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 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![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<![CDATA[Child's Play raised over $2 million in 2010]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/03/childs-play-raised-over-2-million-in-2010/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/03/childs-play-raised-over-2-million-in-2010/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/03/childs-play-raised-over-2-million-in-2010/#commentsThe Child's Play charity announced today that it brought in a grand (grand) total of $2,294,317.53 in donations for 2010, a new annual record for the organization. Reflecting on the figure at the bottom of a Penny Arcade news post primarily about a repellent fruit sludge you squeeze into your mouth, Jerry "Tycho Brahe" Holkins said that the lifetime total for Child's Play donations is now over nine million dollars, noting to contributors, "If it is possible to Win Charity, you have done so." He also pointed out that not all of last year's donations are likely to have been accounted for yet.

Gamasutra reports that some of the larger donations came from charity drives like the Humble Indie Bundle, which contributed $300,000 during its second-year initiative in late December, and the "Desert Bus for Hope" marathon, which raised $207,000, in addition to the Gears of War 3 "Fate of Carmine" fundraiser, which accounted for $150,000 in donations and might have killed a virtual guy. Another high-profile fundraiser, the Indie iPhone sale, brought in around $25,000 to the charity.

JoystiqChild's Play raised over $2 million in 2010 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 03 Jan 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>charitychilds-playdonationspenny-arcadeMon, 03 Jan 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Child's Play nearing $2 million in donations]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/24/childs-play-nearing-2-million-in-donations/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/24/childs-play-nearing-2-million-in-donations/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/24/childs-play-nearing-2-million-in-donations/#comments Donations from charitable gamers like you have pushed the Child's Play 2010 donation total to an all-time high of $1.85 million -- all of which will go towards purchasing toys and games for children's hospitals across the globe. That's a bit higher than last year's total of $1.78 million. It's also dangerously close to $2 million, which just looks like a gargantuan sum of money, doesn't it?

If you haven't already donated to this worthy, worthy cause -- or even if you have! -- why not give a little something something to bring this total over the $2 mil mark? You could even get some incredible games for doing so, which is the very definition of a win-win transaction.

JoystiqChild's Play nearing $2 million in donations originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 24 Dec 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>charitychilds-playdonationhumble-indie-bundle-2pcpenny-arcadeFri, 24 Dec 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Child's Play 2010 passes $1 million in donations]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/12/childs-play-2010-passes-1-million-in-donations/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/12/childs-play-2010-passes-1-million-in-donations/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/12/childs-play-2010-passes-1-million-in-donations/#comments The gaming community's collective back is in desperate need of a thorough patting -- with recent donations raked in by events like the Desert Bus for Hope marathon and the Penny Arcade auction dinner, the total for Child's Play donations has reached 1.2 million American dollars.

Continue reading Child's Play 2010 passes $1 million in donations

JoystiqChild's Play 2010 passes $1 million in donations originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 12 Dec 2010 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>charitychilds-playchilds-play-2010donationpenny-arcadeSun, 12 Dec 2010 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Poker Night at the Inventory review: A bad beat]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/29/poker-night-at-the-inventory-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/29/poker-night-at-the-inventory-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/29/poker-night-at-the-inventory-review/#comments
Telltale Games has a difficult tightrope to walk, balancing as it does between narrative and gameplay. The studio counts on you being immersed in the universes it creates, but also has to keep all that character from getting in the way of the game it has crafted.

Poker Night at the Inventory seems to be drenched in the studio's typical humor and likable characters. But it quickly becomes clear that the repetitive dialog is muddying a poker game that was already weak to begin with. In short: Telltale has fallen off the rope entirely.

At least in Sam & Max there's always the chance of redemption in the next narrative-led mission. In Poker Night ... well, there's just the next oddly timed "sandvich" joke.

Gallery: Poker Night at the Inventory

Continue reading Poker Night at the Inventory review: A bad beat

JoystiqPoker Night at the Inventory review: A bad beat originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 29 Nov 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>pcpenny-arcadepoker-night-at-the-inventorysam-and-maxstrong-badTeam-Fortress-2TellTale-GamesMon, 29 Nov 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Child's Play 2010 site now live, accepting donations]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/15/childs-play-2010-site-now-live-accepting-donations/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/15/childs-play-2010-site-now-live-accepting-donations/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/15/childs-play-2010-site-now-live-accepting-donations/#comments While you read up on Black Friday deals and pour over reviews from this year's holiday game releases, might we suggest taking a time out to donate? Each year, Penny Arcade's Child's Play charity collects donations from gamers of all walks of life -- be they Desert Bus marathon runners, major game developers, or anyone in between -- in an effort to provide "donations of toys, games, books and cash for sick kids in children's hospitals across North America and the world."

