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[Weekly Webcomic Wrapup is naming a new console]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/18/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-naming-a-new-console/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/18/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-naming-a-new-console/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/18/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-naming-a-new-console/#comments This time around on the Webcomic Wrapup, we're trying to embrace the idea of a new console a little more than before. Considering Microsoft's big Xbox reveal is mere days away, it seems like a good time to have fun playing Fantasy Hardware Manufacturer.

So, this week's question is: If you were in charge of naming the console being unveiled on May 21, what would you call it? While you contemplate just how viable a system named "infinity" is, check out last week's webcomics and vote for your favorites after the break!

Increasingly Damn Late (Penny Arcade)
Card Captor Engie (Nerf Now)
A Berry Important Job (Awkward Zombie)
Nailed It (The Gamercat)
Why it won't be called Xbox Infinity (Another Videogame Webcomic)
The Sims Career Ladder (Dorkly)
Sonic Shredder (Angimoto)
Leave It to Weegee (Life in Aggro)

Continue reading Weekly Webcomic Wrapup is naming a new console

JoystiqWeekly Webcomic Wrapup is naming a new console originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 18 May 2013 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>webcomicSat, 18 May 2013 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Weekly Webcomic Wrapup loves BBQ wings]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/11/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-loves-bbq-wings/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/11/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-loves-bbq-wings/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/11/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-loves-bbq-wings/#comments We need to settle something, Wrapup readers. See, BBQ wings are amazing, right? Whether you're a huge fan of "my face is on fire" levels of heat or you just like a more mild, sweet BBQ sauce, as long as you're a meat-eater, you probably like wings. Wings are great.

Still, there are two groups of people that don't always mix: Those that prefer boneless wings and those that prefer wings with bones. We're not picky, we'll eat both, but let's just say that if a genie were to grant us a lifetime supply of boneless wings at the cost of eradicating wings that have bones for the rest of the world forever, we'd push that big red button in a heartbeat. This week's question: If you eat wings, do you prefer boneless or regular wings? While your stomach churns at the thought of a plateful of delicious finger food, check out last week's webcomics and vote for your favorite after the break!

The Young (Penny Arcade)
The Squeaky Wheel (Brawl in the Family)
Egg Roll (Awkward Zombie)
On the edge (Corpse Run)
True To Yourself (ReadySoup)
Exclusive (Ctrl+Alt+Del)

Continue reading Weekly Webcomic Wrapup loves BBQ wings

JoystiqWeekly Webcomic Wrapup loves BBQ wings originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 11 May 2013 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>webcomicSat, 11 May 2013 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Weekly Webcomic Wrapup is totally illogical]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/04/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-totally-illogical/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/04/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-totally-illogical/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/04/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-totally-illogical/#comments Recent Nerd Rage and Corpse Run comics brought up an interesting point about flawed logic in video games. There are some games that force you to accept their odd premises in order to forge ahead in their stories. In the case of these comics, not being able to combine items to solve puzzles in Zelda or using the work of young adventurers as the basis of a Pokemon professor's research seems questionable to their respective artists.

However, many of these games don't give us much of an opportunity to question their flaws; we just have to accept that these details don't always add up for the sake of the story as a whole. So, this week's question is: What are some of your favorite examples of flawed logic in games? While you ponder the more confusing aspects of gaming, be sure to check out last week's webcomics and vote for your favorite after the break!

Warning Shmorning (The Gamercat)
Thwarp (Brawl in the Family)
Street Fighter 2 (Blow the Cartridge)
Kenshiro (Manly Guys Doing Manly Things)
Worth his salt (As You're Up)
Citation Needed (Nerd Rage)
Ingenuity (Corpse Run)
Professor Layton (Angimoto)

Continue reading Weekly Webcomic Wrapup is totally illogical

JoystiqWeekly Webcomic Wrapup is totally illogical originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 04 May 2013 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>webcomicSat, 04 May 2013 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Weekly Webcomic Wrapup would eat a whole chicken off the ground]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/27/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-would-eat-a-whole-chicken-off-the-ground/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/27/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-would-eat-a-whole-chicken-off-the-ground/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/27/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-would-eat-a-whole-chicken-off-the-ground/#comments The Wrapup has been host to discussions on food before. None of us are hungry for burritos or frozen pizza today, right? Of course not!

Look, friends, we're pretty hungry right now. So hungry we could eat an entire chicken right off the ground, Mike Haggar-style. Speaking of our favorite Final Fight character, did anyone else find it odd when classic brawlers from games of old wouldn't think twice to eat the food they found on the ground?

Right now, it actually seems appealing, which should say something about how much we've had to eat today. While we walk to our kitchens to open our cupboards and stare at all the food we don't want to eat for the next hour, check out last week's webcomics and vote for your favorite after the break!

Oculus Loop (Virtual Shackles)
Link on the Wall (Brawl in the Family)
Microsoft's New Strategy (Dorkly)
Seems Fishy (Rare Candy Treatment)
More like Dad Space (Twitter: The Comic)
Bush League (ReadySoup)

Continue reading Weekly Webcomic Wrapup would eat a whole chicken off the ground

JoystiqWeekly Webcomic Wrapup would eat a whole chicken off the ground originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 27 Apr 2013 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>webcomicSat, 27 Apr 2013 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Weekly Webcomic Wrapup is hooked]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/20/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-hooked/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/20/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-hooked/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/20/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-hooked/#comments With the recent release of Out of the Park Baseball 14, I've found that my free time lately has been drastically cut. It's hard to explain how a baseball sim like OOTP 14 can be so cripplingly addictive. For some, it's a management program that might look just as boring as a Google Spreadsheet. To me, it's an incredible stats-riddled sports simulation game that delivers a fun coaching/GM experience.

Anyone that has played games in the NFL Head Coach, Front Office Football or Football Manager series knows what's up; these games are certainly unique, but provide hours of fun. While I go ahead and continue my 100-round player draft in OOTP 14, y'all should check out last week's webcomics and vote for your favorite after the break.

Cyberacrophobia (Virtual Shackles)
Ram For One More (Awkward Zombie)
Electric Sheep (Manly Guys Doing Manly Things)
Living the Life (The Gamercat)
My Immersion (KakuJomics)
Sonic at Sonic (Hoomph)
Okemon (Dorkly)
Smashing Pumpkins (Corpse Run)

Continue reading Weekly Webcomic Wrapup is hooked

JoystiqWeekly Webcomic Wrapup is hooked originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 20 Apr 2013 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>webcomicSat, 20 Apr 2013 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Weekly Webcomic Wrapup is adventurous]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/13/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-adventurous/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/13/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-adventurous/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/13/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-adventurous/#comments After recently completing Gemini Rue, I've been in the mood for more adventure games to digest. I grew up as a huge Space Quest fan, so a game with a hefty dose of humor sounded great. That's why I opted to play Day of the Tentacle. It's my first time playing the game, and I've been surprised at how a game as old as this 1993 LucasArts classic can consistently make me laugh.

