Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Penny Arcade's On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness 4 teases in first trailer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/19/penny-arcades-on-the-rain-slick-precipice-of-darkness-4-teases/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/19/penny-arcades-on-the-rain-slick-precipice-of-darkness-4-teases/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/19/penny-arcades-on-the-rain-slick-precipice-of-darkness-4-teases/#comments
While we do have some idea of what to expect in Penny Arcade's On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness 4, we have yet to catch a glimpse - until now. This teaser trailer from Zeboyd Games' upcoming sequel promises demonic trains and vast underhells; it promises a cadre of monsters to capture and throw into battle.

Previously developer Zeboyd Games revealed this latest episode would not grace iOS, Mac or Android - all supported platforms for Rain-Slick 3. The upcoming fourth episode will launch on PC and Xbox Live Indie Games some time this spring for 400 MS Points ($5).

JoystiqPenny Arcade's On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness 4 teases in first trailer originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 19 Mar 2013 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftpcpenny-arcadepenny-arcade-adventures-4rain-slick-4xbligxboxxbox-live-indie-gameszeboyd-gamesTue, 19 Mar 2013 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Ron Gilbert, MC Frontalot, RoosterTeeth, more confirmed for PAX AUS]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/12/ron-gilbert-mc-frontalot-roosterteeth-more-confirmed-for-pax-aus/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/12/ron-gilbert-mc-frontalot-roosterteeth-more-confirmed-for-pax-aus/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/12/ron-gilbert-mc-frontalot-roosterteeth-more-confirmed-for-pax-aus/#comments Ron Gilbert, MC Frontalot, RoosterTeeth and more confirmed for PAX AUMonkey Island and Maniac Mansion creator Ron Gilbert will give the keynote at the upcoming PAX Australia, Penny Arcade has announced. Gilbert most recently worked on The Cave for Double Fine, and will kick off the Penny Arcade Expo's Australian branch with a "storytime" session, presumably about his work in the glory days of adventure gaming, creating the SCUMM interpreter, and his most recent work on DeathSpank and at Double Fine.

Other announced guests for the show include musicians The Protomen and MC Frontalot, and video makers RoosterTeeth are also set to appear - and we're sure founders Jerry Holkins and Mike Krahulik are headed down under, too. PAX Australia is set to take place at the Melbourne Showgrounds on July 19-21, 2013, and there are still tickets available for the first two days right now.

Continue reading Ron Gilbert, MC Frontalot, RoosterTeeth, more confirmed for PAX AUS

JoystiqRon Gilbert, MC Frontalot, RoosterTeeth, more confirmed for PAX AUS originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 12 Feb 2013 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brahejerry-holkinsmc-frontalotmike-krahulikpaxpax-2013pax-aupax-au-2013penny-arcadepenny-arcade-expopenny-arcade-expo-australiaron-gilbertroosterteeththe-protomentychoTue, 12 Feb 2013 05:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Penny Arcade 4 coming to PC, XBLIG, no more Mac, iOS, Android]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/30/penny-arcade-4-coming-to-pc-xblig-no-more-mac-ios-android/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/30/penny-arcade-4-coming-to-pc-xblig-no-more-mac-ios-android/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/30/penny-arcade-4-coming-to-pc-xblig-no-more-mac-ios-android/#comments Penny Arcade 4 only coming to PC, XBLIG, spent on Mac, iOS, AndroidPenny Arcade's On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness 4 is coming only to Xbox Live Indie Games and PC. Despite the previous episode's Mac, iOS and Android ports, developer Zeboyd is leaving other platforms in the darkness this time around.

"Our mobile games and ports haven't done so well so the new PA RPG will only be on PC and XBLIG. Apologies to fans of iOS/Mac/Android," Zeboyd's Robert Boyd tweeted. "We'd love to put our games on every platform available but we're a two-man operation and want to be able to keep making new games."

As for those new games, Boyd recently revealed the team's planning a "sci-fi/spy RPG" with a woman protagonist. Zeboyd has to finish up Penny Arcade 4 first, though, with the game expected to launch springtime, costing $5 on PC and 400 MSP on XBLIG.

JoystiqPenny Arcade 4 coming to PC, XBLIG, no more Mac, iOS, Android originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 30 Jan 2013 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidiosipadiphonemacmicrosoftmobileon-the-rain-slick-precipice-of-darkness-4pcpenny-arcadepenny-arcade-4penny-arcade-adventures-3penny-arcade-adventures-4Penny-Arcade-Adventures-On-The-Rain-Slick-Precipice-of-Darkness-penny-arcade-on-the-rain-slick-precipice-of-darknessrain-slick-4xboxzeboydWed, 30 Jan 2013 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Penny Arcade's On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness 4 details emerge]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/26/penny-arcades-on-the-rain-slick-precipice-of-darkness-4-details/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/26/penny-arcades-on-the-rain-slick-precipice-of-darkness-4-details/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/26/penny-arcades-on-the-rain-slick-precipice-of-darkness-4-details/#comments Penny Arcade's On the RainSlick Precipice of Darkness 4 details emerge

Details on the fourth game in Penny Arcade's On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness series were revealed in a recent IGN interview with Zeboyd Games' Robert Boyd and Bill Stiernberg.

For starters, Rain-Slick 4 will be less linear compared to the third game, as Boyd said the team has "added more optional areas" and have "tried to add more secrets and secondary routes to the main dungeons." The overworld will be "freely explorable" as well.

Zeboyd's involvement as developers grew from its experiences with the third game, as Boyd noted they "had a lot more creative control over how the game and the story turned out with this one."

Boyd said the two-man team plans to work on a "sci-fi/spy RPG" that involves a "distant future setting, female protagonist, on-map battles, more animated sprites" and a "cool level-up system" after Rain-Slick 4 is completed. Penny Arcade's On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness 4 will launch this Spring on PC for $4.99 and the Xbox Indie Game channel for 400 MS points.

Gallery: Penny Arcade's On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness 4 (Announcement Screens)

JoystiqPenny Arcade's On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness 4 details emerge originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 26 Jan 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>indie-gamesmicrosofton-the-rain-slick-precipice-of-darkness-4pcpenny-arcaderain-slick-4rain-slick-precipice-of-darknessxbligxboxzeboyd-gamesSat, 26 Jan 2013 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Final Penny Arcade 3 DLC on Steam this week, card game coming to iOS]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/18/final-penny-arcade-3-dlc-on-steam-this-week-card-game-coming-to/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/18/final-penny-arcade-3-dlc-on-steam-this-week-card-game-coming-to/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/18/final-penny-arcade-3-dlc-on-steam-this-week-card-game-coming-to/#comments Final DLC for Penny Arcade 3 coming Thursday to Steam, card game to iOS"The Beginning of the End" is the final set of free DLC coming to Penny Arcade's On the Rain Slick Precipice of Darkness 3, and Zeboyd Games has announced that it's arriving on PC and the Xbox this Thursday, December 20. The DLC, which aims to fill in the story between the first three episodes, will bring a new playable character to the series, along with new enemies and new spells to fight them with.