Last year, CP raised over $1.7 million, and the charity's expansion in 2010 will certainly help to best that milestone and allow over 70 hospitals to be chosen and donated to directly. Head over to the Child's Play website for specifics on how to give, or text "GAMERS" to 50555 and donate $5. You totally just did it, didn't you? You're the best!

JoystiqChild's Play 2010 site now live, accepting donations originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 15 Nov 2010 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>charitychilds-playchilds-play-2010childs-play-charitydonatedsjerry-holkinsmacmicrosoftmobilenintendopcpenny-arcadeplaystationps3pspsonywiixboxMon, 15 Nov 2010 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[PAX East Indie Showcase now taking applications]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/02/pax-east-indie-showcase-now-taking-applications/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/02/pax-east-indie-showcase-now-taking-applications/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/02/pax-east-indie-showcase-now-taking-applications/#commentsDo you work at a small, Boston-area game company? Would you like thousands and thousands of people to see your game? If so, sign up for PAX East's Boston Indie Showcase. Penny Arcade is accepting applications today through January 11. Not only will people at the show see your game, but it'll be announced on the site.

Last year's Showcase ... showcased six games, including Slam Bolt Scrappers and AaaaaAAaaaAAAaaAAAAaAAAAA!!! A Reckless Disregard for Gravity. We encourage you to enter, especially if your game's title is easier to remember and/or type than those.

Continue reading PAX East Indie Showcase now taking applications

JoystiqPAX East Indie Showcase now taking applications originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 02 Nov 2010 02:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>boston-indie-showcaseindiepax-eastpax-east-2011penny-arcadeTue, 02 Nov 2010 02:05:00 EST<![CDATA[NES signed by gaming industry superstars auctioning off for charity]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/15/nes-signed-by-gaming-industry-superstars-auctioning-off-for-char/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/15/nes-signed-by-gaming-industry-superstars-auctioning-off-for-char/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/15/nes-signed-by-gaming-industry-superstars-auctioning-off-for-char/#commentsFiled under: , ,

We can't help but notice that there's something wrong with your Nintendo Entertainment System. No, it's not that its connector pins are totally jacked after two decades of rough cartridge insertion -- it's that it isn't covered, toe to tip, in the autographs of some of the gaming, tech and general nerd industry's most prominent figures.

You can rectify that problem by bidding on this NES, which has been signed by folks like Penny Arcade's Mike Krahulik and Jerry Holkins, Wil Wheaton, MC Frontalot, Jonathan Coulton and many, many more. All the proceeds from the auction go to the Baystate Children's Hospital in Springfield, Mass. -- as do the proceeds from eBay user DanMckela's other auctions. Go take a look at his altruistic wares!

[Thanks, Dao Jones!]

JoystiqNES signed by gaming industry superstars auctioning off for charity originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 15 Oct 2010 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auctioncharityebayJonathan-CoultonMC-Frontalotnesnintendopenny-arcadewil-wheatonFri, 15 Oct 2010 00:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PAX Prime 2010 had over 67k attendees; international show teased]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/08/pax-prime-2010-had-over-67k-attendees-international-show-teased/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/08/pax-prime-2010-had-over-67k-attendees-international-show-teased/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/08/pax-prime-2010-had-over-67k-attendees-international-show-teased/#commentsFiled under: , ,

67,600. That's the number of nerds and gaming fans that rushed Seattle's PAX Prime show this year. It's easily the largest gaming event in the US open to the public, and it shows no sign of losing momentum. This year's show made headlines, too, with the surprise reveal of a fully playable Duke Nukem Forever.

Speaking with Gamasutra, the Penny Arcade duo noted that the establishment of PAX not only serves gamers, but publishers as well. "[Publishers] need a place like PAX to promote [their products]," the team said. This year's show gave fans (and journalists!) an additional opportunity to check out games like Epic Mickey, Swarm, and Outland before release. PAX's timing, the Penny Arcade duo argue, allow for games to be spread more evenly throughout the year. "Before, if a game didn't make its Christmas launch it was a nightmare. This year was much more distributed as far as big releases."

Penny Arcade Expo will return to Boston next year for PAX East 2011, which will undoubtedly also turn up big numbers. But, PAX may have its eyes set on an international show. "A third PAX would likely take place in a different country," the Gamasutra report states. "Preferably somewhere the duo want to visit." PAX South Africa, perhaps? Cause we've got that covered!