Once I'm done with Day of the Tentacle, I'll certainly need a suggestion or two on what to play next. So, this week's question is: What's your favorite adventure game, and what's your favorite memory from that game? While you ponder your response, check out last week's webcomics and vote for your favorite after the break!

Kitchen Fire (Brawl in the Family)
Bogey Man (Life in Aggro)
Pacman's revenge (Safely Endangered)
Behind the DuckTales (Dorkly)
Flame Retardant Pants (ReadySoup)
Gaming: The Next Generation (Nerd Rage)

Continue reading Weekly Webcomic Wrapup is adventurous

JoystiqWeekly Webcomic Wrapup is adventurous originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 13 Apr 2013 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>webcomicSat, 13 Apr 2013 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Weekly Webcomic Wrapup is enjoying cheap pizza]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/06/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-enjoying-cheap-pizza/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/06/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-enjoying-cheap-pizza/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/06/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-enjoying-cheap-pizza/#comments Every once in a while (or in my case, roughly twice a week), I like to eat frozen pizza. We're not talking about upper-tier frozen goodness, often represented by the likes of Digiorno. I'm talking about really cheap pizza, the kind that doesn't always come with enough cheese. I know what I'm getting into with this sorry excuse for food, with potential heartburn and a case of low self-esteem as possible side-effects for my dining choice. I can live with that.

Still, I like to dress my pizza up when I can. Adding more cheese, veggies or pepperoni can go a long way in turning sub-par pizza into average, or dare I say, enjoyable pizza. I'm sure I'm not alone here, but if I am, I'll gladly accept cheap frozen pizza as a guilty pleasure of mine. I invite you to share your special recipes for dressing up frozen pizza, and while you wait for your oven to pre-heat, be sure to read last week's webcomics and vote for your favorite after the break!

B.Royale in the Family (Brawl in the Family)
Perennial (Penny Arcade)
Securing the Perimeter (Awkward Zombie)
Earthbound (Magical Game Time)
Amijok (Another Videogame Webcomic)
Honestly though (Owl Turd Comix)
Yoshi! (Dave the Direman)
Don't Drive in the Tall Grass (Nerd Rage)

Continue reading Weekly Webcomic Wrapup is enjoying cheap pizza

JoystiqWeekly Webcomic Wrapup is enjoying cheap pizza originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 06 Apr 2013 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>webcomicSat, 06 Apr 2013 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Weekly Webcomic Wrapup is still unpacking]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/30/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-still-unpacking/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/30/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-still-unpacking/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/30/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-still-unpacking/#comments It's been a long week. After spending last weekend in Boston at PAX East, a good chunk of the Joystiq crew flew to San Francisco to help y'all stay in the know on all the news from GDC. After a big trip like this, it's easy to come home (as long as your flight isn't delayed) and immediately crash on the nearest couch, falling into a deep sleep for the next week or so.

Rest assured, it's back to our regularly-scheduled programming here at Joystiq, but I'll be honest, I didn't attend GDC and still have a carry-on to unpack from PAX. I'm blaming Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate for that. So while we work on putting our stuff away, check out last week's webcomics and vote for your favorite after the break!

Pro Tipping (Awkward Zombie)
Big on the Internet (Virtual Shackles)
Personae (Penny Arcade)
Opposites (Brawl in the Family)
Kratos (Manly Guys Doing Manly Things)
Columbian Currency (Ready Soup)

Continue reading Weekly Webcomic Wrapup is still unpacking

JoystiqWeekly Webcomic Wrapup is still unpacking originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 30 Mar 2013 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>webcomicSat, 30 Mar 2013 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Weekly Webcomic Wrapup is just getting started]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/23/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-just-getting-started/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/23/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-just-getting-started/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/23/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-just-getting-started/#comments We're only two days into our week-long PAX East/GDC endurance challenge, which primarily involves the entire Joystiq Crew flying to opposite ends of the country to cover as much breaking gaming news as humanly possible, fueled by very little sleep and $20 convention center burgers.

This means two things. First off, it means that we've still got an entire week of jam packed event coverage coming your way, so if you think the last two days have been crazy, hold on to your butts. Secondly, it means that one or more of us will surely be dead by the time this is all over.

Don't worry though, our resurrection ship is within a couple jumps from here; we'll be just fine. Oh, you didn't know? Did you think it was a coincidence that there are 12 Joystiq Employees? While you recover from your totally blown minds, check out our favorite webcomics from last week, and vote for your favorite after the break.

Gourmet Rematch (Brawl in the Family)
Unforseen (Extra Life)
Breaking Bad Habits (Nerf Now!!)
Rezzed In Pieces (Awkward Zombie)
Oliver's Bizarre Adventure (Life in Aggro)
My contribution to Jordan Rosenberg's Ice Pokémon zine (Magical Game Time)
Console Yourself (Brentalfloss: The Comic)

Continue reading Weekly Webcomic Wrapup is just getting started

JoystiqWeekly Webcomic Wrapup is just getting started originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 23 Mar 2013 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>webcomicSat, 23 Mar 2013 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Weekly Webcomic Wrapup is heading to PAX]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/16/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-heading-to-pax/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/16/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-heading-to-pax/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/16/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-heading-to-pax/#comments Shameless plug alert: Those of you that are attending PAX East next week should make sure you have 3:30pm on Sunday, March 24 cleared on your calendars. Why is that? Well my panel, Sports Gaming in the Next Generation is scheduled for that day. Whether you care about sports games or not, I assure you one thing: it will be fun.

We hope to see you at PAX East. While you pack your bags, check out last week's webcomics and vote for your favorite after the break!

Operation Otter Storm (ReadySoup)
The mark of stupidity (Corpse Run)
PS4 Launch (Another Videogame Webcomic)
It Only Doesn't That (The Gamercat)
Know your Tropes (Virtual Shackles)
The Facts of Life (Brawl in the Family)
Apophenia (Penny Arcade)

Continue reading Weekly Webcomic Wrapup is heading to PAX

JoystiqWeekly Webcomic Wrapup is heading to PAX originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 16 Mar 2013 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>webcomicSat, 16 Mar 2013 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Weekly Webcomic Wrapup couldn't get the job done]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/09/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-couldnt-get-the-job-done/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/09/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-couldnt-get-the-job-done/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/09/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-couldnt-get-the-job-done/#comments As discussed in previous Webcomic Wrapups, I play in an online Madden 13 league with 31 other people. While the community side of things is quite fun, it's still a sports video game, which will always bring out the competitive side of players. Our seasons last roughly three months, so a campaign through an entire in-game year feels like quite an accomplishment for everyone involved.

Sadly, my season came to an end recently, as I lost in our league's Super Bowl this week. To be the runner-up has its own merits, but unlike other games, there's no "do-over." The clock hit zero, and I was declared the loser. That means my next chance at a second championship in this multi-year league could land in June, if I make it that deep in the playoffs again.

All things considered, playing in any online sports gaming league with friends is quite the commitment, and is certainly the biggest one I've made. So this week's wrapup question is: What's the greatest gaming commitment you've ever made and completed? While you share your thoughts in the comments section below, check out last week's comics and vote for your favorite after the break!

