Want to know why Penny Arcade is successful

[Aerozord]

I see alot of various internet shows, webcomics, ect. That just shut down for PAX or refocus on just reporting whats going on there. But here you got the guys who the freakin con is about, still keeping to their update schedule.

I share this just because of this odd sense of irony that especially for PAX I see massive swathes of the internet go quiet yet one of the few things I can reliably expect to update is Penny Arcade. I'm just like, if these guys of all people update during the con why aren't you?

[Marc v4.0]

Because a lot of people have really poor taste

[Solid Snake]

If we're defining 'success' as 'popularity among the unkempt masses' then I have no interest whatsoever in being successful.

All I want in life is a wife and a few close friends who I respect immensely and who understand me, know and value who I really am, and love my work. I still haven't found that and maybe I never will. It's worth a lot more than any alternative though.

If my writing impresses them, that is success. If my writing impresses everyone else on this planet I'll have sold my soul for pocket change.

[greed]

The point about the work ethic is good though.

Gunnerkrigg Court has missed like two updates in the past 8 years. It recently went on break for two weeks. The author sped the updates to daily but black and white one shots instead.

[Seil]

I suppose that I'm an unkempt mass?

[Bum Bill Bee]

What is this "PAX" you speak of?

[shiney]

Can't tell if serious....

Penny Arcade eXposition. It's basically the Penny Arcade con / video game media event that takes place in Seattle, Boston (I think), Houston? and Australia.

[Aerozord]

Yea this is about the virtues of a work ethic. I was once told if you can manage to regularly update without fail, you will eventually find an audience for your work. Because those that do enjoy your work know they can keep coming back for more. I am betting if they didn't keep themselves so disciplined it would never have become anywhere near as popular or well known.

Can't tell if serious....

Penny Arcade eXposition. It's basically the Penny Arcade con / video game media event that takes place in Seattle, Boston (I think), Houston? and Australia.

I believe what they do is change the location every year. Not certain how they decide but they actively do not want it to take place in the same location.

[mauve]

Penny Arcade's continued financial success is pretty amazing. Two dudes who started a webcomic in college now have several video games, a few card games, a tabletop rpg (in the works), two reality shows (PA: The Series and Strip Search), an entire series of successful videogame conventions in both the USA and Australia, a charitable organization (Child's Play), an ongoing campaign with Chris Perkins of Dungeons and Dragons, and a slew of merchandise. It kind of blows me away how much they've managed to accomplish. While I don't always agree with everything they say, I'm really impressed with what they've done. The fact that they've not only created a gaming convention, but had that convention become successful to the point of being a gaming industry showcase standard is pretty amazing.

And yeah, I like that they take time to update even during cons, although they've been doing it so long I'm sure they have a system down to allow themselves time to do that.

[Loyal]

Pax does not change its location year to year, it simply features in multiple locations thru the year.

Boston currently has a contract keeping Pax East in a partcular convention center off South Station for, I think, another 3 years.

[MSperoni]

Dreadful's updates have been super consistent for nearly four years, and I've done nearly 450 pages of quality work on my own so I hope you are not questioning my work ethic!

I don't read PA or care about PAX though.

Only reason Dreadful updates miss sometimes is if I make last minute edits or if Brian isn't where he can upload them. Or if the site screws up.

I also took a month or so off from it to do that Sakura comic.

[Kyanbu The Legend]

Dreadful's updates have been super consistent for nearly four years, and I've done nearly 450 pages on my own so I hope you are not questioning my work ethic!

I don't read PA or care about PAX though.

Only reason Dreadful updates miss sometimes is if I make last minute edits or if Brian isn't where he can upload them. Or if the site screws up.

Not at all, you are doing a fantastic job Matt. :)

Anyway, yeah it's very mind blowing how huge PA got over the years.

[Bum Bill Bee]

Dreadful's updates have been super consistent for nearly four years, and I've done nearly 450 pages of quality work on my own so I hope you are not questioning my work ethic!


And Sinfest has been updating DAILY since 2000 (with 2 or 3 bumps) and still hasn't gotten half the attention that PA has gotten.

Yes, PA's phenomenal success still remains a mystery of the ages.

[Nique]

Questionable Content! Such drama, much updates. Wow.

[Tev]

Dreadful's updates have been super consistent for nearly four years, and I've done nearly 450 pages of quality work on my own so I hope you are not questioning my work ethic!