As you can probably tell by the title, the DLC will set up the final game in the franchise, which is due sometime in 2013. This week, "The Beginning of the End" will only arrive on Steam and Xbox Live Indie Games, but Zeboyd says it'll be out for iOS, Android and Mac very soon.

And elsewhere in interactive Penny Arcade news, Playdek and Cryptozoic have created a digital version of the Penny Arcade deck-building card game - it's coming to iOS this week as well. Penny Arcade: The Game: Gamers vs. Evil will be out on Apple's platform tomorrow for $4.99. There are so many different options out there to play with the Penny Arcade license that they should probably upgrade it to a nickel at some point.

JoystiqFinal Penny Arcade 3 DLC on Steam this week, card game coming to iOS originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 18 Dec 2012 23:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cryptozoiciosipadiphonemicrosoftmobilepcpenny-arcadepenny-arcade-3playdekrain-slick-precipice-of-darknessxboxzeboyd-gamesTue, 18 Dec 2012 23:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Penny Arcade 3 now on Mac, iOS, & Android, free Seamstress DLC live]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/26/penny-arcade-3-now-on-mac-ios-and-android-free-seamstress-dlc-l/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/26/penny-arcade-3-now-on-mac-ios-and-android-free-seamstress-dlc-l/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/26/penny-arcade-3-now-on-mac-ios-and-android-free-seamstress-dlc-l/#comments Penny Arcade Adventures 3 now on iOS, Android, & Mac, new free DLCPenny Arcade's On The Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness 3 is now raining down on iOS, Android, and Mac. All versions include the free Lair of the Seamstress DLC which trickled concurrently onto Steam and Xbox Live Indie Games, as well as the Fanfiction Pack dropped earlier this year. The Android and iOS versions storm in at $2.99, with the Mac version a spot more at $4.99.

The Lair of the Seamstress DLC includes a new dungeon, which Zeboyd says can be entered when all your classes are Level 40 or higher by "going to the top floor of the Class Shrine." There's also a new zombie-themed costume pack, almost as if to tie in to some horror-themed annual holiday.

JoystiqPenny Arcade 3 now on Mac, iOS, & Android, free Seamstress DLC live originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 26 Oct 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidiosipadiphonemacmicrosoftmobilepcpenny-arcadepenny-arcade-3penny-arcade-adventures-3penny-arcades-on-the-rain-slick-precipice-of-darkness-3release-dateXBLIGxboxxbox-live-indie-gameszeboyd-gamesFri, 26 Oct 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PAX coming to Australia, PAX Prime extended to 4 days next year]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/31/pax-coming-to-australia-pax-prime-extended-to-4-days-next-year/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/31/pax-coming-to-australia-pax-prime-extended-to-4-days-next-year/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/31/pax-coming-to-australia-pax-prime-extended-to-4-days-next-year/#comments PAX coming to Australia, PAX Prime extended to 4 days next yearDuring the Q&A session today, Penny Arcade proprietors Mike "Gabe" Krahulik and Jerry "Tycho" Holkins confirmed that PAX is indeed coming to Australia. On top of that, the duo announced that PAX Prime would last an extra day next year.

And for all of you hopeful for a UK stop on the PAX tour, it's something Penny Arcade is thinking about. "We want to go there," Krahulik responded when grilled by someone from the UK. Regardless, the duo doesn't have anything specific to announce right now.

JoystiqPAX coming to Australia, PAX Prime extended to 4 days next year originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 31 Aug 2012 15:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australiapaxpax-2012pax-australiapax-prime-2012penny-arcadepenny-arcade-expoFri, 31 Aug 2012 15:17:00 EST<![CDATA[Free furry, gender-swapped DLC for Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness 3]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/30/free-furry-gender-swapped-dlc-for-rain-slick-precipice-of-darkn/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/30/free-furry-gender-swapped-dlc-for-rain-slick-precipice-of-darkn/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/30/free-furry-gender-swapped-dlc-for-rain-slick-precipice-of-darkn/#comments Free furry, genderswapped DLC for RainSlick Precipice of Darkness 3Penny Arcade's On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness 3 is bending the rules of gender and species with a free DLC pack available now on Steam (and set to hit Xbox 360 soon). The free DLC - labeled the "Fanfiction Pack" - adds gender-swapped versions of all playable characters, turning Tycho into Tyche, Gabe into Gabbie, Moira into Manuel, and Jim into Benjamina.

The pack also adds a "furry" option that makes Tycho a lion, Gabe a pony, Moira an American Red Fox and Jim a turtle. Both packs alter gameplay and cutscenes, a feat that took a bit of extra work for Zeboyd, and, as Penny Arcade notes, makes the developer "very cool."

JoystiqFree furry, gender-swapped DLC for Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness 3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 30 Jul 2012 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DLCfreeFurrygender-bendingmicrosoftpcpenny-arcadepenny-arcade-adventures-3xboxMon, 30 Jul 2012 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Penny Arcade's XBLIG game delayed on the precipice of release]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/20/penny-arcades-xblig-game-delayed-on-the-precipice-of-release/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/20/penny-arcades-xblig-game-delayed-on-the-precipice-of-release/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/20/penny-arcades-xblig-game-delayed-on-the-precipice-of-release/#comments The release window for Penny Arcade's On the Rain-Slick Precipice 3 has been tricky to nail down. First, it was due on July 10 on PC and Xbox Live Indie Games, and then PA boldly moved the date forward to June 25, with mobile versions to follow.

Now, due to the late discovery of a bug (the game crashes if you remove a memory unit from an old Xbox while saving to it), the XBLIG release has been delayed. "We can't resubmit for another seven days, so we (and you, if you want to play it on there) are in kind of a holding pattern," Penny Arcade's Jerry Holkins said.

The PC version will still be released on June 25.

[Thanks, Tim.]

JoystiqPenny Arcade's XBLIG game delayed on the precipice of release originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 20 Jun 2012 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>delaysmicrosoftpenny-arcadepenny-arcade-adventures-3xbligxboxWed, 20 Jun 2012 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Penny Arcade's game with a big title will come to these tiny devices]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/20/penny-arcades-game-with-a-big-title-will-come-to-these-tiny-dev/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/20/penny-arcades-game-with-a-big-title-will-come-to-these-tiny-dev/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/20/penny-arcades-game-with-a-big-title-will-come-to-these-tiny-dev/#comments
Penny Arcade's game with a huge title will come to these tiny devices
Some time after its PC and XBLIG launch on June 25, Penny Arcade's On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness 3 will slip-and-slide onto the following mobile platforms: iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch and Android. On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness 3 will also come to Mac, through Steam, on the same day as the mobile launches, Penny Arcade announced today.

