2009/10 - Let's Make Super Review Fun Go!

So, we end another year. Last year, I posted, and Terry posted, some end-of-the-year round-ups. From my post, I listed what I was looking forward to the most for 2009:

#1: Half Life 2: Episode 3 (PC) (In keeping with tradition...?)
#2: Dawn of War 2 (PC)
#3: Demigod (PC)
#4: Halo 3: ODST (360)
#5: Diablo 3 (PC)
#6: Alan Wake (PC)
#7: Gran Turismo 5 (PS3)
#8: Aliens: Colonial Marines (PC)
#9: Starcraft 2 (PC)
#10: Killzone 2 (PS3)

Amazingly, 4 of my most wanted for 2009, weren't even released in 2009. And even then, I only own one of them (Dawn of War 2, which I haven't finished yet). Killzone 2 had amazing graphics, Demigod is still on the 'to do' list, as is Halo 3 ODST. 

As for the rest, the 2 Blizzard titles are edging closer (at least Starcraft 2 is), Alan Wake and Gran Turismo 5 are looking to actually see 2010, I cant remember whats happening with Aliens - leaving the joker entry - Half Life. Yeah, maybe pencil that in for 2011...

As for 2009 as a review:

Batman Arkham Asylum and Dragon Age: Origins get honourable mentions, as does Scribblenauts. However, the big hitters for me were Borderlands and Left4Dead2. The latter wasn't even announced this time last year, with an extremely quick (and controversial) turn-around from 1 to 2. It mostly improves on the original in almost every way. The friendly AI leaves a lot to be desired (try playing Dead Centre Center in singleplayer, and prepare for major irritation). Borderlands on the other hand, seemed to tick every box for me. Decent pacing, half-decent storyline and good blend of RPG and FPS made it one of my favourite games by far of the year - I rarely play a game from beginning to end in one week.


Technicalities: 
Mass Effect - released in 2008 - but played by me this year was thoroughly enjoyable, and almost ruined Dragon Age for me, as I continually compared the two. It also gave me respite from my dissertation, which is a wonderful, wonderful thing.
Grand Theft Auto IV - released on the PC in December 2008, and almost makes it as a 2009 release, was also bloated, buggy and struggled to run on just about anything; but still captivated me until completion.
World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King - I somehow missed out this from last year, but remains the most played game on my PC. Simple as that.
Guitar Hero World Tour/Rock Band - I simply have to give this game a nod, as it literally defined the time I spent with my housemates at University - one of the best games to bring people together and pretend we can all play instruments. Also, nothing beats standing in the kitchen with Chris, out of line-of-sight from the TV, and still being able to play Everlong on expert. That's right ladies, form an orderly queue please...


2010: Most Wanted - A relatively self-explanatory list:


#1: World of Warcraft: Cataclysm
#2: Mass Effect 2
#3: Final Fantasy XIII
#4: Bioshock 2
#5: Starcraft 2
#6: Gran Turismo 5 
#7: Diablo III
#8: Red Dead Redemption

#9: Star Wars: The Old Republic
#10: Halo: Reach


Yeah, was #1 really that surprising? Though I will probably regret saying this; I am quite confident that at least 9 of these games will have been released by December '10.


JB

Goodbye 2009

Morning all, a comic is unlikely this week due to other commitments but check back in the next few days for mine and Johns opinions of games in 2009, and the last decade.

Hope you all had a good holiday relevant to your soci-political situation and theological preferences.

T/K

Comic: Merry Christmas

Not so much a comic, more a postcard:

This will be our last post before Christmas, so, a Merry one to all. I will be playing Rock Band as soon as humanly possible, so expect me to drop off the radar, and if you do see me - expect my hands to be withered bony talons.

Also, I will be visiting relatives next weekend, so expect a delayed comic - if at all - for the 28th.

JB

Comic: Merry Christmas, from Ben

Okay, it's late posted, and also not strictly canon to anything we have done, however, a promise is a promise, and here is my 'friend' killing me with a bazooka for wearing a Santa hat:

I'm not going to explain or justify this. It just is. And Terry had nothing to do with it - so don't blame him.

JB

Computing Creatively

No comic today, for reasons John has mentioned so instead here's a little something different.

Alot of you maybe aware John and I attended Coventry University, we have mentioned it now and again. While we were not at that time a part of the Creative Computing department we had alot of support and guideance from within the department, even going so far as to allow dotGif to appear in the Creative Degrees film show in 2009.

Well now to return the favour I urge you all to watch the below video, it tells the tale of the new approach to teaching first year students employeed by the faculty this year. We know alot of you out there reading this are students, or considering doing courses related to multimedia computing or game design, so why not watch the video and start asking your university why they dont do this also.

Being ethical about hacking, serious about games, and computing creatively

T/K

Please Wait While Comic Loads...

