events
Penny Arcade Announces "Fatal1ty" WON'T Be at PAX
Posted by Brian Crecente at 8:00 AM on August 7, 2008
Apparently in reaction to gamer-centric convention E For All's news today that Jonathan "Fatal1ty" Wendel will be the face of their show, Penny Arcade announced that Fatal1ty won't be the face of theirs.... or even welcome.
World's Top Gamer "Fatal1ty" will not be at the Penny Arcade Expo (PAX)
PAX is proud to announce that they will not be welcoming E-sportsman Johnathan "Fatal1ty" Wendel to the event.
"There is no one else in the video game industry quite like Fatal1ty and we're thrilled that he won't be attending our show" said Gabe, Chief Executive Officer of the Penny Arcade Expo, the greatest video game festival in the universe. "Seriously, if he even tries to come we'll kick him out."
Fantastic news! Hey, I wonder if Gabe and Tycho will let me submit a list of other people who won't be welcome at PAX... let's see...

Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
There are currently no AU comments for this post.
UltraMagnus
Posted 8:39 AM 7/8/08
Is there even such a thing as pro gaming anymore? Everything's so noobed out and team-based I can't see a future for fatal1ty's craft. The next-gen q3a project was scrapped and ut3 was panned so what are they going to play?
UltraMagnus
Foxstar Sixtail
Posted 8:37 AM 7/8/08
@nerdBOY01:If that was true, why is he still showing up in the limelight? Could it be he's not made all that much money?
And for a cheap shot, Gabe and Tycho have twice the money that Fatal1ty has.
Foxstar Sixtail
[ZTF]
Posted 8:36 AM 7/8/08
@Triple8: Seriously. People ignore the fact that it's not a real press release, and it's coming from the webcomic which features robots molesting fruit. Christ, get angry about something else.
[ZTF]
EnigmaNemesis
Posted 8:36 AM 7/8/08
@Brian Crecente:
Jealousy holds it's merits on the interweb.
EnigmaNemesis
Triple8
Posted 8:35 AM 7/8/08
<-- The Joke
<--Everybody's Head
Gabe's poking fun at using a pro gamer to promote an event.
Triple8
Struct09
Posted 8:35 AM 7/8/08
@Deaf Mute: You will find that many Kotaku posters blindly hate things and spew all sorts of hyperbole. Keep these facts in mind to prevent future headaches.
Struct09
PlasmaMachine
Posted 8:34 AM 7/8/08
Not really seeing a reason for all the hate.. Like any of you wouldn't trade places with him in a heart beat. The guy gets paid money to play video games.. I'm sure 99% of you have said "Man if I could only get paid to play games!" at some point or another.
PlasmaMachine
3inst3in
Posted 8:33 AM 7/8/08
i don't understand the animosity towards fatl1ty. I mean he's done well for himself playing video games, and I've never seen him come off as some smarmy ass. Maybe he's a bit of a sellout, putting his name on gfx cards and gaming mice, but, shit, like you wouldn't do the same if you had the chance. If I were in his shoes I would have fucking SHOES!!! water bottles, my own soft drink, special low friction video game glvoes with high traction finger pads, my own line of condoms. I would plaster my name on the world.
i respect the PA guys, love em to death, but this is just a dick move to appeal to...some kind of fan base, or something...i dont even know.
3inst3in
GoGoGodzilla
Posted 8:33 AM 7/8/08
Never really cared about Fatality, but I just thought this was ridiculous when I saw it:
[www.internaldrive.com]
I feel sorry for the parents who pay for that.
GoGoGodzilla
Deaf Mute
Posted 8:33 AM 7/8/08
@BigMoose:
I understood that from the beginning, but all of the comments and everyone's E-rage towards Fatality rather then E4all suggests people interpreted it otherwise.
Either way Fatality isn't at fault but people will ignore that. I think people are blowing what was a PR move way out of proportion and Penny Arcade had a hand in that.
Deaf Mute
Darkest Daze
Posted 8:32 AM 7/8/08
@nerdBOY01:
Actually, it's because he sold his name to any and every company willing to give him $5. Look at anything with his name on it, the company takes a card or fan, or whatever that they are already selling, put his name on it, and automatically charge $10-50 extra.
It's one thing to put your name on stuff because you either designed it, or because you worked with the company to make sure it's a better choice for gamers over the standard version of the product, but he didn't care what his name went on, making people who like to game and hear he's a pro gamer, think that the extra money they're spending was actually for something better for gaming.
Instead, they got something that was either the same as the version that's been sold for cheaper for the last couple months, or sometimes the product was actually crappier and was actually a piece of shit, but since his name was stamped on it, they charged more money.
If you're going to plaster your name all over the place, like your name actually means something, then you should have enough respect for yourself and for the community you're pandering to, to actually make sure your name only goes on quality products. As long as the check came in the mail, he would of put his name on adult diapers "for gamers!".
Darkest Daze
Brian Crecente
Posted 8:32 AM 7/8/08
@Deaf Mute: I've interviewed him and he was actually pretty non-douche. I think most of the backlash is more about pro-gaming than Jonathan.
Brian Crecente
wild homes isn't anything!
Posted 8:31 AM 7/8/08
I don't know enough about Fatal1ty to say he's a douche, but the idea of a 'pro gamer' doing shitty promotions is funny. The signature PC hardware line he was involved with was worth a good chuckle-- like when athletes and actors launch cheap lines of apparel and perfume and such. It's definitely not something unheard of, but I guess that's the funny part-- that Fatal1ty, and the people around him, act like he's a celebrity equivalent to a movie star, rock star, or athlete.
Gabe's joke is pretty funny. It's not about Jonathan Wendel being a douche or not... it's just about toppling sacred cows.
wild homes isn't anything!
Deaf Mute
Posted 8:30 AM 7/8/08
@Jonbo298:
Or hey maybe you could provide some of that "evidence" if it is out there instead of telling everyone "It's true go look it up".
@DavetheZombie:
Or maybe that was just a joke comment and you took it too seriously?
