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''[http://www.virtualshackles.com/ Virtual Shackles]'' by Jeremy Vinar and Mike Fahmie is a webcomic about video games. It occasionally strays into [[Real Life]] issues.
''[https://web.archive.org/web/20131030204616/http://www.virtualshackles.com/ Virtual Shackles]'' by Jeremy Vinar and Mike Fahmie is a webcomic about video games. It occasionally strays into [[Real Life]] issues.


Strips tend to fall into two categories: The two main characters discussing a topic, or, as is typical of gaming webcomics, parodies of games, their mechanics, and their plots.
Strips tend to fall into two categories: The two main characters discussing a topic, or, as is typical of gaming webcomics, parodies of games, their mechanics, and their plots.
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{{tropelist}}
{{tropelist}}
* [[AI Is a Crapshoot]]: The Kinect's a [http://www.virtualshackles.com/18 bit murderous], but fortunately the Xbox360 is [http://www.virtualshackles.com/264 suicidal], so things balance out in the end.
* [[A.I. Is a Crapshoot]]: The Kinect's a [https://web.archive.org/web/20131011080734/http://www.virtualshackles.com/18 bit murderous], but fortunately the Xbox360 is [https://web.archive.org/web/20131030070115/http://www.virtualshackles.com/264 suicidal], so things balance out in the end.
* [[Art Evolution]]: While the art started out somewhat close to where it is now, there have been some changes to depth, shading, ears, and lines to make things seem sharper in general. Compare [http://www.virtualshackles.com/22 this] early strip to [http://www.virtualshackles.com/204 this] much later one.
* [[Art Evolution]]: While the art started out somewhat close to where it is now, there have been some changes to depth, shading, ears, and lines to make things seem sharper in general. Compare [https://web.archive.org/web/20131011082809/http://www.virtualshackles.com/22 this] early strip to [https://web.archive.org/web/20131116055421/http://www.virtualshackles.com/204 this] much later one.
* [[Author Avatar]]: The two main characters, Jack and Orion.
* [[Author Avatar]]: The two main characters, Jack and Orion.
* [[Badass Santa]]: [http://www.virtualshackles.com/272 Santa] is apparently an ancient magician, capable of speaking Dragon tongue.
* [[Badass Santa]]: [https://web.archive.org/web/20131116055110/http://www.virtualshackles.com/272 Santa] is apparently an ancient magician, capable of speaking Dragon tongue.
* [[Beating a Dead Player]]: Taken [[Beyond the Impossible]] with a long-range version called [http://www.virtualshackles.com/91 The Atomic Teabag]!
* [[Beating a Dead Player]]: Taken [[Beyond the Impossible]] with a long-range version called [https://web.archive.org/web/20131026122500/http://www.virtualshackles.com/91 The Atomic Teabag]!
* [[Benevolent Architecture]]: Lampshaded in [http://www.virtualshackles.com/137 this] strip, which explains the strange interior designs in the ''[[Prince of Persia]]'' series.
* [[Benevolent Architecture]]: Lampshaded in [https://web.archive.org/web/20131026014130/http://www.virtualshackles.com/137 this] strip, which explains the strange interior designs in the ''[[Prince of Persia]]'' series.
* [[Christmas Episode]]: A three-part [http://www.virtualshackles.com/70 Christmas comic] was made that involved Santa, videogames, light cycles, and ''Farmville''.
* [[Christmas Episode]]: A three-part [https://web.archive.org/web/20131011082532/http://www.virtualshackles.com/70 Christmas comic] was made that involved Santa, videogames, light cycles, and ''Farmville''.
* [[Comically Missing the Point]]: Upon being told of the horrific things done by a ''[[Dungeons and Dragons]]'' player, [http://www.virtualshackles.com/141 Jack's response] is shock - at the fact that people still play it.
* [[Comically Missing the Point]]: Upon being told of the horrific things done by a ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]'' player, [https://web.archive.org/web/20140330061540/http://www.virtualshackles.com/141 Jack's response] is shock - at the fact that people still play it.
* [[Did Not Do the Research]]: While poking fun at Bioware's claims that ''[[Mass Effect 3]]'' is the first game to let the player take control of an alien race, the comic incorrectly states that the first ''[[Mass Effect]]'' had this feature as well. This was quickly addressed by in a blog update.
