Wil says . . .

After I gave my keynote at PAX last year, tons of fellow gamers began repeating my "Don't be a dick!" motto. Several people suggested to me that we put it on a T-shirt.

I was unsure, but on the last day of PAX, I worked up all the courage I could muster, and asked Jerry and Mike if they'd be into doing it.

"What do you think about doing something like, "Wil says, 'Don't be a dick.'?"

"We're totally into that," Jerry said.

"Yeah, just talk to Robert and we'll do it." Mike said.

What I said was, "Awesome," but what I heard was, "Chopper, sic balls."

Wait. That's not right. Let me try again.

What I said was, "Awesome, " but in my in my head, I was running laps around the room like my dogs do when I come home from a long trip.

I talked to Robert, and over the next few months we put the whole thing together. Yesterday, they put the T-shirt into the Penny Arcade store:

This is a really exciting thing for me. Being drawn by Mike is a huge honor, and spreading the Don't be a dick meme is pretty awesome, too.

Comments

[Xaqtly]

I love that. I believe I will drop some clams to own one.

[beowuff]

On a related note, are you going to make it to PAX again this year?

[JemearlS]

Don't be a dick Wil, come to PAX '08.

Oh yeah... I went there.

[Wil]

I wouldn't miss PAX for the world. I don't know if I'll be participating in any performances or anything, but I'll certainly be there to get my geek on.

[Craig Steffen]

The only way the T-shirt could be better is if below WIL it said "yes, with only ONE "L" ". I'm so there; buying one after I write this post.

While we're on the subject of going places, I'd like to ping Mr. Wheaton about the possibilities of visiting cons on the other coast, so that fans over here can experience the same yummy Wil goodness as those who can drive to the ACME comedy theater. Please?

Sincerely, from Kentucky,

Craig Steffen

[starshine_diva]

Awesome.

[angie k]

Total win. I ordered one last night.

BTW, and I ask this of anyone who's been there, is PAX very large and scary? I've been wanting to go for a couple of years and especially wish I could have made it last year but if I start saving now I can go this year. I just wonder if it's going to be too huge for me. I have, like, *no* gamer skills but my heart's in it (I just keep playing the few games I own, even when I fail mightily. I have not beat Halo 1 yet. Shhhh!). I just don't want to seem like some lame n00b. Is it fun for people who aren't great gamers yet? Are there interesting panels? Is it very crowded? :) I promise to not be a dick if I come to PAX.

[Stepto]

Outstanding. That will go well alongside the PA "Greater Internet Dickwad Theory" tshirt.

Oh and I finally found the mp3 from last year's keynote!

S.
http://www.stepto.com

[drdrew]

hell to the yeah.

[cubegeek]

Sold. Now how do I get my new shirt autographed?

[Wil]

Wear it to PAX, cubegeek!

[jtbwriter]

Wil,

2 things-
The D&D memories made me teary-I thought the bullying I went through in the 60's was bad...
And what/where is PAX?

Actually 3 things..

Worrying is healthy, but letting it own you is not. Believe me, money issues are stressful...but just considering what you can control will help (considering is a better term then worrying!).

As soon as I get paid, I have dibs on a "Wil says" shirt!

Thanks!

Julie

[phamtq]

@angie k

I kind of get that way with big crowds too but this wasn't bad at all. Don't get me wrong, it's a lot of people but most everyone there seems very cool.

You've got some debbie downers but the as long as you bring some heart, then everything's fine.

[Celtic Mama]

I'll definitely be getting one of these when I get home tonight! w00t!!

[Michael Shanley]

Wil!

You should totally use that as your page header from now on! It rocks!

[solace]

angie k - The conference center has lots of open concourses and PAX was spread across many floors so that made it feel less crowded. We went on the Saturday early and were able to take in the exhibit room before it got too crazy (after lunch-couldn't move in there!).
We didn't have a ton of time at PAX but the one panel I saw on "Sam and Max"/ Telltale games was entertaining and informative. My friend who had never played any of the old Lucas Arts games still enjoyed it too. You can get your n00b gaming on in the many rooms filled with consoles and not be judged at all. The atmosphere was really great and it was well organized.
Also if you want any PAX swag get that early because they run out of sizes quickly (I got burned on that).
And of course line up early for Wil because there was a fairly long line up to get his John Hancock and a copy of HDOOL. Apparently he is very popular. ;)
Hope this helps your decision!!!

[Wil]

angiek: I want to echo what solace said.

The most amazing thing about PAX was how welcoming and friendly everyone was. It's not called "Woodstock for Gamers" for nothing, you know.

You will make friends instantly. You will feel welcomed and embraced by people who want to introduce you to new games. You will be astonished to find tons and tons of people who simply are not judgmental dicks who want to frag you because you're a n00b.

Besides, if anyone gives you shit, I will totally give them the cockpunch.

[Becky..Absent Minded Housewife]

I buy shirt.

[mousewords]

That's awesome! Congrats! And it totally reinforces your goals from your other post--you definitely should put more of your quotes on t-shirts!

I sort of know how you feel--I just got called an SOB by Liz Strauss on Successful-Blog.com. I'm totally jazzed! So--yay, congrats! Do more! :-):-)

[Merbrat]

Wil...that is V.Cool!
It *would* be fun for the page header, though we would miss your regular mug.

mousewords: I just went to your site! Kudos on SOB!
Pretty mermaids! (love the one with the tractor!)

angiek: See you at JoCo's show! Anyone else in Austin going? Andrew?

[STOGAM]

I just purchased a shirt. I think you should create one of those meters and you can update it to show everyone how many you sold. I think the goal should be 1000 shirts.

[Jessika]

Ordered one as well! Hope to make it to PAX one year, but first priority is taking our Baby Grrl, who loves Spider-Man, Captain America, and comics, to Comic-Con. She's only two, but can name the "big" comic characters by sight!

[hanna]

That is awesome, congrats!

[Andrew]

I am TOTALLY going to JoCo's show tomorrow night. I'll wear my red "phi" shirt (thank you, ThinkGeek) although it will probably be under a jacket.

[wandrew]

Just ordered shirt. Booyah!
But won't be @ PAX probably as a)I'm hella busy and b) not a gamer.
Bon chance, mon ami!