"I'll be forever thankful for the opportunity the PA Scholarship has given me to attend USC, one of the world's best game design curriculums," said Gorman. "I've already been able work on several trial games including a board game called Spacewolves that I designed with some friends. Look out gamer community, I'm coming up!"

While at Hamilton College, Gorman was a computer science major and creative writing minor. Her biggest interests seem to be in the intersection of story telling and game design.

The annual PA scholarship, established in 2006, is available to college students interested in pursuing a career in the game industry. The winner is selected based on service, leadership, character, financial need and the potential to make a positive impact on the game industry.

"We're grateful at how much the community has supported us over the years and being able to assist bright new talents like Kyla is one of the ways we try to give a little back," said Robert Khoo of Penny Arcade. "Kyla shows the kind of passion and excitement for creating games that ensures the rest of us will have innovative titles to play in the future."

Application information for the 2010 scholarship will be available in spring 2010.

Last year drew 58,500; this year at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center in Seattle, the show had a fixed amount of tickets to sell due to overcrowding and safety concerns.

The figure is also south of back-of-the-envelope estimates that the con would draw 75,000. However, Khoo told Big Download he hopes more will be able to attend next year's expo, in light of expansion plans for the convention center. In late March, there also is PAX East in Boston. Khoo provided no early estimates of its attendance.

Exclusive: PAX 2009 Brings in 60,750 Attendees [Big Download via Joystiq]

Holkins and Krahulik took time out of their hosting duties at the 2009 Penny Arcade Expo to talk to Kotaku this weekend. We chatted in front of the camera and under the boom mic of a crew that's filming a reality show around this pair of the world's most successful gamers.

How successful? Three sold out days of Penny Arcade Expo 2009 at the Washington State Convention Center, expanding next year both to the first PAX East, in Boston, and, with the addition of a four-story annex across the street, to an even bigger 2010 Seattle show … Successful enough to garner millions of readers of their online comic strip… And, Krahulik told Kotaku, when I pressed him to name the most expensive thing he ever bought at once, successful enough to buy a Mercedes three years ago in cash.

One of Krahulik and Holkins' achievements has been to turn their love of video games into an opportunity to make video games. They helped put together Penny Arcade Adventures: On The Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness, their 2008 Xbox Live Arcade debut. They have released two episodes of the adventure game and say they are now "on the cusp" of an announcement about their game development future. They declined to provide specifics, so we talked about what they learned from the first project.

The lesson: Game-making did not turn out to be the joy they both may have anticipated.

"I discovered that I had no desire to make games," Krahulik told me during our interview.

"And I discovered that I like writing games a lot," Holkins said. "I would describe the process internally as very complex."

For both their comic strip and the game, which was developed by Hothead Games, Krahulik had art tasks. Holkins did writing.

Krahulik didn't like his role. "I think it's a lot more work than making comics," he said. "I don't think the end result is as entertaining. For me, what I like is drawing a comic, putting it up in a few hours and I get immediate feedback. .. And if you don't like that comic, there's another one Friday. With a game, I worked on that for two years, but my work was all concept, right? None of that work shows up in the game. Nobody sees it. I get no feedback."

"You get feedback on other people's work," Holkins quipped.

But while Krahulik is happy enough with his comics job, Holkins found game-making much more fulfilling. "The process is so different from our regular writing process [of the comic strip,] where it's mostly about a process of refinement, of distillation," he said. "You can write in a much more broad way in games… I could add as much text as I wanted to [in the game]. And so, for me, a lot of ideas that, under the ordinary strictures of the writing process, would be gone, I was able to keep and then polish up. … I found that process of characters having conversations in my head that I would transcribe very enjoyable. And I think it's excellent training for other kinds of writing that I might be asked to do in the future."

Holkins said that his future writing could involve books or scripts. I suggested songs. He said he already writes those.

Their comic won't stop. Their shows are bursting and beloved. They're on a game-making cusp. They seem not even slightly miserable, but if anyone thought that two guys who love playing games would automatically love making games, that's not so. It's more complex and more interesting than that.

Yes, Penny Arcade is telling the secret origin of Roger, Tekken's gestalt character, who is actually two fighters in one. When an erroneously-named new mother and a child not far removed from the womb team up to battle the forces of...everybody, they become a force to be reckoned with.

The Tekken 6 web comic will eventually run six pages. For now, prepare to be teased.

We love it because it glows in the dark. Who has a business meeting in the dark? Penny Arcade do now, that's who. Oh, and if anybody thinks of giving the "simplistic" design any crap, Twispand Catsby aren't drawn, they're inlaid wood.

You can read all about the process here, on BWC's blog, while there's a video showing off the hot glow in the dark action here.

