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Denver, 4:19 PM
Sun Nov 15
19 posts in the last 24 hours
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11/03/09
Here is the link to the site where you can download the rules and game pieces. It's a board game, not a digital game, but it's super fun and promotes the idea (which I think we might have pioneered) of reverse Schadenfreude: the agony of being forced to help others in order to help yourself.
Enjoy, and remember these wise words from Space Mark Twain:
"If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog...and a Spacewolf."
[[www.laikafawkes.com]] #pennyarcadescholarship
11/03/09
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11/03/09
The commenting system here is kind of subpar. #pennyarcadescholarship
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11/03/09
It's obviously an issue if she thinks she's replying to someone and winds up making a new topic.
Nah, it's improved from what it was but there's certainly been some peaks and valleys to get to this point.
"Subpar" isn't comparing the work to any other system out there; just to the flow of how it used to be. #pennyarcadescholarship
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11/03/09
Hopefully these: [wh40k.lexicanum.com] #pennyarcadescholarship
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11/03/09
It makes my idea, SpaceRaccoons, seem pretty lame. In Space, there is alot of junk floating around, and no one to eat it. Until now.
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11/03/09
Though it'll most likely be that now if you want to get into the industry a programming or game degree will be required. #pennyarcadescholarship
11/03/09
11/03/09
Heck, the founder of Massive Black has no sort of degree whatsoever. #pennyarcadescholarship
11/03/09
Though music and art degrees aren't as specific to the industry. Usually music is done by other studios, specific to doing sound tracks and the like.
Though a Music degree can help you getting a job with those studios.
I was more implying that a Degree will help, not just specifically programming or gaming degrees :P. #pennyarcadescholarship
11/03/09
11/03/09
Here in UK its currently capped at £3,125, so no university can charge above that. all students can apply for a Student loan to pay that fee n you just pay it back when you get a job.
Though Oxbridge n co probs find ways to charge you on top of the tuition fees.
11/03/09
Yup. But hey, who am I to complain? I actually got a job as a designer because of it... and a very very large and scary debt. :P #pennyarcadescholarship
11/03/09
For one year of your course alone covers 3 years of a degree and rent here. #pennyarcadescholarship
11/03/09
11/03/09
Is that liek that "ivy League" thing that gets mentioned?
Can someone explain that? #pennyarcadescholarship
11/03/09
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11/03/09
Penny Arcade runs a Scholarship? Wow. High five! #pennyarcadescholarship
11/03/09
Congrats, Kyla Gorman and good career choice. #pennyarcadescholarship
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11/03/09
Yes, i went there. I am not trolling, it is just my opinion on Penny Arcade. I don't care if 78% of you get mad at me. Everyone has a different opinion, you have yours and I have mine.
There. #pennyarcadescholarship
11/03/09
11/03/09
Kind of a bad way to go about it eh? #pennyarcadescholarship
11/03/09
According to many devs and companies, they typically poo-poo on those with video game degrees. Gamasutra has dozens of articles where devs talk about wanting somebody well-rounded, rather than someone with a specialized field.
But yeah. A lot of web-comics are crap... it's still an infant medium. #pennyarcadescholarship
11/03/09
Typically, that sentence is the first positive ID of a troll.
You add nothing meaningful to this conversation.
Your opinion is indeed yours, but nobody cares. Move along. #pennyarcadescholarship
11/03/09
Comparatively, by your opinion, a "good" webcomic would elevate a man to Pantheon-level Godliness, their comics allowing them the powers to smite infidels with lightning and shag unassuming damsels while taking the form of a goat. #pennyarcadescholarship
11/03/09
11/03/09
Hitler was a terrible person, but his paintings were decent.
Micheal Jackson maybe molested kids, but i still like his music.
Axl Rose is a lameass dick, but Gun N Roses still kicked ass.
Jared Leto is both a horrible actor, musician, AND human being.
Just because people have a good heart doesnt mean you have to respect their art.
Sounds like youre the idiot. #pennyarcadescholarship
11/03/09
Then whats the point of having this website and giving people the free will of posting? Not everyone is going to agree with the community or with the blog itself, everyone knows that. Kotaku knows that. You know that. #pennyarcadescholarship
11/03/09
Your trolling shield of 'omg it's just my views' will do you no good here, youngling. #pennyarcadescholarship
11/03/09
You should run with that.. #pennyarcadescholarship
11/03/09
Really? Your reply states otherwise. #pennyarcadescholarship
11/03/09
11/03/09
and you didnt add anything meaningful to this conversation either with this reply.
and actually, adding "i am not a troll" is used when people criticize something people really like a lot. Just because a majority likes something doesnt mean its not to be criticized. we dont lived in that kind of society anymore. The again, im posting from the US. maybe you live somewhere else... in a different time.. on a different planet. #pennyarcadescholarship
11/03/09
They actually vary their art style quite a bit. Especially for the comics they make for various games.