The descent (Corpse Run)
King of the Pirates (Ready Soup)
The Redcoats Want To Fight (Nerd Rage)
Date of Birth (Fanboys)
Raiden (Manly Guys Doing Manly Things)
Disastrous Thought (Extra Life)
Pursuit of Perfection (Virtual Shackles)
Seven Deadly Sims (Penny Arcade)

Continue reading Weekly Webcomic Wrapup couldn't get the job done

JoystiqWeekly Webcomic Wrapup couldn't get the job done originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 09 Mar 2013 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>webcomicSat, 09 Mar 2013 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Weekly Webcomic Wrapup is holding the great cereal draft]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/02/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-holding-the-great-cereal-draft/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/02/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-holding-the-great-cereal-draft/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/02/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-holding-the-great-cereal-draft/#comments Sports fans will agree that drafts are exciting. The NFL Draft, as an example, is a highly-celebrated event in which college football athletes see their dreams come true by being granted a chance at a career as a pro. The concept of holding a draft is fun in itself. Drafting players to a fantasy football or baseball team is one of the most exciting moments of the entire fantasy sports season.

One of the best party conversations you can have with a group of friends is a made-up draft using any topic. Our favorite is The Great Cereal Draft, in which you're a lunatic if you don't take Cinnamon Life with the first overall pick (because it's clearly the best cereal ever made). Let the debates begin as to how low you could draft Apple Jacks. Our guess is the third round, after Golden Grahams are off the board. While you set your cereal draft boards, check out last week's webcomics and vote for your favorites after the break!

PokeChex (Ready Soup)
Chords of Steel (Corpse Run)
Cut and Take (Nerd Rage)
You all think this way too (Angimoto)
Friends 'Til the End (Dorkly)
Sound, the Alarm (Awkward Zombie)
You lied to me (Extra Life)
Microtribulations (Penny Arcade)

Continue reading Weekly Webcomic Wrapup is holding the great cereal draft

JoystiqWeekly Webcomic Wrapup is holding the great cereal draft originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 02 Mar 2013 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>webcomicSat, 02 Mar 2013 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Weekly Webcomic Wrapup isn't ready for the PS4]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/23/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-isnt-ready-for-the-ps4/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/23/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-isnt-ready-for-the-ps4/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/23/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-isnt-ready-for-the-ps4/#comments It was inevitable that at least one webcomic featured this week would be about the PlayStation 4. It's great to have new hardware to be excited about. Still, something isn't sitting right, and it's the idea of actually buying a new console to replace my Xbox 360 and PS3. There's a part of me that certainly wants the shiny new toy, but I'm quite satisfied with the media offerings my Xbox provides that I can't fathom getting new hardware.

Share your thoughts in the comments below, responding to this week's question: Are you ready for a new next-gen console? While contemplating that, check out last week's webcomics and vote for your favorite after the break!

Two can play (Safely Endangered)
Easiest path (Magical Game Time)
Hitting the Links (Brawl in the Family)
Augurism (Penny Arcade)
It is Unavoidable (Virtual Shackles)

Continue reading Weekly Webcomic Wrapup isn't ready for the PS4

JoystiqWeekly Webcomic Wrapup isn't ready for the PS4 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 23 Feb 2013 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>webcomicSat, 23 Feb 2013 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Weekly Webcomic Wrapup is failing]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/16/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-failing/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/16/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-failing/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/16/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-failing/#comments It's mid-February, and I have a confession: I'm failing at my own Four in February challenge. That's right, I've yet to complete a single game of the four I picked for the month. To be fair, it turned out to be a busier month than I anticipated, but that's not why I've found failure in my quest to beat four games.

Rather, I blame it entirely on Assassin's Creed. I just can't play this game anymore, so I'm moving on to something much more fun: Portal 2. Fill us in on your #4iF achievements, then check out last week's webcomics and vote for your favorite after the break!

Dope 'Em If You Got 'Em (Nerd Rage)
Videogame franchises are your family (Dorkly)
Let down easy cards (GG-Guys)
Semiotic Effrontery (Virtual Shackles)
The Secret (Brawl in the Family)

Continue reading Weekly Webcomic Wrapup is failing

JoystiqWeekly Webcomic Wrapup is failing originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 16 Feb 2013 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>webcomicSat, 16 Feb 2013 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Weekly Webcomic Wrapup is eating burritos]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/09/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-eating-burritos/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/09/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-eating-burritos/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/09/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-eating-burritos/#comments Weekly Webcomic Wrapup is eating burritosWe weren't sure if you could tell, but we've really been into burritos today. You see, burritos are delicious. We'll take a steamed flour tortilla filled with lord-knows-what any day of the week. Are these black beans? Some kind of cheesy sauce? Fantastic. We'll have another.

Be sure to grab a burrito and settle into last week's webcomics, then vote for your favorite after the break!

Holy crap, relax (Domics)
Maturity (Dave the Direman)
Devil May Cry (Another video Game Webcomic)
Pick Your Starter (Dorkly)
The Enthusiast (Virtual Shackles)
Age of Majority (Penny Arcade)
Benign Tragedy (Brawl in the Family)

Continue reading Weekly Webcomic Wrapup is eating burritos

JoystiqWeekly Webcomic Wrapup is eating burritos originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 09 Feb 2013 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>burritowebcomicSat, 09 Feb 2013 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Weekly Webcomic Wrapup is ready for the big game]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/02/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-ready-for-the-big-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/02/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-ready-for-the-big-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/02/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-ready-for-the-big-game/#comments One of my favorite, though somewhat absurd things in all of sports is that phrases such as "Super Bowl" and "March Madness" are trademarked. That means any commercial use of these specific terms in reference to the sporting events need to be authorized by the trademark holder, typically at a steep cost. In the case of this weekend's big event, that's the National Football League. When it comes to official licensing and trademarks, this also means big bucks for the NFL when giving advertisers and merchandise designers the approval to use official terms and logos.

So, advertisers often do their best to skirt the process and added budget, leading to a number of commercials that refer to "the big game," or "Super Sunday." Personally, I laugh at the terms every time, hoping that eventually a commercial will feature a late-20's male with a taste for cheap alcohol, wearing a plain, numbered t-shirt in the same colors as one of the teams in "the big game" that would turn to the camera and say the generic term with such conviction that it would break every fourth wall in the world.

While you prepare yourself for the big game this Sunday and lay down your predictions in the comments section, be sure to read last week's webcomics and vote for your favorite after the break!

Pawn system (Manly Guys Doing Manly Things)
We Can Help (Penny Arcade)
Marrow Escape (Kaku Jomics)
Ni No Nougat (ReadySoup)
Disaster in Sinnoh (Dorkly)
Gut Reaction (Awkward Zombie)
Bust a Graph in Yo' Ass (Virtual Shackles)
Starters (Brawl in the Family)

Continue reading Weekly Webcomic Wrapup is ready for the big game

JoystiqWeekly Webcomic Wrapup is ready for the big game originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 02 Feb 2013 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>the-big-gamewebcomicSat, 02 Feb 2013 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Weekly Webcomic Wrapup is picking four games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/26/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-picking-four-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/26/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-picking-four-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/26/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-picking-four-games/#comments If you've read the Webcomic Wrapup in the past, you should know about Four in February. In short: I'm challenging myself (and anyone else interested) to beat four games in the month of February in an attempt to cut away at the ever-growing backlog of games I've yet to touch.

