Seven years! Two presidential elections. In 2011 a Core2Duo machine and a GTX450 was still considered a decent gaming rig. In 2011, Wizards of the Coast had yet to announce the release of the special edition 1e AD&D reprints. In 2011, the Star Wars franchise reboot hadn't begun, and Lucas hadn't sold the company to Disney! 2011 was closer to a decade ago than not. And that f'in game still isn't out yet?! People gave J.Mal a lot of shit (and rightly so) for Dwimmermount but this is pathetic! This is "I'm John Videogames" territory. What a shitshow.
It would have been infinitely better for both the creator and the backers to declare it a failure a long time ago and end it then and there.
Sometimes, you really need to understand when it's better to cut your losses. This is one of those times.
My first child was born the same December Far West was supposed to drop.
She turns seven this year.
Better late than never....if it gets produced this year (or next).
Quote from: Spinachcat;1043422Better late than never....if it gets produced this year (or next).
"Well there I was on my way to the computer to put the finishing touches on, and I tripped on a dice and badly wrenched my knee and sprained my thumb in the fall...it'll be out
next year though guys after I take a much needed healing sabbatical and leave of absence!"
Quote from: thedungeondelver;1043431"Well there I was on my way to the computer to put the finishing touches on, and I tripped on a dice and badly wrenched my knee and sprained my thumb in the fall...it'll be out next year though guys after I take a much needed healing sabbatical and leave of absence!"
To be authentic you'd need to launch a Go Fund Me for the medical bills.
Quote from: Fiasco;1043436To be authentic you'd need to launch a Go Fund Me for the medical bills.
and a Kickstarter to cover the GoFundMe promotional materials.
Quote from: Luca;1043412It would have been infinitely better for both the creator and the backers to declare it a failure a long time ago and end it then and there.
Sometimes, you really need to understand when it's better to cut your losses. This is one of those times.
But Open D6 will save it!
I didn't back Far West, but I did get burned on Gary Sarli's "E20." Anyone remember that?
Hopefully, people aren't blindly funding Kickstarters just because "RPG" anymore.
Quote from: Shawn Driscoll;1043463Hopefully, people aren't blindly funding Kickstarters just because "RPG" anymore.
I don't know about RPGs, but the new "Atari" console has pulled in almost $3 million...so they are still blindly funding things in general
Quote from: JeremyR;1043466I don't know about RPGs, but the new "Atari" console has pulled in almost $3 million...so they are still blindly funding things in general
No politics here but with the economy getting better we can expect to see more of this ridiculous shit.
Quote from: Aglondir;1043456But Open D6 will save it!
I didn't back Far West, but I did get burned on Gary Sarli's "E20." Anyone remember that?
Well, I
did back it, and I've been getting the recent updates, and I have no idea what to think about that. On the one hand,
if it actually happens, d6 is far preferable to d20. On the other hand . . . I'm kinda over it. Western wuxia sounded great 7 years ago, but I'm into urban fantasy and space stuff now.
Quote from: Shawn Driscoll;1043463Hopefully, people aren't blindly funding Kickstarters just because "RPG" anymore.
Because, as best I can tell, most people care about the promise of a good product than receiving one.
Quote from: thedungeondelver;1043469No politics here but with the economy getting better we can expect to see more of this ridiculous shit.
Sad but true.
Quote from: Luca;1043412It would have been infinitely better for both the creator and the backers to declare it a failure a long time ago and end it then and there.
Sometimes, you really need to understand when it's better to cut your losses. This is one of those times.
Can Kickstarters legally fail? I haven't looked too deeply into it, but it seems you can delay them to infinity, but you
have to deliver something at the end, even if it is a cop-out leaving everyone disappointed.
Sure, it'd be cleaner to admit failure and take the final dose of the rep hit, but if doing so would expose GMS to refund claims, he can't really back out - pretty sure that money is all gone, and no release now would recoup it.
A few Kickstarters have resulted in some cases. Legally it has been decided that a Kickstarter is a pre-order for product. The current TOS KSes run under is set up so a creator can simply say "we're working on it" for eternity and not deliver anything. I don't think there's a hard legal ruling yet about what is a reasonable timeframe for a creator to shit or get off the pot, but I do think it's pretty strongly decided that if backers get tired of waiting they are legally entitled to a refund since they aren't getting their product they pre-ordered in a timely manner.
Of course, unless an expensive legal campaign is done, all this is under the honor system.
Quote from: Warboss Squee;1043418My first child was born the same December Far West was supposed to drop.
She turns seven this year.
Me too! Well, my daughter was born in August, during the campaign. I no doubt checked the progress of the campaign during quiet periods in the hospital. (Which means this thread is a little early, but eh.)
Honestly, it's never going to produce. Anyone who's put in serious money should have gone after it by now - there's lots of folks who had paid money for portraits and the like who have been refunded down to the pdf level, which was $10. (For technical reasons having to do with how old the campaign is, Gareth is apparently unable to remove people from being backers. Which I actually believe, because if he could get some of the folks to leave and not comment on the kickstarter anymore he would. :)
Anyway, although it's amusing to watch time go by and see the updates, I only ever backed at the $10 level, and I spend more than that on Meetup groups that I'm unable to attend due to my wife's health problems, on Marvel Unlimited so I can read superheroes, on Youtube, Netflix, hulu, crunchyroll... honestly, it's financial noise at this distance of time.
Honestly, people wouldn't care so much if Gareth wasn't so nasty to people. Anon Adderlan on this board started the Pulse dice kickstarter (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/adderlan/pulse-dice/description) six years ago and never delivered, and no one even remembers that except me, it seems. :)
I find it funny that Skarka has probably put 250,000 words on Twitter since this thing started yet likely not one word in a ms for it.
Also that he said "We used to shoot people for being Nazis" - yeah, Skarka, and we used to jail folks for defrauding people out of $43,000 but whaddyagonnado, right?
Quote from: thedungeondelver;1043537I find it funny that Skarka has probably put 250,000 words on Twitter since this thing started yet likely not one word in a ms for it.
Well, that's not entirely true. There are pdfs of a number of chapters that have been released to us backers over the years. Just not the central system chapter that would let you play the game.
Quote from: jcfiala;1043538Well, that's not entirely true. There are pdfs of a number of chapters that have been released to us backers over the years. Just not the central system chapter that would let you play the game.
Fair play.
Thinking on it, as I was saying to my daughter (the one who was eight when Far West was first put up for funding), KS really is the perfect platform for a scam.
When the economy is up, sure, of course, people have the money to donate!
So you'd think, well when it's down that dries up, right? Noooooo, then the KS creators get a sympathetic eye from potential backers who have similar interests. "Well in this economy who can get venture capital funds! Have $20 my good man!" etc.
It's really a nearly perfect machine.
You really can fool some of the people all of the time.
Quote from: Melan;1043591You really can fool some of the people all of the time.
Can you? Like whom?
And how have you been fooling them?
Quote from: Melan;1043477Can Kickstarters legally fail? I haven't looked too deeply into it, but it seems you can delay them to infinity, but you have to deliver something at the end, even if it is a cop-out leaving everyone disappointed.
Depends on how you define "legally fail".
https://www.kickstarter.com/fulfillment (https://www.kickstarter.com/fulfillment)
Quote9% of Kickstarter projects failed to deliver rewards
8% of dollars pledged went to failed projects
7% of backers failed to receive their chosen reward
Every time you use Kickstarter to back someone, it says (which most people ignore):
https://www.kickstarter.com/trust?ref=fulfillment-report (https://www.kickstarter.com/trust?ref=fulfillment-report)
QuoteKickstarter is not a store. People aren't buying things that already exist -- they're helping to create new things. Creating things isn't always easy. Some projects will go wonderfully, and others will run into obstacles. Be prepared for a little bit of each.
Kickstarter even tells creators, if you aren't above board and transparent, you can be sued.
https://www.kickstarter.com/terms-of-use?ref=fulfillment-report (https://www.kickstarter.com/terms-of-use?ref=fulfillment-report)
QuoteIf a creator is unable to complete their project and fulfill rewards, they've failed to live up to the basic obligations of this agreement. To right this, they must make every reasonable effort to find another way of bringing the project to the best possible conclusion for backers. A creator in this position has only remedied the situation and met their obligations to backers if:
they post an update that explains what work has been done, how funds were used, and what prevents them from finishing the project as planned;
they work diligently and in good faith to bring the project to the best possible conclusion in a timeframe that's communicated to backers;
they're able to demonstrate that they've used funds appropriately and made every reasonable effort to complete the project as promised;
they've been honest, and have made no material misrepresentations in their communication to backers; and
they offer to return any remaining funds to backers who have not received their reward (in proportion to the amounts pledged), or else explain how those funds will be used to complete the project in some alternate form.
The creator is solely responsible for fulfilling the promises made in their project. If they're unable to satisfy the terms of this agreement, they may be subject to legal action by backers.
Quote from: Warboss Squee;1043418My first child was born the same December Far West was supposed to drop.
She turns seven this year.
I'm quite certain you'll be able to repeat this story when she graduates high school.
Quote from: thedungeondelver;1043537I find it funny that Skarka has probably put 250,000 words on Twitter since this thing started yet likely not one word in a ms for it.
Also that he said "We used to shoot people for being Nazis" - yeah, Skarka, and we used to jail folks for defrauding people out of $43,000 but whaddyagonnado, right?
(https://i.imgur.com/xgz9nkR.gif)
I love that .gif
I love it even more that I was worthy of it.
:hat tip:
Who and what now?
Quote from: RPGPundit;1043886I'm quite certain you'll be able to repeat this story when she graduates high school.
The only thing that makes me kinda sorta not regret backing this is that I got to experience an absolute
legend being born. This is a cautionary tale I think they're going to be talking about for years to come.
Quote from: mAcular Chaotic;1043987Who and what now?
Looks like Google still exists. (https://www.google.com/search?ei=Kr8iW53HFYyhwATs66qoDA&q=far+west+rpg&oq=far+west+rpg&gs_l=psy-ab.3..0i131k1l2j0i67k1j0l7.5546.5975.0.6147.4.4.0.0.0.0.224.224.2-1.1.0....0...1c.1.64.psy-ab..3.1.224....0.7x4H_xjRGio)
Quote from: mAcular Chaotic;1043987Who and what now?
Seven years back a dude named Gareth Skarka decided he'd write a mash-up of Boot Hill and Big Trouble in Little China and call it The Far West, a play on "The Far East", as Asia is or was referred as. There'd be gun-fu channeled through Spaghetti Westerns, etc.
People pledged $48000 (I'd said 43k, before, but I believe it was closer to 48) and he's spent seven years dancing around the matter. The $48k is almost entirely assuredly
gone now; I wouldn't count on seeing it in print unless someone does a POD version or just takes it straight to Lulu. He's complained off and on about various things stopping him working but in the interim he's done
several gigs writing RPG material.
I have a vision of Warboss, eyes welling up with love and pride, playing a promotional video for Far West as he gives his little girl away on her wedding day.
Hey folks--
Held this one off until Monday -- last week was a week of family obligations that kept me pretty busy. My birthday was mid-week, Father's Day was yesterday, and, unfortunately, earlier in the week we had to put our old lady cat to sleep. She was our last remaining pet, and had inoperable cancer, and she'd made it 18 years, but had let us know that it was time.