May you point us to a gamign web comic with better art style? (I personally prefer AVW's style, but the writing is a bit slim, and they only post once a week)
PA are undeniably some of the most influential people in gaming, and have a fairly large charitable arm. and for that they earn a large amount of respect.
and yeah "im not trolling" is always a warning alarm. #pennyarcadescholarship
11/03/09
Ive learned my lesson: no playful jabs at something most people like.
Im not trying to be the guy whose trying to be against the grain just to be different, im just the nazi who would have made fun of Hitler's stupid moustache behind his back. #pennyarcadescholarship
11/03/09
That being said, his all time artistic idol is Stephen Silver, of Kimpossible fame. Krahulik emulates Silver in a lot of ways now, and so, with that knowledge, I can lead up to my next statement.
Judging by what you have said, you hate Mike Krahuliks art, regardless of time frame, and by association, you also hate Stephen Silvers artwork, because their styles are similar, and without any justification as to why you don't like their styles. Lets not even get into the fact that Penny Arcade is two people, so you clearly don't read any of their stuff, otherwise you'd more than likely have an issue with Holkins as well.
Troll on Troll. Troll on. #pennyarcadescholarship
11/03/09
like walking into a room and saying "i certainly DON'T have a bomb on me right now" #pennyarcadescholarship
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11/03/09
Maybe if it said "user name replied to this comment"
Cos we aren't promoting if its automatic, we are replying.
We do promote if we check the tick next to it though. #pennyarcadescholarship
11/03/09
I judge it the exact same way i do every comic, web or not, gaming or web only shouldnt be a crutch. Perry Bible Fellowship is a prime example. its on the web, not about gaming, and its probably 90% better than the stuff on the Sunday paper. Too bad they dont make it anymore. #pennyarcadescholarship
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"I don't really care for their comic (actually I don't like it at all) but -" and then continued with the bit of the post that was actually relevant.
Instead you separated it, made it the point of your comment, and thus unnecessarily provoked people. Trolling. #pennyarcadescholarship
11/03/09
You've yet to also say what's so bad about it too. You're just saying everything is bad. But surely with the vast readership they have that can't be the case. Any specific examples of what is bad about it?
Until you cna build a constructive case on why it is you feel that PA is bad then your "I am not trolling" case falls flat on its back.
FFVII is well loved, but I can say its not that great, with constructive criticism. #pennyarcadescholarship
11/03/09
And no, adding "I am not a troll" is a classic symptom of the lady doth protest too much. If you want to state an opinion that goes against the norm, "IMHO" or some other similar sentiment goes far further and doesn't make you look stupid.
Baby, I'm a professional troll. I can care enough to call you an idiot without giving two licks about your opinion. Lemme tell you right now, you're better off not replying to me, because I've got nothing but time on my hands to point out the many facets of your idiocy. Take the advice of a troll when he tells you how to beat him, you'll go further that way. #pennyarcadescholarship
11/03/09
its not the same thing. I said i wasnt a troll because people expect me to be a troll with such a statement as the one i made. I made it clear i wasnt.
Going into a room and saying "i dont have a bomb on me right now" is suspicious, but if youre about to get checked at the airport, and you say it, its appropriate. do you see what i mean?
Youre going to get checked, you might as well say if you do or you dont. #pennyarcadescholarship
11/03/09
i dont know where you got that from.. but that in itself deserves a head examination. #pennyarcadescholarship
11/03/09
PA's contemporary humor is hilarious and caters to a extremely large audience. Large enough that they make their living off of a "crappy webcomic".
Gabe's art style, where I can see how you might be disappointed with it in their more day-to-day comics, is easily demonstrated as a high caliber style when the medium is the more 'serious' storylines, that is to say: Automata, the Dragon Age comics, or The Cardboard Samurai sagas.
Also, Tycho can write like no man's business. I value his opinions on games very highly as his taste is usually spot on; Aside from his posts being entirely enjoyable to read.
I feel the largest insult you give them is that by dismissing their work blanketedly you also dismiss all their ancilliary practices such as Child's Play charity, of which they are heads of, and of the PA Expo, which helped fill the void of E3 and with their influence opened the door for many indie game producers to also display their wares and not just giant corporations.
They're funny, they're witty, they're intelligent, and, when seriousness is a must, the caliber of art they produce is top-notch.