Since this post has to be about something, I may as well share the four games I'm going to beat next month. They are: Assassin's Creed, Assassin's Creed 2, Assassin's Creed 3 and Portal 2. When I hear the term "pile of shame," the Assassin's Creed series and Portal 2 specifically come to mind, because I'm quite ashamed that I've yet to complete them. For the purposes of the #4iF exercise, I'll start with new save files for every game, too.

Share your four games of choice for the month of February in the comments below. Meanwhile, be sure to check out last week's webcomics and vote for your favorite after the break!

Counterattack (Domics)
Give peace a chance (Corpse Run)
Kicking Back (Fanboys)
A Tale of Two Gamers (Dorkly)
Riddling Romance (Hejibits)
Weeee-Yooouuuu (GG-Guys)
Democracy Enslaves Humanity (Virtual Shackles)
Chest Intentions (Penny Arcade)

Continue reading Weekly Webcomic Wrapup is picking four games

JoystiqWeekly Webcomic Wrapup is picking four games originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 26 Jan 2013 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>webcomicSat, 26 Jan 2013 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Weekly Webcomic Wrapup is on a bye]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/19/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-on-a-bye/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/19/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-on-a-bye/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/19/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-on-a-bye/#comments If you're a football fan devoted to one team like I am, you know that bye weeks suck. It's the one week every season in which I don't get to see my beloved Packers play. With championship weekend upon us in the NFL, that dreaded "no more football" feeling is now wreaking havoc on my brain, filling me with the terror of losing my favorite sport for the next few months. I know other fans feel the same.

To fill that void, I play in a full 32-player online league in Madden NFL 13. Easily the dorkiest thing I do, it draws many similarities to one of my favorite gaming genres, RPGs. Sure, this sort of thing has been talked about plenty of times before, even in using Madden as a recent example, but this week's Penny Arcade comic hits home at the cross-section of sports fans and gamers. The center space of that Venn diagram is bigger than some would care to think.

To be clear, I'm mulling over this topic primarily because I'm in my bye week in said Madden league. Oh, the horrors. If you're as sad about the impending loss of football as I am, I encourage you to check out last week's webcomics, then vote for your favorite after the break!

He Hungers (ReadySoup)
FTL (Dave the Direman)
A Lifetime of Achievements (Dorkly)
Trunk Space (Awkward Zombie)
Generation Gap (Virtual Shackles)
Charades (Extra Life)
Sportz (Penny Arcade)

Continue reading Weekly Webcomic Wrapup is on a bye

JoystiqWeekly Webcomic Wrapup is on a bye originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 19 Jan 2013 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>webcomicSat, 19 Jan 2013 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Weekly Webcomic Wrapup is tortured]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/12/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-tortured/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/12/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-tortured/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/12/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-tortured/#comments You'll notice a new comic at the top of our list this week, and it's about my latest addiction, FTL: Faster Than Light. In preparation for Four in February (while we're at it, let's use the hashtag #4iF on Twitter for this!), I've been opting to play pretty much one game for the last week or two without stopping.

Like The Broctopus implied in its comic, I find FTL to be borderline torturous. Having an excellent ship and crew only to see it all completely wiped out at the drop of a hat is infuriating, but I can't stop playing it. I've had friends describe Dark Souls and Demon's Souls in the same way, in that those games prove to be difficult while also unbearably addicting.

So, this week's Wrapup question is just that: What's your painfully difficult gaming addiction? While you come to terms with the way you've been treating your brain and/or thumbs, check out last week's webcomics and vote for your favorite after the break!

Faster Than (The Broctopus)
Stumped (Corpse Run)
Terrible (Drawing Nothing)
Walking in the Rain (Fanboys)
Sonic Legs (Sketchamagowza)
Trivia Theft (Hejibits)
Iconography (Penny Arcade)
Slepyng Hound (Virtual Shackles)

Continue reading Weekly Webcomic Wrapup is tortured

JoystiqWeekly Webcomic Wrapup is tortured originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 12 Jan 2013 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>webcomicSat, 12 Jan 2013 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Weekly Webcomic Wrapup is completely full of soup]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/05/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-completely-full-of-soup/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/05/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-completely-full-of-soup/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/05/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-completely-full-of-soup/#comments I don't know if any of y'all have noticed or not, but it's pretty much unbearably cold no matter where you are in the entire universe right now. It got up to a balmy 50 degrees today, which is the warmest it's been in the last couple of weeks. I ran around outside for a while, basking in the relative warmth and sunshine, and after getting home from being bailed out of jail for being arrested for public exposure, I was really starting to miss Texas' 80 degree falls.

The strongest, most effective way to combat both cabin fever and seasonable affective disorder is through the consumption of regional soups, which in my case translates to chicken tortilla soup. I can't share the secret family recipe with you guys, obviously, but I can tell you that it involves Velveeta and a bit more opossum than you might expect.

While we all huddle together for warmth, desperately clinging to life and the fires that burn in our hearts, check out our favorite webcomics from last week. Don't forget to vote for your favorite after the break, and feel free to share any soup recipes you may have in the comments. We're all in this together.

Space Race (Awkward Zombie)
It all depends on what you mean by "best"! (Dinosaur Comics)
Conglaturation! (VG Cats)
Puzzling Peril (Hejibits)
Luftballon (Life In Aggro)
Tiick Tock (Brentalfloss: The Comic)
Tomb Jiggler (The Gamer Cat)

Continue reading Weekly Webcomic Wrapup is completely full of soup

JoystiqWeekly Webcomic Wrapup is completely full of soup originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 05 Jan 2013 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>webcomicSat, 05 Jan 2013 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Weekly Webcomic Wrapup is staying inside]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/29/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-staying-inside/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/29/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-staying-inside/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/29/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-staying-inside/#comments Depending on where you live, we're in the midst of the cold months. This is a prime opportunity for most of us to go play in the snow stay inside and play video games. Which is why today's Weekly Webcomic Wrapup Question of the Week (we're work-shopping the name) is: What's your "it's super cold out so I'm going to stay inside and cuddle up with this game" game?

For me, a classic PS1-era JRPG such as Star Ocean: The Second Story provides warmth and escape from the elements like no other. Even if my backlog is outrageous, it's hard to turn away from my "cuddle-up" RPGs of choice this time of year (which is why we have Four in February, people). While you contemplate your preferred cuddle-up game, check out last week's webcomics below and vote for your favorite after the break!

Crunch Time (Corpse Run)
GOTY (Dave the Direman)
Mad Santa (Blaster Nation)
Dat Shroud (Penny Arcade)
Outlook Oust (Hejibits)
One Month Every Year (Fanboys)
Development Hell (Nerf Now!!)