We knew Zeboyd's pixel-fest in the Penny Arcade universe would hit mobile platforms, but until now we weren't sure which devices would be supported. There is still no word on a specific release date for mobile and Mac versions, but Penny Arcade promises it will be "soon" after next week's Steam (PC) and XBLIG launch.

Continue reading Penny Arcade's game with a big title will come to these tiny devices

JoystiqPenny Arcade's game with a big title will come to these tiny devices originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 20 Jun 2012 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidiosipadiphonemacmicrosoftmobilepcpenny-arcadepenny-arcade-adventures-3xboxzeboyd-gamesWed, 20 Jun 2012 02:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Penny Arcade's wet, edgy, shadowy game to launch early]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/13/penny-arcades-wet-edgy-shadowy-game-to-launch-early/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/13/penny-arcades-wet-edgy-shadowy-game-to-launch-early/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/13/penny-arcades-wet-edgy-shadowy-game-to-launch-early/#comments Penny Arcade's wet, edgy game to launch earlyPenny Arcade's On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness 3, Zeboyd's pixel-happy iteration in Penny Arcade's RPG series, is now set to come out on June 25 for Steam (PC immediately, Mac eventually) and XBLIG. It was originally slated to drop July 10, but as Penny Arcade puts it, "waiting until July seems dumb."

Steam purchases in the first week will also get a copy of Zeboyd's Cthulhu Saves the World, which we think is most decidedly not dumb.

JoystiqPenny Arcade's wet, edgy, shadowy game to launch early originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 13 Jun 2012 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>earlymacmicrosoftpcpenny-arcadepenny-arcade-adventures-3STEAMxboxzeboyd-gamesWed, 13 Jun 2012 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Penny Arcade's On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness 3 lands July 10]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/01/penny-arcades-on-the-rain-slick-precipice-of-darkness-3-lands-j/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/01/penny-arcades-on-the-rain-slick-precipice-of-darkness-3-lands-j/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/01/penny-arcades-on-the-rain-slick-precipice-of-darkness-3-lands-j/#comments Penny Arcade's latest is on the RainSlick Precipice of its July 10 release dateZeboyd's pixelated refresh of the Penny Arcade RPG series will arrive on Steam and XBLIG on July 10. Penny Arcade's On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness 3 (phew) will cost $5 on either platform, the developer reports, though the XBLIG version is obviously sold in Microsoft's imaginary fun money. The PC version will support SteamPlay cross-platform compatibility with the future Mac version, so if you buy it on PC you get Mac as well.

Zeboyd promises mobile versions as well, but more details on those are forthcoming. As in, don't expect to buy this on your phone in July.

Gallery: Penny Arcade’s On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness 3 (6/1)

JoystiqPenny Arcade's On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness 3 lands July 10 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 01 Jun 2012 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftpcpenny-arcadepenny-arcade-adventurespenny-arcade-adventures-3penny-arcades-on-the-rain-slick-precipice-of-darkness-3release-datesteamxbligxboxzeboyd-gamesFri, 01 Jun 2012 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[PAX Prime passes entirely sold out]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/03/pax-prime-passes-entirely-sold-out/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/03/pax-prime-passes-entirely-sold-out/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/03/pax-prime-passes-entirely-sold-out/#comments Whelp, we hope you bought your PAX Prime pass already. In little over a week, everything has sold out - all three-day passes and all single-day passes. So if you didn't get in, you're out of luck.

"Sadly, we are 100 percent out of badges," Penny Arcade's President of Operations and Business Development, Robert Khoo, told Joystiq. "I wish the venue was larger, but it's just not - capacity limits and firecode only let us sell so many, so our hands are tied on the issue. We wish we could sell more, but unfortunately, what's out there is it."

PAX Prime takes place from August 31 through September 2 in Seattle, Washington.

JoystiqPAX Prime passes entirely sold out originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 03 May 2012 23:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>pax-primepax-prime-2012penny-arcaderobert-khooThu, 03 May 2012 23:15:00 EST<![CDATA['Retake Mass Effect 3' donations remained largely with Child's Play, 'a handful' requested refunds]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/12/retake-mass-effect-3-donations-remained-largely-with-childs-p/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/12/retake-mass-effect-3-donations-remained-largely-with-childs-p/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/12/retake-mass-effect-3-donations-remained-largely-with-childs-p/#comments ImageWhen thousands of people took to a Facebook group rallying Mass Effect 3 players to "demand a better ending," their efforts were represented by a "donation protest." The protest raised just over $80,000 in donations to Penny Arcade's "Child's Play" charity, and arguably contributed to BioWare's decision to respond with an upcoming addition to Mass Effect 3: "Extended Cut."

Regardless of the group's success, Penny Arcade co-founder Jerry "Tycho" Holkins halted the fundraiser. "Child's Play cannot be a tool to draw attention to a cause. Child's Play must be the Cause," Holkins said of hypothetical future efforts. He also cited Child's Play project manager Jamie Dillion as "buried under mail" from donors who didn't clearly understand exactly what they were giving money to.

"Apparently some of the people giving to the cause seemed to think that they were paying for a new ending to Mass Effect. She's been asked what the goal is, and how much they need to raise in order to get the ending produced," Holkins wrote. "We've also been contacted by PayPal due to a high number of people asking for their donations back. This is in addition to readers who simply couldn't understand how this was connected to Child's Play's mission. We were dealing with a lot of very confused people, more every day, and that told us we had a problem."

That doesn't mean, however, that all of those folks were demanding refunds. "Essentially, there were a handful of people who requested their donation returned, which we did. The large majority of the funds were not returned and will be distributed to the hospitals as normal. If anyone feels that they would like their donation back, we are happy to do so," Dillion told us in a recent email.

Continue reading 'Retake Mass Effect 3' donations remained largely with Child's Play, 'a handful' requested refunds

Joystiq'Retake Mass Effect 3' donations remained largely with Child's Play, 'a handful' requested refunds originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 12 Apr 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarechilds-playdonationsea-biowareelectronic-artsjamie-dillionmass-effect-3microsoftpcpenny-arcadeplaystationps3retake-mass-effectxboxThu, 12 Apr 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Dungeon Defenders adding Penny Arcade skins; free at PAX East]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/03/dungeon-defenders-adding-penny-arcade-skins-free-at-pax-east/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/03/dungeon-defenders-adding-penny-arcade-skins-free-at-pax-east/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/03/dungeon-defenders-adding-penny-arcade-skins-free-at-pax-east/#comments ImageDungeon Defenders gets into the PAX East spirit this Friday with a Penny Arcade-themed character skin pack. The DLC will be available for free during PAX East at the Reverb Publishing booth (808) or online for $1.99.

That character skin pack includes (pictured, left to right) Tycho for the Squire class, Annarchy as a Huntress, Cardboard Tube Samurai as the Monk and Jim Darkmagic in place of the Apprentice.

