The guys at Penny Arcade seem a little perplexed as to the Unlock Xbox marketing campaign from Doritos. Apparently, putting together a videogame based on a tortilla chip is pushing the envelope for ridiculous ideas, intense experiences notwithstanding. While the idea of getting your Arcade title's concept published on Xbox Live Marketplace is definitely a cool one, the necessity to incorporate some Doritos branding into the gameplay does seem a little cheesy. Do you mind the product placement suggested for submissions to the contest, or do you think the opportunity is too good to complain about such details?
Posts with tag Penny Arcade
Penny Arcade questions Doritos Unlock Xbox contest
The guys at Penny Arcade seem a little perplexed as to the Unlock Xbox marketing campaign from Doritos. Apparently, putting together a videogame based on a tortilla chip is pushing the envelope for ridiculous ideas, intense experiences notwithstanding. While the idea of getting your Arcade title's concept published on Xbox Live Marketplace is definitely a cool one, the necessity to incorporate some Doritos branding into the gameplay does seem a little cheesy. Do you mind the product placement suggested for submissions to the contest, or do you think the opportunity is too good to complain about such details?
PA: Surf's Up not just for kids.
Major Nelson has raved about it, and now the PA crew gave it a shot and enjoy it. Surf's Up, the film-to-game adaption is actually enjoyable for adults as much as kids. Perhaps the source material actually adds to the game, the straightforward Achievements, or maybe it's the almost non existent learning curve that has pick up and play accessibility. The one thing we can learn from Gabe, though, is that just because you can have fun playing "kids games", we wouldn't recommend trying to find other kids to play with.
Tycho: Retro games shouldn't be reviewed
Sure, this may only be the fourth of the current comic streak for Xbox 360 related strips from Penny Arcade, but it definitely brings up a valid point that deserves discussion. Retro titles from our "mispent youth", as Peter Moore so elegantly put it, are usually somewhere in the neighbourhood of 15 to 25 years old. Sure, they may get reskinned with some extra pixels per sprite, but the vast majority are the same game they were when they were on early consoles or in cabinets. Should they be treated the same by reviewers as retail games, or should the fact that these are pieces of gaming history give them a little grace? After all, if you don't like retro titles, haven't played the original game, or didn't enjoy the title, you could always not buy it.
Penny Arcade disses demos
With all the demos that came out last week, it's not a surprise that the Xbox 360 got a week's worth of comics from Penny Arcade. Friday's offering takes a look at some of the less than stellar offerings supplied, in the simple form of the controller layout shown during the loading screen for the fictitious demo of Starfire Saga: Laserion. Obviously this takes a jab at some of the more convoluted controllers found in games. Our favorites are the controls found for the Back, Start, and A buttons, although there are a bunch of hidden gems to be found. Any button assignments make you crack a smile, or even a smirk?
Oh teh noes!1! Not another Penny Arcade comic that relates to our site's content!
The online gaming community, or more specifically, Xbox Live has its fair share of bad apples, and based solely on its success and user base, it can be quiet easy to find prime examples in Halo 2 or even Halo 3's beta. Unfortunately, other types gaming don't have this, and when you start blurring the line between such forms of entertainment, there's bound to be a clash, right? Well, the guys at PA seem to think so with the recent announcement of Halo Clix. HBO community member turned Bungie employee KP seems pretty convinced about their source material. Does this one tickle your funny bone?
Penny Arcade takes on Shadowrun's races
Penny Arcade's latest comic takes a rather humorous look at Shadowrun's races. In particular, the Troll, and the potential hazards that the RNA Corporation has to take into account when employing such a metahuman. In Tycho's post, he gives his take on the game's party system and gameplay and continues to support and recommend the title in spite of mediocre reviews. Either way, he reminds us that the demo is coming out tomorrow. Speaking of, are any of you still on the fence going to download the demo and give it a shot? We know that some of us here and Fanboy Towers made promises in regards to giving the demo the attention it deserves.
X3F H3 beta: Penny Arcade's two cents (Nyuk!)
Monday as well as today's Penny Arcade both feature Gabe and Tycho's thoughts on the Halo 3 Beta. The first comic dealt with their unexpected enjoyment of playing the beta and the adverse affects found therein. The second one takes a look at an X3F favorite, the Spartan Laser, and the hijinks that will inevitably occur upon acquisition. Tycho's news posts for both give insight into some of the highlights of the game to them. WAAACHOW!
Read: The Third Time
Read: Jim Beam
Check out all the X3F Halo 3 beta coverage
Gabe plays Catan ... at least, we think it's Gabe
Friday's Penny Arcade pertained to last week's XBLA release Catan, starting off with the revelation of Gabe, of all people, sitting down to play a round. Obviously, that's slightly out of character, although it is revealed in the accompanying podcast that Mike actually has played the real life counterpart, and much to everyone's surprise, hated the game.Today's strip is a continuation of the storyline, but no longer relates to Catan anymore, for obvious reasons. We spent the better part of our weekend trading wool for ore, what about you? Expect a full X3F review on Catan to come later this week.
