51 Responses to “Avoiding Controversy”

1. 1 Tacos Posted: Oct 22nd, 2008 at 11:31 am

   I think Tim prefers the version that’s up, since he runs the site and this one is the main one. I dunno, I couldn’t say which one. However, I think its pretty obvious that the alternate version will end up coming true though, just like the “Sex-box” ordeal. Oo, and first Reply to this comment.

2. 2 CKcheeseboy Posted: Oct 22nd, 2008 at 11:44 am

   I think I like this one better, too. Partially because (not knowing any details about the game) I can’t tell in the second one whether a player is making that or Sony. And I’m a little disappointed…that’s the logo from last week! I think that would be the first time you’ve repeated (not counting the plain logo). Don’t break the streak! And that’s the Show ▼ guy from Best Buy and that other store right? Reply to this comment.

3. 3 fde Posted: Oct 22nd, 2008 at 11:48 am

   LOLNCGWTFOMGBBQD00DZ! Reply to this comment.

4. 4 sheppy Posted: Oct 22nd, 2008 at 11:50 am

   OOooooooo, where do I have to preorder to get that download voucher? WHERE!?!? Reply to this comment.

5. 5 Tim Posted: Oct 22nd, 2008 at 11:50 am

   Author Comment CKCheeseboy, Yes you’ve got it right about the spokesman, also, Ray DID do 2 comics last night, so the logo had to take a backseat, but if you beg and plead enough I’m sure he’ll get a new one up tonight. Reply to this comment.

6. 6 Tacos Posted: Oct 22nd, 2008 at 1:50 pm

   CKCheeseboy, Yes you’ve got it right about the spokesman, also, Ray DID do 2 comics last night, so the logo had to take a backseat, but if you beg and plead enough I’m sure he’ll get a new one up tonight. Honestly, this one works just fine with this comic. An extra logo would be nice, but at the end of the day a casual reader probably wouldn’t realize it was last weeks. Reply to this comment.

7. 7 DrOswald Posted: Oct 22nd, 2008 at 1:58 pm

   I like it, bit the joke was a little obvious. Reply to this comment.

8. 8 Gewurztraminer Posted: Oct 22nd, 2008 at 2:38 pm

   I’m not sure which version I like better. The alternate is funny because it’s true (in that players will be doing this), the actual one is funny because it would never happen. Where’s Indiana Sackboy when you need him?!? Reply to this comment.

9. 9 MetaRidleyR27 Posted: Oct 22nd, 2008 at 2:55 pm

   Heh, pretty clever comic guys! I don’t really know what the thing they were apologizing was about. Wasn’t it something about lyrics that offended Muslims or something? I think you guys mentioned it in the podcast, but I was talking to someone. And I like the first one more, although they’re both good. Reply to this comment.

10. 10 roadjcat Posted: Oct 22nd, 2008 at 3:12 pm

    NCG! The past few comics have been very clever, but this is the first in a while that’s made me laugh. Good job! Reply to this comment.

11. 11 steve-ohs Posted: Oct 22nd, 2008 at 3:50 pm

    hahaha, great! I do like this version more! Yay for awesome comics! Reply to this comment.

12. 12 That Guy Posted: Oct 22nd, 2008 at 3:55 pm

    Hmmm they’re both good but I think I like the other version. Reply to this comment.

13. 13 Lozaiah Posted: Oct 22nd, 2008 at 4:20 pm

    Heh, pretty clever comic guys! I don’t really know what the thing they were apologizing was about. Wasn’t it something about lyrics that offended Muslims or something? I think you guys mentioned it in the podcast, but I was talking to someone. And I like the first one more, although they’re both good. Touche! Personally, I prefer this one.. It’s more to the point. And yes, the issue was that the lyrics of the song featured phrases and such from the Qu’ran (Koran), the “Holy Bible” of Islam. Many Muslims found it offensive, although I think the excuse was that it was supposed to get people interested in Islam. Reply to this comment.

14. 14 shadowkid92 Posted: Oct 22nd, 2008 at 4:30 pm

    i dont think this comic came as a surprise considering the podcast. but it had a little bit of everything, i laughed but don‘t give sega ideas… Reply to this comment.

15. 15 D3vin Posted: Oct 22nd, 2008 at 4:44 pm

    Ray DID do 2 comics last night, so the logo had to take a backseat Technically one and a half, The first panels were exactly the same (exept for text) and all he did was copy and paste the Adolf Sackler onto the black background. I can do logos, As seen in my two previous guest comics, I can hold my own in that department. Reply to this comment.