Due to other things this weekend, the comic will be posted later on this week.

(I was going to have a go at it tonight, but thankfully, a lorry driver decided to jack-knife and piss diesel all over the M25, causing a 2 hour delay for myself and my passenger.)

Stay tuned... And hope Terry has written it...

JB

Comic: Ian's Outburst (Honey)

A comic based on true events and words, overheard by Terry:

Poor Ian. He's 39, works as management in a videogame store, and works with some truly academically nourished individuals. My time in retail has left me as a scarred husk of humanity, and I wish a swift exodus/death to those currently trapped within its foils.

Also - my parents let slip what I'm getting for Christmas. Once I've posted this, I'm off to pre-order Gran Turismo 5 and Final Fantasy XIII... ^_^

JB

Comic: Con-grad-ulations

This weeks comic is dedicated to all our classmates from University. It is also dedicated to the people who motivated, inspired and who are ultimately the sole reason I personally went to University in Coventry. Without you, I would not have my degree, so I owe you a lot, and it allowed me to meet some of the best friends I could hope to know:

JB

Epic hat-hair

The Usual Suspects

So, as a 'thank you' to our lecturers - instead of giving them gifts, money and sports cars - we thought they would prefer a nice drawing:

From left to right: John Filippas, Anna Feng, Alastair Railton, Hisbel Arochena and Peter Every.

If we missed anyone out from this line-up (and we know we did) then apologies to you. Yes, you.

Terry has agreed that, if you appear in this image, and you are slightly insulted by it, you can personally take it out on him. He honestly doesn't mind. Make him cover a bunch of lectures, or something.

...I mean, a beret Peter?! How utterly condescending. Punish Terry appropriately.

JB

(...I mean, T/K)

Comic: Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations

Apologies for the delayed post:

...and the excessively long title. Yes, were back to Sonic bashing - its how we seem to roll.

JB

Working hard, or hardly working?

Apologies everyone out there in dotGif land, a combination of hardware, illness and time issues have prevented this weeks comic from being finished in time.

It will be posted on wednesday and following Johns magnificent début at writing last week (well it wasnt exactly his first, but we don't talk about THAT one) I will be returning to pen this issue.

Oh and if you want someone to blame for the delay this week, blame whoever wrote the latest SSH worm on the iPhone, neither of us have an iPhone but we've been too busy laughing.

T/K

Comic: Modern Mindfare

This week, I wrote the comic. Okay, so you know that now. So.. Here goes:

Due to Terry's sister hitching up with her guy (gratz Jemma & Rich), he didn't get one written. Well.. I say he didn't - he did - but I wasn't so keen on it, and he wasn't around to bounce ideas off. So, I made this, on account of being sickened by the unending mentioning of this goddamned game, which, I have decided, I won't play unless forced upon me - out of principle.

Mr. Kotick, the CEO of Activision made something stupid, like $30 million from this title. That might be the value of his stocks in Activision - or something like that - but you could basically say, that he made a fair bit. Added to that, is the games' ~$300 million sales in the US alone, from the first 24 hours. THEN, partner that with Activision-Blizzard thing (Blizzard make WoW, WoW makes $infinity per month), and 2009 becomes a very happy time for the shareholders of either company.

Anyway, rant over, money was made, publicity was rediculous, and I wanted to express the sort of insanity that might be brought on by someone not knowing what a 'Modern Warefare 2' is. Turns out it was all a rouse.

JB
I think, in the same way I was once quoted as saying "I'll never play Super Monkey Ball.", my will power may wane, and the possibility of bandwagon-jumping could be high. On account of my love for Super Monkey's in Balls.

Comic: There Will be Blood

And lots of it, it seems:

A quick look at Bioware's new game show cases a wonderful texture rendering, where you and your party can be caked head to toe in the crimson macabre. In the comic, we question whether or not this was raised with the department responsible. It seems not.

And, if you do not directly recognise the person sat at the far left of the table, then some viewing may be required. Yes, him.

Also, this is the first comic drawn on the new and improved Bamboo tablet from Wacom - yes, one friend described the Bamboo line as the 'Wacom Poverty', but I sadly cannot justify dropping £300 on an Intuos4. Having said that, the new Bamboo feels good to work on, and, although I speak for myself here, is a massive improvement over the standard/old one. I go into detail here.

JB

Comic: Budgeting

Our slightly late Halloween comic. Oops:

We wondered what life would be like in an financially-attuned summoning chamber, where assets and consumables were closely monitored by 'that guy'. We all know every office or workplace has "that guy" -  they are either saying no to new flatscreen monitors and quad-core PC's, or rationing paper-clips but they are everywhere, and they are legion.

We also liked how the recession could even affect the dark arts.