Work continues -- now that all that is behind me, I have nothing ahead but getting this done (well, that and the World Cup, but I've learned to multitask when matches are on!).
I thought I'd take this opportunity to give you a bit of a heads-up on what's in the pipe for release soon after the core book.
First up, the backer-exclusive release, Legends of the Far West, which is a collection of fully-developed NPCs, each with a collection of adventure and encounter hooks so you can drop them into your games. Since we've made the switch over to the D6PLUS system, it'll also feature a bunch of ready-to-play templates as well -- fast-play characters that you can quickly customize, if you don't want to go through the full character creation process. Great for beginning players or friends who've dropped in and want to sit in on a game.
Also ready to go is Black Crow, the FAR WEST card game. By which I mean a card FROM the Far West, not about Far West. It's an in-setting game -- the card game that's played in saloons and gambling dens all across the Far West. I'll be talking more about it when we're ready to release it, but I can tell you that like most things about Far West, it's a mash-up of Western and Chinese influences. In this case, the game itself is an amalgam of the historical Western card game Three Card Brag, and the Chinese card game Sì Sè Pái ("four color cards").
Alright -- I need to get back to work. As always, I'm available via Twitter, email, etc. if you need to ahold of me.
Talk again soon,
Gareth-Michael Skarka
Lawrence, Kansas
18 June, 2018
This is the latest. Note - he couldn't work on Far West last week because he had family obligations, it was his birthday, his cat died and the world cup has started. It's the same old story again and again and its all stuff that is going to happen to anyone at any time in their lives. This is stuff you manage if you are writing anything.
And now, before he has even published the core book he's still banging on about add-ons and peripheral stuff that no-one is interested in at the moment - all they want is for him to finish the fucking book!
Quote from: thedungeondelver;1044004...The $48k is almost entirely assuredly gone now...
There was a backers-only post a while back that basically confirmed this.
Quote from: Simon W;1044628This is the latest. Note - he couldn't work on Far West last week because he had family obligations, it was his birthday, his cat died and the world cup has started. It's the same old story again and again and its all stuff that is going to happen to anyone at any time in their lives. This is stuff you manage if you are writing anything.
And now, before he has even published the core book he's still banging on about add-ons and peripheral stuff that no-one is interested in at the moment - all they want is for him to finish the fucking book!
He seems to have studied under Kevin Siembieda. The style is almost exact.
Quote from: RPGPundit;1044624I have a vision of Warboss, eyes welling up with love and pride, playing a promotional video for Far West as he gives his little girl away on her wedding day.
Heh. It's more likely that long before that day, Sarka will be in prison, the loss of so many friends, family and pets the result of his continuously succumbing to his serial killer urges.
I'm glad Matt Colville and the latest wave of kickstarter folks are much more responsible.
That bitch Skarka just emerged on Twitter to doxx me and then blocked me before I could say "Shouldn't you be working on Far West"?
It seems to me people should be flooding any tweet he makes with that.
Quote from: RPGPundit;1045121That bitch Skarka just emerged on Twitter to doxx me and then blocked me before I could say "Shouldn't you be working on Far West"?
*EDITED FOR DOXXING*
Mod note: User was banned for this post. .
Quote from: jcfiala;1045140*EDITED BY MODERATOR FOR DOXXING*
You did it to yourself. :rolleyes:
The thing I find ironic is that a lot of guys who make fun of Pundit keeping his name hidden do the same thing. For example, Prince of Nothing. The guy even uses that title on gaming products, like Pundit does, yet goes out of his way to throw the name out there any chance he gets. Douche move.
*EDITED BY MODERATOR*
MOD NOTE: You are encourating and collaborating with a doxxing attempt. Do it again and you'll be banned.
Quote from: RPGPundit;1045121That bitch Skarka just emerged on Twitter to doxx me and then blocked me before I could say "Shouldn't you be working on Far West"?
It seems to me people should be flooding any tweet he makes with that.
That's what I do.
For a "never-was nobody", RPGPundit sure seems to be a lot better at actually finishing and producing games than Mr. Skarka right now.
Quote from: Almost_Useless;1045305For a "never-was nobody", RPGPundit sure seems to be a lot better at actually finishing and producing games than Mr. Skarka right now.
Cult followings are a thing, not sure what your point is...
My point is that if I had spent the last several years being famous for not making one game, I wouldn't be attacking the credentials of a guy who finished four in about the same time. I'm not even talking about units sold or money made or quality. Whatever one might think of his work, RPGPundit actually produces product. Hell, I've actually been supportive of Skarka in the past and I can't see how he's in any position to claim some kind of "true professional" high-ground over anybody at this point.
I've literally produced Lords of Olympus, Arrows of Indra, Dark Albion, Dark Albion: Cults of Chaos, Lion & Dragon, and 36 issues and counting of RPGPundit Presents; plus consulting and/or contribution work on a half-dozen other products including D&D 5e, Corporia, Raiders of R'lyeh, and several more in the time since Gareth Michael Skarka DEFRAUDED a shitload of people out of money for a game he never delivered.
There are too many in the industry who are straight up fibbers and scam artists. And they do not seem to realize one thing. That having an honest relationship with your customers is beyond anything mere money can buy. If your customers trust you and your word, they will stick with you through thick and thin. It is a type of relationship you absolutely want. Because it means your customers will support you during the lean times. They will have your back.
So ... is it out yet?
Since Gareth seems to be keeping up with this somehow, hi Gareth Skarka!
Quote from: thedungeondelver;1045660Since Gareth seems to be keeping up with this somehow, hi Gareth Skarka!
How do you know that?
Quote from: RPGPundit;1045688How do you know that?
Eh? You'd mentioned he was tweeting at you, I figured at this point he had to be.
Quote from: thedungeondelver;1045756Eh? You'd mentioned he was tweeting at you, I figured at this point he had to be.
Oh, well, maybe. He might have been just responding to my Tweets on DnDGate. But he also may have been motivated to respond by feeling pissed off at the fact that we've been mocking his gross negligence for pages and pages on theRPGsite.
I still like my serial killer theory.
Quote from: Warboss Squee;1045942I still like my serial killer theory.
seems legit to me...
more so than him being an RPG author...
I'm not familiar with this theory. Did I miss this somewhere on this thread?
Quote from: RPGPundit;1047490I'm not familiar with this theory. Did I miss this somewhere on this thread?
Here you go. (This text here to make the software let me post.)
Quote from: Warboss Squee;1044955Heh. It's more likely that long before that day, Sarka will be in prison, the loss of so many friends, family and pets the result of his continuously succumbing to his serial killer urges.
Well, I think that's stupid. There's all kinds of actually ACCURATE shit you can talk about things that Skarka has actually really done, without having to rely to that sort of stuff.
Like, for example, cheating a bunch of people out of their kickstarter money.
Quote from: RPGPundit;1047655Like, for example, cheating a bunch of people out of their kickstarter money.
Well, he hasn't cheated anyone because he's really really really promised* the printers (and backers) will get a finished manuscript in July. So there, in your face non-believer!
(To be fair he didn't actually promise, he said he expects to...so, that leaves him some wriggle-room for all kinds of excuses (family issues, his own illness/flakiness, the cat died, the dog's gone to the vet, there's a heatwave, there's snow everywhere, he had to go to a con, the cat died again, the football world cup is on, he's been distracted by normal life stuff, he's writing for other rpgs, etc. ad nauseum) when it doesn't happen)
Quote from: RPGPundit;1047655Well, I think that's stupid. There's all kinds of actually ACCURATE shit you can talk about things that Skarka has actually really done, without having to rely to that sort of stuff.
I'm about 99% sure he was just making a joke. Not seriously suggesting that Skarka killed anyone.
Look I'm not saying Ted Cruz is the Zodiac Killer I'm just saying the guy can't account for his whereabouts at certain times and stuff...kind of adds up you know?
Quote from: RPGPundit;1047655Well, I think that's stupid. There's all kinds of actually ACCURATE shit you can talk about things that Skarka has actually really done, without having to rely to that sort of stuff.
Like, for example, cheating a bunch of people out of their kickstarter money.
Sarcasm, my man.
I just think he's a damned lier.
Oh, I know it's sarcasm. But I think it's a lot funnier to point out the real ways the man is a massive fuckwad.
Quote from: Simon W;1044628Hey folks--
Held this one off until Monday -- last week was a week of family obligations that kept me pretty busy. My birthday was mid-week, Father's Day was yesterday, and, unfortunately, earlier in the week we had to put our old lady cat to sleep. She was our last remaining pet, and had inoperable cancer, and she'd made it 18 years, but had let us know that it was time.
Work continues -- now that all that is behind me, I have nothing ahead but getting this done (well, that and the World Cup, but I've learned to multitask when matches are on!).
I legit thought this was satire until I got to the bottom of the post.
Also, I backed Far West.
It seemed like a good idea at the time.
Quote from: Daddy Warpig;1048402It seemed like a good idea at the time.
It was so long ago I can't remember why I backed it.
Quote from: Daddy Warpig;1048402Also, I backed Far West.
It seemed like a good idea at the time.
So sorry, I wish there was something I could do.
[attach=config]2746[/attach]
Skarka promised to give updates every Monday till Far West was done. The updates have stopped. He promised backers would have the completed game in July. Its now 9 August and nothing has materialized. His backers call him out on it, because they've put their money into it and he speaks to them like that. He should be showing some humility but he is clearly a deluded and arrogant c*nt (not a word I use often, but in his case it seems appropriate).
As a publisher, having had lots of experience with printers, if this fellow has used up the $48k from several years ago (which I can't see how he hasn't after all that time) then there's no way he'll raise the capital for printing costs...except for maybe another kickstarter for the printers?
//Panjumanju
Quote from: Simon W;1052346Skarka promised to give updates every Monday till Far West was done. The updates have stopped. He promised backers would have the completed game in July. Its now 9 August and nothing has materialized. His backers call him out on it, because they've put their money into it and he speaks to them like that. He should be showing some humility but he is clearly a deluded and arrogant c*nt (not a word I use often, but in his case it seems appropriate).
Very appropriate Simon - well said! This entire sorry saga beggars belief.
Quote from: Warboss Squee;1052338[attach=config]2746[/attach]
Seems the guy he blocked had the right of it. He's a liar.
Quote from: Warboss Squee;1052338[attach=config]2746[/attach]
This displayed way too small to read for me. Is it just me?
Quote from: 3rik;1052506This displayed way too small to read for me. Is it just me?
Screen shot from my phone. I don't know how to make it any bigger.
Quote from: Warboss Squee;1052527Screen shot from my phone. I don't know how to make it any bigger.
Touch it more?
Quote from: 3rik;1052506This displayed way too small to read for me. Is it just me?
It reads:
Kenny Johnson : You are a liar. I don't believe your excuses because you lie.
Gareth Skarka : It's really fucking sad that goddamn GAMES loom so large in your sense of self-worth that you act like this. I feel sorry for you.
Gareth Skarka : I've blocked Kenny.
ProTip: If you want to be a functional, non-trashfire human being don't be like Kenny. +3
Shane Hudson: You had awesome in your hands and you blew it.
ProTip: Don't be like Gareth Skarka.
...
So because Skarka's gets called out on his $48k fraud he now takes the tack of LOL QUIT GETTIN' MAD AT GAMES.