Twisp & Catsby Conference table for Penny Arcade [Because We Can, via Boing Boing]

The rumors are true, somewhat. The Cardboard Tube Samurai will be appearing in Tekken 6, at least in spirit, as a downloadable GameStop pre-order bonus costume for Yoshimitsu, who can be seen dual-wielding the powerful weapons in the official screenshots here. Along with a Pac-Man kimono, cardboard tubes, and a hat, the pre-order bonus DLC also features Samurai Battle Banners, which can be used to make any Tekken 6 character look a little more attractive. On top of that, GameStop customers who pre-order the game also receive a Tekken 6 calendar, which you can then use to retroactively circle the October 27th North American release date.

Now how much would you pay? But wait, there's more!

Both versions of Tekken 6 will also be available bundled with a limited-edition Hori fight stick and an art book, for only $149.99. That's cheaper than buying three copies of the game alone!

Check out the gallery for shots of the new bundles and the new Yoshimitsu outfit, and let us know if you're one of the few and the proud who plan on scoring one of those sexy stick bundles.

I suppose the backlit dual-wield weaponry could be argued to be anything - but the Pac Man logo on the gi means it's definitely Cardboard Tube Samurai. Note also the white socks and mandals.

Paustini, a cohost over at Gamertag radio, noticed it too and posits that we should expect to hear more at this year's PAX.

It seems some of website founders Gabe and Tycho's comic genius has made it into Namco's yearly Iron Fist Tournament. Namely, the upcoming Tekken 6, which is heading to Xbox 360 and PS3 this Fall.

If I were you, I'd expect a neat little announcement at this year's Penny Arcade Expo.

Penny Arcade Meets Tekken, Cardboard Tube Samurai a Character in Tekken 6 [Gamertag Radio, thanks mr_raccoon]

I'm just happy this was about Project Natal and not the Milo and Kate demo... right?

His Southern Reaches [Penny Arcade]

The Fruit Fucker 2000 first appeared as a punch line to a Penny Arcade comic about Blizzard trademarking hell, but he soon took on a life of his own, disturbing the hell out of Tycho and Gabe's better halves and eventually saving the duo from a horde of brain-hungry zombies.

But that's not why we love the Fruit Fucker 2000. We love him because he sprung from the minds of a couple of (arguably) normal gamers to become an iconic video game character in his own right. That, and he gives us a valid reason to say the word fucker a lot.

[image]

Senate resolution 8640 - introduced on March 5 and passed on March 5 - honours the contribution the pair (both originally from Spokane, Washington) have made to the state, the games industry and to children's charities across the world courtesy of their Child's Play initiative.

You can read the full account here, which is as heart-warming as it is terribly formal.

That's, like, flying cars/robot helpers territory. Yet the site/comic, written by Jerry Holkins and illustrated by Mike Krahulik, has gone from success to success since launching in 1998, and to cap it all of will be releasing a book next year. A proper book, too, not just a collection of comics.

All they're saying at the moment is that it's some kind of anniversary compendium that will detail the making and running of the site, to celebrate PA's 10th birthday. And in true PA style, readers are being asked to submit questions for the pair, with answers to eventually turn up in the book.

[Penny Arcade]

I mean, 38,000 people? That's a hell of a lot of people/internet gaming nerds. It's a veritbale gaming census. So let's take a look at the highlights of their findings, see what makes 'em/you tick!

Average Age: 26

Boy/Girl Split: 94% Boys, 6% Girls

Internet Usage:
- Cable/DSL: 84.7%
- LAN: 8.0%
- Fios: 3.0%
- WiMax: 0.7%
- 56k Modem: 0.5%
- Other: 3.1%

Average Number of Hours of TV Per Week: 6.1 Hours

Console Ownership:
- PC: 86.3%
- Xbox 360: 54.1%
- Wii: 53.5%
- PS2: 52.7%
- Nintendo DS: 51.5%
- iPhone/iPod: 29.9%
- XBOX: 26.2%
- PS3: 24.5%
- Sony PSP: 20.5%

Average Game Library Collection: 73

Average Gaming Hours/Week: 18

Average Household Income: $66,000

Average Games Purchased/Month: 2

Game Genres Played:
- RPGs: 89.7%
- FPS': 79.0%
- Platformers: 63.3%
- RTS': 59.9%
- Turn Based Strat: 56.0%
- Tabletop/CCG: 40.0%
- Simulations: 37.7%
- Web Based: 37.5%
- Driving/Racing: 31.4%
- 2D Fighters: 29.9%
- Shooters: 29.0%
- 3D Fighters: 28.0%
- Sports Games: 14.7%
- Flight Sims: 10.5%

Fascinating stuff, no? You can see the full breakdown of their findings at the link below, including what phones you use and which gaming websites were the most widely-read.