JB
Interesting fact: this comic is based on an e-mail conversation between myself and Terry... Don't ask. Its always best if you don't ask.

Comic: Yoko? Oh No!

Ah, the Beatles Rock Band. I have not yet bitten at the apple, but look forward to one day, owning the game I can tell my children about; in the same way I ask my parents about the actual Beatles rock band:

Listening to the Beatles while making this really helped...

However, I now know that Terry - being a creature of spite and malice - will pencil in a Hannah Montana or High School Musical comic... Gagh. If that's the bullet I have to take.

JB

Yes, the 'bitten at the apple' was a Beatles pun...

There's a comic for that.

Morning all, just a little house keeping post.
First I apologise for the lack of posts recently. Theres a number of reasons for this, such as those subtly hinted at in the last "special edition" comic.
But as this was a special edition midweek comic dont forget to check out the main monday comic Can We Keep Him?, which is one of my favorite comics simply because dragons rock, fact.

Finally work is still continuing behind the scenes on the new site as John mentioned and I subtly hinted at, and will be completed soon work and study allowing.

Being serious about games and ethical about hacking
T/K

Comic: Ex-Kay-See-Dee

Midweek madness! A comic for you, today, a Wednesday of all days! What crazy times we live in:

I have wanted to do a homage-comic for a while now, and the context of the joke works by us effectively doubling our workload this week. See what we did there. Clever us, etc. Also, with respect to the source material, its not too hard to mimic the style (from an art point of view...).

Note - If you're seeing this and your name happens to be Randall Munroe, then thanks for the excellent comic you make. Also, please don't sue. That'd be swell.

JB
Don't worry folks, we'll be back on Monday with more joviality and mirth.

P.S: Dont forget to check out this weeks "real" comic can we keep him?
T/K

Comic: Can We Keep Him?

This weeks comic has been brought to you by Bioware's new spangly RPG, Dragon Age: Origins, and in part by the Broodmother:

Facebook followers may recognise this as a slightly less detailed version of the dragon I drew on Wednesday - it all kinda makes sense now, doesn't it...

Keeping you updated:

The new site design suffered a minor setback recently, when I discovered I am too dumb to install and configure xampp, so, testing and design will take a lot longer. But, nevertheless, it is progressing, just slowly.

JB

This all took 4 hours... 

Comic: Pyrite Pirates

This weeks comic:

'cos sometimes, you can have too much Gold...

JB

Comic: Waaambulance Chaser

A small disclaimer, to rid ourselves of any legal implications:

Oh, wait. Fail.

JB

dotGif 2.0 - Coming Soon

T/K is working on a very cool new design for the website/blog - yes folks, we are amalgamating!

No more dual links to site and blog, and a centralised repository  for all things dotGif (we are also working on a suppository, for people who prefer... internal consumption...)

This may also mean a hosting switch, so there could be some site downtime in the near-future. We will let you know when the work is going ahead. Hopefully, comic releases will not be affected.

JB

Comic: Balls

This weeks comic is brought to you by the number - PAIN:

Yes, we will take any opportunity to slate a Uwe Boll product.

JB

p.s. that's a Hawaiian shirt - not a blood-stained one...

Anne-Droid

Mis-informed 'consumer awareness'. It's okay, the jokes on us - we give the BBC £140 a year to make this crap. (The last 10 mins - the rest is utter garbage.) Thanks BBC.

What is worse, mind you - and I hadn't realised this - was this was filmed/presented by Iain Lee. Someone I used to consider a fellow gamer, and enjoy watching while he reviewed games.

Used to.

Even if this consumer awareness is 'noble', it doesn't make sense why Sony is picked off for following common business practise. Christ - do you think Watchdog know about the Xbox's RRoD?!

JB

Ooops

A quick post to apologise to anyone trying to see comic #50 on the main site. This is now fixed.

JB

Dot 'If - or - The Spectacular Parade-Worthy 50th Comic

Celebration tiemz! Both comic #50, and blog post #256 (the 8th power of two! Woo!) Okay, if I'm honest, I'm more stoked about the 50th comic. Which can be seen below this line of text! Awesome!

Turns out, if you play certain videogames, they can, on occasion, lead to World Presidency. At least, that's one way of looking at it. Another way, is that some games are so bad, they unlock your true potential. Which, again, appears to be World Presidency. Alternatively, you can play a true classic, and end up in a webcomic with your friends. Swings and round-a-bouts, eh? 

Well, that's it folks. Numero 50 of our little webcomic. As they say in cricket; a half-century.

So, this brings me onto the award ceremony-esque thank-you speech: 

We are by no means a big comic - which means each and every person that reads the comic is important to us (and more-so if you like it...) So, thanks to everyone who has come to see the comic so far, we appreciate your patronage. Also, thanks to our friends who spurred us on, and who help us come up with ideas, either directly - in some cases - or indirectly. Thanks to you all. (Coventry Computer Science '09, holla)

We hope you keep enjoying the comic, and as always, feel free to comment and criticise to your hearts content. We don't get better by keeping on doing the same thing.

