Reports from readers, as well as the PlayStation Forums and Penny Arcade forums, are pointing to games saved during the World's Fair segment of the episode as the most problematic. That problem? An inability to load your end-game save.

It appears that the Hothead Games team is already aware of the issue affecting the new Penny Arcade Adventures episode and is "looking into this." With the holidays mucking up the work schedule, we'd say it's probably best to take a holiday from your game progress and hold tight for a patch.

Hothead Games' Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness, Episode Two will be available via the PlayStation Network for a cool $14.99. It promises to be full of hilarity and probably the occasional curse word.

EPOS Game Studios' Crash Commando will run you a bit less, just $9.99. The multiplayer-heavy shooter looks to feature big explosions and tiny men. Check in with us tomorrow for the full list of PlayStation Store updates.

Rather than selling them on eBay like any sensible person, the fools are putting them up for grabs on this very Internet. To stand a chance of winning, just go to the forum link below and post a reply in the thread - 5 random posters will be plucked from an imaginary hat on Halloween.

Please note, though - most of the thread is made up of one line 'gimme' posts. As Kotaku readers we trust you can do better than that. Make us proud.

Penny Arcade Adventures Giveaway! [Evil Avatar]

Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness, Episode Two will be out this time next week for $14.95 on computer platforms or 1200 Microsoft points. Hit the jump to check out the Xbox Live Arcade version's achievements while I get all excited.

Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness, Episode Two

Achievement One (SECRET)

Achievement Two
Name: Millionaire
Description: Earn $1,000,000.
Gamerscore: 15

Achievement Three
Name: Moving On Up
Description: Find the key to the Riverbrook Apartments.
Gamerscore: 15

Achievement Four
Name: Arsonist
Description: Destroy a building with fire.
Gamerscore: 15

Achievement Five
Name: Endgame
Description: Find a ticket to the World's Fair.
Gamerscore: 15

Achievement Six
Name: Can't Nobody Hold You Down
Description: Complete Episode Two.
Gamerscore: 15

Achievement Seven
Name: Steel Cannibal
Description: Fully upgrade all party member's weapons.
Gamerscore: 20

Achievement Eight
Name: Lab Assistant
Description: Complete all Bonus Missions.
Gamerscore: 15

Achievement Nine
Name: Reluctant Hero
Description: Refuse to join Gabe and Tycho. At first.
Gamerscore: 5

Achievement Ten
Name: The Strength To Rule
Description: Achieve level 30 with all party members.
Gamerscore: 20

Achievement Eleven
Name: POWER SURRRGE!
Description: Max out one party member's hit counter.
Gamerscore: 25

Achievement Twelve
Name: Pack Rat Strikes Back
Description: Win a fight using only items.
Gamerscore: 25 LAUNCH DATE SET FOR EPISODE TWO OF PENNY ARCADE GAME

The Comedic RPG-Adventure Romp Turns Spooky In Time for Halloween

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Oct. 22, 2008 - Grab your gardening tool and watch out for giant spiders, out-of-control asylum patients and wacko sanitarium administrators! Hothead Games announced today that Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness, Episode Two will be available via Xbox LIVE® Arcade and via the Greenhouse digital distribution platform (www.playgreenhouse.com) for Windows®, Mac® and Linux® next Wednesday, October 29.

The madcap Penny Arcade experience continues in Episode Two of the RPG-Adventure romp! Rejoin Gabe and Tycho and go crazy in a whole new episode with more puzzles, areas to explore and levels to gain, all while moving ever closer to solving the sinister mystery hidden deep in the heart of New Arcadia. Players can jump right in with a fresh character and new customization options or carry over their looks and stats from Episode One. Plus, new difficulty settings allow gamers to play it safe or go insane, battling bigger and badder enemies than ever before.

Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness, Episode Two will also boast music from The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets, a Canadian rock band dedicated to promoting the literature of H. P. Lovecraft and a recent performer at the 2008 Penny Arcade Expo gaming festival. The song, entitled "Some Things Man Was Not Meant To Know," will enhance the game's closing credits.

"This game is all about the strange and insane world of New Arcadia and the Penny Arcade-style humor to be found in it," said Hothead CEO Vlad Ceraldi. "With the cool gameplay additions we've made, including longer gameplay, completion tracking and difficulty settings; extra Lovecraftian overtones in the world and music; and the perfect time of the year, everything just came together."

Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness, Episode Two is expected to offer players six to ten hours of gameplay, and is priced at $14.95 for the Windows, Mac, and Linux versions on Greenhouse and at 1200 Microsoft points via Xbox LIVE® Arcade. The game has been rated "M" for Mature by the Entertainment Software Rating Board for all platforms.

Along with the big announcement, Hothead has released a list of trophies you'll be able to unlock in the game, which we've hidden somewhere after the jump. Can you find them in time, or is the world doomed?

On The Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness Episode One Trophy List - Yeah, I suppose that was a bit too easy.

Trophy One
Name: Stray Cat
Description: Earn a support character.
Grade: Bronze (15 Points)

Trophy Two
Name: All Together Now
Description: Do a Team-Up attack involving all three party
members.
Grade: Bronze (15 Points)

Trophy Three
Name: A Winner Is You
Description: Successfully complete the first episode.
Grade: Silver (30 Points)

Trophy Four
Name: Nine Lives
Description: Kill an enemy using the feline support
character Thomas Kemper.
Grade: Bronze (15 Points)

Trophy Five
Name: Pack Rat
Description: Find and collect all of the hidden collectibles
scattered around the game.
Grade: Bronze (15 Points)

Trophy Six
Name: Steel Devils
Description: Find and destroy all the robots in the game.
Grade: Silver (30 Points)

Trophy Seven
Name: Pacifist
Description: Win one battle using only counterattacks.
Grade: Bronze (15 Points)

Trophy Eight
Name: Silent, But Deadly
Description: Beat the final Boss without healing.
Grade: Silver (30 Points)

Trophy Nine
Name: Immortal
Description: Play and win the game without allowing a
character to die during combat.
Grade: Gold (90 Points)

Trophy Ten
Name: Fight 'Em With Items
Description: Use every combat item at least once in the
game.
Grade: Bronze (15 Points)

Trophy Eleven
Name: Level Awesome
Description: Get all party members to Level 15.
Grade: Bronze (15 Points)

Trophy Twelve
Name: Clean Sweep
Description: Kill all enemies in Episode 1.
Grade: Silver (30 Points)

In celebration of this momentous occasion, they've also released an official trailer for Episode Two, which I've tucked comfortably after the jump.

The Comedic RPG-Adventure Romp Continues This Fall for $14.95

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Oct. 1, 2008 - Hothead Games is pleased to announce that the anxiously-awaited Episode Two in its well-received Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness game series has reached Gold Master status for the Windows®, Mac® and Linux® versions. In recognition of this momentous milestone, Hothead has further announced that Episode Two will be priced at $14.95 for download this fall via the Greenhouse digital distribution service (www.playgreenhouse.com) and other popular digital distribution systems or 1200 Microsoft points on Xbox LIVE® Arcade. The PLAYSTATION®Network version of Episode Two is also expected for release shortly thereafter with similar pricing.

"Episode One was a huge investment for us and established a great base from which we built Episode Two. It allows us to focus even more on the fans in developing future games in the series," said Hothead's CEO, Vlad Ceraldi. "Our new game has a lot of great enhancements that were made possible by direct fan interaction and we are extremely excited to get our game into their hands and get their feedback."

The madcap Penny Arcade experience continues in Episode Two where gamers return to the deranged 1920s universe of New Arcadia and rejoin Gabe and Tycho of the Startling Developments Detective Agency to visit crazy new areas, combat bigger and badder enemies, solve even more wacky puzzles and get ever closer to unraveling the mystery in the sinister heart of New Arcadia.

Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness, Episode Two has been rated "M" for Mature by the Entertainment Software Ratings Board for all platforms.

"PlayStation", "PLAYSTATION" and "PS" Family logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

"We keep getting emails asking why our Penny Arcade game is not on PSN," said Hothead's CEO, Vlad Ceraldi. "We have always said we wanted to have our games on as many platforms as possible to give choice to gamers. All good things take time and we are very excited to be debuting our first PS3 title and look forward to bringing more games to this platform in the future."

The PSN version will feature similar pricing to the Xbox Live Arcade and PC versions, so expect to shell out around $20. Enjoy the first screens from the PS3 version below, and be sure to check out our review to help you decide whether or not you should be excited about this whole deal.

PENNY ARCADE GAME COMING TO A PLAYSTATION(R)3 SYSTEM NEAR YOU

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - July 23, 2008 - Hothead Games today proudly announced that its well received Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness, Episode One is currently in development for the PLAYSTATION(R)3 computer entertainment system and will debut on PLAYSTATION(R)Network late fall 2008.

Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness is an RPG-Adventure game series set in the comic-book-meets-pulp-horror-meets-H.P. Lovecraft deranged 1920s universe of New Arcadia, delivered to gamers via accessible episodic releases. Players join Gabe and Tycho, the crime-solving team of the Startling Developments Detective Agency, to combat savage enemies and solve mysteries hidden deep in the sinister heart of New Arcadia. The game is the result of close collaboration between Hothead Games and Penny Arcade, featuring distinct artwork and characters designed exclusively by Mike "Gabe" Krahulik, story and dialogue by Jerry "Tycho" Holkins, and all brought to life by the Hothead team.

"We keep getting emails asking why our Penny Arcade game is not on PSN," said Hothead's CEO, Vlad Ceraldi. "We have always said we wanted to have our games on as many platforms as possible to give choice to gamers. All good things take time and we are very excited to be debuting our first PS3 title and look forward to bringing more games to this platform in the future."

The PLAYSTATION(R)3 system version of Episode One will be priced in line with the game on other platforms.

I think that it will [shift into a Hollywood-type model]. And I think that, ultimately, it has to. And I think we will shift to that model, but I think that there are a couple of things that have to happen before we really shift to that. One is that I think technology has to settle down a little bit. I think technology is moving forward really rapidly, and part of what a lot of teams do is exploring new technology, and I think that's kind of hard to do with an ad hoc thing.

I think the other thing that's going to have to happen - and this is a really big one - is we're going to have to become unionized. Because I don't think that you're going to be able to grab all of these freelance people when you need them if there isn't some kind of a union structure that's over the top of them. You can't really have a bunch of animators just floating around from job to job with nothing in between.

So I think there's going to have to be a lot more structure, and I think that's going to have to come in the form of unions - which, you know, I don't know that I really agree with that; I think unions bring a lot of bad things to gaming, but I think they're going to be necessary for us to move into that Hollywood model.

Interesting interview with a lot of content; worth plowing through if you're in the mood for some interesting reading.

Spanking Death: Ron Gilbert Goes Episodic... And Loves It [Gamasutra]

Penny Arcade Adventures [Xbox.com]

As you recall, there's no PlayStation Network version because PSN doesn't support Torque, with which the game is built. Full fact sheet follows the jump.

GAME FACT SHEET

Summary

Format: Xbox LIVE® Arcade
Download for Windows, Macintosh, Linux
Publisher: Hothead Games
Developer: Hothead Games
Release Date: May 21, 2008
Category: RPG-Adventure
ESRB Rating: M for Mature
Website: www.rainslick.com

On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness is an RPG-Adventure game set in the comic-book-meets-pulp-horror-meets-H.P. Lovecraft deranged 1920s universe of New Arcadia, delivering mature and compelling entertainment to gamers via accessible episodic delivery. The creative collaboration between Penny Arcade creators Mike 'Gabe' Krahulik and Jerry 'Tycho' Holkins, legendary game designer Ron Gilbert and veteran producers Hothead Games results in a 100% authentic Penny Arcade experience that pushes bizarre characters, outrageous combat, and adult humor to the precipices of darkness.

Players join Gabe and Tycho, the crime-solving team of the Startling Developments Detective Agency, to combat savage enemies and solve mysteries hidden deep in the sinister heart of New Arcadia. The ominous 1920s landscape features distinct artwork and characters designed exclusively by Krahulik and brought to life by the Hothead team.

On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness © 2008 Hothead Games, Inc. Penny Arcade, the Penny Arcade logo, and the Penny Arcade Adventures logo are trademarks of Penny Arcade, Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. Hothead, the Hothead Games logo, and the On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness logo are trademarks of Hothead Games, Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. All Rights Reserved. All other trademarks and logos are the property of their respective owners.
Episodic Game Play

Each episode of On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness brings the Startling Developments detective team closer to discovering the sinister and bizarre mystery of New Arcadia, and truly takes advantage of the episodic genre by integrating features like

• The ability to carry over character, stats, abilities, inventory and look across all episodes
• A complete experience available in 5-10 hours of game play per episode
• A price point of $19.95 (or 1600 Microsoft points), offering tremendous value that fits into the modern gamer's busy schedule
• Pick-up-and-play capabilities from any episode, allowing players enjoyment without the need to play previous installments