Continue reading Weekly Webcomic Wrapup is staying inside

JoystiqWeekly Webcomic Wrapup is staying inside originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 29 Dec 2012 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>webcomicSat, 29 Dec 2012 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Weekly Webcomic Wrapup is not festive enough]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/22/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-not-festive-enough/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/22/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-not-festive-enough/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/22/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-not-festive-enough/#comments With Christmas only a few days away, some folks look forward to holiday-themed music disappearing from radio stations for the year, or not seeing hundreds of holiday movie specials on TV. Sure, up until the holidays there are millions of people that seek out this festive entertainment to get into the spirit of the season.

But what about gamers? I have troubles coming up with a sizable list of games to play during these wintery months. Often, it boils down to late December being the season of playing-whatever-you-get-as-a-gift, or for some it's a moment when players can dig deep into their backlog (though that's what Four in February is for). What if you want to play something festive that gets you in the spirit of the season?

While you help me put a list together, check out last week's webcomics and vote for your favorite after the break!

A Very Mario Christmas (Dorkly)
Street Fighter X Mega Man (Another Video Game Webcomic)
Size Matters (Legacy Control)
Based on a true story (Manly Guys Doing Manly Things)
What Billy wants... (Extra Life)
A Comic (Penny Arcade)
Luigi's Holiday Vacation (Brawl in the Family)

Continue reading Weekly Webcomic Wrapup is not festive enough

JoystiqWeekly Webcomic Wrapup is not festive enough originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 22 Dec 2012 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>webcomicSat, 22 Dec 2012 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Weekly Webcomic Wrapup is always saving the day]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/15/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-always-saving-the-day/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/15/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-always-saving-the-day/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/15/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-always-saving-the-day/#comments When I was in high school, a friend of mine asked a surprisingly thought-provoking question about the "larger-than-life" kind of dreams he tended to have: Why did he not go home and "just kind of hang out" at the end of his dreams?

While my friend's thought doesn't make sense in retrospect, the fundamental idea recently came up when thinking about video games. Games are often grand, important adventures in which players guide the protagonist so that they will "save the day." Sure, games like Heavy Rain introduce interactive, albeit mundane and arguably trivial tasks like brushing your character's teeth. Not being tasked with saving the world isn't a new concept by any means, but one might begin to wonder if being a large-scale hero is the starting point players have come to expect.

That's why we should be happy for webcomics like the ones you should totally read below, and then vote for your favorite after the break. They usually celebrate the small stuff in games!

Super 16 Candles (ReadySoup)
Everyone Loses (Drawing Nothing)
Mega Man 25th Anniversary (Dave the Direman)
PSA (Manly Guys Doing Manly Things)
Thanks, Mom! (Magical Game Time)
Timber (Legacy Control)
Where Legendary Pokemon Come From (Dorkly)
Scatamancy (Virtual Shackles)

Continue reading Weekly Webcomic Wrapup is always saving the day

JoystiqWeekly Webcomic Wrapup is always saving the day originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 15 Dec 2012 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>webcomicSat, 15 Dec 2012 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Weekly Webcomic Wrapup is rewarding]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/08/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-rewarding/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/08/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-rewarding/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/08/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-rewarding/#comments With the VGAs airing last night, it certainly feels like that time of year, the time in which we reflect back on the year in video games and dole out honors for the best the industry had to offer. While we'll certainly have our own Game of the Year discussions in the coming weeks, it's nice to think about the purpose such awards have in the community.

I'd argue that it's not only a wonderful opportunity to reward developers for their efforts in delivering players their expressive work, but it's also a chance for players to participate in a conversation about what matters most to them in video games. When the VGA for Game of the Year went to Telltale for The Walking Dead episodic series last night, one might argue that it said plenty about the importance of narrative-driven games. One might also say that it indicates the waning importance of the best game of the year's presence on retail shelves instead of hard drives (even if that will change in a matter of days).

To me, these are the sorts of dialogues that should be opened up as we debate our end-of-the-year lists. As you mull over your personal GOTY consideration, I encourage you to take a look back at last week's webcomics, then vote for your favorite after the break!

Nintendo + Internet = Facefist (Dave the Direman)
Guardian Units of Nations (Drawing Nothing)
Evil Meetup (Legacy Control)
Assassin's Creed 3 (Another Video Game Webcomic)
The Most Dangerous Gamer (Dorkly)
Helmet Hair (Ready Soup)
Inverse Traditionality (Penny Arcade)
In retrospect (Extra Life)

Continue reading Weekly Webcomic Wrapup is rewarding

JoystiqWeekly Webcomic Wrapup is rewarding originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 08 Dec 2012 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>webcomicSat, 08 Dec 2012 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[ZombiU tie-in webcomic comes to a colorful but grisly end]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/03/zombiu-tie-in-webcomic-comes-to-a-colorful-but-grisly-end/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/03/zombiu-tie-in-webcomic-comes-to-a-colorful-but-grisly-end/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/03/zombiu-tie-in-webcomic-comes-to-a-colorful-but-grisly-end/#comments ZombiU tiein webcomic comes to a colorful but grizzly endZ-14, a webcomic based on Ubisoft's ZombiU, is now online in its entirety. The official tie-in was being posted in daily episodes, and came to a full-color end on November 30 to coincide with the game's European launch.

The comic dances around various plots developing in an undead-crammed London, even hopping to 16th century France in spells. While the subject matter is unsurprisingly grim, we rather enjoyed seeing a GamePad - sorry, a 'Prepper Pad' - being stuck into someone's utility belt. We'd like to see that taken to its natural cosplay conclusion, please.

JoystiqZombiU tie-in webcomic comes to a colorful but grisly end originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 03 Dec 2012 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>nintendoubisoftwebcomicwii-uzombiuMon, 03 Dec 2012 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Weekly Webcomic Wrapup is doing it wrong]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/01/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-doing-it-wrong/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/01/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-doing-it-wrong/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/01/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-doing-it-wrong/#comments Looking at webcomics every week, I notice how often old, or "retro" games are depicted. You can anticipate a new Pokemon, Zelda or Mario comic nearly every week. Knowing how interesting and funny some of them turn out, I really have no problem with it. What stands out are the comics that point out problems with today's hottest games.

No, I don't think the artists are "doing it wrong" by complaining about modern games, but when topics such as premium content and microtransactions are an important part of gaming culture, it makes you wonder about the ways the industry has changed through the years. Some of those changes are for the better; no one should have any issues with excellent episodic-style game releases or free downloadable add-ons for their favorite games. Others are met with constant debates. Could some publishers simply be doing it wrong?

When I look at the weekly Mario-themed comics now, I realize that some players might be yearning for simpler times. Who could be faulted for that? I encourage you to check out last week's webcomics and vote for your favorite after the break!

Mario babies (Extra Fabulous Comics)
It's Thinking (Nerd Rage)
Hiiiiya! (Corpse Run)
Meryl and Snake (Legacy Control)
Call of Duty: The Ultimate Pointstreak (Dorkly)
Butt Stallion (Manly Guys Doing Manly Things)
Mindcraft (Penny Arcade)
Hints from the Miiverse (Brawl in the Family)

Continue reading Weekly Webcomic Wrapup is doing it wrong

JoystiqWeekly Webcomic Wrapup is doing it wrong originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 01 Dec 2012 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>webcomicSat, 01 Dec 2012 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Weekly Webcomic Wrapup is a shopaholic]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/24/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-a-shopaholic/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/24/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-a-shopaholic/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/24/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-a-shopaholic/#comments The holiday season tends to include some of the biggest sales and releases of the year for video games. Many deals on games are so attractive at this time of year that it's near impossible to make it through December without spending oodles of money on yourself.