16. 16 Ray Posted: Oct 22nd, 2008 at 5:47 pm

    Author Comment Technically one and a half, The first panels were exactly the same (exept for text) and all he did was copy and paste the Adolf Sackler onto the black background. Actually, the black background version was done first, and I ended up creating a lot more extra artwork for the alternate version. Hey Tim, you should put up a poll asking for people to vote on which one is their favorite, and a second poll asking which one of us was behind the different versions. Reply to this comment.

17. 17 MetaRidleyR27 Posted: Oct 22nd, 2008 at 5:54 pm

    I might as well get this out of the way now. The Hitler Sackboy is actually kind of cute. *brings up flame shield?* Reply to this comment.

18. 18 Anon Posted: Oct 22nd, 2008 at 6:29 pm

    Hey, your on TSSZ! http://www.tssznews.com/2008/10/22/web-comic-parodies-sonic-in-littlebigplanet-2/ but, they hate you guys. Bittersweet, huh Ray, hated by your Sonic brotheren? Oh, and everyone knows that Sackboy the Hedgehog is the best. Reply to this comment.

19. 19 Roto13 Posted: Oct 22nd, 2008 at 6:36 pm

    Hey, your on TSSZ! http://www.tssznews.com/2008/10/22/web-comic-parodies-sonic-in-littlebigplanet-2/ but, they hate you guys. Bittersweet, huh Ray, hated by your Sonic brotheren? Oh, and everyone knows that Sackboy the Hedgehog is the best. Ha ha, wow. That’s like fanboy city right there. Reply to this comment.

20. 20 Ray Posted: Oct 22nd, 2008 at 6:43 pm

    Author Comment Hey, your on TSSZ! http://www.tssznews.com/2008/10/22/web-comic-parodies-sonic-in-littlebigplanet-2/ but, they hate you guys.Bittersweet, huh Ray, hated by your Sonic brotheren?Oh, and everyone knows that Sackboy the Hedgehog is the best. That is awesome. I got a serious kick out of their comments. Maybe I should post something… Reply to this comment.

21. 21 Anon Posted: Oct 22nd, 2008 at 6:45 pm

    yes, a blitzkrieg of 2pstart loyal… Reply to this comment.

22. 22 MetaRidleyR27 Posted: Oct 22nd, 2008 at 7:07 pm

    I’m intrigued to see where this goes now that Ray has responded. Reply to this comment.

23. 23 CKcheeseboy Posted: Oct 22nd, 2008 at 8:06 pm

    Ray DID do 2 comics last night, so the logo had to take a backseat Technically one and a half, The first panels were exactly the same (exept for text) and all he did was copy and paste the Adolf Sackler onto the black background. That’s what I was going to say. Even with adding the background in the second version, it’s still around the average panel number for these comics. You could even just make a logo where Tim and Ray have Hitler mustaches, and at least it’d be new. Reply to this comment.

24. 24 D3vin Posted: Oct 22nd, 2008 at 8:30 pm

    You could even just make a logo where Tim and Ray have Hitler mustaches, and at least it’d be new. not serious comment under spoiler tag. Show ▼ Or better yet, the Nazi flag, but with the Tim and Ray in it, Doing that salute thing… Man you will be getting tons of hate mail if you did that Reply to this comment.

25. 25 boozeathon Posted: Oct 22nd, 2008 at 9:44 pm

    nice. i wonder how long it will be until stuff like that starts popping up and being censored to keep parents, religious folks, and media nuts happy. Reply to this comment.

26. 26 Kevin Ghadyani Posted: Oct 22nd, 2008 at 11:21 pm

    Oh man, every time I look at this one, even w/o reading it, I still laugh at just seeing Hitler there w/ the Download icon. Reply to this comment.