JB

Roll on #100!?

Simpson's did it: Redux

Just a quick note concerning the simpsons reference in the last comic for those that didnt follow it click through to read more


For those of you wondering this comic is of course a direct reference to one of my favorite scenes from the simpsons, specifically the "reverse vampires" scene from season 2 episode 7 - Grampa Vs Sexual Inadequacy
Following Homer and Grampa Simpson dalliances with an aphrodisiac tonic the adults of Springfield find themselves "busy" leading the kids to speculate what's going on.
Here's the script notes from the scene in question.

Bart: So finally, we're all in agreement about what's going on with the adults. Milhouse?
Milhouse: [steps up to blackboard] Ahem. OK, here's what we've got: the Rand Corporation, in conjunction with the saucer people --
Bart: Thank you.
Milhouse: -- under the supervision of the reverse vampires --
Lisa: [sighs]
Milhouse: -- are forcing our parents to go to bed early in a fiendish plot to eliminate the meal of dinner. [sotto voce] We're through the looking glass, here, people...


Note to self never reference a 15 year old episode of a TV show again.
T/K
Read More

Simpsons Did It

This weeks comic for you all.

This is our reaction to the Marvel buyout by Disney, which still doesn't make sense...

Also, this is comic #49... That's right folks, this time next week, we will be 50-comics old. Not too bad considering we [now] post weekly (i.e. we can do, at most, 52 comics a year), and still don't make anything from it... A labour of love. Or hate, I can never remember which.

Expect something good next week...

p.s - the iPhone sucks for getting Spotify first. It sucks so bad. You may pick up on some of the pent up hate in the comic above... +50DKP for noticing.

JB
Yes, I'm aware it says '06/09/2009' - I wasn't paying attention...

EDIT:
Just a quick note specific to the references in the strip read more
T/K

Like rats from a ship.

I also have a blog, but it's secret, expect clues over the coming years to its location.

Following the suprsing, to say the least, takeover of Marvel today by Disney I can also reveal we have been purchased by Disney for the sum a box set of Disney films and a promise of no more Aladdin sequels.
So expect Scarlet to have bought some "friends" with her back from America in the next comic.

T/K
P.S: dont forget this handy link cuts the "filler" revealing only "killer" or comics as they are known.

A blog is blorn...

Afternoon all - hope you enjoyed the comic.


A quick note to tell you that all personal items I post from now on (art, character work, videos of cats), will be hosted on my new personal blog:


220787.blogspot.com


- Temporary address while I do the unholy DNS-dance, I'm hoping it to be jblog.dotgif.co.uk


JB

Arbitrary Metrics

So, I may have said that the comic would not get done for today...


I lied.

JB

Something for the Weekend...

What a lovely weekend we are having here... Drizzle has to be the best of all the weather. Glorious sunshine can only make you so happy - drizzle actually continues to make you feel worse and worse, until you finally snap. And move to Spain. Times like these were made for long blog posts about 'feelings' and 'thoughts'...

Okay, so here goes; doing a comic every week is all fun and good, but sometimes I like to (and even sometimes, would rather) just play around with the characters - draw them in different way's, different poses etc. Not being a full-on art student, I don't devote my time to practising still life, so, a result of that is that I kinda suck at drawing characters 'doing things' ("ahh, so that's why you copy-and-paste the characters most weeks John!").

Now, don't fret - I will not subject you to a barrage of sketches of Will and Jay in provocative nude still life poses (email me for requests...) but, what I will give you, is the following...

First up - Here is Jay, randomly finding the Tri-Force in a chest (we've all been there):

Next, here's Scarlet (appropriately physically augmented) doing her thing; raiding tombs:

And finally, we have our resident plumber - Will - frantically blasting his way through World 1-1, only to find that the bloody princess is in another Castle. Bitch.

So, basically, that's the summary of a day's worth of work, split across the weekend. If the comic is late tomorrow, then make do with these, and we'll try to get the comic to you as soon as possible (don't blame Terry!)

((Well... You can blame him a little bit, if you want...))

(((Actually, I've just remembered - this is all his fault...)))

I'm considering making these 3 scenes into desktop wallpaper as well. For some reason - possibly age - I have a strong urge- nay, desire - to make everything I do into wallpaper. Even this blog post will be captured, the lighting balanced and then placed appropriately on a 1680x1050 canvas...

JB

(...j/k, me and Terry are cool, but he does fail at the Internet.)