With that I must conclude that you know nothing about anything sir, and as such I declare your opinion devoid of reason and as such moot, you sad little troll. #pennyarcadescholarship
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11/03/09
You are welcome to have an opinion, sure. But just look at the overwhelming response from star commentors. You clearly picked the wrong wording in voicing your opinion. If you ever want to have a star on Kotaku, starting silly arguments is not the way to do it.
You know what I do if I don't like something? I either make an educated argument as for why I don't like that thing, or I simply keep my opinion to myself in order to not look like an idiot. Take a hint buddy.
11/03/09
and actually, im sure no one noticed it, but the second thing was entirely satire, i meant it, but i felt like putting it in a way i which everyone has seen a million times. I knew i was going to get called a troll, i knew people wouldnt like what i said, and i knew id have to defend myself. So i did it from the start, chose the most generic crap i could think of, shit ive seen a million times on message boards, and posted it. Not for anyone elses amusement, but for my own.
ive never trolled on kotaku, or anywhere else for that matter.
I figured that the people at kotaku could see just how super messageboard trollish that last paragraph was to know i was joking. I figured that noone takes something seriously when the first thing stated is 'im not a troll, but.."
I guess i forgot that you actually have to know who i am to get my jokes. oops. self referential shit doesnt fly i guess.
But like i said, my first sentence is how i feel about it, im not backing down from that, but the next paragraph is how i feel about trolls and their naysayers. I figured if anyone could see the humor in it, it would be Kotaku's readers.
Trolling and people defending what is being trolled is just so linear that to me it becomes funny in of itself.. i guess i just dont invest in these things as much as other people. I dont troll because i dont hate anything on the internet that much and i dont defend things from trolls because i dont care what they think. its that simple.
as far as a joke, i think ill put this in the "maybe" pile.. it still has something going for it.
Fuck, i wrote a lot.
11/03/09
11/03/09
the job of taking things too seriously on the innernet, that is.
How old are you, man? I want to know if youre sad or REALLY sad.
Chill out. #pennyarcadescholarship
11/03/09
I do this for fun. Heck, I TOLD you how to beat me, just to see if you'd listen, and you do just the opposite. Your basic attempt at insulting me can't work, because I've already acknowledged EVERY point you're liable to throw at me by labelling myself as a troll. Too much time on my hands? Check. A complete lack of human decency? Check. A textbook example of everything that's WRONG with the internet? Double Check Plus.
It's pure entertainment to me to bait replies. That's the very nature of a troll. Heck, it's what you're doing too. Sadly, it then comes down to a matter of trolls trolling trolls, and in that case? The troll that puts forth the calmer and more reasoned reply wins, as trolling is the basic task of elliciting an angry reply from your victims.
I also noticed your brilliant hypothetical about airport checkpoints up above. At best, you're trying to tell another joke that's falling dismally short of the target. At worst? Congratulations, you're now on a government watch list.
So... really, do you want to keep replying to me? I won't stop you if you do. This is probably the best laugh I'll have all day. #pennyarcadescholarship
11/03/09
I dont care for clubs, i care about entertainment, and learning things about games on the side. Im bored, if i wasnt i wouldnt be posting here. I would just check up on it every once in a while.
I could post something intelligent, i could agree with whats going on, but thats not fun for me right now. Sometimes you have to act a little silly. Obviously this now seems like the wrong place to do it in, but at least now i know how serious Kotaku readers take Kotaku.
I dont even think Kotaku takes Kotaku that serious... and they get paid to. #pennyarcadescholarship
11/03/09
"Its good she got a scholarship from PA to work in the games industry.
However I don't particularly find PA to be very funny, guess I have a different sense of humour to other folks."
That way you can state your opinion, you don't have to call PA crappy, you don't have to start a long thread like this, and you don't have to go "I'm not trolling" when you clearly were. #pennyarcadescholarship
11/03/09
Coincidentally, this whole thing is about how nothing on the internet makes me laugh.
You sir, are from Venus.
But seriously, you didn't answer my question: how old are you? Please be honest. #pennyarcadescholarship
11/03/09
And yes, Venutian air is toxic, and therefor massively beneficial to my lungs.
So, I invite you to try again. Do give me something better than trying to insult my age, 'cause if that's really the best ammo you've got, you may as well just walk off into obscurity. It'll stop giving me my jollies, and it will stop making you look like a buffoon. It's win/win for you, while trying to persist in a battle of wits that you've already lost simply gives me everything I want. #pennyarcadescholarship
11/03/09
I dont even really care about Penny Arcade or this scholarship too much, i was hoping to deviate this into the aspects of trolling and what makes a troll truly a troll and just some guy with a grudge against a particular thing being discussed on a forum.