As we've discussed before, this is a huge problem for those of us that are still trying to work through piles of games from years past. Even the knowledge that a game on sale right now will be even cheaper in the future doesn't do much to stop the urge to buy it immediately. That's okay, as long as you actually play those games at some point, which often takes some extra motivation.

So based on Joystiq reader jeepgun's suggestion from two weeks ago, we're making February our new "beat four games" month. "Four in February" has a nice ring to it, but we're open to suggestions on what we'll call this momentous time in which we'll all finally play through our gaming backlog. While mulling over the name of this event, take a gander at last week's webcomics and vote for your favorite after the break!

Why (Drawing Nothing)
Deathcam for Cutie (Legacy Control)
The fun never ends (Corpse Run Comics)
Passin the torch (Fanboys)
First (Penny Arcade)

Continue reading Weekly Webcomic Wrapup is a shopaholic

JoystiqWeekly Webcomic Wrapup is a shopaholic originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 24 Nov 2012 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>webcomicSat, 24 Nov 2012 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Weekly Webcomic Wrapup is gonna wreck it]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/17/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-gonna-wreck-it/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/17/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-gonna-wreck-it/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/17/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-gonna-wreck-it/#comments Disney's Wreck-It Ralph is a must-watch movie. One thing that really stood out when viewing it recently wasn't just the cute video game references, it was the arcade in the movie.

Arcade culture has been somewhat lost over the years. Sure, arcades in various forms still exist, but the days of setting our quarters down to call the next game of Double Dragon or NBA Jam are long gone. Seeing kids in Wreck-It Ralph bouncing around the arcade to check out each machine with a sort of glossy-eyed wonder does well to make you yearn for those days in the local arcade, trying to get your name on the local leaderboards.

Even the term "arcade" has taken on new meaning in video games, being used now to describe bite-sized downloadable games as opposed to coin-operated dedicated game machines. It's a fair, albeit somewhat depressing use of the term. While nostalgia-tripping with us, check out last week's webcomics and vote for your favorite after the break!

Chibi-Robo (Magical Game Time)
Fantasy attire (Corpse Run)
Succomb (Fanboys)
Nintendo Land (Brawl in the Family)
Sundance On Your Grave (Penny Arcade)
Twiddle Earth (Extra Life)
Bad Dog (Nerf Now!!)
Sliding Scale (Awkward Zombie)

Continue reading Weekly Webcomic Wrapup is gonna wreck it

JoystiqWeekly Webcomic Wrapup is gonna wreck it originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 17 Nov 2012 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>webcomicSat, 17 Nov 2012 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Weekly Webcomic Wrapup is boring]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/10/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-boring/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/10/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-boring/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/10/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-boring/#comments When you're short on time and have an enormous, stinky backlog of games to catch up on (hello, Fallout 3), do you find yourself going back to the same games over and over again? I do, and while I love Minecraft to death, I have no reason to play it as much as I have been lately. Ultimately, I'm boring.

It takes a special kind of motivating force to keep me away from my go-to games and actually put a new disc in my consoles. Even as a kid, I found myself staring at my game boxes for hours (yes, actual hours), trying to determine which game I should play. A confession: I rarely play the games I claim I'll play in our weekly WRUP features. That's because I'm boring, and I'm betting you're boring too.

That's why we need to collectively agree on declaring an official "Beat Four Games Month," readers. If folks can decide to grow a mustache together in one month, we can agree to make a dent in our backlogs in one month as well. While you help decide which month we should shoot for, take a gander at last week's webcomics and vote for your favorite after the break!

Assassin 'N' Seek (Legacy Control)
Mario's Nightmare (Dorkly)
Lost in Translation (Fanboys)
The Queue (Penny Arcade)
Historically Correct (Virtual Shackles)
Sticker Shortage (Brawl in the Family)

Continue reading Weekly Webcomic Wrapup is boring

JoystiqWeekly Webcomic Wrapup is boring originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 10 Nov 2012 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>webcomicSat, 10 Nov 2012 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Weekly Webcomic Wrapup is all angry about stuff]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/03/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-all-angry-about-stuff/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/03/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-all-angry-about-stuff/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/03/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-all-angry-about-stuff/#comments In one week's time, Disney acquired Lucasfilm and announced Star Wars Episode 7, and Halo 4 approached its impending release date. Non-fans of either series, sadly, might take to generally mean-spirited quips about either piece of news.

The fact is, super fans of either major sci-fi franchise deserve to be thrilled. Frankly, there is a clear-cut difference between merely discussing a brand of entertainment and seemingly ruining it for others. I find that those lines get depressingly blurred when these amazing moments in pop culture arrive.

As a reminder: It's totally okay to enjoy things. It's also equally okay to not enjoy things. Let's remember both sides of it, and all be friends, not "fun-ruiners." While we group hug, snag a glimpse at last week's webcomics, then vote for your favorites after the break!

Dumb Times Fifty (Loldwell)
President Evil (Angimoto)
Crash and Burn (Nerd Rage)
FanFact (Fanboys)
Wrecked By Ralph (Dorkly)
Psy Man (Virtual Shackles)
Assassin's Steed (Penny Arcade)

Continue reading Weekly Webcomic Wrapup is all angry about stuff

JoystiqWeekly Webcomic Wrapup is all angry about stuff originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 03 Nov 2012 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>webcomicSat, 03 Nov 2012 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Weekly Webcomic Wrapup is in costume]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/27/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-in-costume/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/27/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-in-costume/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/27/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-in-costume/#comments It shouldn't come as a surprise that everything seems to be Halloween-themed these days. With the spooky holiday upon us, let's reflect on some of our favorite scary games and hilarious gaming-related Halloween costumes.

... Ahh. It's fun to think back fondly on the memories, isn't it? Feel free to share your favorite spook-tacular games and (safe for work) costumes in the comments below while we continue to reflect quietly. Be sure to check out last week's webcomics, then vote for your favorite after the break while you compile your list!

Faster than Pie (Life in Aggro)
Elections (Manly Guys Doing Manly Things)
Dark Versions (Brawl in the Family)
Omega 13 (Virtual Shackles)
Spyrim (Angimoto)
History Lesson (Dave the Direman)
Videogame-o-Lanterns (Dorkly)
Gambling Problem (Awkward Zombie)

Continue reading Weekly Webcomic Wrapup is in costume

JoystiqWeekly Webcomic Wrapup is in costume originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 27 Oct 2012 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>halloweenwebcomicSat, 27 Oct 2012 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Weekly Webcomic Wrapup is rebellious]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/20/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-rebellious/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/20/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-rebellious/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/20/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-rebellious/#comments

Rules were meant to be broken. At least, that's what many games over the years would have you think. I couldn't tell you the number of times I've heard people say they play video games because they're allowed to do things they "can't do in real life," including breaking all the rules.