Linux Vs. Windows - Linux +1

Linux loves you're child. There is a video to prove it. Maybe one day, your child will reciprocate that love - demanding open-source toys/jam sandwiches and the such:

via Gizmodo

This is the sort of programming I can do. This pleases me. I'm now all set up to one-day become the worlds greatest dad. Second to this guy, obviously.

JB

Scarlet Letter

Apologies for the late post:

This last week has been the busiest the blog has seen, ever. Many thanks to both our newer viewers, and especially our returning viewers. Like, thanks, and all that.

The 'wow, that game was sooo last year' vibe is due in part to Terry finally pulling his thumb out and finishing Fallout 3, but then this is partly due to the whole 'OMGOMG Degree' feeling of the past 2 years. So, we can all pat him on the back for his achievement. But sarcastically.

In other news, I've got myself one of those 'real life jobs', on a temporary basis. This only means that there could be the odd delay with comics if I'm spending too much time on a Sunday relaxing. However, it also means I can soon afford a new Wacom tablet, which, I hope, will bring an better look to the comic, or at least allow me more expression and [generic artistic terminology].

JB

Defying Gravity

This week, we look forward to Shattered Horizons - a post-Moon-ocalypse game by Futuremark, with a twist:

In the creation of the above comic, an alternate ending cropped up - one that, if used officially, may have begun some god-awful trend:
Yes, the unwelcome return of Solitare to the comic, this time, IN ZERO GEE. Note: this comic is not going to be available anywhere else - it is a super-duper collectors edition alternate ending.

JB

Also, I'd like to thank Heliophage for their constructive comments over on Kotaku this week, regarding last weeks comic.

We need some japanese school children, stat

If my years of watching anime taught me anything (apart from they do some wierd things with tentacles) its that if we ever hope to overcome this threat we need some Japanese school children.



This is judgement day people.

T/K

Qwerty Hurty

New comic:

This is based on a real situation, where I became concerned over Terry's possible practise of polygamy. Turns out, it was just his phone acting up.

JB

The Unpronounceable Thingy of Doctor Whatsit

So I've never tried hallucinogenic drugs, but after watching this I think I have a slightly better idea of what to expect.
The Trailer for The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus


Enjoy?
T/K
p.s: I am still alive, honest.

Ice T will fix your Mac - may void warranty.

For the attention of Edd - note: a little unsavoury language:

A rap-man named after a refreshing summer drink, fixing his Mac, based on the teachings from the school of Jeremy Clarkson.

I believe this is the same technique used at the Genius Bar in the new Apple store in Compton, L.A. Having seen this now, I know I will only ever need a hammer in my toolbox to fix my tech.

JB

John Hughes - R.I.P

I was devastated to read yesterday, that John Hughes died of a heart attack. Anyone who knows me, knows that some of my favourite films were directed by the man, including but not limited to; Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Uncle Buck (if just for the conversation between Macaulay Caulkin and John Candy...) and, of course The Breakfast Club:

This is my homage to him, and his work.

My deepest condolences to his family and loved ones.

JB

Bauum-bauum... ckicka-chicka, ckicka-chicka.

Feeling Blue

A spiritual sequel to '(Its not Easy) Being Blue':

It would also appear that Mr. Richards has been sneakily operating behind my back, and managed to get us into the 'Sunday Comics' section, that Owen Good over at Kotaku so religiously posts. My thanks to Owen for linking us there. Of course, the irony is, is that we operate a Monday posting-schedule, but never mind, eh.

If you have been linked here from Kotaku (and don't personally know us) - welcome!

JB

Follow-up: Preparation-H(owling Fjord) + more

You may remember, back in April, I posted a picture I was working on.

I cut Druack (that's me in WoW, if you didn't already know...) out and worked on the colour. Threw in a screenshot of an in-game forest (just outside of Auberdine if you care...) Ended up with this:

Of course, this was drawn before the wonders of such things as Nessingwary-4000's, so the gear is a little flaccid. But, lets all pretend I'm not level 80. Besides, the background is in Auberdine, and, obviously by now, your shouting at your screen "That's a lowbie zone!", and you would be right. Notice the modest silver glow to the eyes. Not the golden colour they are in game, to make us feel 'special'.

If only these things didn't take so long (4 months in this case...) I would post side-projects more often. However, having had the day free today to muck around with images, I have updated our Facebook/general profile pictures:


A little neater now, and more gif friendly with the block colour backgrounds. I made Terry less maniacal, which I guess is not true to life - but that's why we have artistic license... Though, I believe I have captured indifference in its purest form with his new expression.

Ah, enough from me, I'm blabbering... See you all tomorrow for the new comic, which is ALREADY DONE, as opposed to making you wait another 2 weeks.

JB

This Weeks Comic...

...Is finally here:

This is part 3 of the epic 'I know what you did next summer' trilogy. This is Scarlets 2nd postcard while traveling, as we all know she went to Iceland first... Ahh, the sights and sounds, and probably-trampy smells of the United States.