I always thought a troll was a person who talked crap about something they either havent played, read, listened to or seen. Thats one of them. The other kind of troll is someone who HAS played, listened to, read, or seen the thing in question, but just wont shut up about how much he disliked it.
I am neither of those. Ive read Penny Arcade, and i don't like it. I also have never ever said anything negative about Penny Arcade on Kotaku before. This is probably my first and only time it will be discussed.
So is this just something that's off limits here on this website? Is this like going to church and saying you hate God? That no one can say anything bad about?
Everyone talks crap abut Bayonetta every single time its brought up on here, something im very much looking forward to, but no one can talk crap about Penny Arcade?
Not only that, but commentors with stars next to their name childishly make fun of the aesthetics of the game, and get a ton of people to agree with him and thats ok?
is it only because they have stars and people agree?
because i promise you, things have been said about bayonetta less intelligently than what i said about penny arcade.. and i dont even have a star..
People are basically telling me i need a star to troll. i dont think thats right. #pennyarcadescholarship
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11/03/09
@fernandosolano: And you just lost all my help.
You made a comment of your opinion on PA. people called you out on being a troll, but you denied that.
So I thought I'd give you the benefit of a doubt and suggest how you can write your comments so that you can give your opinion in a more constructive way. And after a back n forth between you and several commenter's where you continually deny that you are trolling you then write your little post there where you admit you are intentionly trolling.
And you bring up the Star card too. I very much doubt a Star, especially a regular, will be trolling with such comments as "Bayonetta is shit" and will most likely be a bit more constructive in their criticism. And if they were to be trolling like that your welcome to send it in to tips@kotaku.com if you feel they are trolling. Same with any comment, star or not.
My pic says it all. #pennyarcadescholarship
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11/03/09
However, you were not making a joke. You went out and basically blasted a web comic without any reason. And you didn't say that it was the art that was bad, or anything logical. You just said it was crap in an article talking about how they gave away $10,000 to a student. Not to mention Child's Play, which helps thousands of sick children each year.
There is no Kotaku law saying that you have to be serious, but you choose to start a serious conversation by attacking two good people. Had you said, "I don't like the art in Penny Arcade. I hope this lucky student uses this scholarship to make something more meaningful than a comic." But instead you just said Penny Arcade was crap.
You brought this shit storm upon yourself. Step back for a minute, take a deep breath, and maybe apologize for simply being a dick who couldn't admit he worded something wrong. I word things wrong all the time, and I apologize. You should too. #pennyarcadescholarship
07/31/09
I imagine the people who are truely concerned over this ruining their sanctuary are going to the small libraries. I think you have little to fear at the small libraries. These are most likely run by individuals who will keep them away from something like this for as long as they can.
The huge behemoth libraries already have this type of thing and people do go there to hang out. The Martin Luther King Library at San Jose State University is huge, has free wi-fi, a coffe shop, a sandwich shop, all the archives you can imagine, movies, tons of computer stations and lots of laptop area's. They may already have video games, i know they have movies. The place is not too bad, even with lots of people in it, but there are discussion area's and study area's. There are even conference/quite rooms you can reserve online and have some great peace and quiet.
07/31/09
The only unfortunate part was that I didn't get a chance to try it out since I had to work lol
07/31/09
The central location of the Houston Public Library has a gaming center on the top floor of the building-- although it's primarily for children and they'll chase you off in short order if you wander up there (which sucks, because the graphic novels are up there, too, so trying to check them out is a bit of a pain-- why is Eisner's The Spirit located ONLY in a section for kids!?)... but it's a pretty sweet-looking setup they've got. Loads of HDTVs, Guitar Hero and Rock Band layouts, full complements of consoles (Wii, 360, and PS3) as well as a bank of gaming PCs for WoW and LAN setups.
I remember when they did the reopening after they renovated the place, and seeing all the people gathering to play games together. Not my bag, but it looked like a lot of fun.
07/31/09
I do not want public libraries carrying movies.
I do not want public libraries carrying music.
I do not want public libraries carrying books.
I do not want public libraries.
I get it, people are happy that gamers are being recognized as worthy of attention. Yay.
What would be far more meaningful are private libraries open to the public, or whoever the owners and financial supporters choose, deciding that games are a desired addition. That way you can be more confident that it is a true consequence of demand, rather than a consequence of someone simply choosing what he thinks is in demand, or personally wants, knowing that he can forcibly extract the needed funds via taxes and keep the system even if it doesn't pan out.