Attendees to PAX East will also have a chance to play Aquanos, part three of four in the Quest for the Lost Eternia Shards DLC. Stop by the Reverb Publishing booth early, as supplies of free PA skins are limited.

JoystiqDungeon Defenders adding Penny Arcade skins; free at PAX East originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 03 Apr 2012 03:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dungeon-defenderspax-east-2012pcPenny-Arcadereverb-publishingtrendy-entertainmentTue, 03 Apr 2012 03:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Child's Play shuts down fundraiser aimed at changing Mass Effect 3's ending]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/24/childs-play-shuts-down-fundraiser-to-change-mass-effect-3s-end/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/24/childs-play-shuts-down-fundraiser-to-change-mass-effect-3s-end/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/24/childs-play-shuts-down-fundraiser-to-change-mass-effect-3s-end/#comments Recently, part of that whole "We're the Internet and we're upset about Mass Effect 3's ending" thing manifested itself in a Child's Play fundraising initiative called "Retake Mass Effect 3." The movement attempted to combine raising money for the charity with convincing BioWare to change the ending of its game.

BioWare was completely unaffiliated with the fundraiser, however, and no amount of money raised would guarantee a new ending -- a fact severely misunderstood by many people that donated. "We were dealing with a lot of very confused people, more every day, and that told us we had a problem," said Penny Arcade's Jerry Holkins in an update on his site. "Apparently some of the people giving to the cause seemed to think that they were paying for a new ending to Mass Effect."

Holkins also said that Child's Play project manager Jamie Dillion was "buried under mail" about the fundraiser from people wanting to know "what the goal is, and how much they need to raise in order to get the ending produced." The charity was also contacted by PayPal, on account of a "high number" of donors requesting refunds. As a result, Child's Play requested that the fundraiser come to an end.

As an organisation, Child's Play has guidelines regulating how money is raised (Child's Play can't be used to sell anything, for instance). Since Retake ME3 technically fell within the boundaries of the charity's existing framework, Holkins has created a new rule to prevent future misunderstandings: "Child's Play cannot be a tool to draw attention to a cause. Child's Play must be the Cause."

JoystiqChild's Play shuts down fundraiser aimed at changing Mass Effect 3's ending originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 24 Mar 2012 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarechilds-playendingJerry-Holkinsmass-effect-3ME3paypalpenny-arcaderetake-mass-effect-3retake-me3Sat, 24 Mar 2012 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[ESRB and Penny Arcade team up on new ratings campaign]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/17/esrb-and-penny-arcade-team-up-on-new-ratings-campaign/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/17/esrb-and-penny-arcade-team-up-on-new-ratings-campaign/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/17/esrb-and-penny-arcade-team-up-on-new-ratings-campaign/#comments Once again, the Entertainment Software Ratings Board is joining forces with Penny Arcade to create a new series of advertisements about the game industry's rating system. The print and online campaign offers up three public service announcements featuring Penny Arcade's familiar artwork. This marks the second partnership between the ESRB and Penny Arcade, which first created a campaign back in 2006.

The new campaign is based on real individuals, who were chosen via a "micro-essay" contest held by the ESRB on Facebook. Each ad highlights a different service provided by the ESRB. The campaign will begin appearing in "parent-focused and game enthusiast media outlets" this spring, but you can check them out right now in the gallery below.

Gallery: Penny Arcade ESRB Campaign

Continue reading ESRB and Penny Arcade team up on new ratings campaign

JoystiqESRB and Penny Arcade team up on new ratings campaign originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 17 Feb 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>esrbpenny-arcadepsaFri, 17 Feb 2012 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[PAX East commits to Boston until 2023]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/15/pax-east-commits-to-boston-until-2023/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/15/pax-east-commits-to-boston-until-2023/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/15/pax-east-commits-to-boston-until-2023/#comments
PAX East organizers and the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority (MCCA) announced this morning that the popular video game convention will remain in Boston until 2023. Show organizers are hoping to grow attendance of the three-day show to 100,000, making it easily one of the largest public gaming conventions in the world (behind Gamescom and TGS).

PAX East will also make a sizable donation to digital games education. Massachusetts Digital Games Institute (MassDiGI) will receive a $50,000 contribution this year, along with an annual $25,000, for a total of $325,000 over the next 11 years.

"Over the last year, MassDiGI has worked towards building a strong public-private partnership across industry, academia, and government in support of the state's digital games cluster," said Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray. "PAX East's commitment to bringing the largest East Coast video gaming convention to Boston and providing an annual donation to MassDiGI complements ongoing collaboration to increase economic activity within the state and foster knowledge-transfer between Massachusetts and the rest of the world."

Beyond the academic cash, PAX East naturally brings in buckets of cash to the city through hotels and dining.

"We're thrilled to host PAX East for at least 10 more years," said James E. Rooney, executive director of the MCCA. "Hosting an event for the next decade that draws gamers from around the globe to Boston is fantastic, but the international attention it brings to the incredible technological advancements coming out of the Commonwealth is a win-win."

JoystiqPAX East commits to Boston until 2023 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 Feb 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BostonPAX-EastPAX-East-2012penny-arcadepenny-arcade-expoWed, 15 Feb 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Penny Arcade to cover the game industry with help from veteran game journo Ben Kuchera]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/16/penny-arcade-to-cover-the-game-industry-with-help-from-veteran-g/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/16/penny-arcade-to-cover-the-game-industry-with-help-from-veteran-g/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/16/penny-arcade-to-cover-the-game-industry-with-help-from-veteran-g/#comments We're just gonna go ahead and call 2012 "the year that a million new game sites launched," as this morning Penny Arcade announced its intentions to get into the world of video game news delivery. Hiring on at least one seasoned vet in Ars Technica's Ben Kuchera (whose position of "senior gaming editor" at Ars will be taken over by notorious freelancer and ex-Joystiqer Kyle Orland), the site will deliver game industry coverage.

If Kuchera's past work at Ars Technica's Opposable Thumbs blog is any indication, he'll be producing a variety of news, previews, features and reviews with plenty of the flair we've come to expect from him. The site will be "starting in the next few weeks," and we'll likely hear more details as today progresses.

Update: Kuchera has taken to Penny Arcade's forums to answer some questions about his coverage. "To start you can expect great, in-depth stories every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. After that we'll think about what else we can do while keeping the standards high," he said. Additionally, it looks like it'll just be him working on coverage, at least for a bit, as was the case with Ars. "For now it will just be me. I think it's going to stay that way for a good while until we get a better idea of how we want things to work. I did the majority of gaming writing at Ars by myself, so it won't be a huge change for me. Expect fewer, longer stories," he added.