Apologies for not posting these past 2 weeks. Lethargy is a real bitch.

But what a come-back! 'Marlon Brando's' nipples! Ladies, please form an orderly queue...

JB

The Revolution Will Not Be Televised

No this isn't another attempt by me to take over the blog ( after all the last one wasn't exactly a huge success) just a quite note to say that once again this week there will be no comic and I can only apologise for this.

In the mean time, as those of you that follow my twitter feed will know I posted a few of my favourite comics from the last year to pass the time, so here they are again.

Noobs at 10: Possibly more jokes per pixel then any other comic. This comic came about as a mash up of 3 separate comic ideas from John and myself and some rather spectacular muffins in the Cov Uni grad cafe. It was all worth it if not just to reveal our characters names but to crack a Yoko Ono joke.

iRonman: A searing indictment of the over-commercialisation of holywood movies, or a dig at apple? You decide. Either way this comic came from somewhere around the transition period from pencil sketches scanned in, to purely tablet sketches.

The Interview (Life after Death): This is one of the oldest comics on the site, and still one of my favorite's as its the first time John absolutely nailed the image I had in my head when writing the comic. Although deaths look was later "retconned" for later versions this was still my favourite.

So apologies for no comic again this week but I hope you enjoy seeing some of my favourites again, and we always like feedback so if you have a particular favourite comic please let us know.

On the surface simplicity, but the darkest pit in me, it's pagan poetry
T/K

This Week's Comic...

...Will not be shown due to unforeseen visiting of the English capital over the weekend.

The 2-3 people who will be devastated by this, our sincerest apologies.

JB

Around the World in 80 Milliseconds

This would have been last weeks comic had I not gone mad with WoW-based power and demanded we do Jenkins on Ice. To be followed next week by (what I think is called) 'Where in the World is Scarlet? San-Diego?!' Thats right kids, more word play. Oh, us!

Turns out sitting at home is better than seeing these things in person. I knew it!

Off topic - chatting with my parents the other day; turns out, when I was younger and only had a Gameboy for company, my parents would steal said Gameboy once I had gone to sleep in order to play Tetris. This astounds me. Legends. It also explains why I hated the battery life on the original Gameboy.

JB

Jenkins on Ice

With this weeks heatwave onset already, we here at dotGif have decided to distribute chilled comics to our audience. This weeks comic can be printed off and placed in the freezer for cooler enjoyment at a later date!

Another tribute to everyone's favourite raid-wrecker Leroy Jenkins, but with added syntax and cohesion. Terribly good fun to draw this one.

JB

I know what you did next summer

Surprise! Since John is busy somewhere else (no not playing WoW, unless he has some secret alt I don't know about, the git) I'm posting today's comic so if it screws up blame him.


So this ones dedicated to all our classmates but most of all to the brave men and women that restocked the vending machines.
We salute you.

T/K

edit: fixed! JB

The Future's Bright, the Future's Apple

If you were getting the feeling that you no-longer had the urge to buy a product, or maybe you noticed that money was once again pooling in your bank account - then it can mean only one thing! Apple product release! (announcement):

Yes, now its slightly more powerful and had a compass. Whoop-de-doo. Buy now!

Of course, I am a complete hypocrite here, as I plan to get one come September when my phone contract runs out - yes, you'll find that that is a wholly valid and reasonable excuse.

And yes, as I had to explain to Terry - he is wearing a silver puffer jacket with Fifth Element-esque body harness. We will be wearing this in 10 years, I promise.

JB

I just wrote a whole post without using a single product name. IPHONEIPHONEIPHONE - dammit!

H8

With E3 now safely tucked-in behind us, and all its bountiful offerings laid bare for all to see, we can sift through the mulch of motion-capture controllers and self-love (yes Microsoft, that means you...) to pick out the best of the bunch.

Personally, these include Alan Wake, Final Fantasy XIV (I will watch this closely, but remembering the bitter taste XI left in the mouth), and of course, Left4Dead2 - which it seems Valve has churned out at an alarming rate. Will it be crap? Who knows...

Either way, it has given us a theme for a comic. Thanks Valve!

And who wouldn't want to ask their friends if they want a game of 'W4B4L4D'?!

JB

A Franchise Too Far...

Sorry about the day-late posting:

Here is an interesting hybrid, but one we all secretly yearn for, deeply.

Good thing I spent my childhood practicing to draw Darth Vader. Always knew that would come in useful at some point.

JB

beep-boop

Today's comic...

As usual, I would be posting a comic today - however, due to the lofty emotions of waving off friends-of-3-years and helping them pack up and clean, I have misappropriated the time I would normally dedicate to the comic.

All you need to know is that it is really funny, well written and drawn and will be released tomorrow instead.

