If you played and enjoyed the first Portal but haven’t yet played the sequel, go and get it immediately. Without divulging any spoilers, I will say I was a bit skeptical when I first started playing Portal 2, almost getting the feeling that it was more of an expansion pack than a true sequel, but then the game changes a bit and it’s anything but more of the same. Ended up absolutely loving it and felt it was a worthy successor to the original game.
The only problem is that I bought it for the Playstation 3 instead of the XBOX 360, something I almost never do with cross-platform titles, but in this case, they were giving a free PC/Mac copy through Steam only with purchase of the PS3 version of the game, and I had read reports that it was running smoother on Sony’s console anyway, so I convinced a bunch of friends to buy it for the PS3 so we could all play the co-op missions together online. Well, the game was released right before Sony’s network, PSN, was infamously hacked, and subsequently taken offline by the company. This left having to play “old school” style with a friend in the same room via “split-screen” the only way to complete the co-op missions on the PS3. Fortunately, a friend came over this past weekend and we played the awesomely fun co-op levels, but didn’t complete them before he had to leave and I was once again left with no way to complete that part of the game. Maybe it was just a logical step or maybe it was the rum and cokes he and I had been drinking while gaming, but I did try and play the second player’s role with my feet manipulating the controller, and although my toes are fairly dexterous, they were sadly no substitute for a real person. But it was worth a try.
you know, ive tried playing Sonic 3 on my Wii with two controllers at once….. didn’t work out so well….
i remember playing a bunch of games (especially sports) as player 1 and player 2 on my Intellivision, Commodore 64 and NES systems, Maesonic. of course, they weren’t as sophisticated as Portal 2 but at least i had some practice playing with two controllers simultaneously.
and, hey! another first for you! thus, the Shades of Firsting are yours once again. i think these will even play co-op games with you, if you can figure out how to attach a controller to them:
😎
oooo… I wonder if the shades know how to play Monster Hunter Tri…
how is that game, Maesonic? it has remained sealed in my library (with a controller in it, to boot) for several months (years?) now, but if i could get a few people to go on an adventure with, i might just dust off the ol’ Wii.
Being an old fan of RPGs, (FF 4, 6, 7, 9. Chrono Trigger, etc.) Its a bit more craft intensive than i am used to, but its really fun. Solo play is good, but once i finally went online with it, it was a blast! the more massive monsters are fun, and way easier with 3 people. when i play later tonight ill dig up my user ID and PM it, or maybe even broadcast it here!
yes! do so, Maesonic! if i remember rightly, there were a few other BOTsters that were interested in getting into Tri, so maybe we can all get together online for some monster huntin’ soon!
I’ve tried that… its never gone well.
yeah, it always seems like a good idea in theory, Joenis, it’s just in practice where it all falls apart. 🙂
I do believe most excellent plans fall apart during the execution stage.
yup, yup.
Ooooh, remind me not to EVER buy a used controller from you!!
don’t worry, Rod Lane – i never get rid of my stuff! heheh. but if i ever do sell that controller, i’ll make sure and break out the windex to sterilize it. 😉
I’ve done two person successfully with Area 51 (laughing maniacally all the way), but guns are obviously much easier.
I so understand ‘bot’s frustration here. It reminds me of one of my favorite Sheldon comics — I think the strips compliment each other.
(I don’t know if it’s kosher to link to another webcomic, but this one is on your list to the left, so I took a chance)
Ha! That Sheldon is awesome! Thanks for the link. I don’t think there is any problem with posting a link to another webcomic. It’s not like we are going to desert Jefbot for it. And it isn’t like we have to be (or are expected to be) Jefbot-monogamous.
Monogamous, no, but I rarely get into trouble by being polite! 🙂
politeness is always appreciated around here, Sarah W. thanks! 😀
yep, Shanna: i don’t have a problem with readers posting links as long as they’re relevant to the comic strip (as Sarah W’s was) or comment at hand. random, spam or self-serving links are obviously frowned upon. and as you surmised, i’m all for free-comic-strip-love! the more webcomics people read, the more the audience for webcomics grows! plus: the more the merrier, right? 🙂
i think playing a light gun game with two guns simultaneously is very badass, Sarah W!
and yes, it’s definitely okay to post to Sheldon at any time; Dave Kellett was one of the first and only webcomic pros to respond to and encourage me when i first started JEFbot! also been to a couple of launch parties for his books since he occasionally has them near where i live.