I don't read PA or care about PAX though.

Only reason Dreadful updates miss sometimes is if I make last minute edits or if Brian isn't where he can upload them. Or if the site screws up.

I also took a month or so off from it to do that Sakura comic.Quick question, how did Master Liu Wong kill Chan Sen's master? Was it tea? I must know!

[MSperoni]

It was via oatmeal raisin cookies.

[Tev]

It was via oatmeal raisin cookies.Updating the HIKYM Wiki.

[Flarecobra]

Rooster Teeth, AKA the guys and gals behind Red vs. Blue, RWBY, Achievement Hunter, and various other entertainment programs have RTX, which is their own convention, and recently put out a game for mobile, and recently wrapped up production on a movie. And they started out as 6 guys who recorded silly voices in a closet.

[Daimo Mac, The Blue Light of Hope]

Not gonna lie, I enjoy Penny Arcade and even went to PAX East one year and enjoyed myself alot. Yeah the comics are crass but I still enjoy them and I do commend their work ethic.

[Kyanbu The Legend]

Rooster Teeth, AKA the guys and gals behind Red vs. Blue, RWBY, Achievement Hunter, and various other entertainment programs have RTX, which is their own convention, and recently put out a game for mobile, and recently wrapped up production on a movie. And they started out as 6 guys who recorded silly voices in a closet.

it's success stories like these that can really motivate a person to give it their all.

[POS Industries]

Yeah, man, a consistent update schedule is the key to any successful webcomic.

Just ask Andrew Hussie!

[Marc v4.0]

I'm still convinced it's because a lot of people have shit taste

[MSperoni]

Also when your comic isn't all that technically proficient, and it only takes you about 2-3 hours a day to bang one out, that's the whole entire rest of the day you can work on things like promoting your work or promoting yourself as a creator.

"Cult of Personality" is the reason a lot of seemingly shit things become so famous. People don't like it for any other reason than it is what it is. It's almost like an obligation. That or they like it because they like the person who creates it, regardless of their technical merit. Or they hate the person and they read it just to smolder with outrage at 'em.

In other words, some people don't the art, they like the artist. And that translates into support/sales/word of mouth and inflates the creator's status even more. Which then snowballs. Or it can.

To say that PA is successful for no other reason than "consistent update schedule" is extremely naive. That's not how things work. Consistent update schedule can help, sure, it certainly won't hurt anything, but it's not everything. Otherwise certain webcomics wouldn't be nearly as popular as they are.

And even if you only spend 2 hours a day making a comic and spend the rest of your time promoting it, even that's not a guarantee. Hard work pays off but it's also a hell of a lot of luck.

Being in the right place at the right time is critical, but you also have to have the skills and professional work ethic to capitalize on opportunities if they arise. Also not being a dense asshole helps.

Or just go back in time 10-15 years and make a comic that panders to nerd/bro culture or an already existing demographic.

[Flarecobra]

Or an old video game. :) It's how we all came together after all.

[MSperoni]

Or an old video game. :)


NO ONE WOULD DO THAT!

[Daimo Mac, The Blue Light of Hope]

I'm still convinced it's because a lot of people have shit taste

Yeah thanks for that man, really appreciate the insult

[MSperoni]

I have shit taste in a lot of things.

Like hotdogs with peanut butter and mayonnaise and 1970s Swedish Sexploitation films.

[Shyria Dracnoir]

1970s Swedish Sexploitation films.

Bork Borrka Bork Booooow

[Aerozord]

I did not mean to imply you could reach penny-arcade level of success, thats simply not possible anymore with webcomics. But if the plug away long enough you do find your niche because, people do have different tastes. This is the internet with what, like a billion english speaking users? Eventually you'll find the couple thousand who enjoy your specific style.

Penny Arcades level of success is broad audience appeal, consistent updating, and good timing.

The point I was trying to make is you can have an amazing well done piece of art but if you update erratically and infrequently people are gonna get tired of waiting around and move on. Even things that were steady long enough to get a following suffer when that happens.

[Krylo]

Like hotdogs with peanut butter and mayonnaise

http://i.imgur.com/kUx2CBD.gif

[tacticslion]

I, for one, appreciate your comic, Matt. :)

Beyond that, some others that I really appreciate for their dedication: Sluggy Freelance, Schlock Mercenary, and Darths and Droids.