You know, I'm a bit of a fuck up. I mess things up. I won't go in to it. But I know it. It wrecks me! But I know it. And I try to rectify them, not bury them in the snow and hope that by spring thaw everyone's forgotten about them. If I defrauded people of $48,000 I would mentally shut down, I wouldn't be able to eat, sleep, or function. I'd be a wide awake panic attack until they put me in a straightjacket. But Gareth here, and I guess a lot of other people, are just like, Hmm hmm OK welp I took $48k, not going to do anything. Took money for a job, la la la, moving on with my life now. I mean holy shit that's some serious sociopathy.
At this point beyond some kool-aid drinking fans who will support him no matter what he will probably never ever get another kickstarter funded. It's entirely possible that he does which means people are also entirely stupid as hell.
Quote from: sureshot;1052554At this point beyond some kool-aid drinking fans who will support him no matter what he will probably never ever get another kickstarter funded. It's entirely possible that he does which means people are also entirely stupid as hell.
Naw man there's a guy who has been scamming kickstarter for over a decade with RPG "products" - games, movies, video games etc. that never ever see the light of day or if they do it's some youtube quality bullshit in the case of the videos and he's skated on every single one almost. Skarka can go that route, he's got enough fucking virtue signaling bootlickers who'll dump money into it for him
He is a member of the gaming intelligentsia that almost ruined the hobby
what pisses me off is he is (or was) sitting on the Buckaroo Banzai license but wanted to finish Far West before he tackled that game. I would kill for a Buckaroo Banzai RPG. a REAL one, not a "well if you use Hellboy or Atomic Robo..."
And after calling me a creepy Zak S fanboy, Skarka blocked me and deleted my comments.
But I got screenshots motherfucker!
Quote from: Warboss Squee;1053161And after calling me a creepy Zak S fanboy, Skarka blocked me and deleted my comments.
But I got screenshots motherfucker!
Well?!
Quote from: thedungeondelver;1053169Well?!
Post them after work.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]2782[/ATTACH]
Quote from: Warboss Squee;1053183[ATTACH=CONFIG]2782[/ATTACH]
I was going to search for porn after catching up on my Rpg Site reading, but after that I can just sit here and finish.
Kickstarter is ALWAYS a risk. Never spend money you don't mind tossing away.
It's the only way I can sanely use Kickstarter and I've been lucky overall with my pledging.
I chock it up to this. I've spend $100+ on a bad dinner at overrated, highly regarded restaurant multiple times. In retrospect, I shouldn't have eaten there, but the reviews of the place were great and you can't find new favorite restaurant if you don't try new places. Thus, I approach KS the same way. Sometimes, you get a shit sandwich.
Quote from: Spinachcat;1053200Kickstarter is ALWAYS a risk. Never spend money you don't mind tossing away.
It's the only way I can sanely use Kickstarter and I've been lucky overall with my pledging.
I chock it up to this. I've spend $100+ on a bad dinner at overrated, highly regarded restaurant multiple times. In retrospect, I shouldn't have eaten there, but the reviews of the place were great and you can't find new favorite restaurant if you don't try new places. Thus, I approach KS the same way. Sometimes, you get a shit sandwich.
It's a bummer that Far West didn't materialize, yes, but that's not what has people so upset. It's the repeated
lies about things, and more recently his abusive behavior towards understandably upset former fans. If GMS had just come out and said "Sorry, but things happened and it's over," people would have been upset, sure, but not like this. The kicker is the multiple times he said the game was "almost done," anywhere from a single week to a couple months away, only for it to still not materialize. All of those were
years ago. Sometimes he went silent. Sometimes he had an excuse - almost always irrelevant. And at this point, I'm convinced he even faked his illness(I hope not, but he seems the type who wouldn't hesitate to go that far.) And sometimes he followed up with chapter by chapter progress updates that by themselves went well beyond the promised time frame. He's just a seriously sketchy person, to put it mildly, who won't admit failure and who continues to act as if he has any moral high ground after what he's done.
I invite you to google Palladium's Robotech Tactics Kickstarter if you enjoy tales of crowdfunding clusterfucks.
And I agree with you, it's not the failure that angers backers as much as the shady shit that's being piled on the way to the inevitable conclusion.
Quote from: Spinachcat;1053207I invite you to google Palladium's Robotech Tactics Kickstarter if you enjoy tales of crowdfunding clusterfucks.
And I agree with you, it's not the failure that angers backers as much as the shady shit that's being piled on the way to the inevitable conclusion.
Make no mistake, Skarka is a piece of shit a dog ate, then puked up.
I only know Skarka from reading about Far West's disastrous Kickstarter and my previous enjoyment of his great Hong Kong Action Theater RPG. I have no idea what Skarka does online as I avoid social media because...it's a fucking poison to the mind and soul.
While I always hope a Creator will fulfill their KS and bring a great project to market, I know that chance diminishes sharply as the years go by and all the money is long gone. Very few Creators have the gumption to pony up their own cash after they lost / spent / drank the backer's cash.
Quote from: Spinachcat;1053285I only know Skarka from reading about Far West's disastrous Kickstarter and my previous enjoyment of his great Hong Kong Action Theater RPG. I have no idea what Skarka does online as I avoid social media because...it's a fucking poison to the mind and soul.
While I always hope a Creator will fulfill their KS and bring a great project to market, I know that chance diminishes sharply as the years go by and all the money is long gone. Very few Creators have the gumption to pony up their own cash after they lost / spent / drank the backer's cash.
Social media is only the icing on the shit cake that is Skarka's persona. His disastrous behavior on his KS was abhorrent long before his Twittering became an issue to backers. The human-shaped turd is so bafflingly deluded and dishonest it's jaw-dropping. I truly wish you knew me well enough to know that I rarely hold such virulent contempt for a person.
What a ridiculous piece of shit this guy is.
Quote from: RPGPundit;1053565What a ridiculous piece of shit this guy is.
He's gone strangely quiet again after a bunch of promises during May & June.
Posted on the KS updates page:
"Home Stretch.
I'm working through this weekend, but it doesn't look like I'm going to hit my self-imposed deadline of July. (I know, I know -- I've already beat myself up over this.) It is what it is, and July has been challenging.
Regardless: I'm fairly sure that I only need a week to get things squared away -- but, to be on the safe side, I'm going to give myself two.
The coming week, of course, is GenCon. I will not be going. For those of you who are, I hope you have a great time!
Also, for those of you who are lucky enough to be living in a city where this will be screening, the new Tsui Hark movie, Detective Dee & the Four Heavenly Kings, is opening this weekend:
Alas, the nearest theater to me that has it is 517 miles away, in Plano, Texas. Which is probably a good thing -- I have work to do, after all! But if it's playing near you, check it out and let me know what you think!
--
Gareth-Michael Skarka
Lawrence, KS
27 July 2018"
Why go to GenCon? He'd have to face all the backers he lied to and insulted.
Quote from: Warboss Squee;1053618Why go to GenCon? He'd have to face all the backers he lied to and insulted.
Then he'd get sick and his butt would fall off. That guy's life is a shit version of "And then..."
Apparently he has now stated on Twitter that he'll finish "the thing" by the end of this week...
This reminds me of some of my high school projects, where I procrastinated for a month and then had to write a whole paper, including pictures or technical drawings overnight. The result was... not surprising.
That's how it must feel when after 7 years of nothing you decide to switch systems and rewrite a whole game in 2-3 months time. Ok, some of the background stuff can be copied, but all the small rules details, weapons charts, character templates, play examples, even the fluff can have a different style depending on how the rules resolve an action... And then there's layout, bookmarking, maybe spellchecking and proofreading. Either it comes out in December, or else the results could be... not surprising.
Edit: or does 'finish' mean just the bare .txt file, to send something to the backers?
Quote from: 3rik;1053804Apparently he has now stated on Twitter that he'll finish "the thing" by the end of this week...
Then the neighbourhood squirrel he grew up with as a kid might get hit by a car delaying his progress for the next 3-4 months.
Quote from: sureshot;1053806Then the neighbourhood squirrel he grew up with as a kid might get hit by a car delaying his progress for the nect 3-4 months.
Please don't give him any ideas for more excuses. :)
Quote from: Alderaan Crumbs;1053819Please don't give him any ideas for more excuses. :)
It would be funny if someone made a kick starter game where you play a designer trying to finish a game, can't do it, and must tactically use your excuses to explain why, thus stringing it out as long as possible. Bonus points if this kick starter is delivered exactly on time, with exactly the promised components. Names? I like "Too Far West", subtitle "Not a Sequel!"
Quote from: Steven Mitchell;1053822It would be funny if someone made a kick starter game where you play a designer trying to finish a game, can't do it, and must tactically use your excuses to explain why, thus stringing it out as long as possible. Bonus points if this kick starter is delivered exactly on time, with exactly the promised components. Names? I like "Too Far West", subtitle "Not a Sequel!"
I would back that.
Quote from: 3rik;1053804Apparently he has now stated on Twitter that he'll finish "the thing" by the end of this week...
Sure he will. It'll be the same week that the libs stop pushing Russian Collusion, gaming in general responds well to a vigorous round of chemotherapy and I get crowned God-King of the Moon.
And...he's not blocked me on twitter yet.
Quote from: Warboss Squee;1053833[...]gaming in general responds well to a vigorous round of chemotherapy[...]
[
And...he's not blocked me on twitter yet.
"Pogrom" would have been much more apt -- though it would have had the side effect of taking out half this forum. Oops...
Also, I tried viewing those pics but the resolution is terri-bad to where I can't read half the text even with major browser zoom-in. Are you able to do a re-upload of them or rehost them somewhere else?
Quote from: 3rik;1053804Apparently he has now stated on Twitter that he'll finish "the thing" by the end of this week...
Pity he doesn't mention this on the KS comments page to his actual backers (people who paid him nearly $50K). Also that he's completely stopped providing updates. When did he say "by the end of this week"? Was that last week? The guy is a deluded, lying, arrogant asshole of the first degree.
Quote from: Simon W;1053878Pity he doesn't mention this on the KS comments page to his actual backers (people who paid him nearly $50K). Also that he's completely stopped providing updates. When did he say "by the end of this week"? Was that last week? The guy is a deluded, lying, arrogant asshole of the first degree.
He promised weekly updates, which clearly didn't happen. Yes, this guy is Grade A garbage and I hate that he's getting work from Modiphius. It's obviously their choice but it's given them some bad press.
Quote from: Simon W;1053878Pity he doesn't mention this on the KS comments page to his actual backers (people who paid him nearly $50K). Also that he's completely stopped providing updates. When did he say "by the end of this week"? Was that last week? The guy is a deluded, lying, arrogant asshole of the first degree.
Mind you, I didn't read this Tweet myself. I only read on RPGGeek that he posted it.
Ah, here it is:
https://twitter.com/gmskarka/status/1031266946585702401
I also came across a link to this, not sure if this has been posted earlier on:
https://www.mutedhorn.net/far-west-delivery-estimates
I'm so glad I don't like
stuff in my western RPGs and didn't back this.
Quote from: 3rik;1053904Mind you, I didn't read this Tweet myself. I only read on RPGGeek that he posted it.
Ah, here it is:
https://twitter.com/gmskarka/status/1031266946585702401
I also came across a link to this, not sure if this has been posted earlier on:
https://www.mutedhorn.net/far-west-delivery-estimates
I'm so glad I don't like stuff in my western RPGs and didn't back this.