[Image credit: Penny Arcade]

JoystiqPenny Arcade to cover the game industry with help from veteran game journo Ben Kuchera originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 16 Jan 2012 10:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ars-technicaben-kucheragame-journalismkyle-orlandopposable-thumbspenny-arcadeMon, 16 Jan 2012 10:44:00 EST<![CDATA[Child's Play reaches $1.95 million in donations for 2011 following gala]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/15/childs-play-reaches-1-95-million-in-donations-for-2011-followi/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/15/childs-play-reaches-1-95-million-in-donations-for-2011-followi/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/15/childs-play-reaches-1-95-million-in-donations-for-2011-followi/#comments Contributions to Child's Play Charity have reached $1.95 million this year, following the Child's Play Gala and Auction. The event raised another $351,000 for the charity that donates toys, games and cash for hospitalized children.

Standout bids from this year's event were $21,000 for the life-sized Half-Life Gravity Gun, the rare Nintendo World Championships Grey #60 for $11,500 and a guest spot in a Penny Arcade strip for $10,000.

"The gala and auction always brings in a lot of donations, but it is just one part of Child's Play," remarked Child's Play Charity's Jamie Dillion. "The real heroes are all the gamers who organize local events and send in individual donations that account for the vast majority of what we raise every year. We couldn't do this without all of their support."

Child's Play brought in $2,294,317.53 in 2010, a record for the organization. After surpassing the $1.5 million mark earlier this week, the charity is on track to crack the $2 million mark again.

You can donate by heading to the Child's Play site.

Continue reading Child's Play reaches $1.95 million in donations for 2011 following gala

JoystiqChild's Play reaches $1.95 million in donations for 2011 following gala originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 15 Dec 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsandroidchilds-playdsiosipadiphonekinectmacmicrosoftmobilemovenintendopcpenny-arcadeplaystationps3pspsonywiixboxThu, 15 Dec 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Child's Play raises $1.5 million so far in 2011, passes $10 million in total contributions]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/12/childs-play-raises-1-5-million-so-far-in-2011-passes-10-mill/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/12/childs-play-raises-1-5-million-so-far-in-2011-passes-10-mill/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/12/childs-play-raises-1-5-million-so-far-in-2011-passes-10-mill/#comments In 2010, Child's Play earned a whopping $2,294,317.53 for charity, a new record for the organization. Lifetime total earnings came to over nine million dollars last year since the charity started back in 2003, which donates countless toys and video games to childrens hospitals across the country. And in 2011, the bar has been raised even higher.

The charity has earned $1.5 million so far in 2011, pushing total earnings over the $10 million mark. News came via a post over on the official blog, where Robert Khoo, president of operations and business development for Penny Arcade, the charity's organizers. Khoo said fundraising this year "is coming along at a record pace" and thinks the $2 million mark is "well within reach."

JoystiqChild's Play raises $1.5 million so far in 2011, passes $10 million in total contributions originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 12 Dec 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsandroidcharitychilds-playdsiosipadiphonekinectmacmicrosoftmobilemovenintendopcpenny-arcadeplaystationplaystation-vitaps3pspsonywiixboxMon, 12 Dec 2011 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Get Zelda: Skyward Sword a day early at launch event, get Penny Arcade comic now]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/15/get-zelda-skyward-sword-a-day-early-at-launch-event-get-penny/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/15/get-zelda-skyward-sword-a-day-early-at-launch-event-get-penny/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/15/get-zelda-skyward-sword-a-day-early-at-launch-event-get-penny/#comments You won't have to go on a treasure hunt through dungeon-like NYC game stores to get a head start on The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword. If you're in the city, you'll be able to purchase the game a day early, and celebrate the launch with some fellow Triforce enthusiasts while you're at it.

Nintendo will host a launch event on Saturday, November 19, from 9am to 1pm at its Nintendo World Store in Rockefeller Center. During the event, people who pick up copies of the Wii game (one day before its official release date!) will get a "limited-edition poster." Nintendo will also unveil a "Master Sword replica," give away prizes, and offer demos.

If you can't make it to the event, at least you can ... look at some pictures of Link. Try doing that at the launch event ... ! Nintendo has partnered with Penny Arcade to produce a special weekly Skyward Sword comic, and the first page is up already online.

Continue reading Get Zelda: Skyward Sword a day early at launch event, get Penny Arcade comic now

JoystiqGet Zelda: Skyward Sword a day early at launch event, get Penny Arcade comic now originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 Nov 2011 11:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>launch-eventLegend-of-Zelda-2010nintendonintendo-world-storenycpenny-arcadeThe-Legend-of-Zelda-Skyward-SwordwiiTue, 15 Nov 2011 11:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Finally, Decide-o-tron features Joystiq editors' top picks]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/10/finally-decide-o-tron-features-joystiq-editors-top-picks/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/10/finally-decide-o-tron-features-joystiq-editors-top-picks/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/10/finally-decide-o-tron-features-joystiq-editors-top-picks/#comments Ever wondered what your favorite video game journalists would classify as their favorite (semi-recent) games and, if so, which order they would be placed from one to ten? Us too! And the same evidently goes for the chaps at Penny Arcade, whose Decide-o-tron iOS app offers just such insight.

The Decide-o-tron is a database app, used to catalog the games you have (Library), the games you want (Wishlist), and the games you don't know you want yet. That's where the Celebrity Lists feature comes in. You can see both Justin and I's top three games above, but where does WarioWare: Twisted land and on whose list? And what about Evidence: The Last Ritual? There's only one way to find out, and it's at that Source link just below for the fair market price of $0.

JoystiqFinally, Decide-o-tron features Joystiq editors' top picks originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 10 Nov 2011 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chris-grantchris-grant-is-dead-miss-him-miss-himdecide-o-tronjustin-mcelroymicrosoftpenny-arcadeplaystationps3xboxThu, 10 Nov 2011 07:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Child's Play 2011 starts annual drive, trying for $2 million in donations]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/04/childs-play-2011-starts-annual-drive-trying-for-2-million-in/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/04/childs-play-2011-starts-annual-drive-trying-for-2-million-in/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/04/childs-play-2011-starts-annual-drive-trying-for-2-million-in/#comments Halloween has passed us by, which means the season of charity is here, and Child's Play has started up its yearly drive for donations. Child's Play, started by the fine folks at Penny Arcade, is dedicated to providing sick children in hospitals all over the world with video games and toys to play while they recover, and has raised nearly $9 million in money and donations since it was founded in 2003.

This year, Child's Play is aiming for at least $2 million in donations, in part through a slew of events during the next two months, including the annual Desert Bus for Hope marathon later this month, and a Charity Dinner and Auction on December 8 up in Seattle. The group has picked up $450,000 in donations this year already, putting it well on the way towards its final goal.

You'll probably have a few other opportunities to donate over the next few months, but if you would like to jump in and help the kids out now, Child's Play accepts checks, Paypal donations, or you can even text in your donation by sending "GAMERS" to 50555. So go ahead -- even if the bells haven't started ringing in your neighborhood just yet, take this chance to give a little bit to those in need.