Well... One of those is true; I'll leave it up to you, intrepid reader, to decide whichly and whenceforth.

JB

Chris & Luke - If your reading this; thanks for the memories and the banter.

Skepticism '09

As Mr. Richards is currently in the distant temperate lands of Devon, we have hired another guest writer to fill in. Without further ado, the work of Mr. Chris Maddison:

Topical and generally-computing-related. This ticks all the boxes. Hopefully, this is the beginning of a return to form after the exam-pressured comic releases of the past few weeks.

I will also be along a similar latitude to Terry when this is posted - I should be in Southend again, hopefully punching less fish and watching planes fly over my head.

Going Rouge

So, City of Heroes - a game I do not play - has an expansion or something-or-other coming out. So we gone done did a comics to celebrate:

I will leave Mr. Richards to fill in any details you care to ask, as he is our resident CoH'er. He may also tell you that his Shaman hit level 70 in (the far more high-brow) World of Warcraft. What a week it's been! Crazy!

Comic posted slightly early, as we have an exam early tomorrow (big shout to the 350CT krew...). If you have recently been finding our comics lacking in general quality, then the reason is mainly due to the exams. We are aware of it, and service will resume as normal next week - beginning with another guest writer spot.

JB

Everquest Loves You

A new comic. By 'new', I mean, 'an old one I did back in 2004, but slightly spruced':

The recession, and climate change is the main sub-theme this week, by recycling old comics and slapping a lick of new paint on them. I have chosen this comic, as Terry informs me that this is his favourite of the old comics. As he is currently in an exam, on... Formal... Something-or-other... hopefully seeing this will bring a smile to his beard.

The original story behind this comic was that someone (I forget who) requested this for their own site. They came up with the idea (they were the Everquest player, not me...) I have forgotten all the details surrounding the event, and have only this comic to show for it. If anyone out there on the big ol' Internet recognises this comic at all, get in touch.

[Original]

JB

(If you have not seen the old comics before - Yes, that is supposed to be me in the black t-shirt...)

Defence Grid

Cracking little deal on Steam at the moment - Defence Grid: The Awakening is only £3.50.

Protecting your cores has never been so affordable. Offer lasts until Wednesday.

Read about/buy it here: Steampowered.com

JB

Comic due tomorrow.

The dotGif Guide to Revision

In the midst of revision, comes this - Revision, the dotGif guide to:
Our handy, go-to-guide on revising for exams is, neither actually useful, or endorsed by the faculty of the Computing and the Digital Environment (sic) of Coventry University.

Panel 2 (or in layman's terms "da middle 1, innit") is probably my favourite panel of all the comics I have done. If only for Scarlets wide-eyed fear of Advanced Programming.

JB

Suprise!

Boo! e.t.c
I have breifly escaped from the cellar where john keeps me locked writing comics around the clock, he mentioned the rather epic pace of recent comics did non of you stop to think how such a pace was possible??

Anyway as John also mentioned dotGif made its first "public" appearance at the recent Creative Degrees Film show, pictures of which are available online but as they feature both John and myself I reserve the right to not comment on any pictures lest my likeness be worshipped as some graven image.

heading back to the cellar
T/K

CDF Show: A Gentle Reminder...

Just a quick reminder that dotGif will 'star' (for, like, 30 seconds) in the Creative Degree Show; tomorrow (the 29th) at 2pm in the Humber lecture theater on campus.

If your free and around-about on Campus, or literally have nothing better to do, pop by and see the collective effort of the Creative Computing department from the year-past. And us.

Obviously, your mainly going to see dotGif, but we don't have to make a big deal out of it...

Today, we saw a sneak preview of the footage, and its looking good... A pre-emptive 'hats off' to Peter Every for his work on this.

JB

There will be popcorn. Free popcorn.

You Can't...

A whole 12 hours early - the next comic:

This marks the 5th comic this month. Which is even stranger when you remember that April is shorter by most months by a day, and that it is usually the busiest for students - all that worrying and putting-off to do. Having said that, the reason the comic is here today, is due to the unholy amount of revision I need to get done for my last ever Cisco test. Can't say I'm going to miss 'em.

Big shout out to one of our lecturers who inspired the name of this comic.

JB

Twishight

We often get hidden 'messages' into the comic about how we feel about a certain topic, or, for example; films - the eagle-eyed of you may have noticed them. Here is a not-so-subtle one:

Yes, that's right kids - we do not quite care for this film.

Again, just bear with us while the comics are put on the back-burner a little while we, you know, finish our degree. This is going to stay this way for the next week at least, and again a little in May.

That is, as long as I don't re-sub to WoW. Literally, all it is is will power now. No 'not-having-the-game' excuse...

In other news; today is the day that seemed so far off in the future. That distant date, dancing on the edge of forever, that would never come - not in, like, a million years. Today is the day I hand my final year report in.