PA shows the less-than-sexy side of Live
So, earlier today we gave you a guide on how to be an A-hole, which is all good and weel. While, on the other hand, the guys over at Penny Arcade told their account of running into someone who was just downright creepy. To their credit, they did show a good idea on a feature that should be added to a future dash update when filing a complaint just doesn't cut. So, make the jump, have a laugh, and maybe shed a tear for those who run into people like this daily. That all being said, if this really weirded you out, don't worry, we got something lined up for you that'll brighten your day.
Arcadians Podcast has Fanboy Guest
Yesterday, 360 Arcadians released their 9th podcast episode, where they discussed the 10 upcoming Arcade titles, Unreal Tournament III, rewarding achievement whores, and some good old fashioned laughing at Sony. Not only is the show informative, they even have a special guest this week that you have heard of: our very own Richard Mitchell! Yes, Rich took time out of his busy schedule to sit down and join in the fun of recording a podcast and not having to edit it. We extend our thanks to Mike, Scott, Ben, and Marcus for welcoming us into the Podosphere.
Now all we need is an excuse to get Dustin in an episode with them to complete the cycle. So what do you think of the show? Can Mike Todaro read minds? Should we have a couple of them show up on our own podcast to liven it up a bit?
Penny Arcade on FBI 360 confiscation
Penny Arcade takes on the recent middle school shooting threat in Ohio this week. 360 Fanboy readers will recall that an Ohio middle school student, during a game on Xbox Live, told a California teen that he had plans to bring a gun to school. The California teen's father subsequently contacted the FBI. The middle schooler was later arrested and several items were confiscated from his home, including a pistol and his Xbox 360. Some find the claim that the 360 is "evidence" to be rather dubious, and that is the subject of today's comic. Oh, and in case you're wondering why the man on the right is devouring what appears to be a necktie, it is in fact Fruit by the Foot. Hit the "read" link to check out the comic.[Thanks, JohnHeist. Image credit: Penny-Arcade (obviously)]
Watch videos, win a 360, all for charity [update 1]
Update: It didn't take long, but the maximum number of donations has now been reached. If anyone managed to make it into the raffle, we're sure that Child's Play appreciates your generosity.
GameTrailers.com has come up with an innovative way for gamers to give to Penny Arcade's Child's Play charity, and be entered into a raffle for an Xbox 360. Since 2003, Child's Play has given toys, games, and overall assistance to children's hospitals around the globe. And now, through GameTrailers, you can even donate without spending any money at all. GameTrailers is now allowing users to donate its special currency, Game Trailers Dollars (GTD) directly to Child's Play. Every 20 GTD donated equals $1 for Child's Play. Also, for each donation, users will be entered into a raffle to win an Xbox 360.
In order to donate, you must be a member of GameTrailers (register here) and earn GTD. There are a number of ways to earn GTD (the simplest is just to watch and rate movies). For more information on GTD click here. If you are already a member of GameTrailers, we encourage you to donate. Who knows, you might even win a 360. You'd better hurry, there are just over 800 spots remaining in the raffle as of this writing.
Gears of War: the sitcom?
Apparently we were so busy playing GOW yesterday -- playing co-op with all of you is great by the way -- we failed to notice Penny Arcade's latest comic. If you're absolutely sick of all the hyperbole surrounding this game (or if by some off chance you actually like the idea), you'll find the idea of turning Gears of War into a sitcom fairly amusing. It brings up an interesting point though. For those of you who've played the game (and were able to find it), how is it stacking up so far? Does it live up to the hype, or are you happy playing something completely different?
PA disses Tiger's matchmaking skills
Today, Tycho at Penny Arcade briefly goes over the unnecessarily complicated matchmaking process in Tiger Woods 07. The steps include:
"1. Consent To Be Invited
In any other Goddamn Live game, you're done. In Tiger, one must then
2. Endorse The Invitation
3. Yield Wholly To The Concept Of Inviting
4. Surrender To The Invitation Beam.
And then, finally,
5. Lift Your Voice In Supplication To Raoul Invitatio, 'He Who Maketh The Match'"
Most of our readers probably know that EA maintains its own servers. This was required by them years ago before they would allow their games on Xbox Live. Why do they need their own servers? It makes it easier to spy on you of course. Personally, I don't deal with EA's matchmaking very often, as I don't really own any of their games -- and probably won't until Burnout 5, or possibly Army of Two. So, X360F asks you, is matchmaking in Tiger really that bad?
Gears of War gets Penny Arcadified
Gabe over at Penny Arcade whipped up this very nice sketch of Marcus from Gears of War yesterday. I guess we missed it somehow. Was something going on yesterday? Perhaps some of you might like to make it your new wallpaper (though I have opted for Halo Wars). I'd use it as my wallpaper, but white backgrounds hurt my sensitive little eyes. See a larger version after the break.
