Posts from ‘Comics, Cartoons, and Illustration’ Category

Penny Arcade Adventures — Trailer, Preview, & Rant

By: Brandon McCartin (BMcC)

On: April 12th, 2007

Here is the first trailer for Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Loquaciousness, Episode One, Chapter 17, Version 1.02.05.1 Beta. (Penny Arcade’s first game.)

[Prepare for BMcC Rant mode in the extended! -Derek]

In summary:

  • The game is a 3D action/adventure RPG (with 2D cutscenes) set in an alternate universe called New Arcadia.
  • You create your own character who plays alongside Gabe and Tycho, rather than playing as them.
  • There are no random battles, voice acting, or alternate storyline paths.
  • The game is being developed with the Torque engine for Windows, Mac, and Linux — with other platforms remaining a possibility.
  • The developer is Hothead Games, a company formed by some folks that made such average tie-in games as The Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction and The Simpsons: Hit & Run.
  • Tycho and Gabe are involved in the development day to day, as well as doing all the writing and some of the art.
  • The Penny Arcade Adventures series will be episodic, with each episode being priced at less than $20 USD. (But that probably means $19.99.)
  • Lovecraftian?


Here’s a detailed FAQ if you still crave informations.

My thoughts: The trailer is pretty uninspiring. And, personally, I’d rather see the entire game done in the style of the flash intro (i.e., like the comic) than this newfangled 3D stuff, but that’d be too much work for poor old Gabe, I guess?

Also (here comes the rant), looking at Hothead’s website, of course their bloody About section has to be titled “Innovation in Gameplay.” Is that supposed to be funny? Hothead. YOU MAKE TIE-IN GAMES. I innovate more during my morning leak.

In fact, I’m willing to bet there won’t be a single gameplay innovation in the PA series. Maybe their experience with other people’s IP was considered a positive at first, but with Tycho and Gabe being so directly involved, it’s kind of a moot point. I could name a bunch of folks in this very community that I’m sure could do a better job… but they’re busy making their own games.

But whatever. It should still be fun for fans of the comic, which is as much as they’re hoping for, I’m sure.

END RANT

Why am I channeling Tim W. all of a sudden?

Gesundheit!

By: Derek Yu

On: March 20th, 2007

Gesunheit!

Gesundheit! is a beautiful little game (or should I say 12-level demo), and it’s not surprising, considering the creator is professional illustrator Matt Hammill. With “handmade scratchboard graphics and a soundtrack filled with toy instruments,” Matt has created a world that seems like it could stretch far beyond the simplistic gameplay. Which isn’t to say the single-level puzzle-solving is bad by any stretch of the imagination. But with a game that looks and sounds this good I really want to play a full-scale adventure. Maybe next time?

(By the way, I had no idea you could make a game like this with Adventure Game Studio.)

Game Life

By: Derek Yu

On: February 25th, 2007

Game Life: Part 1
Game Life: Part 2

I thought this was funny as hell. By Joakim Sandberg, aka konjak. Check out other comics by TIGForumers (more than meets the eye LOL) in our awesome TIGSource comic thread!

We’re looking for somebody to potentially do a weekly comic for TIGSource about indie gaming. Interested? Might be a nice way to pimp your work and website.