JoystiqChild's Play 2011 starts annual drive, trying for $2 million in donations originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 04 Nov 2011 04:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>charitychilds-playchilds-play-charitydonationsgabehospitalspenny-arcadetychoFri, 04 Nov 2011 04:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Ms. 'Splosion Man challenge round two features Fruit 'Friend']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/06/ms-splosion-man-challenge-round-two-features-fruit-friend/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/06/ms-splosion-man-challenge-round-two-features-fruit-friend/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/06/ms-splosion-man-challenge-round-two-features-fruit-friend/#comments Gottagobye.
Listen, Penny Arcade's Fruit F**cker certainly isn't a "friend" to fruit, though we can understand the need to tone down the juicing robot's vile moniker for more tender audiences. It turns out he's not a friend to Ms. 'Splosion Man either, as he now appears in a new challenge level for Twisted Pixel's latest 'sploderific opus.

The challenge level is available now -- handily offered without needing a special download -- and is littered with 9 of the little buggers. The challenge level is open until September 11, and the three players who walk away with the highest scores will receive a prize pack filled with Twisted Pixel and Penny Arcade goodies.

We're not sure if said prize packs include a Fruit "Friend," but you might want to hide your produce just in case.

Gallery: Ms. 'Splosion Man Fruit "Friend" challenge level

Continue reading Ms. 'Splosion Man challenge round two features Fruit 'Friend'

JoystiqMs. 'Splosion Man challenge round two features Fruit 'Friend' originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 06 Sep 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dlcfruit-friendmicrosoftms-splosion-manpenny-arcadetwisted-pixelxblaxboxTue, 06 Sep 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PAX Prime attendance grows to 70,000]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/31/pax-prime-attendance-grows-to-70-000/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/31/pax-prime-attendance-grows-to-70-000/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/31/pax-prime-attendance-grows-to-70-000/#comments Hey, PAX East? Sit down, we gotta talk. You know how we made a big deal about your 69,500 attendees earlier this year? Well, we don't want you to freak out, but your older brother PAX Prime has surpassed that figure, establishing the record for most attendees at a PAX.

Look, don't be down, PAX East. We're a growing family with a third kid on the way, but there will be plenty of opportunity for you to prove yourself again. Chin up!

JoystiqPAX Prime attendance grows to 70,000 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 31 Aug 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>paxpax-2011pax-prime-2011penny-arcadepenny-arcade-expopenny-arcade-expo-2011Wed, 31 Aug 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Seen@PAX: Jerry Holkins just dances]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/28/seen-pax-jerry-holkins-just-dances/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/28/seen-pax-jerry-holkins-just-dances/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/28/seen-pax-jerry-holkins-just-dances/#comments
Snicker all you want at this footage we captured of Penny Arcade godfather Jerry Holkins playing Just Dance 3 on stage at PAX, the fact of the matter is this: The guy's got moves. Also, is that Quail Man at his side? Trick question, we were there: It's totally Quail Man.

JoystiqSeen@PAX: Jerry Holkins just dances originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 28 Aug 2011 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>jerry-holkinsjust-dance-3pax-prime-2011penny-arcadeubisoftSun, 28 Aug 2011 02:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Penny Arcade Expo planning on branching out to third city]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/26/penny-arcade-expo-planning-on-branching-out-to-third-city/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/26/penny-arcade-expo-planning-on-branching-out-to-third-city/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/26/penny-arcade-expo-planning-on-branching-out-to-third-city/#comments Jerry Holkins and Mike Krahulik -- the pair of minds behind Penny Arcade, which is the comic behind the major gaming convention that's happening right now -- have confirmed that PAX will soon find a home in a third location somewhere on the planet. "Yeah, there's going to be a third PAX," Krahulik explained in an interview with us earlier today. "Believe it," Holkins added. We do!

The duo said they have a city in mind, but didn't divulge which one it is -- a shame, because there are a lot of cities to guess from. During last year's PAX Press Q&A, they hinted that a third PAX might come together, perhaps in an overseas locale they'd like to visit. Any international readers have a hometown they'd like to see wholly and completely overrun by gamingkind?

JoystiqPenny Arcade Expo planning on branching out to third city originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 26 Aug 2011 23:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eventsgabeinternationalpaxpax-east-2011pax-prime-2011penny-arcadepenny-arcade-expotychoFri, 26 Aug 2011 23:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Penny Arcade Adventures Episode 3 still alive, Zeboyd at the helm]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/26/penny-arcade-adventures-episode-3-still-alive-zeboyd-at-the-hel/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/26/penny-arcade-adventures-episode-3-still-alive-zeboyd-at-the-hel/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/26/penny-arcade-adventures-episode-3-still-alive-zeboyd-at-the-hel/#comments Penny Arcade Adventures lives onAfter its abrupt cancellation last year, Penny Arcade Adventures: Episode 3 has risen from the ashes with developer Zeboyd Games taking control of the project. The studio is best known for its Xbox Live Indie Games and PC releases, Cthulhu Saves the World and Breath of Death 7.

RPGamer reports that, given the retro nature of Zeboyd's titles, Penny Arcade Episode 3 will take on a similar graphical style (think: the 16-bit Final Fantasy games); Alex Mauer will be providing the soundtrack. This marks the first game in the series not developed by Hothead, which left the project last year and went on to develop DeathSpank.

Episode 3 is set to be released in 2012 on "as many systems" as possible. More information will be revealed at PAX East next year ... but that won't stop us from harassing Gabe and Tycho for information all weekend.

JoystiqPenny Arcade Adventures Episode 3 still alive, Zeboyd at the helm originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 26 Aug 2011 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>paxpax-2011pax-prime-2011penny-arcadepenny-arcade-adventures-episode-3penny-arcade-adventures-on-the-rainslick-precipice-of-darkness-epenny-arcade-advenures-3zeboyd-gamesFri, 26 Aug 2011 15:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Decide-o-tron app from Penny Arcade will help you decide which games to buy]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/22/decide-o-tron-app-from-penny-arcade-will-help-you-decide-which-g/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/22/decide-o-tron-app-from-penny-arcade-will-help-you-decide-which-g/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/22/decide-o-tron-app-from-penny-arcade-will-help-you-decide-which-g/#comments With so many different games and platforms out there, deciding what to play is a tough task. We sympathize, we really do -- and now the Penny Arcade guys are looking to take some of the guess work out of the whole thing with a new iOS app.

The app will be free of charge when it launches next month and will suggest games based on your preferences. It'll also feature wishlists you can share and "play lists" of notable online and gaming personalities, beginning with Penny Arcade's Gabe and Tycho themselves, Mike Krahulik and Jerry Holkins.

Hit the jump for the full press release. There's also a website you can check out, if that's more your speed.