I read that as Snuff and for a brief second was wondering what fresh hell someone was bringing to TTRPGs this time.
So he will finish it by tomorrow. Right? We should all hold our breath? :)
the fact that there are people rooting him on makes me laugh. He's let them down so many times, yet they still cheer him on. I've known drug addicts who disappointed their families less times that he's let down his ks backers
Quote from: urbwar;1053990I've known drug addicts who disappointed their families less times that he's let down his ks backers
HIYO!
Quote from: Mistwell;1053984So he will finish it by tomorrow. Right? We should all hold our breath? :)
Is it finished yet?
Quote from: Godfather Punk;1053805Edit: or does 'finish' mean just the bare .txt file, to send something to the backers?
Well, close. He's sending out pdf's of the first chapters, sans layout or art. So something, anything.
Quote from: Godfather Punk;1054015Well, close. He's sending out pdf's of the first chapters, sans layout or art. So something, anything.
He already did that with the old version . . . that was allegedly so close to done that the printed books were going to be available within a month . . . back in 2012 . . .
I don't know if there are rules about linking to other forums, but just to be safe I'll give the info without a link. You can Google it if you want confirmation or further details. Anyway, a guy over at the Pub actually collected and made a list of GMS Far West announcements going back to early 2012. It's actually kind of hilarious how the more time goes by, the
less ready the book seems to be. Like I'm not even mad about the money - with threads like this and that one with the list I've more than gotten my money's worth in entertainment.
We should really start a betting pool. I call dibs on "never".
He says he sent out a new update on Sept 7, anyone have it?
Quote from: Mistwell;1055657He says he sent out a new update on Sept 7, anyone have it?
Links and password removed for obvious reasons(not that I feel I owe him anything, but because I'm not a dick), but here's the text:
Quote from: Far WestHey there, folks --
Sorry to leave you hanging this week: The short week following the weekend gig at the KC RenFest (which I mentioned to you) was pretty eventful -- not the least of which being my wife's birthday on Wednesday, and my oldest daughter's birthday today. Eric was back in the office as of today, so we should be able to get back up to speed now.
Anyway -- here we are with two more chapters for you: The next two chapters of the redesigned rules, in fact, as I've been giving you these in order, because that's the order that we're editing and sending them to layout.
This zip file contains Chapter V: IRON PALMS & NO-SHADOW KICKS -- the new Kung Fu system, with 80 different styles -- and Chapter VI: PILGRIMS ON THE DUST ROAD -- the section on Allegiances and the Clans.
The download is password protected -- your password is REDACTED.
REDACTED LINK
...and with that, I'm shutting down my office for the night. I'll be working at the RenFest over the weekend (if you're in the area, come say hi! Shop 338: Ruth Thompson Fantasy Art), and back in the office on Monday, and back into FAR WEST!
Oh -- as one more bit of info for you: I've gone ahead and started a thread on the official Far West forums, for discussion and questions you might have about the new rules, now that you're getting them to look over. The link for the thread is:
REDACTED LINK JUST TO BE SAFE
Hope to see you there!
Have a great weekend, everybody.
-Gareth-Michael Skarka
I went through my pledge list to get to this, which is in reverse chronological order, and I noticed something I had forgotten. Far West was actually the
very first kickstarter I ever backed. Not kidding.
So he actually gave an update?
It's a start.
Quote from: Mistwell;1055657He says he sent out a new update on Sept 7, anyone have it?
I got it. I haven't review it, yet.
So he semi-kept his promise to semi-release the game?
Are the released chapters actually new and are they any good?
Anyone modifying their bets as to whether this actually comes out sometime in the next 10 years?
Quote from: Spinachcat;1055771So he semi-kept his promise to semi-release the game?
Are the released chapters actually new and are they any good?
No they're not
Quote from: Simon W;1055938No they're not
Not new, or not good? Or both?
Quote from: RPGPundit;1056429Not new, or not good? Or both?
Why not both?
Quote from: RPGPundit;1056429Not new, or not good? Or both?
Not really new and definitely not good. He's gone quiet again too.
Quote from: Simon W;1056462Not really new and definitely not good. He's gone quiet again too.
So regarding the former, do you mean it was just rewrites of his previous material?
Quote from: RPGPundit;1056804So regarding the former, do you mean it was just rewrites of his previous material?
'Fraid so
Quote from: Luca;1043412It would have been infinitely better for both the creator and the backers to declare it a failure a long time ago and end it then and there.
Sometimes, you really need to understand when it's better to cut your losses. This is one of those times.
No KS project should ever admit failure until after the statute of limitations has passed for commercial lawsuits in the state of New York. The KS terms mandate that all legal action has to be filed in that jurisdiction, so once you hit the statute of limitations there, you are clear.
Oh, look. Gareth was sick. Again.
Bubble Boy had a better immune system.
Repugnant, lying piece of shit.
Anyone have the "Not Ghosting (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/Adamant/far-west-western-wuxia-mashup-adventure-game/posts/2295167)" post from today?
Quote from: Mistwell;1057342Anyone have the "Not Ghosting (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/Adamant/far-west-western-wuxia-mashup-adventure-game/posts/2295167)" post from today?
Yes. Here you go:
"Hey folks --
I realize that you haven't heard anything from me in two weeks as of today, so I wanted to touch base with you and assure you that I haven't disappeared. Work is still ongoing.
Those of you who follow me and Eric on Twitter will know that Adamant got hit by some illness over the past couple of weeks -- (https://twitter.com/mercuryeric/status/1042476666692358144) -- which is quite a feat, given that we're a virtual office, separated by 2000 miles! Eric often says that years and years of doing big conventions in August and September have worn a groove in our immune systems, so now we get con crud without even going to the cons.
Anyway -- as you might imagine, this slowed us down a bit, hence no manuscript deliveries. A situation exacerbated by the fact that we're giving them to you in book order, rather than as they are done (some of the latter chapters are already finished, but we want to give you these in the order that you'd read them in the core book).
The next delivery to you will either be occurring later this evening, or (more likely) Monday, and, since we're both feeling much better, I expect things will be back up to full speed in the coming week.
I saw in the comments of the last update that some of you had some problems with the Dropbox delivery links. If that's still an issue for you, please drop me a line at gms@adamantentertainment.com and I can send them to you directly.
More later,
Gareth-Michael Skarka
Lawrence, Kansas
21 September 2018"
Translation: My most debilitating condition is pathological lying and the anger at not getting away with it sickens me.
I honestly haven't read the new d6 versions yet. I liked the original version from a few years ago that just didn't have the setting chapter in it. At this point, I'd almost rather just have the setting stuff system-neutral and be done. I must have at least four other games I could use to play Wuxia Westerns that are already done right now.
Quote from: NathanIW;1057101No KS project should ever admit failure until after the statute of limitations has passed for commercial lawsuits in the state of New York. The KS terms mandate that all legal action has to be filed in that jurisdiction, so once you hit the statute of limitations there, you are clear.
Hmm, that's an interesting point. And do you know what the statute of limitations is?
Six years for breach of contract
N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 213(2)
https://www.nycourts.gov/courthelp/GoingToCourt/SOLchart.shtml
Meanwhile, Cortex Prime was supposed to be physically shipped back in April, but doesn't even have PDF versions sent yet. Oh, but Patreon supporters get access to the latest builds and versions of it rather than yaknow, the Kickstarter backers who actually funded it.
Quote from: Spinachcat;1057720Six years for breach of contract
N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 213(2)
https://www.nycourts.gov/courthelp/GoingToCourt/SOLchart.shtml
Except it's usually measured starting from the event which reasonably alerts you to the fact of an actual breach. In addition, if the other party is saying, "I will have it for you next week" then that's essentially a new verbal contract with it's own statute of limitations (usually 2 years).
Agreed, but I suspect a judge would declare a reasonable date after the KS's failure to meet it's delivery date as that "reasonably alerts". I could see a judge saying that 3 years from the end of the KS would be the start date. AKA, if you didn't get your book after 7 years and you didn't do shit about it for 2 more years, its your problem.
I wonder about "I'll gladly pay your Tuesday" for actually restarting the clock. Does that have legal precedent? It's certainly better than a verbal contract since its direct communication with the backers via the KS platform.
But GMS is safe because he only owes each person small potatoes. They could go to small claims in his backyard, but that's expensive travel for most backers. Otherwise, its a class action which means hiring lawyers and paying court fees and wrangling backers. The Robotech Tactics Kickstarter has/had a Facebook group of backers trying to launch something against Palladium because of that debacle, but I doubt that will ever see the light of day because of legal costs.
Didn't GMS all ready have one of the Attorney Generals of a state on his ass about refunds and such a few years back? If so, wouldn't that affect any future litigation, since he was forced to give some people refunds due to that?
When someone starts a message to people to whom they have a financial obligation, with the phrase "Hey folks..." it usually means lies and more lies are coming afterward.
Quote from: Orphan81;1057814Meanwhile, Cortex Prime was supposed to be physically shipped back in April, but doesn't even have PDF versions sent yet. Oh, but Patreon supporters get access to the latest builds and versions of it rather than yaknow, the Kickstarter backers who actually funded it.
Except that's not true at all.
Quote from: September 1So, I just uploaded a new version of chapters 1 to 4: Intro, Core, Characters, and Scenes. There's something new in all of these chapters, though the most that's new is in Scenes, which includes a lot of advice and guidance about scene framing and different sorts of scenes in Cortex Prime.
This is going out via BackerKit, so it should also be going to everyone who pre-ordered, even those who jumped in this week. You should have an email giving you the link to your digital downloads folder. If you don't get it, I'm told you should check your spam folders and double-check that the email you're using for BackerKit is correct.
The KS is being handled via BackerKit, so that's where you'll find the latest version of the files available to KS backers. The extras from the Patreon aren't even that much. Basically just some extra stuff you might like if you really want to playtest the thing.
Quote from: GeekEclectic;1057857Except that's not true at all.
The KS is being handled via BackerKit, so that's where you'll find the latest version of the files available to KS backers. The extras from the Patreon aren't even that much. Basically just some extra stuff you might like if you really want to playtest the thing.
Oh shit, guess I was wrong! Well that's good! That's what I get for not checking my email!
Yeah, I think no one is ever going to see any money back from GMS at this point.
Apparently GMS is sick again.
Quote from: Simon W;1058175Apparently GMS is sick again.
So are we, Simon, so are we.
Quote from: Christopher Brady;1058179So are we, Simon, so are we.
Good point!
Quote from: RPGPundit;1058165Yeah, I think no one is ever going to see any money back from GMS at this point.
I received a full refund after a pretty nasty back and forth, but still, I got it. So, there's that.
At one point, Cubicle 7 was involved in this fiasco- can anyone shed some light on that? I see a lot of folks are pissed GMS worked on Modiphius stuff, but can't find any good links for what happened with Cubicle 7?
It's been a while, but I think there was some deal with Cubicle 7 where they were going to help produce the physical copies. Something I have no knowledge of happened and suddenly they were no longer involved.
Quote from: Christopher Brady;1058179So are we, Simon, so are we.
Touche!
