Gabriel still gets the shivers when entering the Holiday Retail environment, as shellshocked memories begin to leach from his brain. He is gripped by a kind of solidarity with the drudges who stock the infinite shelves, in whose ears splendid carols are warped into the crushed and tenebrous mulch of a funeral march.

There's two strips total on this theme, one for today and another for Friday. It's something we could do for weeks if necessary, so numerous are the tales of his abuse at the hands of the consumer, but this should be sufficient for now. There was a time (specifically, a time in 1999) when we considered starting a second strip solely to catalogue them.  Life, as is so often the case, had other plans.

You've probably created an account at Gamespot at some point in the last decade, and like a seed planted in season it is time to begin the harvest. They've got codes for the Bayonetta Demo (Specifically the "360 Demo" in the "North American Territory") and merely by signing in with your ancient account you can obtain one. If you have an interest in the game - and you should have an interest in the game, an all-consuming interest that darkens the corners of your vision, this is something you need to do immediately.  I've probably played the entire thing through six or seven times, well after I understood it but desirous of greater understanding. It is baubled with terrible beauties, vicious maneuvers, and a wicked arsenal, but what becomes clear very quickly is that - while the game is (ahem) demonstrative in its presentation of an eldritch martial discipline - the game is actually "about" avoiding attacks. That is the subtle cadence behind every ridiculous video you have seen: that mastery, in this context, is represented by the moment before the assault.

I did my best to direct you toward Armageddon Empires in ages past, as was my moral duty, and it is this same virtuous drive that compels me to direct you to Solium Infernum. Set to launch later today, it attempts to simulate a war between Hellish princes utilizing hexagons(!!!). Fidgit's Tom Chick has been offering up choice cuts in his famous game journals, amplifying my lust, which is probably a statistic in this game. I haven't had a chance to play it yet, at least, outside of my own incredibly detailed fantasies, but a demo will arrive alongside the product this evening.

(CW)TB out.

don't say a word

I tend not to reveal my deepest hopes, lest they be stolen from me by the universe.  Now, on the cusp of its realization, perhaps I am allowed: I do indulge in the occasional fantasy.  Let me show you them.

It was my hope that, this year, the Desert Bus crew would be able to top their combined take for their first two years in operation.  Five days in, we're only a couple thousand away from that frightful sum.  This is shocking, invigorating, et cetera.  What is the endgame here, people?  A drive in 2013, where you donate a million dollars every second? 

(CW)TB

The Child's Play charity dinner and auction is coming up on December 8th and we only have 45 tickets left. If you'd like to attend you should hit the Child's Play site right away and pick up your tickets. This is always and amazing night and obviously it's for a very good cause. We'll start the evening with some mingling and hours-devours. There will be a silent auction during this phase so you can walk around and bid on all kinds of great stuff. Then we'll move to the dinner and live auction. Tycho and will be your MC's as we auction off a some really incredible stuff.

So dust off your tuxedo, buy a fancy new dress and pick up your tickets today.

Also the response to the Penny Arcade show has been overwhelmingly positive. We've gotten well over 100,000 views in just a couple of days. So thanks for watching it and thanks for telling your friends about it. We really appreciate it.

-Gabe out