Deaf Mute
grifmasta
Posted 8:30 AM 7/8/08
I'm stoked for PAX. I'll go up to Seattle and start my "Enforcer" Duties the last wednesday of this month.
grifmasta
DeadlyCyclone
Posted 8:30 AM 7/8/08
Amen to that, that kid has gotten way too much attention. Penny Arcade FTW!
DeadlyCyclone
MisterMcThursday
Posted 8:30 AM 7/8/08
i dont care who you are that is fexxing funny.
MisterMcThursday
tdreher
Posted 8:30 AM 7/8/08
Isn't he the top "Halo" player not top general player.
tdreher
Testamonium
Posted 8:29 AM 7/8/08
I'm going to go out on a limb and say anyone who doesn't like Fatality for having used gaming to elevate his status as a 'celebrity,' but still likes Penny Arcade is selectively blind.
PA was more amusing before the time when people would rise up in unison every time Tycho or Gabe took a shit and had an opinion about it.
Testamonium
CaptainAhab
Posted 8:29 AM 7/8/08
Penny-Arcade is showing what gaming is really about! Having fun! I'm glad that Fatality wont get that day to prance around and "Sign autographs". Forget that!
CaptainAhab
[ZTF]
Posted 8:29 AM 7/8/08
@PearceShea: @nerdBOY01: @I Think We're Property: Hey guys: it's a joke. Gabe and Tycho probably don't give two-shits about the guy.
[ZTF]
LittleBigPlaneteer
Posted 8:28 AM 7/8/08
They sure got him good!
*rollseyes*
LittleBigPlaneteer
M-26-7
Posted 8:28 AM 7/8/08
@bobtheduck:
Lol wut?
M-26-7
BigMoose
Posted 8:28 AM 7/8/08
@SLiFE: Are we the only two who understand this? It sure seems like it.
BigMoose
DavetheZombie
Posted 8:27 AM 7/8/08
@M-26-7:
He's supposedly an obsessed Quake 4 player. I did see him once at E for All, and boy is he a big douche. He was doing challenges to see who could kill him at least once in Quake 4. I never did see anyone actually beat him, but he's not even that sportsman like. A kid (about 13 years old, seemed kinda nice) challenged him, and what fatil1ty said was, "Ready to get owned, noob?" So yeah, he is A douche.
DavetheZombie
Refused
Posted 8:26 AM 7/8/08
Ouch.. I love PA but thats a bit harsh calling him out like that, even if he is an ass.
Refused
bobtheduck
Posted 8:26 AM 7/8/08
I don't know who this guy is, but I do know that Gabe and Tycho can be arrogant pricks... Does this really need to be a competition between PAX and E4all? Pax is in Washington... E4all is in LA... I can't go to PAX. I may be able to go to E4all (but not likely, since I don't have the money this year) I loved E4all last year... Anyhow, whatever... I hate sour grapes... Coming from big companies (Kaz's comment about MS exclusives) or from "superfan" comic writers or stupid fanboys ("Gears is lame anyhow, Resistance will kick its ass" "Resistance is just a subpar shooter, Halo beats all!")
I hate Microsoft, but I recognize when they have good games (Mass Effect, Infinite Undiscovery, Lost Odyssey) This sounds like Sour grapes... Like "We don't want him if he's gonna be at THAT show."
bobtheduck
Detre
Posted 8:26 AM 7/8/08
lol people love to hate him. I dont really like his commentary style but outside of that i dont see any big problem with him. Also ive seen him say that there are other players much better then him before in a few interviews.
Detre
Myst3r1o
Posted 8:26 AM 7/8/08
*Laughs* I know what they did there..
hahahha
Myst3r1o
Jonbo298
Posted 8:25 AM 7/8/08
He is a douche though. The evidence is out there if you'll just look for it.
Jonbo298
Gitaroo_Dude
Posted 8:25 AM 7/8/08
This should put to rest all those asinine "You're just jealous" comments.
PA has a game AND an Expo, so I'm pretty sure they have nothing to be jealous about.
Fatality is a douche and shouldn't be used to represent gamers at all.
Gitaroo_Dude
Pezdispenser
Posted 8:25 AM 7/8/08
Fatal One Tie can suck it. Seriously though, I was just playing TF2 on Hydro, and he did nothing but scream KaBOOM! and whack his bottle against the supply cabinet.
Pezdispenser
UbeWoll
Posted 8:23 AM 7/8/08
Har har, pennies arcade. At least this Failtality rebuttal was funnier than PA's latest comic strip.
UbeWoll
EnigmaNemesis
Posted 8:23 AM 7/8/08
Awe man, I am devastated ...
K, I am over it!
EnigmaNemesis
pandafresh
Posted 8:22 AM 7/8/08
PA = Mucho Mucho <3!
pandafresh
Xagest
Posted 8:21 AM 7/8/08
...ow o_o
Xagest
ffmusicdj
Posted 8:20 AM 7/8/08
XD hahaha I love these guys!
ffmusicdj
PearceShea
Posted 8:20 AM 7/8/08
@demonknightinuyasha: True.
And Fatality (I refuse to type in leet) is actually an OK guy, from my limited experience. He does have a bad habit of talking too much about something he knows very little, but so do a lot of people...
Frankly, a lot of the hate seems to stem from, well, haters. Yes, he isn't the best at anything. We all know that. I think he knows it, though it wouldn't behoove him to admit it.
I think it's got a lot to do with the disconnect between how people play as amateurs (bitchy, whiney, loud-mouthed, sore-losers) and how a professional has to put themselves out there. You don't say "I'm pretty good at this" you say "one of the best."
PearceShea
Mr_Fuzzypaws
Posted 8:18 AM 7/8/08
All glory to Th3_Douch3bag.
Mr_Fuzzypaws
sir_carrot
Posted 8:18 AM 7/8/08
I'm with PA on this one.
sir_carrot
PyramidKazoo
Posted 8:18 AM 7/8/08
lol, well, I think Penny Arcade have achieved what they set out to on this one. I'm thoroughly sick of PA but this made me want to go look at their comic. Well played.