JoystiqPAX Prime 2010 had over 67k attendees; international show teased originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 08 Sep 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>pax-2010penny-arcadepenny-arcade-expoWed, 08 Sep 2010 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[UW's Jeffrey Lin awarded Penny Arcade scholarship]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/27/uws-jeffrey-lin-awarded-penny-arcade-scholarship/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/27/uws-jeffrey-lin-awarded-penny-arcade-scholarship/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/27/uws-jeffrey-lin-awarded-penny-arcade-scholarship/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Little brightens our day more than hearing about developers working to make games accessible for those of us with color blindness (blast you, Super Puzzle Fighter!). That's why we're so happy to write about this year's Penny Arcade scholarship winner, University of Washington PhD student Jeffrey Lin, who wooed the award committee with his "research into applying vision science to solve practical problems in game design." One such problem? How color-dependent games work with color blind players.

Specifically, Lin believes, "Vision scientists have the tools and skills to help developers tackle problems from how to reduce motion sickness some experience in FPS titles to how to make games more accessible for the color blind." Lin predicts that vision scientists will begin to play an important, ongoing role for development teams in the future. And hey, if that means making those tasty, tasty puzzle games of the past comprehensible for the color blind, then we're all for it!

Continue reading UW's Jeffrey Lin awarded Penny Arcade scholarship

JoystiqUW's Jeffrey Lin awarded Penny Arcade scholarship originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 27 Aug 2010 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>color-blindjeffrey-linpenny-arcadepenny-arcade-scholarshipuniversity-of-washingtonvision-scientistFri, 27 Aug 2010 00:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PAX Prime 2010 three-day passes still available [update: sell-out was a glitch]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/11/psa-pax-prime-2010-three-day-passes-sold-out/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/11/psa-pax-prime-2010-three-day-passes-sold-out/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/11/psa-pax-prime-2010-three-day-passes-sold-out/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Update: Apparently, the PAX ticketing site was displaying the sold out message due to a glitch. Three-day badges are still available for $55 for the time being. We apologize for the confusion.

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Looking for a sign that you've been hesitating too long to register for PAX Prime? The event's stockpile of $55 three-day badges are now sold out, leaving only $35 single-day passes for all you slowpokes. If you're going, you better act fast -- these things have a tendency to sell like hotcakes.

Continue reading PAX Prime 2010 three-day passes still available [update: sell-out was a glitch]

JoystiqPAX Prime 2010 three-day passes still available [update: sell-out was a glitch] originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 11 Jul 2010 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eventspax-prime-2010penny-arcadepsasold-outticketsSun, 11 Jul 2010 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Greenhouse implementing InstantAction streaming tech]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/07/greenhouse-implementing-instantaction-streaming-tech/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/07/greenhouse-implementing-instantaction-streaming-tech/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/07/greenhouse-implementing-instantaction-streaming-tech/#commentsFiled under: , ,

InstantAction, which provides the neat embeddable player for games like The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition, has teamed up with Greenhouse, Penny-Arcade's indie digital distribution store.

The good news is that Greenhouse will employ InstantAction's streaming technology on its site, allowing you immediate access to selections from its catalog. "Indie devs think the same way we think about it," Penny-Arcade's Robert Khoo told Big Download, "which is that since they have the option to embed the games into pretty much anywhere, it's a win-win for everyone involved."

The bad news is that you'll have to ... wait for that immediate access. The Greenhouse site is currently down while the new InstantAction stuff is being implemented. Khoo said that it would be back up before PAX, which starts September 3.

JoystiqGreenhouse implementing InstantAction streaming tech originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 Jul 2010 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Digital-DistributionGreenhouseInstantActionpcPenny-ArcadeWed, 07 Jul 2010 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PAX Prime 2010 performers and exhibitors announced]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/28/pax-prime-2010-performers-and-exhibitors-announced/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/28/pax-prime-2010-performers-and-exhibitors-announced/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/28/pax-prime-2010-performers-and-exhibitors-announced/#commentsFiled under: , ,

PAX Prime, which is largely considered to be the O.G. of Penny Arcade Expos, doesn't kick off until the weekend of September 3, but that doesn't mean we can't start getting excited right now. A portion of the 70-strong exhibitor list has been released alongside the announcement of this year's musical acts -- a ledger (posted in full after the break) which leads us to the inevitable conclusion that PAX Prime 2010 might be the comic's largest gala to date.

PAX Prime's "bigger and better" convention hall will play host to big names like 2K Games, Capcom, EA, Microsoft, Nintendo and Ubisoft. The main stage will see a cadre of returning musical acts, including Anamanaguchi, Jonathan Coulton, MC Frontalot, Metroid Metal, The Minibosses, Paul and Storm and The Protomen.

Tickets are available now at $35 for single-day passes and $55 for three-day passes. Given the incredible speed with which tickets for PAX East sold out earlier this year, interested parties probably shouldn't hesitate to register.

Continue reading PAX Prime 2010 performers and exhibitors announced

JoystiqPAX Prime 2010 performers and exhibitors announced originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 28 Jun 2010 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>paxpax-prime-2010penny-arcadeseattleMon, 28 Jun 2010 22:00:00 EST