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Posts with tag penny-arcade

Penny Arcade plays cards at the Darkmoon Faire

As expected, Penny Arcade did show up at the Seattle Darkmoon Faire last weekend, and also as expected, Tycho did bring a raid deck. He also, surprisingly, dressed up for the role -- apparently he worse the cape they'd depicted in the comic while running the Molten Core game (though he couldn't find a skull pin to go with it). Sounds like a lot of fun. Upper Deck has coverage of the event, though we couldn't find any mention of the Penny Arcade guys.

Another thing Tycho mentions (and that makes it into the comic today, NSFW) is that even for people familiar but not fanatic about the game like them, entering these tournaments can be really tough -- there are tons of solid decks and strategies out there, and if you haven't done the research, someone who has can very easily trounce you. They even mention a "three card infinite damage combo" that players can use. Unfortunately, that's way too far over my TCG strategy head to actually tell you what it is (maybe commenters can help), but it seems like for new players especially, these formal TCG events might be a little tough to get into.

Still, the Darkmoon Faire events are fun, even if you're not playing at the top of the heap. UDE has lots more news about upcoming events on their website.

15 Minutes of Fame: Player settles in for Wrath with his friends

15 Minutes of Fame is our look at World of Warcraft players of all shapes and sizes – from the renowned to the relatively anonymous, the remarkable to the player next door. Tip us off to players you'd like to hear more about at 15minutesoffame (at) wowinsider (dot) com.

What keeps you playing the game? Especially in light of Wrath's option of seeing all the upcoming new raid content in a 10-man version, friendship is proving to be the tie that binds many WoW players. Small guilds who've felt locked out of raiding content and players who don't care for the atmosphere in groups large enough to chew through 25-man content at a steady clip are reconsidering their options.

This week, 15 Minutes of Fame offers a view from a player who's making exactly that journey, all the way from June 2005 and onward into Wrath of the Lich King. Myrena of Mug'thol is one of those players who's tried to "do it right" for years, trying out different methods of cobbling together scattered friendships, real-life work schedules and end-game raiding goals. Today, Myrena is looking forward to the opportunity to chill with friends in Wrath, nibbling their way through the game in a more intimate group. Peek inside Myrena's WoW evolution and find out why Wrath appears to be such a plum to players like him.

Continue reading 15 Minutes of Fame: Player settles in for Wrath with his friends

Penny Arcade to appear at Upper Deck's Darkmoon Faire in Seattle


If you've never been to Upper Deck's Darkmoon Faire event before, it's a pretty good time. It's obviously a lot more fun if you're a fan of the WoW TCG (as they have open-to-close tournaments and events going on), but even online game players will find something to do -- UDE sets up an event realm provided by Blizzard, and they sometimes even have leveling and instance contests as well.

Upper Deck is holding a Darkmoon Faire event in Seattle next weekend, June 13-15, and they sent along a note letting us know that the guys from Penny Arcade are going to be there in attendance. Both Gabe and Tycho, you'll know if you're an avid reader of the comic, are fans of the card game, and while Upper Deck isn't clear about what they'll be doing there (all they tell us is that the guys will "partake" of the gaming), it's not hard to expect that at least Tycho will be eventually running a Molten Core raid game.

Should be fun -- if you're around Seattle and get to stop by the Seattle Center next weekend (it's free to visit the event, and various tournaments have different costs associated with them), definitely take pictures and let us know how it went.

Penny Arcade wants you to write 10 words about WoW

Penny Arcade, those funny WoW comic guys, are giving away a metric ton of loot, via a contest, that they've gotten for the WoW Trading Card Game. Things that they're giving away include "four boxes of boosters, tournament playmats, a Winterveil collector's box, deckboxes, sleeves, two binders, three raid decks, three starter decks, and one of these awesome dice chest things." That's a ton of stuff to be handing out. But it gets better.

They're also handing out an X-51 Nether-Rocket card to each winner. You can get your very own Rocket Mount!

Three lucky winners will be quite happy. What's the contest they're holding? From the site: "you must write a short story, set in World of Warcraft, and this story must be precisely ten words long." It's so simple and so easy you just have to chuckle. Head on over to their site for more information on how to enter the contest.

Of course, you'll have to go up against a certain WoW Insider writer on this one, since I've already submitted my story: "A casual paladin casually walks up and one shots Illidan."

Good luck!

Reader WoWspace of the Week: Aryc Ogre


Welcome once again to Reader WoWspace of the Week! Now I know a lot of people like 'em messy, but as some have noted, we just don't get too many messy ones. It seems like we generally only get them when they're clean. (Of course, you have to wonder if we couldn't market WoWspace participation as an effective office organization tool!) This one comes to us from Aryc Ogre, who didn't send in his character name, server or anything, but his case makes us wonder if he isn't the prot Paladin from this recent Penny Arcade comic. For his story and lots more pictures, be sure to join me after the break!