Weregeek is great, though it has more frequent breaks, and weirdly, I honestly can't say how often Dr. McNinja updates, though I read it all the time. Probably pretty consistently, I guess?

Comics I like despite the update schedule: Captains SNES ("I will go down with thiiiiissss ship...!"*), Goblins (sometimes), and (recently) YAFGWC.

* YOUTUUUUUBE LINK (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-fWDrZSiZs)! (SFW, but tangential to the thread, thus not a video-thingy. Mods feel free to edit, as you think best.) But more seriously, I will keep reading Captain SNES until that site and any affiliated sites eventually burn and cease existing. And probably I'll keep hitting occasional "check and refresh" things for years thereafter. Oh, JayDee. I love you man, and feel you. I feel you. :/

[Krylo]

Didn't someone already mention homeshits in this thread?

I think someone did.

Therefore, I'm pretty sure we've already proven the thesis of this thread invariably and completely wrong.

As such I'm not sure why we're discussing anything that isn't Matt's absolutely disgusting culinary habits.

[Grandmaster_Skweeb]

Clearly folk who don't like Penny Arcade have shit tastes and need to be told so at least twice, three times is just outrageous.

A-am I doing this right? :smug:

But seriously, it's great that they're making a living off what they enjoy and starting things that not only provide entertainment but also help others. Childs Play charity and all that jolly stuff. Sure it's not everyone's cup o' tea, but then again what is?

[MSperoni]

As such I'm not sure why we're discussing anything that isn't Matt's absolutely disgusting culinary habits.

Also I think it has to be miracle whip instead of straight up mayo.

It's a flavor combo!

[POS Industries]

PA is successful because:


It was one of the like first three webcomics that launched back sometime during Hannibal's march through the Alps.
The creators very quickly cozied up to basically every AAA game company on the planet.


At this point, they could probably end the comic and still maintain their corporate empire without a hitch.

The only thing that an update schedule like theirs does is allow crappy comics like PA/CAD/QC/XKCD/etc. to have a higher chance of producing the occasional good comic more often, thereby encouraging their audiences to stick it out through the majority of lame ones.

But tons of comics stick to the same sorts of schedules and never see anything close to that level of success. Misfile has been updating five days a week since Watergate and only 8 people read it. Ever heard of Two Guys and Guy? No, you haven't. But it's got the same schedule as PA.

Success in webcomics is mostly due to any combination of luck, connections, and starting 15 years ago. Or just adding tits like Menage a 3.

[Karrrrrrrrrrrresche]

Talking about cozying up, the success of PAX (And to a lesser extent RTX) isn't solely about the popularity of the comic. It's the Penny Arcade Expo, but with E3 all but buried it's pretty much the biggest of the big for showing off games, and for internet personalities to make public appearances.

I don't know for sure, but still willing to bet the wild majority are not there to attend the "Dick Jokes 101" Panel.

[MSperoni]

adding tits like Menage a 3.

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

---------- Post added at 01:02 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:38 PM ----------

The Dreadful would have a MWF or a TuThr schedule but I go with two-four page updates on Wednesday instead. I feel it's less of a hassle on Brian to only have to update the comic once per week.

[Daimo Mac, The Blue Light of Hope]

Maybe you should start workin on your own site :smug:

[MSperoni]

Mmmmmmmaybe ;)

We shall see what the future brings.

We shall see...

[POS Industries]

Talking about cozying up, the success of PAX (And to a lesser extent RTX) isn't solely about the popularity of the comic. It's the Penny Arcade Expo, but with E3 all but buried it's pretty much the biggest of the big for showing off games, and for internet personalities to make public appearances.

I don't know for sure, but still willing to bet the wild majority are not there to attend the "Dick Jokes 101" Panel.
Oh, absolutely. I know a ton of people who aren't really all that into PA anymore who still religiously go to PAX because PAX is a big fun con and why wouldn't they?

And I think stuff like PAX is where the big money comes from now. The comic itself is mostly a formality at this point.

[MSperoni]

The comic itself is mostly a formality at this point.

Sounds like Marvel.

[Krylo]

Also I think it has to be miracle whip instead of straight up mayo.

It's a flavor combo!

That is so much worse.

[Nikose Tyris]

Like hotdogs with peanut butter and mayonnaise

Also I think it has to be miracle whip instead of straight up mayo.