The Grand Theft Auto series comes to mind as a clear example where gameplay revolves around breaking laws (the series is named after a criminal act, after all). Not killing people and petty theft are both pretty big rules in life, which are broken by thousands of video games. It actually becomes markedly difficult to pinpoint a handful of games that never have players sticking to any rules or laws presented to them in an obvious way. Sure, more obscure games that don't mimic everyday life have players bound to the rules of the game. Players are incredibly confined in how they stack shapes in Tetris.

Those sorts of games aside, it's worth wondering if some video games stick to the "rule-breaker" mentality a little too much. Although, games that don't offer an opportunity to be a rebel in one way or another might suffer from being too boring to be noteworthy. Either way, we encourage you to stick to one rule: Read last week's webcomics and then vote for your favorite after the break. Fall in line!

It happens (Omo-Cat)
Costume Quest (Magical Game Time)
Boo Who (Legacy Control)
Dishonored: Too Many Herrings (Dorkly)
Pain in the ass (Nerf Now!!)
Granularity (Penny Arcade)

Continue reading Weekly Webcomic Wrapup is rebellious

JoystiqWeekly Webcomic Wrapup is rebellious originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 20 Oct 2012 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>webcomicSat, 20 Oct 2012 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Weekly Webcomic Wrapup must capture all of them]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/13/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-must-capture-all-of-them/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/13/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-must-capture-all-of-them/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/13/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-must-capture-all-of-them/#comments Now that Pokemon Black and White 2 are out, I'm finally wrapping up Pokemon White this week. As indicated by a number of this week's webcomics, Pokemon games have a way of remaining relevant regardless of how tired some get of its tried-and-true formula. Sure, each game offers pieces of new material. New Pokemon come in droves, but the basic structure of the games hardly change with subsequent additions in the series. They remain fun and addicting, the way Pokemon games seemingly should be.

If I had to pick one improvement I'd like to see made in future Pokemon games, it's item and Pokemon management. I grow tired of logging on to a computer in the game, being forced to read the same canned text, and selecting a half-dozen sub-menus to find and move all my Pokemon around in boxes. You'd think after a few generations of games (and operating systems, for that matter), Pokemon and item management would feel less clunky. Oh, to dream. Well, if item management talk bores you, I encourage you to dive into last week's webcomics and vote for your favorites after the break!

Ba-Zynga! (Dave the Direman)
Shy Guy x Boo (Hildergan)
Videogame Consoles Are Your Teachers (Dorkly)
Gotta Eat 'Em All (Loldwell)
Lost in Face (Life in Aggro)
Clock Tower (Magical Game Time)
Jambalaya (Penny Arcade)

Continue reading Weekly Webcomic Wrapup must capture all of them

JoystiqWeekly Webcomic Wrapup must capture all of them originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 13 Oct 2012 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>webcomicSat, 13 Oct 2012 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Weekly Webcomic Wrapup is overrated]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/06/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-overrated/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/06/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-overrated/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/06/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-overrated/#comments Every week, I try to provide something even remotely interesting to read in the Webcomic Wrapup. Sometimes the body of these posts are entertaining, and sometimes (read: often) they aren't. The problem here is that I'm fresh out of ideas. That's why my topic this week will interest roughly four of you: skill ratings in sports games.

It's no surprise that as a crazy football fan and member of a 32-team online league, I play Madden NFL 13 regularly. In a gaming community atmosphere like an online league, players tend to gather around and talk trades, pitting their linebackers and safeties against one another using dozens of skill ratings from the game. Simulation-style sports games all have these ratings, some of which have little tangible meaning due to essentially being legacy code carried through the years of a series' development.

The fascinating thing for me is just how little most people understand these ratings. Even tips videos produced by EA Sports Game Changers and partners are often based on pure observations, not the development team themselves. Madden "Ratings Czar" Donny Moore has said little about the mysterious skill ratings and how some of the more vague ones actually affect the actions of players on the field, such as the awareness rating.

The result, in a community and league-style environment, is almost more exciting when players put their trust in their own observations about skill ratings, especially when wheeling and dealing to improve their team. If you're still awake after these boring few paragraphs, be sure to check out last week's webcomics and vote for your favorite after the break!

Gaming, Through Life (Dorkly)
Closing the Woop (Manly Guys Doing Manly Things)
Chomp (Legacy Control)
Gyroism (Penny Arcade)
The Very Best (Virtual Shackles)
Accepting who you are (Extra Life)

Continue reading Weekly Webcomic Wrapup is overrated

JoystiqWeekly Webcomic Wrapup is overrated originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 06 Oct 2012 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>webcomicSat, 06 Oct 2012 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Weekly Webcomic Wrapup is looking for suggestions]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/29/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-looking-for-suggestions/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/29/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-looking-for-suggestions/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/29/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-looking-for-suggestions/#comments

Friends, I now own an iPhone. No, not one of those fancy iPhone 5 devices. I recently picked up a now-discounted iPhone 4S, and it's the first Apple product I've ever owned.

For years, I was one of those types that made a point to not "follow the masses," a non-conforming conformist, if you will. My last smartphone, which I squeezed every ounce of strength out of, was a Motorola Droid X. Before that, I had a Palm Pre (I loved that phone). No way would I get an Apple phone. Until this week.

Wait, what is this, Engadget? No, my point is that I'm thrilled to dive in to the world of iOS apps and find out some of the differences between games released on that platform versus the likes of Android. And I can't wait to dig my claws into any iOS-exclusive games that are out there. I've played many mobile games before, so aside from the obvious, I'd love to hear some suggestions from readers like you. If only I knew about some website that offered a column about downloadable games that can be played on the go, right?

So while you cook up some meaty suggestions on games I should attack on my iPhone, take a gander at last week's webcomics, and then vote for your favorite after the break! Also, yes, I've heard of Angry Birds.

Arctic Combat (GG-Guys)
Steam Down (Nerf Now!!)
Extra Credit (Awkward Zombie)
Tails (Brawl in the Family)
The Coming Aparkalypse (Penny Arcade)
Geological Profiling (Virtual Shackles)

Continue reading Weekly Webcomic Wrapup is looking for suggestions

JoystiqWeekly Webcomic Wrapup is looking for suggestions originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 29 Sep 2012 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>webcomicSat, 29 Sep 2012 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Weekly Webcomic Wrapup is waiting in line]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/22/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-waiting-in-line/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/22/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-waiting-in-line/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/22/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-waiting-in-line/#comments

This week, Apple released the iPhone 5. It's become a sort of cultural expectation that people will wait in line for hours to buy a new Apple device on launch day. Game consoles have shared in the phenomenon, as Nintendo's Wii system couldn't stay on retail shelves for years.

Wii U pre-orders rocked online retailers as well this week, to the point that GameStop started up a wait list for those looking to buy the system. Is this a matter of high demand or low production on Nintendo's behalf? That's hard to answer without reliable sales figures. Could Nintendo take after Apple with its upcoming home console, seeing people line up for hours this holiday season to scoop up the Wii U? All signs point to "yes" on that one.