Well bot when the psn gets back up again, we can play online XD. Great strip though. My controller is bright pink and my extras are black lol
the battery on my black DualShock 3 just completely died, DJ. the controller still works, but it must remain plugged in. ugh. NOT happy with Sony at the moment. gives me an excuse to buy a white or jungle green one now, though. 🙂
would love to play with you when PSN’s back up. gotta finish these co-op levels!
O_O I totally didn’t understand any of that. But I like the monkey feet thing. 🙂
Replying to your comment on the last strip (since I’m not sure if you go back and read late comments), your Teddiursa and Mu should be safe. I don’t think moths like acrylic – just natural fibers. I do dolls in acrylic because they last better. 😀
good to know! your Teddiursa and Mu creations are just so adorable, i think if i were a moth, i’d eat ’em. 😉
HOLY CRAP!!!!! YOU ARE GOING TO BE IN PHOENIX????????!!!!!! Dang, now I have to try to get down there!
Taran really wants to go too. Now we just have to work on my hubby to either get the whole family to go or have him not mind if Taranchilla and I go! Um, I guess first I should check the calendar and see if there are any important commitments first! 😛 Geez, I hate being a grown up!
woo-HOO! i’d love to have you and Taranchilla come to the Con, shanna! would be awesome to finally meet you! and you and Taran can hang out with the Cornfather and i (and maybe Mombot and Popbot) in the JEFbot booth whenever you want! *crossing fingers you’ll be able to make it* 😀
Lol, I’ve watched people play co-op things before. I would have such a hard time with that, since my eye naturally strays to any movement, so I’d be looking at someone else’s screen and die painfully. I like my single-player campaigns. But I’ll admit to not being a serious gamer; I play for fun (and have barely gotten anywhere in DA2 because of time constraints…)
after the joys and convenience of using XBOX Live for the past few years to play with friends, it took a bit of practice to play a split-screen game again, T. so much so that i kept looking over at my buddy’s screen and then falling off a cliff or sinking into acid. after a few minutes, we both got the hang of it, though, and in a game like Portal 2 where you’re trying to solve logic puzzles, it was actually quite helpful to be able to look at his side of the screen and give instructions on what needed to be done (and vice versa).
and playing for fun is the best reason to play! 🙂
You know, when I was a wee whisp of a girl, when the original MK came out, I used to set it up for two player and use the unmoving person as a practice dummy.
I’ve tried playing co-op with controllers but I can barely play by myself with out hurting myself so yeah, I’ll stick to single campaigns.
I’m the only person I know who sprained her ankle playing video games! Sitting cross legged on the floor, foot fell asleep, stood up, tried to walk, took a misstep and BANG…crutches!
Ouch. Whenever I use two controllers, I usually use the second one either as a instant spawn point/bank, or as a target dummy for getting stuff like extra ammo or achievements.
cool, i’ve done the same, Fijiman. there are actually a couple co-op Achievements (or “Trophies” *coughlamecough* in the PS3’s case) that one can perform with two controllers by oneself in Portal 2, like 3 wins-in-a-row on rock-paper-scissors.
My friend says that he was able to get several of the co-op achievements using a second controller.
i did the same thing with MK (or MK2) on the PS1, Pixie! it was essential when learning the “Finish Him!” moves, which were so hard to figure out under the pressure of trying to perform a “Babality” on a live opponent.
i’ve done the whole “foot asleep” dance, but crutches!? wow, that’s quite a misstep! a real “Footality” you could say! (sorry.)
I feel your pain. In my case I couldn’t wait and bought it also for the Xbox 360… but, hey… I’ve made some progress on the coop campaign online right before PSN came back 🙂
My timing sucked with this game. But it’s brilliant, so I consider it money well spent (and my achievement/trophy count has gotten a bit of a boost, hehe).
i almost traded in (something i never do) my Portal 2 PS3 copy for the 360 version once PSN went down, Sergio. almost! and as far as achievement/trophies, i’m thinking about playing through the game again to pick up the few that i’ve missed and – due to time constraints – i rarely play through a game twice anymore, so that’s saying something!
agreed: the game’s brilliant.
Portal2 Co-Op is possible to play by yourself 😛 Trust me as a guy who has done it lol
Maybe I should stop priding myself on that and go out and find some friends 😛
Probably wouldn’t be a bad idea, but as long as you aren’t an a-hole online you have plenty of friends here. 🙂
yeah, there are a lot of online a-holes, Fijiman; i try and only play with people i know when i’m on XBL or PSN.
I’m only one when I have become really pissed off due to a combination of not eating recently, having several horrible matches one after another, and being tired.
some of the levels are definitely doable with one person, StephenKaze, but the levels where you both must shoot portals at almost the same time are nigh-impossible without a buddy! (but now you’ve got me looking to try again. heheh.)