Continue reading Decide-o-tron app from Penny Arcade will help you decide which games to buy

JoystiqDecide-o-tron app from Penny Arcade will help you decide which games to buy originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 22 Aug 2011 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>app-storeappledecide-o-troniosipadiphoneitunesmacmobilepenny-arcadeMon, 22 Aug 2011 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PvP and Penny Arcade bring you to The Trenches]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/10/pvp-and-penny-arcade-bring-you-to-the-trenches/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/10/pvp-and-penny-arcade-bring-you-to-the-trenches/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/10/pvp-and-penny-arcade-bring-you-to-the-trenches/#comments Webcomics are a dime a dozen, but when doodling kingpins Scott Kurtz (of PvP fame) and Mike "Gabe" Krahulik and Jerry "Tycho" Holkins (of Penny Arcade fame) team up on a new project, you can bet we're gonna take notice. Enter: The Trenches.

The Trenches is new (like, new new), so there's only one strip as of right now, and seeks to catalog "the tribulations of software testing with the precision tools of 'the office comedy.'" On top of each comic, the trio will publish stories from actual testers in the trenches -- anonymously, of course. The first story involves an individual who had to test Ken Griffey, Jr's Winning Run for the SNES. Yup, it's as bad as it sounds.

The Trenches will be updated on the Penny Arcade off-days, every Tuesday and Thursday.

JoystiqPvP and Penny Arcade bring you to The Trenches originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 10 Aug 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsgabejerry-holkinsmacmicrosoftmike-krahulikmobilenintendopcpenny-arcadeplayer-vs-playerplaystationps3psppvpsonythe-trenchestychowebcomicwiixboxWed, 10 Aug 2011 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Penny Arcade's 'New Kid' strip to be adapted to film by Paramount]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/02/penny-arcades-new-kid-strip-to-be-adapted-to-film-by-paramoun/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/02/penny-arcades-new-kid-strip-to-be-adapted-to-film-by-paramoun/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/02/penny-arcades-new-kid-strip-to-be-adapted-to-film-by-paramoun/#comments We knew it would only be a matter of time before one of Penny Arcade's imaginative one-offs got noticed by the cinematic powers that be. We might have placed our bets on The Lookouts or Automata -- as it so happens, though, the gaming comic's strip which caught the eye of Paramount Studios was "The New Kid," a one-page tale about a boy who's settling into his adolescent life on an orbiting starcraft.

Paramount, which was met with success with its utterly wonderful animated film Rango, has enlisted the help of Book of Eli writer Gary Whitta to adapt the strip to a full-length animated feature. We're excited to see what he comes up with -- and ever-hopeful that somebody somewhere gives some similar attention to Automata. (Please?)

JoystiqPenny Arcade's 'New Kid' strip to be adapted to film by Paramount originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 02 Jun 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animatedfilmgary-whittamovieparamountpenny-arcadethe-new-kidThu, 02 Jun 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PSA: PAX Prime 3-day passes are almost gone]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/06/pax-prime-3-day-passes-are-almost-gone/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/06/pax-prime-3-day-passes-are-almost-gone/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/06/pax-prime-3-day-passes-are-almost-gone/#comments Guys, we so desperately want to hang out with you in Seattle. We want to take you on a tour of our favorite Starbucks locations. We want to go to the top of the Space Needle with you, and point out our favorite Starbucks locations. We want to take you to the birthplace of grunge and flannel -- but we can't do that if you don't get a PAX Prime 2011 pass.

According to the event's Twitter feed, PAX passes are quickly becoming a scarce commodity -- in a tweet this morning, organizers reported, "We are nearly out of 3 day passes for PAX Prime 2011, less than 1k remain." Sure, if those are gone, you can still buy the one-day passes piecemeal; but we're really going to need all 72 hours to show you our favorite Seattle hotspots. Like the Puget Sound! It's so pugety this time of year.

JoystiqPSA: PAX Prime 3-day passes are almost gone originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 06 May 2011 10:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eventpaxpax-primepax-prime-2011penny-arcadeticketsFri, 06 May 2011 10:36:00 EST<![CDATA[PAX Prime registration open, developers get their own PAX Dev event]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/15/pax-prime-registration-open-developers-get-their-own-pax-dev-ev/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/15/pax-prime-registration-open-developers-get-their-own-pax-dev-ev/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/15/pax-prime-registration-open-developers-get-their-own-pax-dev-ev/#comments Whether you're a video gaming enthusiast or a member of the industry which sustains itself upon the monies of video gaming enthusiasts, you'd better start getting ready for next Penny Arcade Expo. Not only did registration for PAX Prime 2011 open up earlier today, but an all new event called PAX Dev was announced, catering to the interests of game developers in the two days preceding the weekend of August 26, when the main, Seattle-based convention takes place.

The new event's site explains its mission statement, saying, "We're shooting for a small (750-ish), intimate setting where digital and pen/paper game developers alike can focus on their craft." As much as we'd love to get all up in that to learn about the deepest brain-thoughts of our favorite developers, the site explicitly states, "No press." That's too bad for us, but shouldn't be a problem for JoySoft, our new spin-off development studio, which is staffed entirely by people who look exactly like us, only with conspicuous-looking mustaches.

JoystiqPAX Prime registration open, developers get their own PAX Dev event originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 15 Apr 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eventspaxpax-devpax-dev-2011pax-primepax-prime-2011penny-arcadeFri, 15 Apr 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Take a JPEG tour through the PAX East 2011 show floor]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/11/take-a-jpeg-tour-through-the-pax-east-2011-show-floor/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/11/take-a-jpeg-tour-through-the-pax-east-2011-show-floor/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/11/take-a-jpeg-tour-through-the-pax-east-2011-show-floor/#comments If you're not kicking it Good Will Hunting-style in Boston for the Easternmost, 2011-most edition of the Penny Arcade Expo, we can easily take you there through the magic of internet.

Check out the gallery below to see some of the biggest productions on this year's main expo hall, from the gigantic Child of Eden preview display, to the equally gigantic Pikachu, hovering mere feet above attendees' heads, patiently waiting for his moment to strike.

Gallery: PAX East 2011 Show Floor

JoystiqTake a JPEG tour through the PAX East 2011 show floor originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 11 Mar 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eventpax-east-2011penny-arcadeshow-floorFri, 11 Mar 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Monday Night Combat update adds Cardboard Samurai outfit, All-Star ratings]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/10/monday-night-combat-update-adds-cardboard-samurai-outfit-all-st/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/10/monday-night-combat-update-adds-cardboard-samurai-outfit-all-st/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/10/monday-night-combat-update-adds-cardboard-samurai-outfit-all-st/#comments Just because you weren't able to make the Bostonian pilgrimage for PAX East doesn't mean you'll be left out of the festivities entirely. Uber Entertainment has launched an update for the PC version of Monday Night Combat which unlocks a decidedly Penny-Arcadey outfit for the game's Assassin archetype: the garments of the honorable Cardboard Tube Samurai.