Quote from: Spinachcat;1057830Agreed, but I suspect a judge would declare a reasonable date after the KS's failure to meet it's delivery date as that "reasonably alerts". I could see a judge saying that 3 years from the end of the KS would be the start date. AKA, if you didn't get your book after 7 years and you didn't do shit about it for 2 more years, its your problem.
I wonder about "I'll gladly pay your Tuesday" for actually restarting the clock. Does that have legal precedent? It's certainly better than a verbal contract since its direct communication with the backers via the KS platform.
But GMS is safe because he only owes each person small potatoes. They could go to small claims in his backyard, but that's expensive travel for most backers. Otherwise, its a class action which means hiring lawyers and paying court fees and wrangling backers. The Robotech Tactics Kickstarter has/had a Facebook group of backers trying to launch something against Palladium because of that debacle, but I doubt that will ever see the light of day because of legal costs.
He's in Kansas. Here is the Kansas law where an acknowledgement of a debt renews the statue of limitations. " In any case founded on contract, when any part of the principal or interest shall have been paid, or an acknowledgment of an existing liability, debt or claim, or any promise to pay the same, shall have been made, an action may be brought in such case within the period prescribed for the same, after such payment, acknowledgment or promise; but such acknowledgment or promise must be in writing, signed by the party to be charged thereby."
He's given some chapters from the book he owes in debt to the buyers. So I suspect that's "any part of the principal or interest have been paid". He also gave an "acknowledgment or promise must be in writing" however it's questionable if it is "signed by the party". He signs off with his name, and there is verifiable identity in his signing on, but is that a signature? Unclear but probably.
The easier out for the kickstarter is to go through their five step process of providing a reasonable alternative to the promised rewards. Palladium used this process to totally cancel wave 2 and make people pay for shipping to get wave 1 substitutes.
I don't know if it's a sign or something but the Skarkman, for the first time in years, has changed his Twitter background from the Far West map to something else geeky.
Maybe he got sick of it too and he's moving on..
So I get these memories notifications on facebook. One of the ones from this day going back to 2015 was a post I made about GMS. Back in 2002, someone started a thread where they took to task someone over an rpg whose writer had misrepresented themselves as an associate of Time Powers. He checked with Powers, and while he knew who the person was, didn't consider him an associate. Needless to say, GMS (who had a similar rpg) had to post in the thread, and claimed this other publisher was "unprofessional". How ironic given the years of unprofessional behavior on his part since then. Far West, the ICONS Team Up pre-order... I'm sure there's more (would Buckaroo Banzai count? Or that sci-fi property he never released?). So I had a good laugh about that, and had to share. Talk about being a fucking hypocrite :rolleyes:
Quote from: Godfather Punk;1058731I don't know if it's a sign or something but the Skarkman, for the first time in years, has changed his Twitter background from the Far West map to something else geeky.
Maybe he got sick of it too and he's moving on..
Yeah, that's probably a sign.
Quote from: RPGPundit;1058977Yeah, that's probably a sign.
A sign for the next game he plans on taking 7+ years to kickstart? :p
Quote from: Godfather Punk;1058731I don't know if it's a sign or something but the Skarkman, for the first time in years, has changed his Twitter background from the Far West map to something else geeky.
Maybe he got sick of it too and he's moving on..
Maybe he's trying not to remind people of it so they'll stop complaining.
Quote from: urbwar;1058982A sign for the next game he plans on taking 7+ years to kickstart? :p
Quite possibly. After all, this hobby has proved that there's lots of suckers willing to be fooled twice. Look at the attempted reforming of James Maliszewski, for example.
Latest crap from GMS
A *very* short note from me this evening -- I apologize for the delay. It turns out that the 7-day grind of working during the week AND on the weekends for 7 weeks straight isn't conducive to getting things done in anything resembling good order.
But I wanted to let you know that this is the last weekend of that for me. It's the final weekend running my friend's art shop at the KCRF, and then Monday we pack things up, and that's it.
You'll be getting a bunch of stuff from me in the coming week.
Tuesday he will be suffering from exhaustion....
Quote from: urbwar;1060063Tuesday he will be suffering from exhaustion....
Probably because he is full of shit and spending all his weekend and start of the week in the bathroom.
He will be happy to pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today.
Quote from: Mistwell;1060107He will be happy to pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today.
Which Tuesday is the question though
Quote from: urbwar;1060063Tuesday he will be suffering from exhaustion....
Nah. His parakeet dies and he's lost his favorite left sock.
Quote from: Warboss Squee;1060139Nah. His parakeet dies and he's lost his favorite left sock.
Didn't that happen three years ago?
Quote from: urbwar;1060156Didn't that happen three years ago?
No, it was a budgie and his right sock
Quote from: Mistwell;1060107He will be happy to pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today.
I love the imagery of GMS as Wimpy from Popeye.
Quote from: RPGPundit;1060575I love the imagery of GMS as Wimpy from Popeye.
Yeah, though it's a total insult to Wimpy by comparing GMS to him :p
Quote from: urbwar;1060788Yeah, though it's a total insult to Wimpy by comparing GMS to him :p
I guess so, Wimpy has some redeeming qualities, after all.
The level of stupid on the FW KS comments in GMS' defense is baffling.
Quote from: Alderaan Crumbs;1061541The level of stupid on the FW KS comments in GMS' defense is baffling.
Just go to the TBP and see posters who are so desperate to remain on that site close their eyes to the regressive and repressive mod practices. Simply to not be banned. When you don't have too much self esteem and respect as a person it's not to easy to lose it completely,
Anyone have the Oct 19 and 20 updates?
Quote from: Mistwell;1061545Anyone have the Oct 19 and 20 updates?
I have skimmed them. They're unpolished "Meh...".
Quote from: RPGPundit;1061485I guess so, Wimpy has some redeeming qualities, after all.
It's kind of sad that a cartoon character has more moral fiber than a living person :p
Quote from: Mistwell;1061545Anyone have the Oct 19 and 20 updates?
Couldn't be arsed to download them
Quote from: urbwar;1061646It's kind of sad that a cartoon character has more moral fiber than a living person :p
According to his slavish drones your comment is both meanie-pants and unnecessary. I roll my eyes at his followers.
Quote from: Alderaan Crumbs;1061680According to his slavish drones your comment is both meanie-pants and unnecessary. I roll my eyes at his followers.
I pay no attention to the Cult of GMS. They are irrelevant. I mean, their leader can't even conjure up rpg book after seven years.
Quote from: urbwar;1061754I pay no attention to the Cult of GMS. They are irrelevant. I mean, their leader can't even conjure up rpg book after seven years.
I really shouldn't be surprised by them.
how long has it been since GMS last killed?
Quote from: remial;1061902how long has it been since GMS last killed?
Almost 8 years ago, when he killed his career.
Quote from: remial;1061902how long has it been since GMS last killed?
Idk, what personal tragedy prevented Skarka from being honest this time?
Quote from: Warboss Squee;1061946Idk, what personal tragedy prevented Skarka from being honest this time?
Maybe leading a pretend double life as a RPG author... http://www.tenkarstavern.com/2018/10/is-gareth-michael-skarka-writing-for.html ?
I've always thought Modiphius was a scummy company. No surprise they'd rather cover for GMS than be honest with their customers.
It's not like GMS has been hiding his collaboration on STA (https://twitter.com/gmskarka/status/1022934814045945856)
Quote from: GMS on TwitterA gamer writes that they are "deeply appreciative" of the way that I handled the Gorn in the Beta Quadrant Sourcebook for STAR TREK ADVENTURES. That sorta thing totally makes my day!
Quote from: Alderaan Crumbs;1061915Almost 8 years ago, when he killed his career.
Oh snap!
Any news on this?
I'm guessing "nope". It's a pretty safe bet.
Quote from: Mistwell;1066842Any news on this?
Nah, not since the last message somewhere above. There are a couple of us in this thread who get the ks updates, and between us we're keeping y'all up to date. If there's something new, you'll know almost as soon as we do. ;)
Another update dropped 2 days ago. I redacted a backer-only password because I like to think I'm not a terrible person. But all of the important stuff - the excuses and the latest changes in schedule - are intact. ;)
Quote from: GMSHappy Holidays, everybody!
I know, I know -- not enough communication. November & December have been, unsurprisingly, chaotic. Sorry about that.
As previously stated, it was my intention to give you the completed chapters in order (you should now have 1-7). As I hit a slow-down, though, I have come around to agree with those of you who have requested that I just send whatever is done, regardless of order.
To that end, this update gives you the largest chapter in the core book, CHAPTER X - THE FAR WEST, completed, as well as an update on where we stand on the remainder.
First, here is the download link for CHAPTER X. The password on this file is "REDACTED" (no quotes, obviously). If anyone has difficulty with the link, email me and I will fix any issue (there have been some password issues in the past, hopefully I've managed to iron them out this time).
What's left:
CHAPTER VIII - FURIOUS ACTION: 2/3rds done. This has been the slow-going one: the core system chapter. One of the main things slowing me down has been going back through Chapters 1-7 to make sure that all of the subsystems that I promised would be covered in more detail in Chapter 8 are included and fully explained. Don't want to let anything slip!
CHAPTER IX - A FISTFUL OF BASTARDS: AKA the Critters/NPCs/Templates chapter. About 1/3 done (Critters). Ironing out what sorts of NPCs make sense to include, and what kind of pick-up-and-play PC Templates should be included.
CHAPTER XI - SECRET SCROLLS OF KUNG FU: AKA the GM's chapter (Narrators, in our case). I keep on coming up with tools and tips that I want to include. I need to stop tinkering and adding stuff, and just buckle down and final-draft it.
I'd intended to get all of this done before year's end -- I'll be blunt: This is unlikely, though possible. The reason it's unlikely is because I am headed out to spend Christmas with my extended family for the first time in 15 years, and naturally want to be as present as possible -- although I suspect that I'll still find time here and there to get some stuff done (and we'll be back home before year-end). In all likelihood, though, this will get its final touches once I'm back in the office on Monday, January 7th.
So we're almost there. Layout has begun, so the full PDF will follow soon after the final chapter deliveries, and then to the printer. Thank you all so much for your continued support and patience, which has been far more than anyone could hope for.
Hope you all have a wonderful holiday season.
"Gor blezzus, errywon."
Did his favorite frying pan spring a leak this time around.
Quote from: sureshot;1069582Did his favorite frying pan spring a leak this time around.
Really, don't give him any ideas. Can you imagine the catastrophe that would ensue. I can just see the leaking oil igniting, and the fire spreading, burning the residence down as well as the nearest neighbours. Of course this would set back production as all of the multiple backups were stored in the associates domociles that burned down. This catastrophe would fortunately inspire a change in thinking regarding the base system, meaning that everything would have to be rewritten from scratch.
Surprise no one thought to make a OSR western oriental game. I mean that is what Far West is right? A western where katanas are as good as six shooters.
Quote from: Snowman0147;1069620Surprise no one thought to make a OSR western oriental game. I mean that is what Far West is right? A western where katanas are as good as six shooters.
As far as I can tell it's
Kung Fu (the David Carradine western/karate mashup from the '70s) meets
il buono, il bruto, il cavattio meets
Sukiyaki Western Django meets
Big Trouble In Little China. So...maybe?
And honestly I can do all of that by saying, "Okay, we're playing AD&D but everyone is a monk, some of you by choice get 1st-3rd level clerical spells, we'll be using the
Boot Hill chapter from The Dungeon Masters Guide ("Sixguns & Sorcery") for firearms and so on. Let's roll."