I had a friend who was so good and Goldeneye in the Vs. mode that he could beat us by playing with his feet. We thought we’d at least have a chance that way…it made me sick.
ha! if i was beaten at Goldeneye by someone playing with their feet, i wouldn’t know whether to be impressed or outraged, theBean!
I think the feeling of being both really impressed and really outraged would combine in to a feeling of complete and utter confusion.
Another trait inherited from mombot I see…. the prehensile toe! Very nicely done, ‘bot. I love the utter determination on his face in the last panel.
heheh. absolutely right about the connection between the prehensile toe and Mombot, Psynapse! something that will be further explored in the next strip…
Yay Portal 2! 😀
Slave1 and I finished it within two nights. What was sad was how obvious some of the levels were. Then there were the times he stabbed me in the back and caused my death. ><
yeah, the Portal 2 co-op levels are tricky that way, TCG: sometimes they’re so deceptively simple that one has to stop thinking so hard to solve them! there were a couple levels my buddy and i did that, once we figured it out, we were like, is that it?
and Slave1 stabbing you in the back and causing your death doesn’t surprise me; that dude’s evil and shady. you gotta watch yourself around him.
Yes, but if you’re playing the co-op with a friend, it hard to resist the urge to make him/her die at least once…. or five times. 🙂
I was almost to the top. Then he removed the beam with the blue bouncy paint and I fell to my death….. What a jerk. :@
Thanks Fiji! Glad SOMEONE is on my side!
jefbot is love.
I have to say, I was just thinking this, of all the webcomics I started reading because they were about gaming, this is one of two which is -still- about gaming. I understand that as you age, other things become prevalent in your life, and you choose to do your comics about that, instead. But at thirty years old, single and would-be-living-alone-were-it-not-for-my-awesome-dog, I’m still a gamer, a serious one, and for that, I appreciate your comic, bro. Rock on.
Also, I can sort of – VERY POORLY – type and play piano with my toes. It all started because of a Dune quote…
I’ve also read several webcomics based on gaming that have strayed away from gaming. (PvP is one of them, but it at least it’s still awesome. The other one has switched artists too many times in the middle of a story arc and hasn’t been updated in I don’t know how long. Anyone wanna guess what it is?)
give us a hint, Fijiman.
No, I said guess. Besides there aren’t that many… oh wait, there are a lot of gaming webcomics aren’t there?
awWw, thanks for the love, Kate!
and while i didn’t conceive of JEFbot to be a “gaming” comic strip per se when i started it, i don’t ever see outgrowing videogames in Real Life, which means you can count on them always being a part of jefbot’s world, too. unfortunately, as this comic continues to grow, i have less and less time for gaming, which is a conundrum i have yet to solve. maybe when i can rely on JEFbot as my sole source of income, i’ll have more time to play! (now i just need this site to start generating the big bucks.) 🙂
I don’t know what your readership numbers are like, but it always surprises me that you don’t have a bigger readership when I see your ads on the main pages of other BIG webcomics that I read, e.g. GWS or QC. What I like about this one is the relevance of it to my own life, coupled with your really competent, reliable, unique artistic style. JEFBOT doesn’t look like anything else out there, and is different looking without being visually off-putting. Regular characters, comics that are always good for a chuckle without being over-the-top, and I like the one-offs, scattered in with some recurring plot elements. That, and the website is great. Friendly, accessible, blah blah blah. Overall, your comic is part of my week’s reading, and it always surprises me that more people haven’t become devotees as well.
That said, if there’s ever anything this peon (or any other) can do, I’m sure you just have to ask.
hahaha…one of my major issues is in MMORPGs. My hubby and I will play, quest together, you know kick major baddie a$$. But when one of us doesn’t want to play or we get stuck in a horribly difficult area…we have to resort to *gasp* playing with other people. We both dislike that very much. It’s easier to yell directions while sitting next to one another than it is to convey what your intentions are over a computer. And I’m not a fan of the “team speak” thing. I’m a shy little flower…you know? LMAO
Oh and I’m back, babies! My computer was absolutely eff’ed! I had to totally back up everything and reset it and stuff…this was done after a few days of trying everything else we could think of. I was having withdrawals!