27. 27 Kevin Ghadyani Posted: Oct 22nd, 2008 at 11:39 pm

    Oh man, every time I look at this one, even w/o reading it, I still laugh at just seeing Hitler there w/ the Download icon. Dang it! I had 1 second left on my edit and hit save, and it didn’t save it and got rid of all my text! How to say this again… While I knew why, in general terms, I think the first fun is funnier, it never really occurred to me. Here’s the breakdown. The first one really hits home. It shows that Sony is taking something out that’s not really offensive at all and shouldn’t have been the cause of creating a huge landfill of supposedly bad discs. But besides the fact that it’s just a funny, subtle joke in the second panel, the message here is showing that Sony has no clue what offensive is, “look, we’ll even include Hitler for free!” Or another way to look at it, there’s an overall theme of racism and prejudice. If some pro Koran lyrics are offensive, why not just state it clearly for everyone, you also hate the Jews and anyone that’s not got the the blue eyes ‘n blond hair. See what I mean? There’s just so much meaning with only two panels here. The second idea is lacking. It also has that second panel describing a joke within itself even without the text, but all that is saying is that people are jerks. If including the upper panel as well, it is showing that even though Sony says it’s getting rid of the quote “offensive lyrics”, that doesn’t mean they can stop other people from making highly offensive content which anyone can see or hear. The point on this one is saying “why get rids of a problem when none exists when there’s going to be a bigger problem that’s completely unmanageable?” Obviously that message isn’t hitting home as hard as the one that was officially posted. And that’s the thing, the first one is that much better because even on the surface, it’s not lambasting the consumer, it’s getting at the company who is the problem here in the first place. Yeah, people can be jerks, but what does that have to do with Sony? That has to do with gamers, but nothing to do with the fact that Sony’s gotten rid of something not even offensive, and as in the official joke, in order to include something now highly offensive. I hope that all makes sense. Since there were two of them, I felt like I finally figured out how to go deep down into the message of them both. My guess is, Ray made the first one and Tim wanted the second one. Why? Less art on the first one. LOL! jk jk. Ha ha ha. Reply to this comment.

28. 28 Rokai Posted: Oct 23rd, 2008 at 2:40 am

    Ein, zwei, Polizei, drei, vier, Grenadier This is the first thing that popped into my mind seeing this. Anyway really awesome comic, I can’t wait to see the final showdown beetween Hitler and Sonic. Reply to this comment.

29. 29 Gadoink Posted: Oct 23rd, 2008 at 6:10 am

    aha you changed the logo now nice one Reply to this comment.

30. 30 D3vin Posted: Oct 23rd, 2008 at 7:06 am

    aha you changed the logo now nice one *Looks at the logo* So, let me get this strait, You play as a giant start button? You should of gone the extra mile and made 2P START! logo Sackboys or something. but it does compliment the extra version of the comic though. Reply to this comment.

31. 31 CKcheeseboy Posted: Oct 23rd, 2008 at 12:06 pm

    Hey, new logo! I like this one. So, let me get this strait, You play as a giant start button? Wait…that’s seriously supposed to be a Start button, isn’t it…I completely thought it was just a random circular background behind them until just now…wow… Reply to this comment.

32. 32 D3vin Posted: Oct 23rd, 2008 at 12:31 pm

    Yup, a start button like on the arcade machines, You know your old when you know about those things Reply to this comment.

33. 33 Zhinker Posted: Oct 23rd, 2008 at 2:40 pm

    Wait…that’s seriously supposed to be a Start button, isn’t it…I completely thought it was just a random circular background behind them until just now…wow… I always wondered why you guys had an upside down plate in the logo Reply to this comment.

34. 34 MacDude55 Posted: Oct 23rd, 2008 at 3:38 pm

    The Sony guy is the GameStop employee from the strip where the boy is handing in Crackdown for a nickel. Reply to this comment.

35. 35 EBCanada Posted: Oct 23rd, 2008 at 4:53 pm

    I dont know, kind of looks like your Gamestore employee dude from a while back, Love the comic tho Reply to this comment.

36. 36 Gadoink Posted: Oct 24th, 2008 at 6:11 am

    Wait…that’s seriously supposed to be a Start button, isn’t it…I completely thought it was just a random circular background behind them until just now…wow… Wow. Just wow. The site is called 2PSTART after all… Reply to this comment.

37. 37 sheppy Posted: Oct 24th, 2008 at 8:25 am

    @Kevin. A few differences. Like, for example, the Dutch political comic scandal and riot and violence that ensued. That was over a political comic. Sony has a hard enough time avoid controversy as is. Take Burnout Paradise. When it launched, some idiot mooned another person using the vision cam. This became a huge scandal for PS3 despite the fact that it could have just as easily happened on 360 or PC. Disappeared a couple weeks later. Meanwhile, this is an E rated game focusing on family friendly and the fact that lyrics state “All souls on Earth shall perish” isn’t exactly in synch with family friendliness. Also, everyone is acting like this is the first game to do it. Ocarina of Time was the first, delaying in Japan because some Quran quotes found their way into the original Gurado theme. Call of Duty 4, Postal 2, Shadows Hearts Covenant. I’m sure more made music edits when this issue was discovered. Sony was the only one to get this close to the wire. Also, you ARE aware plastic melts and can be reused, yes? In fact, 98% of the bluray disc, like CDs and DVDs, is useless and there just to help you handle the media. They could EASILY remove the data and label layers and salvage the plastic. Reply to this comment.