There, I just "invented"
Far West.
My pay-pal address is bsilvey@gmail.com if you want to contribute. $1 gets you a .PDF of this post, $2 gets you a printout, top level backers ($3) get the same as $2 but their name mentioned in the credits/special thanks part of the post.
But that is the point I am making thedungeondelver. This should be a pretty easy task to do. I can see some one making this type of game for free on one April Fool's day.
Shadows of Brimstone, which is Wild West meets Lovecraft, just effectively did that as they recently released Forbidden Fortress, which is Wuxia magic martial arts meets Lovecraft. And the two are interchangeable so you can have cowboys, indians, samurai and ninja all going on a grand adventure. A board game, but still. Its do-able.
Pretty sure there is a RPG or even two out there as well.
And of course way back Kurosawa himself gave the idea a little nod in the movie Yojimbo. And later there was the Bronson and Mifune movie Red Sun.
[video=youtube;b1COT5g8c7c]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1COT5g8c7c[/youtube]
Quote from: Snowman0147;1069624But that is the point I am making thedungeondelver. This should be a pretty easy task to do. I can see some one making this type of game for free on one April Fool's day.
Fine; for
$4 I'll print out a copy of the above post and autograph it. TOP LEVEL BACKERS ONLY!
Quote from: thedungeondelver;1069642Fine; for $4 I'll print out a copy of the above post and autograph it. TOP LEVEL BACKERS ONLY!
What about stretch goals?
Given the subject of the thread, I just want to make sure you aren't overextended. :)
Quote from: moonsweeper;1069651What about stretch goals?
Given the subject of the thread, I just want to make sure you aren't overextended. :)
Oh, the goal is $50, which I need for gas money 'til Friday. if I get $60, I'll include a .jpeg screen-cap of a cool fight scene from
Big Trouble in Little China. If I get $100, it'll be that plus one from
il buono, il bruto, il cavattio.
So on a related note, I should mention that issue #60 of RPGPundit Presents (https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse/pub/32/Precis-Intermedia/subcategory/126_28809/RPGPundit-Presents)has just dropped. That's one 6-30pg product per week for the last 60 weeks or so (give or take a week).
Cutting it close, with only 364 days left to be proven wrong, but it's gonna be released this year. Really.
http://gmskarka.com/2019/01/02/a-new-year/
QuoteDon't get me wrong -- I still haven't delivered FAR WEST. That's still the biggest professional failure hanging over my head. But the redesign is almost entirely done, and I'll be finally getting it out the door this year. That's not nothing.
Quote from: Godfather Punk;1070348Cutting it close, with only 364 days left to be proven wrong, but it's gonna be released this year. Really.
http://gmskarka.com/2019/01/02/a-new-year/
The RPG industry's continued embrace of con men and scam artists is completely ridiculous.
Quote from: kythri;1070379The RPG industry's continued embrace of con men and scam artists is completely ridiculous.
Not just the RPG biz. Its even worse over in board game land.
Quote from: Omega;1070464Not just the RPG biz. Its even worse over in board game land.
why? what board game has GMS not released?
I don't think that Skarkaaaaaaaaaa has any involvement in any unreleased boardgames, just that the statement is that the board game industry and customer base embraces shyster designers and thieves even more so than the RPG industry and customer base does.
Quote from: remial;1070666why? what board game has GMS not released?
To my knowledge, he hasnt. Was referring to the unfortunate frequency that people will turn a blind eye to crooked behavior as long as they get their precious game.
Well, we're half a month into 2019 and still no Far West. LOL.
http://www.tenkarstavern.com/2019/01/gareth-skarka-of-far-west-shame.html?m=1
Stunning and oh-so joyous. Skarka is beyond awful.
Translation " no one is buying my lies and bullshit anymore so now I need to be an internet tough guy and who knows I can claim mental health and anguish because of Tenkar and delay far west even more :) ".
Not that his lies and bullshit have worked at all for the last few years. Good on Tenkar for exposing and keep exposing such a disingenuous lying piece of crap.
Quote from: Alderaan Crumbs;1071681http://www.tenkarstavern.com/2019/01/gareth-skarka-of-far-west-shame.html?m=1
Stunning and oh-so joyous. Skarka is beyond awful.
Holy crap! I followed through to this list of revised estimated delivery times. (https://www.mutedhorn.net/far-west-delivery-estimates) I never bothered to join the forum, but I remember some of these from the kickstarter updates!
Look at numbers 12 and 14 from 2012. PDF in May, core rulebook in July. Both comments were made
in the promised month, which means that, especially in July, all of the art assets and anything else outsourced had to have already been in and ready to go. It would have been
absurd to make a promise with such a tight deadline otherwise, but then . . . look at number 23! Nearly a full year later, June 2013! And there he's setting a deadline for outsourced art and text to be turned in! So a year before, he promised a delivery within the month when he didn't even have everything from his freelancers and artists in! And 24 from later that month just cements it -- he didn't have everything in, and hadn't even started on the layout when he made those earlier promises!
And that's just a handful of the entries from this (at present) 73 item list! "I don't have the art. I don't have all the text. I haven't even started on the layout. So I can deliver . . . basically now. Let's go with that."
Just what the fuck???
In a few days this thread will celebrate it's first, glorious anniversary. And Far West is still nowhere near complete. Which means it'll be eight years.
EIGHT...YEARS.
If I put off a client for 2 or 3 hours I start getting flop sweat. I imagine ol' Gareth could've irrigated the Serengeti Desert by now if he did too.
Quote from: Alderaan Crumbs;1071681http://www.tenkarstavern.com/2019/01/gareth-skarka-of-far-west-shame.html?m=1
Stunning and oh-so joyous. Skarka is beyond awful.
Geez.....yeah he is going to " throat punch " Tenkar.....sure kid.
Angry because people want you to deliver on your promises.
Like CAIRN RPG and Mike Nystul. Im out $50 for that.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2063410154/cairn
Given his so called persistent health and mental issues in trying ti throat punch Tenkar he might injure himself pushing back the release of Far West yet again.
Quote from: thedungeondelver;1090332In a few days this thread will celebrate it's first, glorious anniversary. And Far West is still nowhere near complete. Which means it'll be eight years.
EIGHT...YEARS.
If I put off a client for 2 or 3 hours I start getting flop sweat. I imagine ol' Gareth could've irrigated the Serengeti Desert by now if he did too.
HeroQuest 25. Started 2013. Still 'tinkering' with the rules while sending them off to translators as of today.
(https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/2c68d436-01dd-400e-80e5-620e539c8705/db0dg3s-115c00c9-2ae5-4352-8711-8909c8b1c5ba.gif?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7InBhdGgiOiJcL2ZcLzJjNjhkNDM2LTAxZGQtNDAwZS04MGU1LTYyMGU1MzljODcwNVwvZGIwZGczcy0xMTVjMDBjOS0yYWU1LTQzNTItODcxMS04OTA5YzhiMWM1YmEuZ2lmIn1dXSwiYXVkIjpbInVybjpzZXJ2aWNlOmZpbGUuZG93bmxvYWQiXX0.Ws1BuCVBxPYjMYdlUvJp-vOq2th7JQndLT5HjyU0tAk)
Don't make a crowdfunding until you have the book all written down, this way you can deliver upon funding a no-art pdf and just wait for the artist to deliver the art.
Don't back up a crowdfunding that doesn't follow this rule unless you really know the authors won't let you down.
Big publishers shouldn't use crowdfunding, they are supposed to have the money to produce the books and then sell them.
As an aside Bukaroo Banzai? Get the Pulp Heroes minigame from Dragon if you prefer the d20 system or the Gurps Clifhangers or Pulp Hero. Hell you can use the last 2 as source books to make your homebrew with any system you prefer.
You guys really need to be nicer to Michael Brophy.
Not so bemusingly the Buckaroo Banzai board game KS is now what? 10 years unfulfulled? 12? I lost track.
Quote from: Omega;1090378Not so bemusingly the Buckaroo Banzai board game KS is now what? 10 years unfulfulled? 12? I lost track.
What? There was a Buckaroo Banzai game in the works?
Quote from: BrokenCounsel;1090552What? There was a Buckaroo Banzai game in the works?
No, but Skarka sure took pre-order money for it.
Such a shame. GMS and Mike Nystul were among my favorite game designers way back when they designed games, instead of ripping off backers.
Nine years, boys! Nine years since this game funded. Nine years of "Just another week, it's off at the printers now!"
Something to think about, eh?
Heroquest 25th is in the same sinking boat. Except the courts in Saville Spain are not so kind.
https://twitter.com/gmskarka/status/1283486941711917058
Quote from: gms on twitterSo @A24 is releasing a complete RPG to tie in to their forthcoming film, THE GREEN KNIGHT. @amazon released one for CARNIVAL ROW.
Just sayin', studios -- I know a bunch of TTRPG pros, myself included, who are ready and available to assist you.
1. Not sure he should advertise himself as a professional.
2. He probably is available to assist, since he's sure as hell not busy working on Far West.
Quote from: Almost_Useless;11403102. He probably is available to assist, since he's sure as hell not busy working on Far West.
Thats part of why he gets so much flack. Hes so sad and cant work on Far West. But golly he sure can work on all these other books just fine. huh. Strange isnt it?
At this time, it is just fascinating to watch him continue to get away with it, no consequences.
Yep, this thread just keeps on giving. I'm still a backer, and I still have nothing. Happy 9 year anniversary, everyone!
Quote from: Almost_Useless;1140310https://twitter.com/gmskarka/status/1283486941711917058
1. Not sure he should advertise himself as a professional.
2. He probably is available to assist, since he's sure as hell not busy working on Far West.
Just what I wanted an RPG about Asian Knights of the Round Table.
Quote from: Gagarth;1140625Just what I wanted an RPG about Asian Knights of the Round Table.
Yeah, I was a bit puzzled about the casting....
Quote from: Simon W;1140641Yeah, I was a bit puzzled about the casting....
Given it's 2020 and there is an ideologically driven agenda backed by quota's I wasn't.
Well it's a fantasy world in which red paladins hunt down the fae so I find I don't much care.
Sure, it's somewhat hypocritical in that if things were reversed everyone would be screaming cultural appropriation...
...but it's hack fantasy not history or a real retelling of myth so I don't personally care.
I pledged to Cortex Plus and in the years waiting for it have lost any and all desire to actually read or run it. Apparently if I search through my emails I could find a link to a drop box where I can find the prerelease pdf, but that doesn't count as "delivered" to me.
If you don't have a dedicated site and it's not on drive thru yet, the game isn't "released".
well, yes and no, GMS had the rights to Buckaroo Banzai, and was going to release an RPG of it. Took pre-orders for it, and was going to start work on it as soon as he was done with Far West, which was going to be a month or two after the kickstarter was done.
I think we can all see how THAT turned out.
I got similarly burned on Rosemont Bay, where the creator (Topher Gerkey) said he was sick and then took all our funds and invested in remodeling his kitchen and we never heard from him again.
Quote from: Batjon;1141207I got similarly burned on Rosemont Bay, where the creator (Topher Gerkey) said he was sick and then took all our funds and invested in remodeling his kitchen and we never heard from him again.