Key Game Features

• Create-a-Player System lets you design and develop your own character, seeing it come to life in 3D and in the comic-style 2D cut scenes
• Dynamic turn-based combat system, over-the-top animations, and team-up moves during enemy battles
• Classic adventure game play combines with RPG elements to unravel the game's mysteries and puzzles
• Authentic Penny Arcade story and dialogue written exclusively by Jerry Holkins
• Includes Gabe, Tycho, Annarchy, the Fruit F*cker and many other favorite Penny Arcade characters, plus new characters designed by Mike Krahulik

HOTHEAD GAMES SETS PRICE, TECHNICAL SPECS FOR UPCOMING PENNY ARCADE GAME

Windows, Mac and Linux versions to sell worldwide for $19.95

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA - March 27, 2008 - Hothead Games today announced official pricing for the upcoming first installment in the downloadable, episodic game series Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness. Although the title is long, the price is just a short and sweet $19.95 for the Windows®, Mac® and Linux® versions of the game, currently scheduled to launch simultaneously this spring on these platforms and via Xbox LIVE® Arcade.

Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness, Episode One is expected to offer gamers five to ten hours of gameplay and work on current generation computer hardware, making it compatible with players' schedules and pocketbooks.

Reqiured Specs:

Windows and Linux

* Windows® 2000/XP/VistaTM with latest updates or Linux® 32-bit x86
* Pentium® III, AMD AthlonTM 1.0 GHz or better

Mac

* Mac® OS X 10.4/10.5 with latest updates
* PowerPC® G4, G5 or Intel® based Mac 1.0 GHz or better

All Platforms

* ATI RadeonTM 9500 or better, NVIDIA GeForceTM FX 5200 or better, Intel® GMA 950 or better with 64 MB of video memory (shared or dedicated)*
* 512 MB of available system memory
* OS-supported keyboard and mouse
* OS-supported sound card
* 350 MB of available hard drive space (185 MB installed)
* Available Internet connection for download and one-time authentication

Recommended Specs:

Windows and Linux

* Pentium® IV, AMD AthlonTM 1.5 GHz or better

Mac

* PowerPC® G4, G5 or Intel® based Mac 1.5 GHz or better

All Platforms

* ATI RadeonTM X800 or better, NVIDIA GeForceTM 6600 or better video card with 128 MB of video memory*
* 768 MB of available system memory
* 16-bit stereo- or surround-capable sound card with latest drivers

Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness, Episode One has been rated "M" for Mature by the Entertainment Software Ratings Board.

First of all let me just say that the game has everything you would expect and want from a Penny Arcade game. A terrific art style, fun gameplay and hilarious dialog. You kick off the game with a great character customization screen. You can play a male or female character and for a comic style game, you get a surprising amount of variety in facial features, clothes and body types. One great mechanic has your character checking him or herself out whenever you change outfits. The amount of work that goes into the customization is pretty amazing seeing as not only do you see your character in 3D for the game scenes, but he/she is rendered live in 2d as well for the comic book cut scenes.

After the comic panel style intro featuring your customized character, you join up with Gabe and Tycho to solve the mystery of the giant marauding robot that opens the game by tromping it's way through your yard. Once your team is together you can use their various powers (individually and together) to plow your way through such iconic enemies as hobos, clowns mimes and even barber shop quartets. Just as in real life, Gabe's powers rely solely on fisticuffs and up close combat while Tycho (whos moves are the most powerful in the game) takes care of the ranged combat with a tommy gun and his trusty book (reading is power!). Your player character is the melee weapon fighter, starting off with a rake and eventually upgrading to other weapons along the way. Battles are turned based with timed initiatives and each special move requires a "mini game" to complete such as mashing the space bar repeatedly or doing timed moves with the directional arrows. Team combo moves can be done with two or three characters relying on a meter system to let you know when your power up is ready for use.

Watching the game really made me reminisce about the old point and click Lucas Arts games, on which PAA is heavily based. Engaging in dialog with NPCs will give you a variety of choices in answers, many resulting in additional razor sharp commentary by Gabe and Tycho. It should be noted that there are no voiceovers in the game and all conversation is done through comic style word balloons with dialog that had me laughing aloud a lot.

The game is set to be released simultaneously on MAC, PC and Linux with the XBLA version coming soon after. Despite the doubts that many people had concerning the game after the first trailer was shown, I think I can confidently say that gamers will be more than pleased when the first episode is finally released later this year. And in case you were wondering, there will be teabagging, but I'm not going to tell you where. That, you will have to discover for yourself.