There's also a new All-Star ranking system, which should let you know exactly how you stack up against the game's other frequent Bullseye-busters. Check out all the new features, as well as a trailer for the CTS outfit, posted after the jump!

Continue reading Monday Night Combat update adds Cardboard Samurai outfit, All-Star ratings

JoystiqMonday Night Combat update adds Cardboard Samurai outfit, All-Star ratings originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 10 Mar 2011 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cardboard-tube-samuraidlcmonday-night-combatpax-eastpcpenny-arcadeuber-entertainmentupdateThu, 10 Mar 2011 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PAX East schedule revealed, cancel your Friday plans]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/13/pax-east-schedule-revealed-cancel-your-friday-plans/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/13/pax-east-schedule-revealed-cancel-your-friday-plans/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/13/pax-east-schedule-revealed-cancel-your-friday-plans/#comments Attending PAX East this year? You'll probably want to start strategizing your route through the maze of panels, speeches and presentations that'll take place over the weekend of March 11, using the recently revealed event schedule as your guide -- one event in particular is unmissable.

Continue reading PAX East schedule revealed, cancel your Friday plans

JoystiqPAX East schedule revealed, cancel your Friday plans originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 13 Feb 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eventpax-eastpax-east-2011penny-arcadescheduleSun, 13 Feb 2011 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[PAX organizers surveying about European expansion]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/11/pax-organizers-surveying-about-european-expansion/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/11/pax-organizers-surveying-about-european-expansion/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/11/pax-organizers-surveying-about-european-expansion/#comments Could PAX be heading across the pond? Obnoxious WWII-era names for the Atlantic Ocean aside, a recent survey from PAX organizers Reed Exhibitions heavily suggest that plans are being made to do just that. Among the three pages of standard survey questions are such giveaways as, "If we brought PAX to the UK, would you attend?" and "If we decide to hold a PAX UK, where would you prefer to see it take place?"

Notably, the "where would you prefer to see it take place?" question offers a handful of London-based locations, as well as "Outside London" and "Other" options -- unfortunately, "somewhere that doesn't rain all the time" isn't a choice. But hey, we're just kidding Londoners. We'd love another reason to visit your continent!

When we asked the folks at Penny Arcade what they had to say about it, biz dude Robert Khoo told us, "We're just trying to see if people would be interested." He further noted that "it's not anything we're ready to act on in the near future." How about if we ask real nice? Maybe in an English accent?

JoystiqPAX organizers surveying about European expansion originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 11 Feb 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>londonpaxpax-ukpenny-arcadereed-exhibitionssurveyFri, 11 Feb 2011 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Hothead sheds more light on the death of Penny Arcade Adventures]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/14/hothead-sheds-more-light-on-the-death-of-penny-arcade-adventures/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/14/hothead-sheds-more-light-on-the-death-of-penny-arcade-adventures/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/14/hothead-sheds-more-light-on-the-death-of-penny-arcade-adventures/#comments Back when the discontinuation of the Penny Arcade Adventures series was first announced, Team PA explained that the decision was made due to the team's concern about developer Hothead being forced to split attention between PAA and then-recently-announced DeathSpank. As PA writer Jerry Holkins told it: "I think they could've made DeathSpank and Episode 3 but I think Episode 3 would've suffered. I mean, I know it would have suffered. So we'd rather not do it than do it half-assed and so we're going to finish that story but it's going to be on our website."

Today, in an interview with Eurogamer, Hothead director of technology Joel DeYoung laid a little more blame at the feet of Holkins, implying that Tycho's alter ego had trouble keeping up with the workload required. "I think he really struggled to get the volume of text written for Episode 1, and then with Episode 2 coming out so quickly thereafter - it was five-and-a-half months," DeYoung said. "That was not worked on in parallel, and getting him to deliver that text was, er, frankly quite a struggle."

This revelation comes a few days after Hothead erroneously teased that Episode 3 would be produced if the first two sold well on the Mac App Store, a notion that PA artist Mike Krahulik quickly batted down on Twitter.

Though we may never know the real cause behind Episode 3's termination, whether it's Penny Arcade or Hothead that had too much on its plate, we'd imagine the truth, as is usually the case in situations like these, hovers somewhere in between.

JoystiqHothead sheds more light on the death of Penny Arcade Adventures originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 14 Jan 2011 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Hothead-GamesJoel-DeYoungmicrosoftOn-The-Rain-Slick-Precipice-of-Darkness-Episode-2pcpenny-arcadepenny-arcade-adventures-3Penny-Arcade-Adventures-Episode-2penny-arcade-adventures-episode-3Penny-Arcade-Adventures-On-The-Rain-Slick-Precipice-of-Darkness-Penny-Arcade-Episode-2playstationps3xboxFri, 14 Jan 2011 13:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Penny Arcade Adventures tearing up Mac App Store charts, Ep. 3 still unlikely]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/10/penny-arcade-adventures-tearing-up-mac-app-store-charts-ep-3-s/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/10/penny-arcade-adventures-tearing-up-mac-app-store-charts-ep-3-s/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/10/penny-arcade-adventures-tearing-up-mac-app-store-charts-ep-3-s/#comments Just four days after the launch of the Mac App Store, some developers are finding unexpected success. The first two episodes of Hothead Games' truncated Penny Arcade Adventures trilogy are currently ranking high in the bestselling apps chart at number 21 and 56, respectively (and certainly boosted by their $4 sale prices). This prompted the developer to tweet, "We're thrilled that Precipice of Darkness has been doing well on the Mac App Store!"

While that was heartening, it was the now-pulled followup tweet (screen-capped above) that raised eyebrows: "For those of you that want PA Episode 3, all you need to do is get 100,000 of your friends to buy 1&2. Seriously. Do that and we'll make it," a Hothead staffer wrote. Turns out that's not quite the case.

"That's certainly news to me!" Penny Arcade biz dude Robert Khoo told Joystiq, adding, "there's nothing new to say about future [episodes]." Penny Arcade's Mike Krahulik responded to Hothead's tweet, stating simply, "that's actually not true."

Continue reading Penny Arcade Adventures tearing up Mac App Store charts, Ep. 3 still unlikely

JoystiqPenny Arcade Adventures tearing up Mac App Store charts, Ep. 3 still unlikely originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 10 Jan 2011 18:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>HotheadHothead-Gamesmacmac-app-storemicrosoftOn-The-Rain-Slick-Precipice-of-Darkness-Episode-1On-The-Rain-Slick-Precipice-of-Darkness-Episode-2pcPenny-Arcadepenny-arcade-adventures-3Penny-Arcade-Adventures-Episode-1Penny-Arcade-Adventures-Episode-2penny-arcade-adventures-episode-3Penny-Arcade-Adventures-On-The-Rain-Slick-Precipice-of-Darkness-Penny-Arcade-Episode-1Penny-Arcade-Episode-2playstationps3Robert-KhoosalesVince-CeraldixboxMon, 10 Jan 2011 18:20:00 EST