Penny Arcade eager to work with Irrational Games

Who was there: Penny Arcade co-creators Mike Krahulik and Jerry Holkins, and business manager Robert Khoo.

What they talked about: This was a Q&A panel, so the duo spent the whole hour answering questions from the audience on topics including their webcomic, PAX, the creative process, board game recommendations, books, controversy, future ventures, and drinking in a Star Trek-themed bar.

One question led to the discussion of future video game projects. The most recent Penny Arcade game, Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness Episode Two, wasn't mentioned, but they did talk about drawing inspiration from other projects (the name "Jim Darkmagic" was bandied about, as well as "a return to New Hampshire"). They also talked about their short comic The New Kid being optioned by a movie production company. Though they stressed that this was only the first of the many, many steps needed to make a movie, Robert Khoo came on and reinforced their dedication to serving the Penny Arcade in more diverse ways in the coming years.

The pair also recounted a strange experience when, after lambasting a game in their comic, they received effusive thanks from the publisher. Apparently the number of account creations skyrocketed with readers eager to experience Mike and Jerry's agony for themselves. When asked about game companies they would like to collaborate with in the future (like they did in creating a comic series for Ubisoft), the two heartily agreed that they would love to work with Irrational Games, citing the E3 demo of BioShock Infinite.

Quote: "It's like having some extra characters that you don't have to license."--Jerry Holkins on including family members in the strip.

"They don't know how to not rock."--Mike Krahulik on Irrational Games.

The Takeaway: Penny Arcade will continue expanding its creative endeavors as long as people keep enjoying them.