Hooray for being back! I usually hate it whenever I get into a match and no one on my team is using a mic or everyone on my team is in a party, which is like 92% of the matches I get into on any given day. 🙁 Of course it’s even more annoying when someone doesn’t decide to turn on their mic until after they get kicked or we lose the match to b%#*@ at everyone else. (happened to me quite a few times this one has)
ugh. yeah, usually it’s some 12 year old going on those racist, homophobic, sexist rants, Fijiman. sometimes i just wish i could record them and send the audio file to their parents. 🙂
No, record it and then put it on Youtube. People love to make fun of those kids and their stupid rants about as much as they like watching others fail at things that aren’t that hard.
“shy little flower”!? PSHAW!!! heheh.
yeah, i’ve gotta say that playing with another person in the same room was quite fun, ESQ. i’ve gotten so used to the remoteness of playing online through XBL and PSN that i’d forgotten how nice it is to game with a buddy in person! i guess that’s one bonus of Sony’s network being down.
glad to have you back! hope your computer’s back to normal, now. 😀
That’s one thing I’ve, unfortunately, never had. I’ve only ever had my brothers to play with and those games either end with us laughing our butts off, or with us trying to beat each other senseless. Oh well, that’s what happens when you move into a neighborhood where all the kids that live close enough for you to care are at least four or five years younger than you. 🙁
By the way, is this comic showing the current BotCave? It looks different from previous comics taking place at “home”.
…and there are windows…I didn’t think geeks liked daylight…huh, learn something new everyday!
well, a friend of mine i play D&D with was recently diagnosed with Vitamin D Deficiency, ESQ, so i’ve been trying to get more sun! (and thus, so has jefbot. heheh.)
no, it’s still the old place, Shanna – i just drew it from a different angle. normally when i draw bot and Corn on the couch, i draw the windows directly facing the “camera” but this time i decided to give ’em more of a 3/4 turn. and i drew clouds outside. 🙂
Genius! I laughed out loud- for real! Not just saying LOL…
I LOVE the look on your face in frame (3) the contemplation- and then the follow through in the last frame! Outstanding! …and very talented with your feet.
woo! glad you had a real LOL, Funnyshaffer! and thanks for the kudos on the expressions and payoff. yes, my (and therefore jefbot’s) feet are quite talented.
My brother and I used to play Mortal Kombat on sega genesis with our feet when we got bored and were just trying to make it to the “karate chop a diamond” levels.
Also, Portal 2 is SO MUCH FUN! I bought it for Xbox and my brother and i played it for like 4 days straight. It was the best two person game we’ve played together in a long while.
ha! yeah, my friends and i used to challenge ourselves with different handicaps like that on the Intellivision, toastygod! i know there was some game that i was pretty good at using my toes on the NES, too. that controller was kinda the perfect one for foot-controls. 😉
and i concur: Portal 2 is so much fun! was wondering, though: is there much replay value on the co-op once you complete on the levels? aside from getting all the achievements/trophies, of course. oh, and i hear more levels are coming via DLC, soon! i just hope PSN is up by then…
I MANAGED THIS!, seriously, i literally got to chamber 6 of the last level, then my friend left and my sisters (who aren’t very good gamers) were the only ones to help me, after many hours of trying to tell them to “keep running forward and grab the cube!!” they got fed up and walked away, i decided the only course of action was to complete it myself, using my big toe to make p-body run forward, took me 6 tries but i managed to do it 😀
awesome, marvelfandan! if PSN isn’t up or i don’t get a friend over this weekend, i’m totally gonna make another go at doing the co-op with just me and my feet. 🙂
Well, we do still need a few hundred years of evolution to go for this style of play to be possible so dont feel bad. But make no mistake! We WILL get there. Homo Ludus will rule the world and since we will be too busy with our entertainment, poluting and poaching will stop and thus the world will be saved.
ya know, that gives me hope, Maryz! hopefully, science will let me control games with my mind in the near future, which would also work. i just hope those mind controls will be backwards compatible with Portal 2.
Ladies and gentlemen, and bot’s harem. THE MISSING LINK!
heheh. would you be surprised if, in a future strip, i reveal that jefbot has a vestigial tail, Anime fan? 😉
As long as its during a scene with a LOT, of rocking chairs, feel free.
So you got Portal 2 for the PS3 just because you also get it for free on Steam if you do and just before PSN went out (I find it a little too convenient that PSN would go down right after Portal 2 comes out) and have been sitting around, only able to do multiplayer when you have a friend over. Chalk up another point for Xbox! However, a thousand point to Valve for making such an epically awesome game. Portal 2 will probably be my favorite game for a long time….. or at least until Skyrim comes out in November. 😀 Dragons FTW!
Oh, and Jeff, have you even bothered to set up your 360 yet?