. . . wow, that's not a name I expected to see anytime soon. Or ever again, really. Yeah, I participated in this ks, too. It was a shame, too. Dude put out some interesting PbtA playbooks back in the day. They were mechanically all over the place, but interesting.
Quote from: Batjon;1141207I got similarly burned on Rosemont Bay, where the creator (Topher Gerkey) said he was sick and then took all our funds and invested in remodeling his kitchen and we never heard from him again.
On July 15 he posted, "I'm homeless (housed), unemployed, and mentally ill. I hate asking but living takes money (food, medicine, etc). I can't do much in return except be grateful."
Quote from: Mistwell;1141338On July 15 he posted, "I'm homeless (housed), unemployed, and mentally ill. I hate asking but living takes money (food, medicine, etc). I can't do much in return except be grateful."
July 15 of 2020? He is homeless after robbing us of thousands of dollars? I feel no sympathy. Was this on Kickstarter?
Quote from: Mistwell;1141338On July 15 he posted, "I'm homeless (housed), unemployed, and mentally ill. I hate asking but living takes money (food, medicine, etc). I can't do much in return except be grateful."
He is still able to tweet and spend $20 on breakfast. He probably spent the Kickstarter money on coke or meth and fried his brain, so fuck his leftest ass.
...and Gareth Skarka gives a Big F-You to his Far West Backers!
More on this here. He off to collect more cash from some nubes...
Tenkar's Tavern (https://www.tenkarstavern.com/2020/09/gareth-skarka-gives-big-f-you-to-his.html?fbclid=IwAR0RkATMq3WWp26p8Tqxhp9_rroiSnBjRxyfogQAFgo9xyEuQbxcZqx5Il0)
There's another pathfinder kickstarter that I bought an introduction scenerio for, not realizing I hadn't backed the "real" setting book. The "real" book has been in development hell for at least 5 years.
One thing Tenkar is certainly right about -- as much as Skarka tweets, Far West would easily be done by now if he could just write it 280 characters at a time.
What a asshole. Well I MAY have three words for that "Fuck You!"
Space Cowboy Ronin.
I was originally going to say that he (Skarka) did not actually write anything, but then I saw that no, actually he did write one of scenarios. I think I'm more surprised that he found seven other people that were willing to be linked to Skarka's (bad) name!
I guess its dead Jim? Ehh, we all knew it was already, nobody really bought the effort GMS did could have any result in the end. Nine years are nine years. Just vote with your wallet and thats it.
Quote from: Batjon on July 22, 2020, 10:26:07 AM
I got similarly burned on Rosemont Bay, where the creator (Topher Gerkey) said he was sick and then took all our funds and invested in remodeling his kitchen and we never heard from him again.
So he pulled a "Doom that came to Atlantic City" scam?
In that one the manager for the KS took the money, moved to a new house, and invested it in making indie movie making gear. Leaving the designers and artists to take the blame. Then tried to cover up his little deception. He got taken to state court and is still serving his sentence to pay back what he stole. Which will never happen.
Quote from: Almost_Useless on September 03, 2020, 11:38:07 PM
One thing Tenkar is certainly right about -- as much as Skarka tweets, Far West would easily be done by now if he could just write it 280 characters at a time.
Hes too busy writing other books and selling them during all that time hes too emotionally distraught to work on anything. mmm-hmm. Yeah. We believe ya there kiddo.
Serial sympathy scammer.
My oldest daughter turns 9 this December.
She was born after Far West was supposed to be released.
Gareth is far too busy with politics now to complete his Kickstarter. So glad I didn't pony up any money for this...
(https://i.imgur.com/imaAVYR.png)
He isn't someone I would look to for advice on accountability.
http://intothefarwest.com/2021/02/22/the-long-trail-home/?fbclid=IwAR0jozmu0f9iPO7EG3yGsVeMZxKgpDHUneD4WnxBxi_jgpZalMOwet_LRNg
QuoteHere we are in 2021.
Ten years. A decade. The original FAR WEST Kickstarter was in 2011. Ten years is a long goddamn time to ask people to wait, I know.
It's been the hardest decade of my life. Professional and personal challenges, like I'd never experienced before. Physical and mental heath crises requiring damn near all of my focus and attention. The work on FAR WEST definitely suffered. You know it. I know it.
Honestly, I'm all out of apologies.
2021 is the year where FAR WEST finally gets released. I have not abandoned the project. I am finishing it up (currently adding some things, suggested by my editors, to various parts of the manuscript, mostly in the final chapter (the Narrator's chapter). My business partner, Eric Trautmann, has begun layout of the completed chapters. Things are proceeding. PDFs will go out first to the long-suffering Kickstarter backers, and then will be released commercially, followed by the printed book (again, to backers first, and then wide).
We will release this year– delays, disasters, pandemics or societal collapse be damned.
Home is on the horizon. We're racing the sunset, but we're gonna get there.
Is this the year where we call out cultural appropriation on this project, and let the SJW cancel Adamant? ;D
Far West is the poster child, but really...
Kickstarter is a -terrible- thing for people who want to buy RPGs, and act as a patron for them on the side.
Typically speaking, any rewards are non-exclusive, any prices are beat by online discounters (or you can pirate if you're a PDF-only fan), and what you do finally get... probably wasn't worth the wait (and non-backers don't really have to wait, as RPGs usually hit retail/DriveThru at the same time as backers get their stuff).
There's exceptions, but these are from big companies that can afford exclusives (Onyx Path and their high quality hardbacks) or discounts (Monte Cook Games -used- to be competitive with the online retailers). And people who want to pay for a PDF copy of a book they already own (which is a whole other thing, and regionally dependent) can be better off backing on KS. But generally speaking, the risk-to-reward ratio for Kickstarter RPGs are terrible. And the smaller the publisher, the less likely you'll ever see anything it seems.
So if you want to be a patron and -maybe- get something for your money, sure, back a RPG on Kickstarter. But if you're looking for a deal, just save your money and wait (which is like backing the KS, but with no risk).
Quote from: Habitual Gamer on February 23, 2021, 04:49:48 PM
Kickstarter is a -terrible- thing for people who want to buy RPGs, and act as a patron for them on the side.
I disagree.
Kickstarter is a wonderful thing for people who want to buy RPGs and act as a Patron because for one you get your name in the book and can point to it and tell everyone that you had a part in getting it made and
b) you randomly get an RPG in the mail as a gift from someone who knows exactly what you like.
Just think of those people who, ten years ago, backed Far West and then out of the blue a box turns up at their place for something they have completely forgotten about.
Quote from: Shasarak on February 23, 2021, 06:22:37 PMJust think of those people who, ten years ago, backed Far West and then out of the blue a box turns up at their place for something they have completely forgotten about.
This is literally the most insane thing ever posted on this forum...are you smoking crack?
Well to be fair. 2 years after funding all of maybee 4 people did get their copy of Katalyka. The rest? Never. As in the designer took down even the PnP files and tried to palm off a second KS funded game. Then went non-bemusing nutters. Prior people were more or less content with her antics even if some were disgruntled about the removal of even being able to PnP the game they were promised. That and the fact alot more than 4 were printed off and apparently close to, or ready to ship. And never were.
Compare to HQ25 where it is still unsent. GZ is in legal trouble for not paying workers and on and on. 6 years now and its looking like its going to be never at this point despite probably a large portion of the minis done now.
Or Apex Predator that shipped to some. Others had their games refused by the designer, who kept the money.
Or the epic scamming systems of both Game Salute and now Golden Bell. Lots of luck getting those games you backed. Sorry we spent all the money on plushes.
Is Mark Rein*Hagen still doing the old "coming soon! working on it! coming soon!" song and dance routine with that board game that several backers still havent gotten years later?
Or of course Doom that came to Atlantic City and I believe that big dungeon adventure who's name eludes me that needed bailing out by another company. There are even designers claiming this is a valid KS strategy. You get all the money and someone else bails it out. Except in Atlantics case pissed off backers hunted down the creep who scammed everyone, including leaving the designers to take the blame, and he was taken to court and found guilty and is as of last check still under penalty to pay back what he stole.
Theres a long long long list of these that are never going to be sent. The list of ones that shipped years late can be counted on one hand. Usually if the delay goes past a year odds are its never going to happen. It might. But really. No.
The other problem is many KS scammers bank on delays as if you can stall long enough then the backer may lose options for refunds or action from banks and such.
Quote from: Brad on February 24, 2021, 10:32:52 AM
Quote from: Shasarak on February 23, 2021, 06:22:37 PMJust think of those people who, ten years ago, backed Far West and then out of the blue a box turns up at their place for something they have completely forgotten about.
This is literally the most insane thing ever posted on this forum...are you smoking crack?
What's wrong with the post? I can see it happening someone who gave up on the Kickstarter actually being surprised at receiving the product. If anything you reaction is insane and out of proportion on what Shasarak posted.
In any case I kickstarted some products and was lucky enough to get my product and on time. Not trusting Kickstarter or willing to risk being burnt.
Quote from: sureshot on February 24, 2021, 11:13:30 PMWhat's wrong with the post? I can see it happening someone who gave up on the Kickstarter actually being surprised at receiving the product. If anything you reaction is insane and out of proportion on what Shasarak posted.
I'm pretty sure Shasarak was taking the piss a little. Pushing a couple decent things(not giving up on kickstarters altogether due to the actions of a few bad actors, and that it can still be nice to receive something after you stop expecting it) to Far West extremes for comic effect and that Brad took the comment too seriously.
Problem is the reality of crowdfunding platforms is that if it does not ship within about a year. Odds increase exponentially that it never will.
And the fact scammers bank on backers clinging to hope well past the point they should have demanded a refund and well past the point they can get one.
And of the ones we have seen ship really late. Most were sub par or lacking things that were payed for. And it is not a happy occasion. Its just one more nail in the frustration coffin. Or only a select few get the game payed for and everyone else is still waiting years later after that. Moreso if its been the usual song-n-dance routine of "Going to printers! Working on it! Going to printer!"
This has gotten to the point we now have predatory scam companies that look for struggling KS campaigns and offer their "help". Which oft ends up being a lesson in frustration to the point one desigher took Golden Bell to court to get her game back after GB laid claim to it when she tried to get out of their clutches.
Alot of KS campaigns succeed and its still a viable platform. But the sheer number of scams and failures means every one you back could be a loss.
And at this point whenever a KS starts saying "be patient" it is a huge red flag.
Quote from: GeekEclectic on February 25, 2021, 12:03:09 AM
I'm pretty sure Shasarak was taking the piss a little. Pushing a couple decent things(not giving up on kickstarters altogether due to the actions of a few bad actors, and that it can still be nice to receive something after you stop expecting it) to Far West extremes for comic effect and that Brad took the comment too seriously.
I suspect Brad was also taking the piss too.
Though I would be one of those who kickstarted just ignore the loss and anything to do with said Kick Starter and author and just move on with my life. While being pleasantly surprised if and when Far West ever arrives.
Quote from: Omega on February 25, 2021, 07:45:05 AM
Problem is the reality of crowdfunding platforms is that if it does not ship within about a year. Odds increase exponentially that it never will.
I've backed 3 things total. Two have worked out well. One ended up being a semi-generic TTRPG, but fine (it's pretty). The other TTRPG is great, though it was delayed a couple times. Shinobigami is a bit narrative for my usual taste, but it's set up with concrete enough rules for the pacing that I like it. (The Kickstarter was just to translate - as it had been published in Japan well before.)