38. 38 D3vin Posted: Oct 24th, 2008 at 11:38 am

    @Kevin. Also, you ARE aware plastic melts and can be reused, yes? In fact, 98% of the bluray disc, like CDs and DVDs, is useless and there just to help you handle the media. They could EASILY remove the data and label layers and salvage the plastic. Uh oh.. I smell a Public service announcement coming on… Why throw away useless disks when you can melt them down and turn them into something new? Remember folks, Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle! THE POWER IS YOURS!!(Go Captain Planet!) Reply to this comment.

39. 39 sheppy Posted: Oct 24th, 2008 at 12:47 pm

    Captain Planet was a socialist. Reply to this comment.

40. 40 D3vin Posted: Oct 24th, 2008 at 1:36 pm

    Captain Planet was a socialist. Sigh, must you always be a moment ruiner? First my StarFox topic, now this? Please stop. Reply to this comment.

41. 41 CKcheeseboy Posted: Oct 24th, 2008 at 3:20 pm

    Wait…that’s seriously supposed to be a Start button, isn’t it…I completely thought it was just a random circular background behind them until just now…wow… Wow. Just wow. The site is called 2PSTART after all… Yeah, but the logo doesn’t HAVE to include every part of the name. Burger King’s logo doesn’t have anything king related in it. Reply to this comment.

42. 42 Gadoink Posted: Oct 24th, 2008 at 6:55 pm

    Wait…that’s seriously supposed to be a Start button, isn’t it…I completely thought it was just a random circular background behind them until just now…wow… Wow. Just wow. The site is called 2PSTART after all… Yeah, but the logo doesn’t HAVE to include every part of the name. Burger King’s logo doesn’t have anything king related in it. Sure, sure, but it’s mascot is The King. Reply to this comment.

43. 43 Metal_Link Posted: Oct 26th, 2008 at 9:14 am

    HEIL! Reply to this comment.

44. 44 CKcheeseboy Posted: Oct 26th, 2008 at 11:30 am

    Wait…that’s seriously supposed to be a Start button, isn’t it…I completely thought it was just a random circular background behind them until just now…wow… Wow. Just wow. The site is called 2PSTART after all… Yeah, but the logo doesn’t HAVE to include every part of the name. Burger King’s logo doesn’t have anything king related in it. Sure, sure, but it’s mascot is The King. Fine, Penny Arcade. Where’s the penny? Reply to this comment.

45. 45 Aubrey Posted: Oct 26th, 2008 at 2:59 pm

    this will be too awesome. If hitler was available. Reply to this comment.

46. 46 Grey Acumen Posted: Oct 26th, 2008 at 7:10 pm

    The alternate one is funnier based on how realistic the attitude is. SOMEBODY will put something offensive up, just cause they can. however the one that is up now has much better comedic timing. having it as a pure image, it gives it more impact as it is placed entirely on that instant that the image is seen. When you add the text to that last frame, you’re inclined to read the text and the impact is spread out over that entire time you read, hence it isn’t felt as strongly. Reply to this comment.

47. 47 The Gastronomic Gamer Posted: Oct 27th, 2008 at 4:46 am

    I never noticed before that Ray’s signature has a little frowny face in it. How appropriate for the comic. Still, why is it a sad face? That’s a kind of strange way to sign things. Reply to this comment.

48. 48 Ray Posted: Oct 27th, 2008 at 7:17 am

    Author Comment I never noticed before that Ray’s signature has a little frowny face in it. How appropriate for the comic. Still, why is it a sad face? That’s a kind of strange way to sign things. It’s actually my symbol (pictured left within my gravatar). It’s not actually a frowny face, but after ten years or so I still couldn’t tell you what it actually is, as it’s just a symbol…. Reply to this comment.

49. 49 Wade | Choicecomics.net Posted: Oct 27th, 2008 at 7:30 am

    lol nice one. Reply to this comment.

50. 50 Gadoink Posted: Oct 28th, 2008 at 5:52 am

    Wait…that’s seriously supposed to be a Start button, isn’t it…I completely thought it was just a random circular background behind them until just now…wow… Wow. Just wow. The site is called 2PSTART after all… Yeah, but the logo doesn’t HAVE to include every part of the name. Burger King’s logo doesn’t have anything king related in it. Sure, sure, but it’s mascot is The King. Fine, Penny Arcade. Where’s the penny? did you know there was a thing CALLED a ‘penny arcade’? that’s what the name is based of off, me thinks. Reply to this comment.

51. 51 CKcheeseboy Posted: Oct 28th, 2008 at 6:14 am

    did you know there was a thing CALLED a ‘penny arcade’? that’s what the name is based of off, me thinks. Yes, but their LOGO still has nothing to do with pennies, arcades, or penny arcades. Their logo simply says “Penny Arcade”, which is what I had thought of the 2P Start! logo all along. Reply to this comment.