[Penny Arcade]

This time around? Records were broken. No, broken and then broken again. Over the course of the 08/09 campaign, an incredible $1,434,377 was raised to help buy sick kids in hospitable sweet video games. That's a new record for the charity, and any way you look at it, an astonishing amount.

Here's a round up of some of the best ones that made it to my door when I wasn't home, including cards from David Jaffe's EatSleepPlay, Blizzard, Lucas Arts, Nintendo, Microsoft and Insomniac Games. Oh, and a papercraft Rabbid perfect for setting on fire.

For those unable to process such an impressive array of digits, that's over one million dollars. And all of it goes to sick kids, so they can play some games while stuck in a hospital. So wonderful.

You Will Feel The Heat [Penny Arcade]

The two will be appearing at panels and signings during the event, which takes place from Feb. 6 to Feb. 8 in teh Jacob Javits Center.

"New York Comic Con welcomes Gabe and Tycho to its 2009 event as the capstone of its gamer program, a program which features names including 2K Games, Activision, Codemasters, EA Mythic, Epic, Hudson, Konami, Sony Online Entertainment, and Ubisoft on our show floor or featured in our panel rooms," Show Manager Lance Fensterman said. "We're highlighting some of the biggest companies and most-anticipated games of 2009, and we're very, very happy to welcome the creators of Penny Arcade — the zeitgeist of the gamer community — to sit at the center of these festivities."

Don't worry, they're still going to be doing their 2010 PAX East Coast in Boston, think of this as a table setter.

Ps. I'll have last night's Denver Funde Razer donations up in a bit, I woke up like ten seconds ago. YAY

PENNY ARCADE'S GABE AND TYCHO COME TO NY COMIC CON

CREATORS OF ACCLAIMED WEBCOMIC FEATURED AS GUESTS OF HONOR

Norwalk, CT, December 11, 2008: New York Comic Con (NYCC) today revealed that Mike "Gabe" Krahulik and Jerry "Tycho" Holkins will both appear at the 2009 New York Comic Con as Guests of Honor. Gabe and Tycho are the creators of the popular video game-themed webcomic Penny Arcade, and they will appear at New York Comic Con to take part in panels and signings. The 2009 New York Comic Con takes place February 6-8 in the Jacob Javits Center in New York, NY. Gabe and Tycho join Guests of Honor including Geoff Johns, Jim Lee, J. George Perez, Michael Straczynski, and Michael Uslan.

Since founding Penny Arcade in 1998, creators Gabe and Tycho have fostered their online comic about video games into a pillar of gamer culture. The webcomic, updated thrice weekly, currently runs over 1,500 strips and is read by over 3.5 million fans every month. And beyond the comic, Penny Arcade manages a children's charity — Child's Play — and hosts a gaming festival — Penny Arcade Expo — held in Seattle each year.

"New York Comic Con welcomes Gabe and Tycho to its 2009 event as the capstone of its gamer program, a program which features names including 2K Games, Activision, Codemasters, EA Mythic, Epic, Hudson, Konami, Sony Online Entertainment, and Ubisoft on our show floor or featured in our panel rooms," Show Manager Lance Fensterman said. "We're highlighting some of the biggest companies and most-anticipated games of 2009, and we're very, very happy to welcome the creators of Penny Arcade — the zeitgeist of the gamer community — to sit at the center of these festivities."

More information about Gabe and Tycho's events at New York Comic Con along with

In case you missed the "K" at the end of that headline, the dinner raised over $200,000. The rate at which these events - both the charity auction and the Child's Play movement at large - are snowballing is, at times, simply mind-blowing.

Last night was rad [Penny Arcade]

Child's Play 2008 [Penny Arcade]

"We recognize that gamers expect these features in standard retail games, so why not in indie games as well?" said Greenhouse's Vlad Ceraldi. "But, in a crowded gaming world of achievements and trophies, it's inevitable that all of the good words are gone. We've just snatched the last few that make any sense, so 'good luck' to anyone else looking to offer something similar."

The actual news, points out Greenhouse's Robert Khoo, is that this is likely the first in-game awards system for games on Mac and Linux. The first game to get the treatment is Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness Episode Two.

Greenhouse Unveils Nitrogen Software Development Kit! [Greenhouse Forums, via Joystiq]

"Just yesterday we accidentally left some of our thunder in our pants and then they went into the washing machine and the thunder got ruined," said Mike "Gabe" Krahulik, "It wasn't a big deal to us, though, because we have plenty more thunder."

Speaking to Edge, Gabe elaborated, ""I don't see it having any effect on PAX, no. E3 has always been and looks like it will continue to be about the industry. PAX is about the community around games as much as it's about the games themselves."

PAX: Big E3 Won't "Steal Our Thunder" [Edge]