PyramidKazoo
kablammyman
Posted 8:18 AM 7/8/08
so...why do we hate him...?
kablammyman
Billkwando
Posted 8:18 AM 7/8/08
I don't love practicing competitive-style play, in a single given game,for hours on end,
You might as well compare driving to work with NASCAR.
Billkwando
M-26-7
Posted 8:18 AM 7/8/08
Can anyone explain who this Fatal1ty guy is, why he causes so much drama, and why Kotaku dedicates so many posts to it?
M-26-7
Calhoun
Posted 8:17 AM 7/8/08
I didn't "lol" at this, but I did chuckle out loud. Now if only the PA comic was as funny as their fake press releases...
Calhoun
Kirk Douglas
Posted 8:15 AM 7/8/08
Take that, farce of pro-gaming!
Kirk Douglas
Grumpz®
Posted 8:15 AM 7/8/08
Give him a break. He's a good guy that's been an avid PC gamer/builder for longer than some of the people reading this have been walking.
Should he be the main focus of an event? No. But that's not his fault. He's getting paid to do something fun, promote gaming and game hardcore.
Grumpz®
Strangelove
Posted 8:15 AM 7/8/08
I don't follow the guy or competitive gaming in the slightest, however I have a Fatl1ty motherboard and it's fucking awesome.
Strangelove
Elly
Posted 8:14 AM 7/8/08
My mousepad had all these inserts with this guy's picture on it. I guess one could hate him for excess packaging? Really though, what's wrong with this guy? I don't really follow the competitive gaming circuit.
Elly
Talryyn
Posted 8:14 AM 7/8/08
@Xeros606: It's the dumb 1 in his name. It makes you go "ahhhhh"..
Talryyn
nerdBOY01
Posted 8:13 AM 7/8/08
Fatal1ty is won numerous gaming first person shooter competitions. He's been around for a while. He can't go because he got money so he can afford a life without games
nerdBOY01
Lysandus
Posted 8:13 AM 7/8/08
Brilliant.
Lysandus
Frologic
Posted 8:12 AM 7/8/08
@taftsearlobe33:
I have the same question. Some1 enlighten us.
Frologic
demonknightinuyasha
Posted 8:12 AM 7/8/08
@Xeros606:
cause Jacky T has been quiet lately X3
demonknightinuyasha
SLiFE
Posted 8:12 AM 7/8/08
This really isn't a shot against Fatal1ty.
It definitely is a jab at E4A.
SLiFE
1cesc
Posted 8:10 AM 7/8/08
Does anyone even know anything about Fatal1ty??
Jeez, it seems like people are just jealous that he's raking in money doing what he (and you) love doing.
1cesc
taftsearlobe33
Posted 8:10 AM 7/8/08
not that I really care about him what happend between him and PA that they are not letting him in?
taftsearlobe33
neojames82
Posted 8:09 AM 7/8/08
@Deaf Mute: I just think a lot of people that have heard about him think he is all hot stuff just because he wins a few tournaments. I mean, yeah, its cool that he is able to make a career out of it in a way but all I have seen him do is just sell crap with his name on it. I mean, why would you buy a "Fa1tality" sound or video card or mouse for a few extra dollars more? Does it play any better then the regular brand? No.
neojames82
Morithain
Posted 8:09 AM 7/8/08
Before the PA haters come in and start flaming because they didn't get it, Gabe posted this because Fatal1ty being the draw of E for All is absolutely retarded and nothing a right-minded person should get excited about. He's not a real celebrity.
Morithain
Boozerz
Posted 8:09 AM 7/8/08
So sad to see the economic recession taking it's toll on gaming in such a harsh way.
Boozerz
I Think We're Property
Posted 8:07 AM 7/8/08
I don't really know much about Fatal1ty aside from the fact that he is one of the few moderately successful pro-gamers that actually exist in the real world, and not just in some high schooler's wet dream.
Is he really that much of a jerkwad? Or are the PA guys just going off the self-righteous deep end again like when they spent 20 minutes screaming into their podcast microphones about how offended they were by Army of Two?
I Think We're Property
Hopanoe
Posted 8:06 AM 7/8/08
Heh, I remember how E for All invaded PAX last year with the glowsticks and TVs and the like...can't we all just get along?
Hopanoe
Skitch01
Posted 8:06 AM 7/8/08
These guys are awesome....
Skitch01
Deaf Mute
Posted 8:05 AM 7/8/08
Wow wow wow
I never met the guy, never been interested in Pro Gaming but seeing all of the Internets E-Rage towards him and name calling I can't help but wonder.
How many people actually met him and know he is a "douche"? All I'm hearing is people citing "I saw an interview" or "He is willing to put his name on anything that'll sell".
I mean wtf, none don't seem like valid reasons for all of the hate I'm reading.
Deaf Mute
everybest
Posted 8:05 AM 7/8/08
Haha. I don't follow PA at all but this makes them awesome in my book.
everybest
Xeros606
Posted 8:05 AM 7/8/08
why do we keep discussing this guy?
Xeros606
GyrFal
Posted 8:05 AM 7/8/08
I'm all for competitive play and tournaments, but when somebody becomes like Fatal1ty and is elevating themselves (or trying) to "celebrity" status, it's kind of against the spirit of the gaming community. Gaming's for having fun, not becoming some icon.
GyrFal
neojames82
Posted 8:05 AM 7/8/08
Oh shiiiiiiii!~ XD
neojames82
Nitroid
Posted 8:04 AM 7/8/08
Wow, my respect for PA just shot through the roof.
Nitroid
Daisuash
Posted 8:03 AM 7/8/08
Hahaha These guys are awesome and Fatal1ty sucks...Glad they´re kicking him out...
Daisuash
thefais
Posted 8:03 AM 7/8/08
I had just finished the Fatal1ty article when I read Gabe's news post. It made me happy.
thefais
Ignatius
Posted 8:02 AM 7/8/08
That probably just stole some thunder from E for All.
I honestly don't like Fatal1ty...
Ignatius
Frologic
Posted 8:02 AM 7/8/08
Damn Yahtzee wasn't kidding when he said that eDrama drives web comics.