* [[Did Not Do the Research]]: While poking fun at Bioware's claims that ''[[Mass Effect 3]]'' is the first game to let the player take control of an alien race, the comic incorrectly states that the first ''[[Mass Effect]]'' had this feature as well. This was quickly addressed by in a blog update.
* [[Fight Clubbing]]: Mario, Luigi, Donkey Kong, and Link all participate in "[http://www.virtualshackles.com/191 Smash Club]".
* [[Fight Clubbing]]: Mario, Luigi, Donkey Kong, and Link all participate in "[https://web.archive.org/web/20131116055949/http://www.virtualshackles.com/191 Smash Club]".
* [[Freud Was Right]]: Invoked in the console wars, where apparently Sony's end-goal is the "Playstation: Giant Penis".
* [[Freud Was Right]]: Invoked in the console wars, where apparently Sony's end-goal is the "Playstation: Giant Penis".
* [[Impossible Item Drop]]: Made fun of in [http://www.virtualshackles.com/76 this comic]. "What the fuck ''[[Darksiders]]''. Why does everything I smash have a soul in it?"
* [[Impossible Item Drop]]: Made fun of in [https://web.archive.org/web/20130815211551/http://www.virtualshackles.com/76 this comic]. "What the fuck ''[[Darksiders]]''. Why does everything I smash have a soul in it?"
* [[Indy Ploy]]: [http://www.virtualshackles.com/96 Rico] is really going out of his way to get rid of ''one'' dictator; he's blowing up half the country just to eliminate him.
* [[Indy Ploy]]: [https://web.archive.org/web/20130710013744/http://www.virtualshackles.com/96 Rico] is really going out of his way to get rid of ''one'' dictator; he's blowing up half the country just to eliminate him.
* [[Inconvenient Summons]]: Charmander is ''not'' [http://www.virtualshackles.com/99 pleased] to come out of his comfortable Pokeball to go fight. It's ''raining''.
* [[Inconvenient Summons]]: Charmander is ''not'' [https://web.archive.org/web/20131108015038/http://www.virtualshackles.com/99 pleased] to come out of his comfortable Pokeball to go fight. It's ''raining''.
* [[Item Get]]: [http://www.virtualshackles.com/215 Link] does this for every article of clothing.
* [[Item Get]]: [https://web.archive.org/web/20131116055432/http://www.virtualshackles.com/215 Link] does this for every article of clothing.
* [[Man in a Kilt]]: Orion [http://www.virtualshackles.com/234 puts one on] in an attempt to lure perverts. [[It Makes Sense in Context]]
* [[Man in a Kilt]]: Orion [https://web.archive.org/web/20131028045249/http://www.virtualshackles.com/234 puts one on] in an attempt to lure perverts. [[It Makes Sense in Context]]
* [[My Future Self and Me]]: Peter Molyneux travels back in time to warn his past self that the video game he is working will throw the world into chaos. The past Peter simply replies with "Dammit not again!"
* [[My Future Self and Me]]: Peter Molyneux travels back in time to warn his past self that the video game he is working will throw the world into chaos. The past Peter simply replies with "Dammit not again!"
* [[My New Gift Is Lame]]: Orion's [http://www.virtualshackles.com/174 entire family] does not show any enthusiasm when receiving the latest and greatest tech gifts.
* [[My New Gift Is Lame]]: Orion's [https://web.archive.org/web/20131030070401/http://www.virtualshackles.com/174 entire family] does not show any enthusiasm when receiving the latest and greatest tech gifts.
* [[Powered by a Forsaken Child]]: Pewter City's electrical needs are met by [http://www.virtualshackles.com/61 a mass array of Pikachus] hooked up to pods.
* [[Powered by a Forsaken Child]]: Pewter City's electrical needs are met by [https://web.archive.org/web/20131110185236/http://www.virtualshackles.com/61 a mass array of Pikachus] hooked up to pods.
* [[Refusal of the Call]]: [[The Force Unleashed|Starkiller]] decides to ignore his destiny and just use the Force to [http://www.virtualshackles.com/68 open a beer].
* [[Refusal of the Call]]: [[The Force Unleashed|Starkiller]] decides to ignore his destiny and just use the Force to [https://web.archive.org/web/20131007154932/http://www.virtualshackles.com/68 open a beer].
* [[Running Gag]]: Various strips show what depths Jack will sink to due to his ''[[World of Warcraft]]'' addiction.
* [[Running Gag]]: Various strips show what depths Jack will sink to due to his ''[[World of Warcraft]]'' addiction.