And yeah, I know, libraries gain revenue in ways apart from taxing, late fees for instance, but even so it is still far from volitional funding, and hence far from a true reflecting of societal interest.
07/31/09
07/31/09
Beep-Beep-Boop-Bop...Does not compute...
Really, what are you talking about?
07/31/09
07/31/09
07/31/09
Haha same here. Thankfully most normal people can read thru Atlas Shrugged and see how laughably impossible it is and not be brainwashed.
According to the book CEOs are smart, industrious, honest people. And that's where her philosophy starts to fall apart like a 20-year-old American car.
07/31/09
http://kotaku.com/5164768/librarians-explain-why-video-games-at-th...#c11165377
I'm all for government being less intrusive, in terms of "leaving people the fuck alone with their lifestyles/entertainment/etc". However, while the whole idea of privatized libraries looks nice on paper, you have to realize one thing:
Libraries are supposed to be in the public interest. Public as in everyone, regardless of taste.
My local library carries Discworld novels, which I love and highly recommend. They also carry the Twilight novels, which are pieces of trash-romance mary sue shit and I consider worthless as even toilet paper.
However, the library is PUBLIC, ie, has something for everyone. I'm not going to tell them to stop offering Twilight novels, because some people like them. And since everyone pays for the library (through taxes, fines, etc), everyone can request what they're interested in and get it if they want, and those who are likeminded can also enjoy it.
Now let's take the public interest part out of the equation, and establish these privatized libraries you advocate. Let's say someone decided they LOVED Stephanie Meyer, but for whatever reason had some death wish against Terry Pratchett.
Nothing would stop them from stocking only the Twilight novels and not offering a single Discworld book. And at that point, a whole segment of the public would be disenfranchised. Because the owner of the library would have no obligation to carry anything they didn't like. And even if there were other donors, they could pull donation if the library did something they disliked. It's just a bad road to go down, even if it LOOKS good.
While different book series are really kinda trivial (I'm using it to make an easy example), that's just the tip of the iceberg. Libraries exist to provide information (among other things). I think that's probably one of the better things anyone's tax money can go to, especially since it's a public good every citizen has direct access to (how many OTHER uses of tax money can you say that for?). Additionally, librarians are more or less gatekeepers of information. By keeping said gatekeepers accountable to the public (something a private library really can't do) the information is available to all.
There are a ton more reasons why private libraries are a bad idea, but it's late and you asked.
07/31/09
07/31/09
I'm not a Randroid, just so you know. Still, I might be considered fairly radical; in my world laissez-faire is the only way to fly.
@Nekusagi:
All right, finally something worth talking about. So much to respond to, where to start?
First, your scenario includes the unarticulated assumption that everyone believes public libraries, or any libraries, are worth the money. You say they are in the public interest, "public as in everyone." What if someone’s interest is not in a library at all? Yeah, sure, everyone is taxed and "everyone" is represented in a library’s selection. Except people who don’t want a library. It is not as even and fair as you make out when you consider that many would rather buy their own books instead of being forced to provide for the access of others’ to such things. Who says the money is better spent on a library than a book that becomes private property? A politician? The majority of a country’s citizens? It does not matter; it is not their money.
Second, you say a public library can be kept more accountable to the public than a private library. Untrue. Even if you simply wanted a library that lends all of what a public library lends now, but that provides better service, then you can’t beat a privately, voluntarily funded library, even if it is not for profit. There is no way to take money from the unwilling public in a private venture; the library must provide satisfactory service, or it will not be funded. If you get to decide when a library is unsatisfactory and when to pull the plug, instead of the government, then your personal influence increases exponentially and you are in control rather than just being one of many that make up an amorphous body useful only for the funding you provide the governmental decision-makers.
Your next point is that financial supporters could pull funding for libraries with which they disagree, for whatever reason. So what? It’s their money, isn’t it? In addition, every group can exert this kind of force, given the will, so what is the problem? Some of the smaller groups will slip through the cracks, you say? Maybe. Maybe not. Do you have that little faith in charity? Surely some groups will allow books they disagree with in their libraries? Regardless, it is no one else’s right to tell them what they can do with their money and resources. I sympathize with the people whose wants may be disregarded or condemned, but there is no moral solution that involves the use of force. Persuade them, either through support or ostracization, but do not force them.
Lastly, libraries may be a vital source of information, but who better decides what information shall be housed within their walls, the government or private citizens? Choice by the citizenry is the only ethical path, and it is insulated from the potential for widespread manipulation of information by an increasingly centralized government (I’m referring to the U.S. government, but, short of civil war, this is likely to happen everywhere, every time).