Frologic
UFO
Posted 9:03 AM 7/8/08
Yeah, lets all hate the guy just to be in with the crowd. Seriously, do any of you people that say he`s a douche even know the guy or are you just talking bollocks because you don`t want to stand out from the rest of the sheep?
Fair play to the guy for making a living out of something he loves doing !
Baaaahh to the rest of ya !
UFO
Cchrist
Posted 8:59 AM 7/8/08
You're putting me on that list aren't you Crecente? I KNEW it!
Cchrist
arazzor
Posted 8:59 AM 7/8/08
So Brian, who else would you wish non-welcome at PAX?
arazzor
BlackdogGT
Posted 8:55 AM 7/8/08
@Dreamwriter: Shoosh! You're gonna ruin it!!
BlackdogGT
Foxstar Sixtail
Posted 8:54 AM 7/8/08
@marlblank:There's lots to hate. He's a shining show of why many pro gamers are disliked, or as they are less commonly called, torny fags. If Tiger Woods acted like our pal Fatal1ty did, you think golf would see have seen the upsurge and interest it is now?
You can be good and be quiet about it. You can have your own product lines and still be humble. You can be damned hot and have your face everywhere and not be raging cunt.
Fatal1ty isn't fit to carry Tiger's bag. Not everyone is speaking with green eyes and forked tongue here.
Foxstar Sixtail
SilentSeraphin
Posted 8:53 AM 7/8/08
Ahhh...Penny Arcade. You guys always find a way to astound me.
SilentSeraphin
Dreamwriter
Posted 8:50 AM 7/8/08
Guys, many of you just aren't understanding the joke. You need to start by reading the E for All press release about Fatal1ty - the actual release, not just the news about it. Then read Penny Arcade's release.
They are making fun of E for All, for making such a huge deal about such a minor gaming celebrity showing up at their show. Compare that to PAX with Ken Levine (founder of 2K Boston who made Bioshock) giving the keynote speech - and Penny Arcade didn't make a press release focusing on just that guy.
Dreamwriter
Devil240Z
Posted 8:48 AM 7/8/08
"pro" gameing is lame. I watched some and its dumb! A guy won a racing game event by crashing into someone! not cool.
plus its mostly just CS and Halo, lame!
they should have cool events like "who can get the farthest in megaman 2 with no continues".
Racing games should be lap time based.
and FPS games should be rare. Socom 2/3 would be a good one. MAYBE COD4... maybe.
that fatal1ty guy looks like a douche though, so I am glad I won't be running into him at PAX.
Devil240Z
marlblank
Posted 8:46 AM 7/8/08
Oh come on. There is nothing to hate about fatality. He was the right gamer at the right time, and is being used to bring competetive gaming to the people.
He made himself stand out of the crowd and some sponsers saw money in him. It's perfectly natural.
The reaction of Gabe seems more a jab at E4A and the whole marketingteam behind the fatality - brand then a genuine hate for the person.
If you still want to hate him, I suggest you start with examples of why you can hate someone you have never met when it's already hard to really hate others around you.
marlblank
exkon
Posted 8:43 AM 7/8/08
@Deaf Mute: I have to agree, but that's the nature of the internet. Irrational hatred to anyone the web deems to be a douche. Basically people are just jumping on the wagon.
@neojames82: EXACT same reasons people spend hundreds of dollars on Jordan sneakers.
exkon
splin
Posted 8:43 AM 7/8/08
That's kind of a harsh thing to say.
splin
Triple8
Posted 8:41 AM 7/8/08
Also I think this has to be the biggest -woosh- in the history of the internet.
Seriously, when the PA guys have a problem with something, they let you know:
[www.penny-arcade.com]
Triple8
EnigmaNemesis
Posted 8:41 AM 7/8/08
@UltraMagnus:
Why not, people still golf!
EnigmaNemesis
Ladi
Posted 9:28 AM 7/8/08
I have a Fatal1ty headset that came with my Dell XPS. It has his signature on it! Shall I continue or are you all already overcome with hatred towards me and my noobishness? :P
As an aside, I had never even heard of this guy before reading some of the stuff on the headset box while setting up my computer.
Ladi
dalangalma
Posted 9:23 AM 7/8/08
Yep. They're just poking fun at E4All because they were lame to PAX. The E4All guys made a scene at last year's PAX ([www.penny-arcade.com]) and then scheduled this year's E4All over the same dates as PAX.
dalangalma
CosmosGoddess
Posted 9:19 AM 7/8/08
Well look at last year. Outside at PAX there was a few people from EforAll wearing idiotic television shirts and trying to get people to attend their show just 100 feet away from the trade center.
I can understand why PA decided to kick him out. Just so they don't need to deal with those people again.
CosmosGoddess
Scuba Steve
Posted 9:16 AM 7/8/08
He's just a person, man.. that's harsh.
But I guess you just get drama whenever you some sort of fame, and there's no drama like nerd drama.
Scuba Steve
sits
Posted 9:15 AM 7/8/08
I don't think it's so much about him, but more of a anti-E4All joke.
sits
Vergobret
Posted 9:15 AM 7/8/08
Oh, come on!
Who remembers Thresh and Kornelia (the ace hot-bod female quaker!)...
They are all minor leaguers when it comes to celeb status... I mean Paris Hilton managed to snag headline news coverage with her response to McCain's advert...
It's likely that E-Gamer stars aren't even known by 99% of the gamer community anyhow... but good for PAX for making sure that that is the case!
Vergobret
evslin
Posted 9:14 AM 7/8/08
That's hilarious.
I don't hate the guy, don't even know him aside from knowing some people who knew him from playing against him and cK in Q3 TDM.
evslin
Kn1v3s
Posted 9:12 AM 7/8/08
I don't think he is a douche at all. I remember back in the Quake 3 Arena days, he was trying out for my old team that had players on their way out of the competitive gaming scene. We were quite good at the game but not dedicated enough to allow him to join. Dedicated meaning we weren't holding practices and other team things that they do nowadays. Then of course he won his first tournament. Anyways, he seemed like a well to-do guy, back then at least before he won lots of tournaments.