** The comic constantly pokes fun at its own similarities to ''[[Penny Arcade]]'', such as the authors' similar names, the typically three-paneled [[Two Gamers on a Couch]] format, and even the [http://www.virtualshackles.com/22 similar fonts].
** The comic constantly pokes fun at its own similarities to ''[[Penny Arcade]]'', such as the authors' similar names, the typically three-paneled [[Two Gamers on a Couch]] format, and even the [https://web.archive.org/web/20131011082809/http://www.virtualshackles.com/22 similar fonts].
* [[Super Prototype]]: Why Bioshock's Alpha Series [http://www.virtualshackles.com/23 is so badass]:
* [[Super Prototype]]: Why Bioshock's Alpha Series [https://web.archive.org/web/20131110192744/http://www.virtualshackles.com/23 is so badass]:
{{quote|"As you can see, the subject is '''too''' awesome, but with more time and funding we can achieve desired levels of mediocrity."|'''[[BioShock (series)|Dr. Suchong]]'''}}
{{quote|"As you can see, the subject is '''too''' awesome, but with more time and funding we can achieve desired levels of mediocrity."|'''[[BioShock (series)|Dr. Suchong]]'''}}
* [[The Guards Must Be Crazy]]: Pointed out as one of the [http://www.virtualshackles.com/278 quirks] with Skyrim's guards.
* [[The Guards Must Be Crazy]]: Pointed out as one of the [https://web.archive.org/web/20131116061003/http://www.virtualshackles.com/278 quirks] with Skyrim's guards.
{{quote|'''Guard''': "Wait, I know you..."
{{quote|'''Guard''': "Wait, I know you..."
'''Dragonborn''': "That's right! I am Arch-Mage of the College of Winterhold, Harbinger of the Companions, Thane of Whiterun, Nightingale of Nocturnal, Listener the the Night Mother and of course the great Dragonborn."
'''Dragonborn''': "That's right! I am Arch-Mage of the College of Winterhold, Harbinger of the Companions, Thane of Whiterun, Nightingale of Nocturnal, Listener the the Night Mother and of course the great Dragonborn."
'''Guard''':"No, you're that guy that was moving plates around at the tavern. You're under arrest" }}
'''Guard''':"No, you're that guy that was moving plates around at the tavern. You're under arrest" }}
* [[Tropaholics Anonymous]]: Jack's wife sends him to a [http://www.virtualshackles.com/43 support group] for his ''[[World of Warcraft]]'' addiction, where he encounters characters such as [[Super Mario Bros.|Mario]] and [[The Legend of Zelda|Link]] who have far bigger problems.
* [[Tropaholics Anonymous]]: Jack's wife sends him to a [https://web.archive.org/web/20131108013447/http://www.virtualshackles.com/43 support group] for his ''[[World of Warcraft]]'' addiction, where he encounters characters such as [[Super Mario Bros.|Mario]] and [[The Legend of Zelda|Link]] who have far bigger problems.
* [[Two Gamers on a Couch]]: Some comics use this format, normally with Jeremy and Mike, but sometimes with actual videogame characters, such as Link and Zelda.
* [[Two Gamers on a Couch]]: Some comics use this format, normally with Jeremy and Mike, but sometimes with actual videogame characters, such as Link and Zelda.
* [[What Did I Do Last Night?]]: Played with, as the cause is not alcohol, but [http://www.virtualshackles.com/279 videogames].
* [[What Did I Do Last Night?]]: Played with, as the cause is not alcohol, but [https://web.archive.org/web/20131116055448/http://www.virtualshackles.com/279 videogames].


{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Gaming Webcomics]]
[[Category:Gaming Webcomics]]
[[Category:Virtual Shackles]]
[[Category:Virtual Shackles]]
[[Category:Webcomic]]
[[Category:Web Comics]]

Latest revision as of 10:02, 26 September 2018

The life of a troper.


Virtual Shackles by Jeremy Vinar and Mike Fahmie is a webcomic about video games. It occasionally strays into Real Life issues.

Strips tend to fall into two categories: The two main characters discussing a topic, or, as is typical of gaming webcomics, parodies of games, their mechanics, and their plots.

Tropes used in Virtual Shackles include:
"As you can see, the subject is too awesome, but with more time and funding we can achieve desired levels of mediocrity."
—Dr. Suchong

Guard: "Wait, I know you..."
Dragonborn: "That's right! I am Arch-Mage of the College of Winterhold, Harbinger of the Companions, Thane of Whiterun, Nightingale of Nocturnal, Listener the the Night Mother and of course the great Dragonborn."
Guard:"No, you're that guy that was moving plates around at the tavern. You're under arrest"

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