Continue reading Reader WoWspace of the Week: Aryc Ogre

"Art of Blizzard" benefit show to be held Saturday


Our good friends at Massively beat us to the punch on this one: as seen on Gabe's (of Penny Arcade) little blurb yesterday, Gallery Nucleus in Alhambra, California is holding an "Art of Blizzard" Benefit Show for Child's Play, the charity started by Penny Arcade to buy and donate videogames to children in hospital. Additionally, Blizzard artists and developers will be in attendance at the event, and Upper Deck will be there demo-ing the WoW TCG (which is probably where some of the art comes from) as well. And the art is going to be from all of Blizzard's different games, not just World of Warcraft.

The PDF press release has more info, and admission is free to the public. I don't think any of our correspondents are in the area, but if you're around and get to go, be sure to take pictures and send them along to us. It definitely sounds like a fun event, and it's always great when developers put their time and work in to help out a worthy charity.

Webcomics come back to WoW

Penny Arcade posted a joke about Figureprints driving people back to play WoW, but today's commentary (by the always insightful Tycho) shows that it wasn't just a joke-- the PA guys have sold their souls back to Blizzard. The game has changed a lot in the past few years, and I admit-- going back to play my Hunter, which I've been doing lately, has made the game almost completely new for me. From all the talent changes to all the new items and the midgame updates, it's almost a brand new Azeroth for anyone coming back to the game.

PvP Online, another popular webcomic, has been running a "return to WoW" comic series as well-- 'tis the season, apparently, to come back to Azeroth. Besides all the changes and the new content, the only other reason I can think of is that there's not much else out there in terms of really established MMO experiences-- everybody else is still getting up to running speed when most WoW players already know what they're doing and how to do it. Are we in the middle of a World of Warcraft cultural resurgence right now?

Figureprints make great gifts... or do they?

You are no doubt aware of the new, if somewhat costly, service provided by Figureprints in cooperation with Blizzard, which allows you to receive a real-life statuette of your character from the game. This likely appeals most to players whose characters have progressed far enough in either raiding or PvP to acquire some of the really impressive looking gear for their characters.

Yet, as these two comics from Penny Arcade point out (part one and part two), they don't exactly make for good gifts, unless the giver is very keen on the wishes of the recipient. For players who haven't acquired high-end class armor, the appearance of our characters may inspire more shame than pride. Certainly a lot of the armor we might happen to possess isn't the kind of stuff you'd want to place on the mantle above your fireplace.

Nonetheless, if you were to receive such a gift, you wouldn't necessarily have to quit one's job to grind honor and raid for a few months. There are some relatively attractive sets of armor available for purchase on the auction house, and, though they won't impress those friends who really know their WoW gear, they might just look good enough to impress everyone else.

Child's Play auction update: $300 raised


While wandering over to check out one of my favorite blogs, the Bronze Kettle, I noticed that they had posted this uber cute (and free) wallpaper.

Of course, the real reason that I headed over was to check out the status of their first charity auction for Child's Play. I was extremely pleased to hear that it had raised $300!

For those of you feeling out of the loop, or who would like a refresher (for charity), there are lots of places to go and find out what this Penny-Arcade charity is all about.

The Child's Play About page is an absolute fountain of information. It walks you through their mission and how they came to be, as well as the ways in which they work to benefit sick children, from funding pediatric research, to donating toys and games to enrich their lives.

It also provides very detailed contact info, as well as guidelines for donating, volunteering, and running your own auctions for their charity. It tells you everything you'll need to know about getting involved; for example, you cannot donate your used games and gaming machines, but you could set up an auction and donate from the sale.

The original post from Penny-Arcade, talking about why they started Child's Play, and what they hope to accomplish, is also very informative. For some perspective, they report that we (the gaming community) have already raised $200k, when we closed last year at only November at $260k! Also hit up the Child's Play events page, which lists (IRL) events that the organization holds.

Continue reading Child's Play auction update: $300 raised

Bronze Kettle auctions character art for Child's Play

It's that time of year again-- the time of gamer giving, and the good folks over at The Bronze Kettle are running a terrific event for Child's Play that is sure to bring in some great cash for the annual Penny Arcade sponsored charity. They're auctioning off a custom Starprints illustration, charm, and avatar of the World of Warcraft character of your choice. Starprints actually sent us one of their pieces for our recent fan art contest, and while they didn't win, they are definitely cute little charms, and a completely original piece of art for your character.

As of this writing, the highest bid is only about $31, but come on, people! This is for charity! If you have any interest in getting your character immortalized in a piece of art, get out those wallets and offer some cash. Not only are you picking up an illustration, charm, and a custom avatar, but you're supporting a great cause, too-- 100% of the sale price goes straight to the charity, which supports hospitals around the country with videogames and other needed items for children.

And stay tuned to the entire Joystiq network for more Child's Play related giving this year


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