Kn1v3s
TheJinManCan
Posted 9:11 AM 7/8/08
@Dreamwriter: Oh no, I got that part. Believe me. I'm just confused by all the actual nerdrage that this name has wrought from these comments. *shrug*
TheJinManCan
lwelyk
Posted 9:10 AM 7/8/08
@sereal: Point is he's been VERY smug about it. INCREDIBLY arrogant. Thankfully he seems to have matured a bit or something and is a little less so. The other half for most people I guess is jealousy. I personally would hate to play FPSs for a living, but hey, to each his own.
lwelyk
TheJinManCan
Posted 9:09 AM 7/8/08
Yeah. I'm with the "I don't understand the hate".
Personally, I don't hate him, but I can't say I'm not jealous because he's making money out of my favorite past time.
Unless someone out there can lick us to some crazy douchebaggery story about him lying or being a douche, or always finishing in last place in tournaments yet still raking in money and making his own products, I'ma just not care.
I mean, I know the gaming community is the most vocal in the "I don't like _____" category, fuck I'm guilty of it, but reasons, people, reasons!
TheJinManCan
Pornosaur
Posted 9:08 AM 7/8/08
I maybe in the minority knowing what Penny Arcade is and having no idea who Fatality is. I have nothing against but as a general life rule I live by I frown upon anyone with "numbers" or "symbols" in their name and it's gotten me this far, so I'm sticking too it.
Pornosaur
lwelyk
Posted 9:08 AM 7/8/08
Pretty funny. My opinion of Fatal1ty has gone up a bit. He seems to be less smug now. Which is good. I still don't like how he acts like he's a huge star or anything. I guess I'd understand if I followed professional gaming...
lwelyk
sereal
Posted 9:08 AM 7/8/08
@neojames82: try taking a look at his website and track record. I think I missed something I don't even know why people don't like him. He is amazing at games. He did what sports stars do, put their faces and names on products to actually make a living. All this is stupid. He does have skill, you have to work pretty hard, and have alot of natural talent to be one of the top fps players in the world.
@Devil240Z: The reason games like that are not played is because they are not popular. I'm sure people do play megaman or what ever, but games like Counterstrike, Quake, WC3, Starcraft, etc. are the most popular. FPS's are natural for competitive play being player versus player. Megaman would be very boring to watch.
sereal
Madoc
Posted 9:07 AM 7/8/08
I don't have anything against this Fatality guy, but that was some seriously funny shit from Gabe.
Madoc
shimage
Posted 9:55 AM 7/8/08
@Brian Crecente: You're right. I don't like him mostly because I think pro gaming is dumb. But I am an equal-opportunity hater! I also think pro sports are dumb. I think my disinterest in sports is why I played so many video games as a child. I still don't understand why people like to watch sports. I need to ask my dad about that some time...
shimage
Cupajo
Posted 9:46 AM 7/8/08
I met him once. He's a douche-bag.
Cupajo
DavetheZombie
Posted 9:46 AM 7/8/08
@Deaf Mute:
Why are you defending him?
DavetheZombie
iamspoo
Posted 9:45 AM 7/8/08
I just lost some respect for PA for getting in this pathetic pissing match with E for All.
iamspoo
Captain Matt Sparrow
Posted 9:43 AM 7/8/08
I have seen Fatal1ty at CES, and he seems like a quiet guy, and nothing at all like the persona the media and industry types try to pass him off as. I have also heard that he can be very hard to work with, so I am not sure which is true.
I doubt this is as much a personal attack on the guy as an attack at E for All and their lame attempt to spark gamer interest in their show by bringing in a pro gamer. I think the media is under the impression that we all look up to pro gamers like Fatal1ty, when really they are about as niche and hardcore as it gets. PAX has the Omegathon with everyday types. Why would they need or want a pro gamer at their show.
Captain Matt Sparrow
Blindmark
Posted 9:41 AM 7/8/08
This is great, In a few years E3 and the other piece of crap shows will disappear and companies will beg bigtime to PAX in order to get a booth on their show. E3 and all the BIG sponsors believe they can shut the doors to fans and only let a select few, Screw them all, Long live PAX, Game shows are not about movie stars, Music starz or E Athletes. Ftal1ty just got a fatal blow and this is the beginning, serve him right.
Blindmark
dunetiger reads kotaku, seems pleased
Posted 9:34 AM 7/8/08
The real question is given the choice of the following, who would you allow into your clubhouse?
1. Fatality (I refuse to spell it with the 1)
2. Derek Smart
Dun, dun DUNNNNNNNNNNN
dunetiger reads kotaku, seems pleased
CockroachMan
Posted 10:20 AM 7/8/08
That's why I love Penny Arcade..
CockroachMan
KaneRobot
Posted 10:18 AM 7/8/08
In response, that Fatality guy should actually go, it's not like they'll really kick him out.
KaneRobot
C22DBlueKnightOne
Posted 10:16 AM 7/8/08
@Foxstar Sixtail: It's kinda odd that he comes across like that. I've met him a couple of times in Creative Labs booth at CES, and he seemed pretty okay to me. I sometimes wonder how much of all the hype is him and how much of it is some company building up a cash cow.
C22DBlueKnightOne
yashichi8bit
Posted 10:14 AM 7/8/08
Respect +
yashichi8bit
Jonaconda
Posted 10:10 AM 7/8/08
Personal opinions regarding the sustained viability of professional gaming notwithstanding, I can't blame Wendel for trying to make a living on his passion, even if he "sold out" in the process. People accuse rock bands of the same shit, and while I'm certainly not compairing Wendel's celebrity to, say, Mick Jagger or someone in rock's pantheon, nobody starts a band for "just the music".
You do it initially for the prospect of a post-show knobber and perhaps some alcohol. Wendel undoubtedly loved all those FPS games he played to get to where he's at, but at some point visions of dollar signs, fame, and perhaps even some eGroupies clearly began dancing in his head. Nobody here should fault the guy for finding an exit sign from the rat race and taking that door out, even if he is a "douche."