And while we’re talking Portal 2, here’s this http://miracleofsound.bandcamp.com/track/wheatleys-song This song DOES contain spoilers so don’t listen to it if you haven’t play Portal 2 and/or finished it.
heh. love it, Fijiman. i thought Stephen Merchant (one of my favorite brit actors) did a brilliant job voicing Wheatley, so any song praising his character gets a thumbs up from me.
Hey, what’s your PSN? Is it ‘jefbot’, or ‘shootzee’, or what?
yep! exactly right, Fijiman: Portal 2 was actually the first game i’ve played on the home consoles (not counting portables) since i moved last november. (wow, has it really been that long?) and my 360’s connected, but i haven’t flipped it on, yet. will probably do that this weekend to make sure that the latest update hasn’t bricked my machine (which i hear is happening with a small percentage of XBOX consoles, but MS is giving away brand new systems to those the glitch affects.) of course, the Phoenix Comicon is next week, so i really shouldn’t turn on my 360. at least not until the con is over. 🙂
and Skyrim… *drool*
Yeah, probably not a good idea to do that just before a con, easier to get ready for it that way.
I remember doing something like that with House of the Dead when I was back in high school… fortunately it was on the arcade and all I had to do was shoot while my friend went and got quarters 😛
nice, Eptha! nothing looks cooler in an arcade than dual-wielding light guns! glad you were able to keep the game going while your friend went to get more quarters – i’ve been on the losing end of that scenario.
I do that on little big planet all the time.
sometimes with more than 2 controllers.
more than two controllers, asea1994!? then you must be Flaco from the last panel of this Sheldon strip that Sarah W linked to earlier, right?
sometimes it only requires one hand, or a chin.
my thoughts on the last panel “…”
I mean here I thought only chimps can use their feet and toes to do something so complex as playing a video game. Somebody get an anthropologist, Bot needs to be examined fast!
heheh. i thought i was either more evolved or (more likely) less evolved to play games with my feet, Jiro Maeda, but after reading the comments from some of you readers, it’s actually an ability many of you share!
I know someone that played Kingdom Hearts start to finish with only his feet (his right wrist was broken). So all he would need is to do is a bit of training.
wow, now that’s impressive, likeacupcake, especially since KH requires a lot of button mashing! guess it just goes to show that when there’s a will there’s a way. and videogames tend to test the will, a lot.
Great strip, bot but I am never touching that remote again. :p
eh, just take some lysol wipes 🙂
You know, Mike, I’ve been meaning to tell you. After seeing you and Jeff at Emerald City Comic-con, and explaining to my room mate (who didn’t go) who you were and showing you your current site, once she found out you were in an episode of Pushing Daisies she freaked, put on that episode and complimented your current physique. “Wow! he looks really good now!” her exact words.
yeah, MC’s transformation is really quite amazing, Maesonic. you’d hardly even recognize him now from that episode!
i will trick you into using it, MC.
So, I’ve never done THAT, but I have had someone leave me during “versus” at DDR… I ended up changing one mat out for a controller….. Let’s just say I don’t have hand-eye-foot coordination. It was fun though!
i like that you got creative with it, Amber! you totally need to master the simultaneous controller/dancemat action and place the video on YouTube. actually, i wonder if someone’s done that already? hmmm…
Funnily enough, there’s a playthrough at the moment on the SomethingAwful Let’s Play forum of a 120-star run of Super Mario 64. The guy’s playing with nothing but his feet. It’s brilliant!
i had to go check that video out, Luquos, if only to see how the guy hit the Z button with his feet! pretty cool stuff, and really makes me want to learn to play with my feet more, just for the fun of it. after watching that guy play, though, i’ve now come to the conclusion that it’d be way easier for my feet to use an N64 controller than a DualShock; they made controllers big back then!
‘Tis not a video, ’tis in fact an entire Let’s Play. Very good. http://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3397681
wow? !!//1/3
Thats why we are cousins with primates.
The PS3 network being down so long killed me! I haven’t got Portal2 yet but I’ve been hearing good things about it. I have a back log of unopened games I have to play. I’m currently playing L.A. Noire but when I was playing LBP (Little Big Planet for those of you who aren’t in the “know” ;P) I tried thee ol’ second player by foot tactic too, you’re not alone!
Do have Steam then?
I meant ‘Do YOU have Steam then?’
Yaay! for jefbot’s awesome hand-feet!
Harry Houdini used to tie and untie knots with his toes. The thing is, he often did this while talking to guests and not even paying attention to what he was doing. =)