Carpalware
Webcomic · 2009–2013

Virtual Shackles

A gaming webcomic published three times a week. I wrote every strip; Jeremy Vinar did all the artwork.

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Virtual Shackles: the BioShock 2 Big Daddy prototype, imagined in flames, and in reality unable to work out how to pee in the suit Virtual Shackles: the Mushroom Kingdom torn apart by a giant plunger, and two plumbers at a toilet Virtual Shackles: Mirror's Edge's Faith climbs a building button prompt by button prompt, and an Assassin's Creed assassin simply leaps past her Virtual Shackles: a Charmander at home in an armchair, and the Pokeball that comes for him Virtual Shackles: the Trojan Horse arrives as a Farmville request Virtual Shackles: Soviet prisoners build the same wall every day and every morning it is gone — years later, Tetris Virtual Shackles: a warrior who lacks the 13 cunning needed to equip leather armor ends up tangled in it Virtual Shackles: Deep Thought, Moore's Law, and how long to optimally wait: 42 Virtual Shackles: the Dragonborn is shown an ancient puzzle door, with the answer printed right on the claw that opens it Virtual Shackles: two players scouting a zombie-swarmed barracks take “YOLO” literally and decide to be more careful