Granted, this is the Internet, but cmon guys, not that many of you people rubbed shoulders with him in person, so the douche stories I'm taking with a grain of salt as either total bullshit hearsay, or self-imposed image control as the cocky, smarmy gamer his sponsors want him to be.
I'd take his job over mine any day, and I suspect for that holds true for a lot of commenters here.
Jonaconda
ReisE
Posted 10:05 AM 7/8/08
rofl! TOOLa1ity just got wtfPWN3D!
ReisE
Billkwando
Posted 9:59 AM 7/8/08
@Darkest Daze: You have a great point about making sure you put your name on a quality product. I remember reading stories about how Bono used to walk around the arenas before U2 was supposed to play (soundcheck) to make sure that the "obstructed view" seats were properly designated (so nobody paid full price for a crappy seat) and making sure the T-shirts weren't cheaply made.
If you put your name on crap, it will come back on you eventually.
@Struct09: You will also find that certain Kotaku posters make blanket generalizations.
Every gaming site has its assholes. Tell us of a site that doesn't.
My personal issue with Wendell is nothing personal. I object to the concept of him just like I object to the concept of the Frag Dolls.
The bottom line is, if he looked like Comic Book Guy, we wouldn't be hearing a word about him.
The corporate types just managed to get lightning in a bottle with a guy who can
1) Play games well
2) Whore himself out with abandon
3) Be just handsome enough to not send ladies running for the hills, thus deeming himj worthy for product packaging.
He's a tool, and I mean that in the nicest way, just like the Frag Dolls are a bunch of tools........with boobies.
Billkwando
otimus
Posted 9:57 AM 7/8/08
There's plenty of evidence out there, if you look for it, to the flaming douchery of this guy.
Don't deny it, or support the creepy.
He's a crappy person, who'd prolly sell you a nickle for $5.
Hm! Coming soon! Fatality DLC!
otimus
FreakyFavabean
Posted 10:40 AM 7/8/08
@1cesc: Any Penny Arcade isn't? The difference is that Penny Arcade is worthy of peoples' respect.
FreakyFavabean
.em.
Posted 10:27 AM 7/8/08
lol. XD
.em.
NoBullet
Posted 11:11 AM 7/8/08
Even though its a stab at e for all, PA still look like jackasses.
NoBullet
vidgmr
Posted 11:06 AM 7/8/08
LOL @ all this gamer on gamer drama.
vidgmr
cihx
Posted 10:58 AM 7/8/08
funny!
cihx
fall
Posted 10:57 AM 7/8/08
Funny how no one, including the PA fuglies, that has put the guy down has actually met the guy and is hating on him.
He's won a lot of tournaments, made decent money, and now he's leveraging that experience to market himself as a gamer spokesperson for tournament-level gaming and products marketed to people that want to get better at games.
He's also a pretty nice guy, but it's easier to assume because he's better than you at games, he's got an ego and is a douchebag. Sure, he's a bit cocky, but let me know when you've won over a dozen international events in a variety of games. All this hate is unjustified, and coming from bad gamers who would prefer to hate on people that could take them to school in a game without even trying than accepting that yes, a few talented people make a living off of winning in a video game.
It is funny though, how Penny Arcade tries to pretend like they're above shilling for products while trying to pretend like what they say is sincere, as if Fatal1ty's sponsorships make him a sell out and that he has to be a jerk, because he isn't helping promote PAX.
"Reviewers just don't get Assassin's Creed, anyone giving it less than a 9 is wrong. I'm a hardcore gamer and unbiased about it, as Ubisoft is only our primary sponsor that we have worked with for three years."
Uh huh. Way to not be a sell out Penny Arcade and bash one of the few gamers that are actually trying to build a career out of the wasteland that is competitive gaming.
fall
Marlor
Posted 11:18 AM 7/8/08
That's an excellent dig at E ForAll by Gabe.
I almost feel sorry for Fatal1ty. But after after he demonstrated his egocentricity with his infamous "tribute" to Miyamoto in Time Magazine (where he mentioned Miyamoto twice and himself about twenty times), he deserves all he gets.
Marlor
krizoitz
Posted 11:13 AM 7/8/08
@fall: Funny how you completely MISSED THE POINT. This isn't about FatalONEty ("leet speak" is quite possible the dumbest creation of man ever), its about the E for All lameness. Check out the link posted earlier on how they acted at PAX last year.
[www.penny-arcade.com]
krizoitz
caster
Posted 11:12 AM 7/8/08
@bobtheduck:
i think this has way more to do with E4all then it does with fatal1tea.
efor all have been MAJOR F'rs when it comes to PAX, i remember khoo saying he has actrualy tried to work with them to schedule things correctly and they actually stone walled him, then they whent ahead and scheduled e4all at the same time as pax AND brought guerrilla marketers to PAX!
caster
fall
Posted 11:59 AM 7/8/08
@krizoitz:
You missed the point.
PAX claims to be above all the general marketing BS and for the gamers, yet the fall back on dumping on the competition, as if that's going to result in any increased business.
E3 for All might be lame, but dumping on the competition instead of you know, actually doing something better that'd get people to come on their own, is quite a bit lamer.
fall
First-Chair
Posted 11:59 AM 7/8/08
@dalangalma: Ahhh, insightful. That would be quite the reason for PA's response. Thanks for that info!
First-Chair
Deaf Mute
Posted 11:44 AM 7/8/08
@DavetheZombie:
Because he has done nothing wrong?
A better question to ask is why are people attacking him, you'll see just how stupid the reasoning is for it. Most people don't even know him and many comments on here has show n he isn't disliked in his inner circle.
But people are just ignorant as always and condemn him basically for having a name and being a pro-gamer. It's jealousy or bigotry.
Deaf Mute
Firecrest
Posted 12:18 PM 7/8/08
Ha. I didn't like PA all that much before, but I sure as hell do after reading this.
Fatal1ty is such a freakin' assmongler. He's nothing but a douchey sell-out who gained a huge ego but probably lost most of what made him famous in the first place. That seems to happen to a lot of people, doesn't it?