No wai! ORLY?

JB

YA, RLY.

Creative Degrees Film Show 2009.

dotGif will be making an appearance at this years Creative Degrees Film Show, on the 29th April in the Humber Lecture Theater on the Coventry Uni campus (near the demolished bit...) To quoth verbatim:

The Directors Cut:

• Venue: Humber Lecture Theater
• Date: Wednesday April 29th 2009
• Time: 2pm-4pm

The show starts at 2pm, and, well, its free. All are welcome. It will be a showcase of the creative students work from the past year. From what I have seen so far, it should be good. Anyway, what more reason do you need - it will include one of our comics.

And if you don't like creative things, then it'll kill a couple of hours.

Hope to see you there. We will be selling t-shirts and coffee mugs on the door. j/k

JB

(Psst, don't tell anyone, but me and Terry aren't doing a creative degree. muhahah!)

Zen and the Art of Hedgehogs

Nice and simple today:

This may be the first of a few comics where not a lot happens. We have a super busy next-few-weeks back at Uni, so there may not be much time for intricate and good looking comics. However, we still plan to stick to schedule and release comics each week.

Also today, I have made a version of the comic with an alternate font. It ticks the boxes for me, but I would appreciate some input to see if it settles with our audience:

I'll put this on Facebook as well, for easier commenting.

JB

Best. Advert. Ever.

Pretty much the best advert ever:

Heheh. Boobies.

JB

Preperation-H(owling Fjord)

So, the buzz is starting to muster now. To hell with all my exams and coursework, in 41 days, I will be back in Azeroth, rolling around Northrend trying to find a clue. In commemoration for this glorious day, the Queen herself (Azshara...) has commissioned me to create a piece that will forever remember when we got back in the game. And I will allow you humans to view it in its draft form.

All will become clear when its finished. Sadly, its taken the best part of 6 hours to do the easy bit - soon I have to colour this monstrosity!

JB

Doom c.1993

I've not been playing games that long. That's a fact. A lot of conversations regarding older games often has me silent, listening to people ramble on about various games by/on the SNES, Sega et. al. However, the one that started it all for me, if a few years late, was Doom. And I can't help but smile at the reactions of the people watching- who I'm led to believe is John Romero - playing a beta build of Doom (on a machine with 2Mb RAM...) In a similar vein to how I watch my housemate play PS3 titles, and thinking 'wow', the same applies here, just from 16 years ago.

Doom starts playing at 9:45, and at 17:30 - my quote of the day: "You can shoot him through a portal hehe!".

A Visit to id Software from john romero on Vimeo.

Awesome.

JB

Stroking Out

After a recent meet up with my friend from home, Rich, I offered him the chance of a lifetime - write a comic for dotGif. His eyes lit up like a child being offered a metric tonne of chocolate, and he promptly ran home yelling - something I couldn't make out - but I am to assume it was his own special way of writing a draft for this; Stroking Out:
But seriously, he has written a book, which means his writing-fu is strong. He loves writing so much in fact, that he has 2, yes two blogs - a Novel Update, where he keeps us all updated on his second book, and his personal blog - Random thoughts of an Idiot - where he seems to mainly post about his cat, Kato.

9/9

JB

April Fool's Epi-blog-ue

Hey, you know we didn't mean any of that, right!? I'm sure the eagle-eyed reader spotted the hidden meaning in the text. Hate it or love it, April 1st is an excuse for everyone to act like morons for the day. Including IGN's new take on Killzone - 'Lovezone', the God of Companion Cube (Chains of Cakeyness) video, Blizzards Diablo 3 'Archivist' class, the 'P1mp my Mount' feature and the Dance Battle System in World of Warcraft and the Terra-tron from Starcraft 2, which spews out Transformers quotes almost like there is a new film out soon. Oh, wait. Pretty much made my day when that thing bellows "All your base are belong to US!" - on account of our comic yesterday being all about the Zero Wing.

Either way, know this; Blizzard and IGN outdid themselves yet again, and to answer the floods of concerned e-mails asking why we're quitting - we're not.

JB

The term 'floods of e-mails' also include e-mails such as 'play.com April sale madness' newsletters, and e-mails advertising something about the size of my genitalia and Jennifer Aniston doing something with a cucumber...

Goodbye from Everyone at dotGif...

So, that's it. We have to pack up shop. The recent economic downturn, and the amount of Happy Uni work has forced us to give up on the comic. Even the promise of Ostrich Hammers won't keep us working on these comics. I mean, its April now and, seriously, eight comics, in eight weeks, in the height of the coursework season. Could you have expected anything less than us quitting. We are not fools. So, here is our last comic, which has taken me all day!

Its been emotional.

JB

If you dont get it, watch this. But you really should have seen this by now...