Kiko and Gabe are here, talking about Final Fantasy XIII, and I am on the absolute periphery of it. Did they receive a different version? The game they're playing sounds pretty good.

I've been trying to write this post forever, forever, but my cohort has been taking a "Blur Break" now that has gone on for the better part of an hour, and it's almost impossible not to look at the screen while these things occur. Furthermore, it's difficult not to stand to one's feet once the final lap has begun. And then, at this lap's culmination, it takes every ounce of my reserve power not to hoist a defiant fist.

Now that I've finally got a dependable crew in the new Battlefield: Bad Company - and a bandolier stuffed with the fruits of my progress - it's time to let everyone who relies upon me down. Again.

I can't say enough nice things about Kris Straub. I know this because I once attempted to do so, to reach that theorized limit, and after almost fourteen solid hours of compliments I think we both felt a little weird about the entire process. He had begun texting openly at that point, and I had been reduced to effusion about a mutinous stitch in his garment which was jutting - "capriciously," I suggested - just above his left sleeve.

There is a new episode of the PA series available today. This one kicks off a two parter in which we explore the hiring process here at Penny Arcade. We recently brought on a new associate designer and we had the camera guys here for the entire ordeal. I'll admit that this episode is a lot more serious than some of the previous ones. I think it's sort of tense and even uncomfortable but it's honest and I really like that. Oh, and before you start emailing me, no I will not tell you "the joke".

I feel good! I saw some hummingbirds courting earlier, and it assured me of life's essential continuity.

Tycho told me to read a book the other day and I told him to tear out all of the pages and shove each one individually up his butt-hole. He didn't do that. Instead he opened the book to chapter near the beginning and told me to read just that chapter, only about four pages. I flipped the book over and read the back.

Heavy Rain is really the thing at this point, right?  Let's get up on some of that.  I know Gabe craves that shit.  I'd be playing Heavy Rain too, if it were actually possible for me to do so. I'm not entirely convinced it is.

I've spent a couple nights with Heavy Rain now and I think it's really special. If you're a parent, (especially a Dad) this game can be pretty difficult to play at times. In fact I'm curious if people who don't have kids will end up getting as much out of it. I don't know if it's an 89.85%, or a 9.7 out of 10. What I do know is that after a late night playing it, I sneak into my son's room and hug him before I go to bed. I think Heavy Rain is probably one of the most important games ever made. Maybe not one of the best, but definitely important.

Two things, or potentially, thangz: 

March? Already? That's horrifying.

Sometimes I am exposed to the larger culture. I'm rarely improved by the process.

Pax East is just a few weeks away and Robert has asked me to share some last minute info with you all.

It was a lot of fun watching this story mutate as the day progressed, warping in its essential shape, culminating in something like justice. A brigand has tasted his own medicine, and it is bitter.

Our book tour kicks off tomorrow here in Seattle at the University Book Store. From there we make our way to California. You'll be able to purchase our new Anniversary book at any of our signings (And we hope that you will) or you can just come say hi. This is our first book with our new publisher Random House and they are the ones that set up this book tour. This is also the first time we've done something like this and we really don't want to look like jack asses. So if you could come out to these signings we'd really appreciate it. Here is the complete list again:

We have invented an incredible new game. It is called, simply, The Game.