It was idle speculation when, a couple years ago, I held forth airily about some future game that could enthrall so absolutely that it would obviate all other expressions of the form. It's the sort of topic one posits when one has no pressing concerns and is interested primarily in a lengthy discussion. Certainly, no electronic experience could never be universally applied - there is a natural variance in human predilections. That's just me covering all the bases, though. I have confidence that the game I'm about to suggest has the power to grip you.

God dammit, we couldn't resist capping that Sony Syndrome thing we had going - so here you go. After such a deep excursion into continuity, one hopes that we will finally be free of its debilitating effects.

We had the opportunity to do something really interesting with our most recent Penny Arcade Presents project. We actually got to sit down with the guys over at Gearbox and come up with something that tied in with the game in a really cool way. One of the characters you’ll meet in the game is a guy by the name of Johnny Rivas. You’ll find out when you play BIA that he’s actually an artist and he keeps a sketchbook/ journal with him all the time. What we did is actually create that sketchbook and you can get a copy of it if you order the bonus edition. It’s eight pages and contains journal entries as well as sketches all done from the point of view of Johnny Rivas. Some of the entries cover events you’ll see in the game and others give you insights into events that occur outside your game experience.

We had the opportunity to do something really interesting with our most recent Penny Arcade Presents project. We actually got to sit down with the guys over at Gearbox and come up with something that tied in with the game in a really cool way. One of the characters you’ll meet in the game is a guy by the name of Johnny Rivas. You’ll find out when you play BIA that he’s actually an artist and he keeps a sketchbook/ journal with him all the time. What we did is actually create that sketchbook and you can get a copy of it if you order the bonus edition. It’s eight pages and contains journal entries as well as sketches all done from the point of view of Johnny Rivas. Some of the entries cover events you’ll see in the game and others give you insights into events that occur outside your game experience.

The Last Christmas cycle is now complete. I hope that you've enjoyed it, as it was a lot of fun to make, but I understand that those two states are not always correlated. I consider the entire project a success, largely because I was able to rhyme something with gestate.

This season's presentation of The Last Christmas is nearing it's completion with this, the penultimate entry.

Implacably, The Last Christmas marches on. This is the eternal problem with giving the reins of our work over to the sly forces of continuity: events will arise that seem to demand comment, but we're doing stuff. Luckily, this is the odd scenario where what we're doing kind of works. If you want to conflate Electronic Arts and a monstrous, unkillable behemoth engaged in a worldwide orgy of consumption, well, the argument is there.

Today's the last day of the official drive - spread the word, if you could. We'll be tabulating the final amounts into next year I'm sure, but the drive has been percolating since sometime in October so it's had plenty of time to work its magic. Which is to say, your magic, because you did it. I formulated a couple links. Any asshole can do that.

Our harrowing presentation of The Last Christmas continues.

So I told you guys how I kept the free N-Gage QD I got because it's about a million times better than my old phone. I don't play games on it because the games are disgusting, but I love all the smart phone shit it can do. Anyway I'm trying to get it to check my Gmail but I'm having some problems. From what I understand Gmail is now accessible via POP3. Unfortunately, the N-Gage QD doesn't appear to support SSL for POP3 connections. SMTP is fine, so I can send mail via Gmail, but not receive it. Does anyone know if there's a way around this? Is there a third-party app that will fix this issue? I have Opera installed but Gmail doesn't support Opera so I can't access it via the browser. Any help would be much appreciated.

There is a new Child's Play auction on eBay right now with a gorgeous piece of original artwork from Kazu Kibuishi. Kazu not only has one of the best web comics online in the form of "Copper" he also has one of the best print comics with "Daisy Kutter". As if that wasn't enough for him he's also the driving force behind the insanely beautiful "Flight" Anthology. His work is unique and refreshing and I can't thank him enough for creating this piece especially for Child's Play. Please check it out and bid on it, all the proceeds will go directly to Child's Play.

Tycho mentioned Kiko earlier and I just wanted to let everyone know that he has two brand new designs available. I know you can buy video game shirts from a bunch of different websites now but Gameskins is special. I like Kiko's stuff because his designs are so fucking solid. I mean honestly I'd hang some of his stuff on my wall if he made prints. Any jackass with Photoshop can take the mushroom from Mario and slap it on a Shirt. Kiko's work is original and powerful and that's why I love it. Anyway check out his new Blood Code shirt as well as his Fighter91 Tee.

Alright. So, a couple things happened.

There's a new patch out for CS Source, and it resolves a number of issues, but the main thing it does (in my estimation) is right at the top of the list: it delivers a modernized de_prodigy. Excelsior!

I contacted EA hoping to ask them some questions regarding their recent NFL deal. I was however only able to ask one question.

Things have certainly taken a turn for our heroes! Fear not, dear readers. I have faith our rollicking conclusion will satisfy readers in general - and homosexuals in particular.