Firecrest
dalangalma
Posted 12:13 PM 7/8/08
@Billkwando: In all fairness to E4All, the drunk and belligerent guy from PAX07 was promoting VGExpo, not E4All. Different guy.
dalangalma
dalangalma
Posted 12:12 PM 7/8/08
@fall: They *do* something better that *does* get people to come on their own.
dalangalma
cynopt
Posted 12:04 PM 7/8/08
The real madness here was ever bothering to declare anyone the "face" of the convention. It's obvious adverspeak for one, and for another this is a con whose demographic are for the most part people who just don't like people. If they did, they'd be at a book club or a touch-football game, not crammed into a dank convention center with a few hundred other people who haven't bathed since they left home.
We're misanthropic bastards for the most part, and proud of that.
cynopt
Billkwando
Posted 12:04 PM 7/8/08
@fall: Way to miss the point.
You should read the comments about the history between PA and E4All. The way I remember it (from last year) was that the guy from e4all showed up at PAX, drunk, hitting on employees, and trying to promote his own con/show.
PA is simply parodying the press release and the fact that a "pro gamer" is the best they can do, and how pitiful your show must be if that's your big selling point.
Here's a quote for people who haven't read it:
"There is no one else in the video game industry quite like Fatal1ty and we're thrilled he's returning to E for All," said Mary Dolaher, Chief Executive Officer of IDG World Expo, the leading producer of world-class tradeshows and events around the globe. "He'll bring much excitement and attention to the show and we're eager to see him interact with the fans, which is what he does best."
Compare to:
"There is no one else in the video game industry quite like Fatal1ty and we're thrilled that he won't be attending our show" said Gabe, Chief Executive Officer of the Penny Arcade Expo, the greatest video game festival in the universe. "Seriously, if he even tries to come we'll kick him out."
Pure parody.
It's not a knock on Wendell, but people go for the games, not to see a celebrity.....and I sincerely doubt that he has many fans. Sure, lots of peple might be inclined to say hello to him and congratulate him on his success if he happened to be sitting there, but I doubt anybody would grab their car keys just to go see the guy.
I can't speak for the individuals "hating on" Wendell, but the PA thing really has nothing to do with him, beyond PA using him as a blunt instrument.
Billkwando
ashman512
Posted 12:51 PM 7/8/08
I do love me some Penny Arcade(though I could understand why a person wouldn't). And not because I don't like Fatality, who I really don't know anything about, but because this is a diss against E4All.
ashman512
Deilgyre
Posted 12:50 PM 7/8/08
@Nitroid:
Same here. My respect for PA just shot through the roof also.
Deilgyre
i_9
Posted 1:11 PM 7/8/08
Huh? I remember a while back at an E3, this kid came up to me and another employee and said "I bet I could kick your ass at this game", citing World of Warcraft, as we were showing it off that year. Main reason I remember this is because of the classic response he gave back, being "I bet I've made more money coding this 'shit' than you will ever make playing video games."
Fatty's a total fucking dick.
i_9
TheHeartless
Posted 1:47 PM 7/8/08
I would like to hear their reasoning but personally I always thought he was kind of a cocky prick. I mean it must be hard to avoid, being told you're the best at anything for your whole life...but being an "e-celebrity" is horseshit. It's not like the guy who plays chess against a computer, that takes brains. But having the ability to shoot people on Counter-Strike in knee-jerk reactions is not exactly a skill that we, as a society, should hold up to the level of olympians or geniuses...it's just reflexes. Guy probably couldn't hit a target with a real gun so why do we still give him all the media attention he needs to get so cocky?
TheHeartless
GorbyGipper
Posted 1:41 PM 7/8/08
HA! That's friggin' funny stuff.
GorbyGipper
amarney
Posted 1:40 PM 7/8/08
It's just a joke.
amarney
maraxusofk
Posted 1:36 PM 7/8/08
@PlasmaMachine:
the hate is coming from how he carries out his position, not his position necessarily.
maraxusofk
el_rezzo
Posted 2:07 PM 7/8/08
@SLiFE: You are correct sir. Unfortunetly that doesn't make for enough controversy for people to complain about, and as this post has 140 comments at this point it's obvious that people are hating on PA/EforAll at this point. I thought it was a really funny parody and the fact they call PAX the "greatest video game festival in the universe" shows they are just screwing around.
el_rezzo
crice
Posted 2:01 PM 7/8/08
Ok ok. Here is why I don't like Fatality:
[kotaku.com]
He wrote an article about Shigeru Miyamoto. Again, Mr. Wendel wrote an article about one of the greatest video game innovators of our time. Miyamoto deserves much better.
crice
Slartibartfast
Posted 2:30 PM 7/8/08
@Marlor:
[www.time.com]
thank you very much for the evidence. The tribute is wonderfully self centered. Such in parts as 'Miyamoto helped put me in the mindset so i could empower millions" are nice touches.
Slartibartfast
Billkwando
Posted 2:20 PM 7/8/08
@dalangalma: Oops! I've had lots of time to forget over the past year.
Thanks for the correction. So I guess that makes 2 gaming con/show thingies that PA are pissed at?
Billkwando
Yofu
Posted 3:53 PM 7/8/08
I lol'd.
Yofu
Willows
Posted 3:42 PM 7/8/08
hehe, hell yes. shit like this is why i love the PA guys.
Willows
GreyFoxV1
Posted 3:35 PM 7/8/08
@Ignatius:
The question is: who does? The guy is a douche bag.
GreyFoxV1
天
Posted 4:05 PM 7/8/08
@Slartibartfast: Thanks for the link to that, I hadn't seen it before. Out of curiosity I counted the references to Miyamoto (either through his name or a pronoun) versus the references Wendel made to himself (i.e. using I, me, my, etc).
Miyamoto: 4
Wendel: 25
My numbers are probably inaccurate because I'm tired, but it still raises the question "Why the hell is this so-called article titled Shigeru Miyamoto when he's barely mentioned?" Also, the ideas in that last paragraph make no damn sense since they all lead into each other with no clear transition or connection. My English isn't perfect, but I at least have the ability to write simple essays that actually make sense. I'm sure someone already wrote something along these lines long before I did, but oh well...
