

That's too bad, because I'm probably never going to play single player again.

Co @ May 1st 2008 12:24AM

I'm callin' you out now, Rocker. I think you're a cheat. I saw your track times on the Mario Kart Channel!

Fernando Rocker @ May 1st 2008 1:03AM

Co

You need those times if you want to unlock the Nintendo's Expert Staff ghosts...

If you unlock Expert Ghosts, you unlock some secret karts and characters (if you unlock the 32 Expert Ghosts, you unlock the Mii Outfit number2).

=p

TheOverlord#2 can has Mario Karts?(MK:2578-3517-9859) @ May 1st 2008 7:02AM

Co, add me?
(You're already added)

Dan @ Apr 30th 2008 10:55PM

You should start including Castle vidcons in these wrapups.

http://www.castle-vidcons.com/comics.html

RobLink (MKWii code : 0989 1866 6646) @ May 1st 2008 2:33PM

Thank you for the link, that's good stuff. Now on my favourites list.

TheOverlord#2 can has Mario Karts?(MK:2578-3517-9859) @ Apr 30th 2008 11:04PM

Weapons haven't been a lot of trouble in 50cc & 100cc, but now i'm moving on to 150cc and if the item barrages are as bad as everyone says they are, i'll be pissed.

Radical change needed @ 10 @ May 1st 2008 1:46AM

@TheOverlord#2
they are worse much much much worse

:) enj0y :)

and

@Fernando Rocker

thanks for the unlock tip was wondering how to get the other carts

Tarvus Domicus @ May 1st 2008 2:17AM

The comic displayed in this post is inaccurate. Blue shells drop from above. They do not not travel in a horizontal direction right before hitting the target.

Brianemone @ May 1st 2008 6:53AM

One of our writers did a nice effort this week with his GTA themed comic
http://www.geekpulp.co.nz/2008/04/25/comic-strip-geek-theft-auto/

MNC Dover @ May 1st 2008 8:30AM

No final results? Weird.

I think everyone is overplaying the whole item problem in Mario Kart Wii. Of course, I'm only starting on the 100cc races, so I may not have got far enough to notice it yet.

Here's our comic this week. It was inspired by a Joystiq article from last week. Enjoy.

http://www.mondaynightcrew.com/comic.html

T @ May 1st 2008 8:57AM

I've been doing races on 150cc for the past few days. It's a noticeable difference.

Also, as I said above, the AI cheats. It doesn't feel like the CPU is racing anymore. Rather, it feels like the CPU (all 11 of them) are specifically programmed to beat YOU. Winning the race is only secondary to that goal.

I voted for PA, but was hoping Scott would update a new VGcats to be included in the race... maybe this week.

And for those interested (if any) here's the newest webcomic from us over at NormalityRestored:

http://www.normalityrestored.com/2008/05/02/webcomic-friday-normality-restored-an-epic-dilemma