I. I have to try this. For Science.

[shiney]

And I think stuff like PAX is where the big money comes from now. The comic itself is mostly a formality at this point.

Yeah this. I think they feel the comic is what continues driving traffic; abandoning PA would probably dry up a lot of that repeat business and then they wouldn't have the platform and audience reached to drive Child's Play and PAX-* and all that.

---------- Post added at 02:57 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:56 PM ----------

I. I have to try this. For Science.

Truly you will soon experience the wonders of modern medical science.

[Nikose Tyris]

Truly you will soon experience the wonders of modern medical science.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B8i-KQfCYAE6WXz.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B8i-KQtCYAAwSuu.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B8i-KmtCQAA1LCv.jpg

What the fuck

What the fuck, Matt.

WHY IS THIS GOOD.

[MSperoni]

I told you it was good!

You have to think of it as a whole and not as individual parts!

Another thing in hotdogs:

Melted swiss cheese and strawberry jelly/jam.

[shiney]

I'm completely not going to try either of those things.

[Karrrrrrrrrrrresche]

Nikose is a known quantity and that quantity is jerk. Do not trust the sandwich.

[Nikose Tyris]

hello new signature

[Kyanbu The Legend]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B8i-KQfCYAE6WXz.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B8i-KQtCYAAwSuu.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B8i-KmtCQAA1LCv.jpg

What the fuck

What the fuck, Matt.

WHY IS THIS GOOD.

Damn it, now I want to try it. *runs off to buy hotdogs*

[POS Industries]

Sounds like Marvel.
Yeah, pretty much anything based on something you had to read, really.

[Flarecobra]

I'd quantify it as "Stoner food that is somehow completely wrong, yet totally right."

[MSperoni]

Yeah, pretty much anything based on something you had to read, really.


You don't just read Marvel!

[POS Industries]

You don't just read Marvel!
No joke, "Take your HP down to Zero like Flocker" is one of the most clever lyrics ever written.

[MSperoni]

I want an animated gif of when Justin wins Marvel and flops down on the stage.

[POS Industries]

http://i.imgur.com/v0CtV2Z.gif

[MSperoni]

YES!

[synkr0nized]

Clearly folk who don't like Penny Arcade have shit tastes and need to be told so at least twice, three times is just outrageous.

A-am I doing this right? :smug:

Not necessarilly calling you out, since I think you're making the same point, but yes let's not just sit around and call people shit based on what web-based comics they do or do not like.

---------- Post added at 11:20 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:15 PM ----------

Success in webcomics is mostly due to any combination of luck, connections, and starting 15 years ago. Or just adding tits like Menage a 3.

Pretty much!
I feel like if you haven't had a bunch of highschool / college kids latch on to your comic at its roots, haven't been around since 1998, and/or aren't pushing a more adult-oriented theme with some cheesecake/beefcake, you've got a tougher go of it.

Though on the other hand social media and shit like Reddit makes it a bit easier to get exposure. But I dunno if "newer" stuff is getting the kind of dedicated followings that webcomics had in the early 2000s. The ability for us all to reach one another more quickly also enables more fickle fandoms.

[Fenris]

Clearly folk who don't like Penny Arcade have shit tastes and need to be told so at least twice, three times is just outrageous.

A-am I doing this right? :smug:

Jumping off this comment as well to direct this post at the people you're directing this post at -

0la5DBtOVNI

[Aerozord]

*comes back from convention*

I kind of feel like I brought some pot roast, it wasn't great but it was something to do. Then I leave for a few days to find out its still here and kind of starting to smell.

[MSperoni]

Well the pot roast wasn't very good at first but we added some extra seasoning and stuff and it kinda made it better, but still we just ended up giving it to the dogs.


Welcome back though!

[Aerozord]

To be fair if it was a good pot roast I probably wouldn't have tossed it at you guys before I left

[MSperoni]

Well I appreciate the gesture at least.

And for what it's worth I enjoyed it because I'm a sucker for pot roast but some people here are uppity and let it sit in the fridge and so we had to toss it out.

Which sorta annoys me because I would've eaten the rest of it.

Pricks.

[Karrrrrrrrrrrresche]

Not gonna lie, I might have tried to fuck the pot roast.

[Satan's Onion]

Not gonna lie, I might have tried to fuck the pot roast.

The saddest part of this is that it turned him down.

[Flarecobra]

But I'll never be looking at a parsnip the same again. Or baby carrots.