For me, I fear that if I don't get a Wii U this holiday season due to my personal disinterest in the launch lineup, there's a looming possibility that this is my only reasonable shot at owning the system until the 2013 holiday season. For once, I feel I can empathize with Apple devotees that feel as though they can't wait another day for the next iPhone. So while you're waiting in line today, whether it's to pick up your new iPhone 5 or to buy your groceries, check out last week's webcomics and vote for your favorite after the break!

Zynga Plagiarism (Dave the Direman)
Link's On His Way (Dorkly)
Gengar (Angimoto)
NiGHTS (Magical Game Time)
Delivery (Brawl in the Family)
OPC (Penny Arcade)
FTL Friend (Virtual Shackles)
Agree to fishagree (Extralife)

Continue reading Weekly Webcomic Wrapup is waiting in line

JoystiqWeekly Webcomic Wrapup is waiting in line originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 22 Sep 2012 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>webcomicSat, 22 Sep 2012 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Weekly Webcomic Wrapup just wants to have fun]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/15/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-just-wants-to-have-fun/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/15/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-just-wants-to-have-fun/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/15/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-just-wants-to-have-fun/#comments Earlier this week, Nintendo announced the price and release date for its upcoming Wii U system (if you need to catch up on the news, check out this nifty roundup we put together).

Since the news revolves around a new Nintendo console, the Internet at large will have a number of things to say about it. Regardless of the system's price, it will always be too expensive for a certain subset of folks. Regardless of the extended launch lineup ("launch" being a very generous term), there will be certain players that will be disinterested at best, and offended at worst. Some gamers will even put on their best analyst hat to predict the downfall of Nintendo due to a "guaranteed" poor Wii U launch.

While heavy debate and heated discussions can be fun, the perpetually-curious child inside me will always see the impending arrival of a new home console as a cause for celebration. It's a moment to hope that a developer will see the same promise and cause for innovation that I want to believe exists, locked inside that sparkly new hardware. It's as good a time as any to remind ourselves that this expressive, artistic medium thrives on that passion and love for all things gaming. I encourage you to check out last week's webcomics, some of them appropriately Wii U-themed, and then vote for your favorite after the break!

PiiU (Fanboys)
Three's Dovahkiin (Me/In/Game)
The Wiilds (Legacy Control)
The Splendor of Minecraft (Extra Fabulous Comics)
The Perfect Game (Dorkly)
I Have Never Played Metal Gear Solid, Part 1 (Magical Game Time)
Puzzled (The Gamercat)
Deus Ex Machina (VG Cats)

Continue reading Weekly Webcomic Wrapup just wants to have fun

JoystiqWeekly Webcomic Wrapup just wants to have fun originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 15 Sep 2012 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>webcomicSat, 15 Sep 2012 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Katamari comic starts soon, greet the sun and the King of All Cosmos]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/14/katamari-comic-starts-soon-greet-the-sun-and-the-king-of-all-co/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/14/katamari-comic-starts-soon-greet-the-sun-and-the-king-of-all-co/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/14/katamari-comic-starts-soon-greet-the-sun-and-the-king-of-all-co/#comments Katamari gets a webcomic, actually looks great
Katamari is taking on comic form with a new online series from Alex Culang and Raynato Castro, the pair currently penning Buttersafe.

The comic run begins September 17 and will be updated every Monday and Wednesday at 5 a.m. PST, over at ShiftyLook. Destructoid has a preview of the Katamari comic, featuring the Prince of All Cosmos and his father, the King With A Chiseled Chin (name paraphrased).

Culang and Castro will be at New York Comic-Con, running October 11 - 14, dropping all the details post-premiere.

JoystiqKatamari comic starts soon, greet the sun and the King of All Cosmos originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 14 Sep 2012 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ButtersafecomicsKatamariKatamari+DamacyKatamari-Damacynew-york-comic-con-2012ShiftyLookwebcomicFri, 14 Sep 2012 03:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Weekly Webcomic Wrapup is starting to get a little creeped out]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/08/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-starting-to-get-a-little-creeped-out/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/08/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-starting-to-get-a-little-creeped-out/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/08/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-starting-to-get-a-little-creeped-out/#comments Look, the first couple of times we ran into each other like this I thought it was cute, but now I'm starting to think you're planning it and that makes me really uncomfortable. I'm sorry that I had to move on, but that's what happened -- I moved on. Besides, I thought you were with Mike now? Just because I'm filling in his posting shoes while he's attending a wedding doesn't mean it's okay for you to follow me around like this.

I know what we had was special, but it's over. Let's just look at these webcomics and vote for our favorites after the break -- as friends -- and I won't tell Mike anything happened.

Action and Reaction (The Gamer Cat)
I used to player Super Hang-On at Chuck-e-Cheese (Magical Game Time)
Mealtime Menagerie (Life in Aggro)
Clean Sweep (Awkward Zombie)
Super (Nerd Now!!)
Nintendo Power (Brawl in the Family)

Continue reading Weekly Webcomic Wrapup is starting to get a little creeped out

JoystiqWeekly Webcomic Wrapup is starting to get a little creeped out originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 08 Sep 2012 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>webcomicSat, 08 Sep 2012 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Weekly Webcomic Wrapup is Maddening]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/01/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-maddening/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/01/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-maddening/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/01/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-is-maddening/#comments Madden NFL 13 launched earlier this week, and hit some fairly impressive sales numbers. By all means, the game is a hit, but not every sports gamer is happy. In fact, one glance at EA Sports' official Facebook page for the game shows a wealth of players upset at a number of missing ingredients in this year's game.

To be honest, our review of the game might seem optimistic to some, and pessimistic to others. It also doesn't cover every aspect of every feature, good or bad. The sometimes-faulty yet fun Kinect pre-play commands were an insignificant part of my experience, as were some of the game's "missing" elements. Lacking the ability to pull draft classes from the NCAA Football series or perform fantasy drafts offline with friends in the landmark Connected Careers mode was never important to my experience with the game. It's also a deal-breaker for other players.

If anything, this speaks to the amount of personal preference every player brings to their experiences with sports games. It felt like a sizable reset button had been pushed for this year's Madden game, and while some of the bigger additions paint a mural of hope for the future of the series, it also left some devoted players in the dust. The unfortunate side effect of this is the Internet arguments that sprout from each player's differing experience, of course. Regardless of which camp you find yourself in, I encourage you to check out last week's webcomics, vote for your favorite after the break, and then settle it on the virtual field. It should cheer you up!

Hitman: Absolution (Dave the Direman)
Fine Print (Fanboys)
If College Were More Like Videogames (Loldwell)
Professor Layton and the Mystery of the Dead Hobo (Dorkly)
Fiendish Feedback (Hejibits)
Word Puzzle (Brawl in the Family)
Great Expectations (Virtual Shackles)

Continue reading Weekly Webcomic Wrapup is Maddening

JoystiqWeekly Webcomic Wrapup is Maddening originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 01 Sep 2012 23:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>webcomicSat, 01 Sep 2012 23:45:00 EST