I don't know much about him anyways, so I guess I'll stop being grumpy and quit ranting. As for PA, good for them. The parody was pretty clever, plus it's great that they don't need a celebrity to represent their show.
天
boopadoo
Posted 4:00 PM 7/8/08
Tough words, Gabe. We'll see who kicks who out when Fatal1ty shows up to your little shindig and totally left-clicks yo face!
boopadoo
nardsy
Posted 4:54 PM 7/8/08
so what has he done to be so popular? if he hasn't DOMINATED at least like 5 different games than hes so blown out of proportion ~~ .. there are soo many good players in the genres...
nardsy
Talleh
Posted 5:36 PM 7/8/08
I wonder what they got against him, maybe he's a pompous asshole about how he's the "best" gamer in the world or something. Or maybe he is just a mascot for a corporation, and was bought up when he actually did...anything.
Talleh
Zorba
Posted 5:17 PM 7/8/08
There's a saying that any publicity is good publicity, as long as they talk about him in media he can still push his products. The bad thing is that Fatal1ty line of products mostly sucks, for example i considered getting creatives mouse or headset with that brand at different occurings and stuck with other brands as superior ones. Lots of talk, not much done there Fatal1ty...But oh well, at least he promotes gaming
Zorba
shrek187
Posted 6:32 PM 7/8/08
@Talleh: A little of both. But more of a Douche-Bag than a gamer.
shrek187
shrek187
Posted 6:31 PM 7/8/08
PAX Rocks. Fuck Fatality don't know who he is and don't care.
shrek187
ThursdayNext
Posted 7:19 PM 7/8/08
@Billkwando: Not sure which would suck more...driving to work or NASCAR...lemme think...Yup, NASCAR would suck more. Way more.
ThursdayNext
Barts
Posted 7:12 PM 7/8/08
@BigMoose: No, there's more of us.
My jaw dropped at how many people don't get this. I mean, it's quite probable that Fatality himself laughed about that.
Barts
alzheimers
Posted 10:06 PM 7/8/08
One gets the feeling that, if his lips could but reach a bit lower than his navel, Fatal1ty would never leave the house.
alzheimers
rainofwalrus
Posted 11:03 PM 7/8/08
the E4A vs. PA is all staged. sorry to disappoint. none of it is real.
rainofwalrus
SpeedNut
Posted 11:43 PM 7/8/08
Nice!
SpeedNut
Anaralia
Posted 11:55 PM 7/8/08
The guy just seems like an arrogant asshat. In interviews he acts like the fucking messiah of gaming, but really hes just a weedy wannabe celebrity sellout that no-one in the real world could give half a shit about. The 1 in his name makes him look like a 12 year old because as every PC gamer knows, only 12 year olds replace random letters in their names with numbers. I use the name "B1nary_Gh0st" on CS:S, but at least I put more theres a reason for that.
The way he plasters his name over everything hes offered pisses me off too. He's just a cash whore. I have the Creative "Fatal1ty" headset, but I bought it because it was cheap, looked good and had a detachable mic. The Creative logo helped since their products are usually pretty good quality, but I was certainly put off by the Fatal1ty branding.
Anaralia
wiregr
Posted 4:21 AM 8/8/08
I think the reason this guy bugs me is because he thinks that because he can play a few FPS games better than other people, that he's a better human being and that he deserves all the publicity he can get. (That's how it seems to me anyways from his public appearances)
There will always be someone better, and sooner or later some new kid will come along to knock this guy off his self-branded throne.
To me, gaming isn't about publicity, money, or any of that. I think gaming is more about relaxing, and having fun and not taking things too seriously. If you lose, you can either get pissed off at whoever just shot you and have it ruin your day, or you can smile, laugh it off, and keep having a good time. Of course, there's a lot less money in playing games just to "have a good time" :)
wiregr
Billkwando
Posted 7:36 AM 8/8/08
@wiregr: Well said.
I decided one day when playing Rainbow Six 3 on Xbox that it just wasn't worth getting pissed off anymore.
People can camp and grief and talk all the shit they want. They're not gonna stop me from having a good time.
Billkwando
ese
Posted 12:38 PM 8/8/08
Fatal1ty kinda reminds me of the blonde kid in the Wizard movie. You know, the one with the power glove.
ese
millhouse420
Posted 2:06 PM 7/8/08
for reals back in 05 I mentioned fatal1ty in my research paper and the fagot didn't even give me props. I am now glad he is announced deuce bag. shout out to PAx u guys rock not like rock band but like guitar hero,
millhouse420
LindaDentatus
Posted 11:21 AM 7/8/08
The only personal experience I had with him was back in college when our local gamers club had a computer games conference with a Quake 3 Arena tournament. It was a small event (attendance of probably around 50 at best) mainly to get local students aware of our club. Well apparently he was passing through Dallas and caught wind of our tournament. So he came in, signed in under a fake handle, destroyed all of us, took our prizes, and left. I don't even remember talking to the guy myself, and I'm not saying this makes him an automatic douche or anything, but it certainly didn't win him any charisma points from my perspective.
LindaDentatus
MysidianMan
Posted 10:41 AM 7/8/08
At least nobody at work tells me Fatal1ty has done something incredibly funny today, then have it turn out to be a joke about genitals.
MysidianMan
joerhino
Posted 8:52 AM 7/8/08
all i see here are people that are a bunch of care bears.
hes an ass when he plays games??? looks like alot of people in here are all like "oh hey guy, that was a good kill there"
or "man this team is great we are doing well and playing like a champ".... nobody effing does this, ever. if you do you're a carebear and a loser.
also who wouldnt sell out? posers. you can say what you want but when you get offered 50k to slap your name on a video card... if you say no your a retard.
stop the bs and lies, you all want to be fatal1ty
joerhino
Stockpile
Posted 8:11 AM 7/8/08
That is complete awesomeness.
Stockpile
MaxChallie
Posted 11:46 PM 9/8/08
This is hilarious!
MaxChallie
freespeech2
Posted 6:09 AM 12/8/08
@GyrFal: PLEASE!!!!! you'd (and everyone else on this board) would whore themselves out like he does!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
freespeech2