The third was Star Citizen and.... yeah. (Note: I only ever put out $ for the basic game 7-8 years back, so not that bad. Did not put down $100s on potential future fake space ships.)
I've definitely gotten to the point where I won't back anything that isn't either:
A: Obviously 90%+ done, likely just needing $ for publishing and/or using Kickstarter as marketing or playtesting etc.
or
B: Obviously well over half done AND the creator has a good record of getting crowdfunding stuff out the door. (Crowdfunding specifically rather than having completed stuff in the past when a publisher was hounding them.)
Quote from: sureshot on February 25, 2021, 08:15:53 AMI suspect Brad was also taking the piss too.
Yeah, just fucking around. We all know Far West will never be delivered unless someone else writes and publishes it with zero budget.
Quote from: Charon's Little Helper on February 25, 2021, 09:14:48 AMThe third was Star Citizen and.... yeah. (Note: I only ever put out $ for the basic game 7-8 years back, so not that bad. Did not put down $100s on potential future fake space ships.)
Star Citizen is a PC game isnt it? Those are notorious for having long delays sometimes or just never delivering. But PC game creation is different from a board game or RPG.
One of my friends has backed a few and usually its been a year or more before release. Sometimes sooner with demos and the like. But a year wait or more has been how at least two went.
Quote from: Omega on February 26, 2021, 01:54:04 AM
Quote from: Charon's Little Helper on February 25, 2021, 09:14:48 AMThe third was Star Citizen and.... yeah. (Note: I only ever put out $ for the basic game 7-8 years back, so not that bad. Did not put down $100s on potential future fake space ships.)
Star Citizen is a PC game isnt it? Those are notorious for having long delays sometimes or just never delivering. But PC game creation is different from a board game or RPG.
One of my friends has backed a few and usually its been a year or more before release. Sometimes sooner with demos and the like. But a year wait or more has been how at least two went.
Dude, the Star Citizen Kickstarter was in 2012. So it's a little more than "delayed." It has become the poster-child of projects that make money through continuous fundraising, as opposed to actually producing anything (it isn't really even in alpha, at this point... more of a glorified tech demo). When people think "over-promise," Star Citizen is the image that pops into their head...
8 years for a PC KS is well past the danger zone. Consider yourself fortunate.
Theres alot less data on failed or really late PC KS as yet. But its probably safe to assume a delay past 2 years is into the danger zone. But unfortunately going past the refund deadline is still the main cut off point. Past that and it becomes either a hassle or an impossibility and as noted, some scams bank on that fact.
While possibly not as much a problem for a PC game. Something brought up with board games many a year ago was that the longer the delay the more likely it is someone has since changed addresses. Dont know if its still an issue. But used to be you could not change the shipping location once a KS funded.
In just the past 3 years one person know has moved twice, another is in the process, another is house hunting to get out of where they are now as the neighborhood is being overrun with drugs and gangs. And so on. An oft unforeseen risk of lengthy hangtimes.
In about the 1-2 years my little publishing company was down I lost contact with several customers as their home and even e-mail addresses changed and I was never updated.
Gareth Skarka relatively recently claimed something along the lines that I'm "not a real game designer".
In the TEN YEARS that he has NOT released Far West, I've released 110 RPG products, many of them bestsellers.
And in all that time, I've never taken money from someone on a promise to produce something and then just didn't.
Gareth Skarka is not a real game designer. He's a thief.
Has it really been three years since it was seven years since Far West was funded?
Quote from: Mistwell on March 10, 2021, 09:30:57 PM
Has it really been three years since it was seven years since Far West was funded?
I'll let you know in a few years. :-X
Quote from: Mistwell on March 10, 2021, 09:30:57 PM
Has it really been three years since it was seven years since Far West was funded?
I love my little thread, and seeing it celebrated warms the cockles of my heart. Fight, little thread, fight! Every minute Skarka posts screeds on twitter is another day you get to live!
It has now been ten years since Far West was funded. Gareth Skarka stated that he was 100% committed to publishing it before the end of 2021. It's now Jan 30th, 2021. Unless it drops today or tomorrow, another milestone gone by.
For those of you keeping sentimental score, Far West has entered the 5th grade and can ride a bike.
That is an achievement of sorts. Be proud, Mr. Skarka! There is something you will be famous for.
Maybe this deserves a country music-style balad of somesort?
'Its been almost 10 years since the Far West was funded
All this time, ive been waitin here with the RPG-ish pundit
Its been a long time coming, and Im not on my own,
When the hell will mr Sharka drop twitter and get off the phone?'
It's hard to admit failure this deep into it. It's like admitting you have a failed marriage after 10 years. It's easier to just plug along with the lies. Of course, the right thing to do is admit failure and refund backers, but if he had that kind of character it would have happened already.
Quote from: rytrasmi on December 30, 2021, 06:22:47 PM
It's hard to admit failure this deep into it. It's like admitting you have a failed marriage after 10 years. It's easier to just plug along with the lies. Of course, the right thing to do is admit failure and refund backers, but if he had that kind of character it would have happened already.
Oh sweetheart that money's long, long gone.
I got screwed on this KS, but at least it gave me my pic, which I use everywhere. So not a total loss.
Also, we're less than three years away from Duke Nukem Forever development length, so bully for GMS for almost breaking that record.
I'd love to be wrong, but I think we'll have a whole edition of D&D between the time Far West funded and its delivery. It funded in 2011. 5e was released in 2014. We're probably going to get 5.5e/6e in 2024.
Hell, Steve Jobs was still alive when Far West funded.
Obama was still in his first term as President when it funded.
Quote from: Almost_Useless on March 30, 2022, 12:29:11 AM
Hell, Steve Jobs was still alive when Far West funded.
Apologies for the thread necromancy.
I just realized Far West was going to be an OGL game, because of how it draws on D6 and FATE. Can't wait to see how this new twist plays out.
Eleven years, and less than two years to passing the Did Not Finish (Duke Nukem Forever) development hell line.
It really serves as a moral and ethical milestone for a person to have their failure (for whatever reason - be it on purpose or from being incompetent) to do this and *not* rectify it.
And this thread should continue to grow as the years go by to serve as a reminder that the person behind the game does matter. And while we can say "I can separate the artist from the work."... this remains true... but there has to be some *work* to make that claim.
In the meantime, he remains a thief. I *almost* backed this KS... but it was GMS, and his reputation had already preceded him for me. Condolences to those that chose otherwise... but you know, the flags were on the field from the start.
Quote from: tenbones on January 23, 2023, 12:02:37 PM
In the meantime, he remains a thief. I *almost* backed this KS... but it was GMS, and his reputation had already preceded him for me. Condolences to those that chose otherwise... but you know, the flags were on the field from the start.
I almost backed it myself. Glad I didnt. The way GMS acts is the main reason I didnt want to give him money. Is he more low key these days or is he still his same arogant self?
HeroQuest 25th Anniversary is now approaching the 10 year mark.
Quote from: tenbones on January 23, 2023, 12:02:37 PM
And this thread should continue to grow as the years go by to serve as a reminder that the person behind the game does matter. And while we can say "I can separate the artist from the work."... this remains true... but there has to be some *work* to make that claim.
Agreed. But this is why I'm against Kickstarters. First, produce the work. Second, ask people to buy it. That's the way capitalism works. If you want to reverse it then shit is going to get messy.
Quote from: GhostNinjaIs he more low key these days or is he still his same arogant self?
He might be a lovely chap in person, I don't know. But online he's been abusive and obnoxious since... I dunno, must be 2005 if not earlier.
He's come up with some fun stuff like
Hong Kong Action Theatre!, but again, I'd only pay for a
published product of his.
Quote from: Kyle Aaron on January 23, 2023, 11:56:05 PM
Quote from: tenbones on January 23, 2023, 12:02:37 PM
And this thread should continue to grow as the years go by to serve as a reminder that the person behind the game does matter. And while we can say "I can separate the artist from the work."... this remains true... but there has to be some *work* to make that claim.
Agreed. But this is why I'm against Kickstarters. First, produce the work. Second, ask people to buy it. That's the way capitalism works. If you want to reverse it then shit is going to get messy.
Conversely, do what I plan to do:
Finish the development and editing of the product
Then crowdfund just to pay for the art, printing, etc.
Every pledge of lets say $10-20 gets a fully indexed PDF plus the finished PDF (with art) upon a successful campaign.
Every pledge of $20-30 Gets in addition the softcover
Every pledge of $30-50 gets the PDFs plus the hardcover
The PDF without art is downloadable upon completing the pledge.
If worst comes to pass you got a playable game out of it, since the game is almost 100% done your risk as a baker is minimal, the time between finishing the campaign and the delivery gets reduced drastically.
In the early days of KS, there were these "pay me to turn this idea into a book" and some of them got funded and a few of them resulted in actual books. But pretty quickly, the dominant KS model was mostly done books that needed a polish, art, edit and the backers could see pages/chapter samples.
Kevin Crawford of Sine Nomine (Stars without Number, Silent Legions, etc) is the best publisher for this. As soon as you pledge, you get access to his 90% done PDF of the book you're supporting.
I am still surprised the author of the excellent Hong Kong Action Theatre couldn't get this RPG done, just for the FU to all of us mocking him for not producing it. He'd totally have the last laugh if he published Far West and it was freaking awesome.
But I doubt that day is coming.
Quote from: Spinachcat on January 24, 2023, 02:05:38 AM
In the early days of KS, there were these "pay me to turn this idea into a book" and some of them got funded and a few of them resulted in actual books. But pretty quickly, the dominant KS model was mostly done books that needed a polish, art, edit and the backers could see pages/chapter samples.
Kevin Crawford of Sine Nomine (Stars without Number, Silent Legions, etc) is the best publisher for this. As soon as you pledge, you get access to his 90% done PDF of the book you're supporting.
I am still surprised the author of the excellent Hong Kong Action Theatre couldn't get this RPG done, just for the FU to all of us mocking him for not producing it. He'd totally have the last laugh if he published Far West and it was freaking awesome.
But I doubt that day is coming.
Well, I didn't know Kevin Crawford did that on his KS campaign.
Quote from: Spinachcat on January 24, 2023, 02:05:38 AMI am still surprised the author of the excellent Hong Kong Action Theatre couldn't get this RPG done, just for the FU to all of us mocking him for not producing it. He'd totally have the last laugh if he published Far West and it was freaking awesome.
I'm going to stop procrastinating tomorrow.
Quote from: Kyle Aaron on January 23, 2023, 11:56:05 PM
Agreed. But this is why I'm against Kickstarters. First, produce the work. Second, ask people to buy it. That's the way capitalism works. If you want to reverse it then shit is going to get messy.
There are people who do this: Kevin at Sine Nomine Games and Greyhawk Grognard of BRW Games in particular.
In general, they have a draft ready before they do the KS which they use to fund art and editing.
That's not 100% done but both now have a track record of doing that and then coming in on time or even early. Kevin usually releases the draft to backers as soon as the KS closes.
Both also have no issues with funding KS after KS. Funny how that works.
Quote from: Spinachcat on January 24, 2023, 02:05:38 AM
I am still surprised the author of the excellent Hong Kong Action Theatre couldn't get this RPG done, just for the FU to all of us mocking him for not producing it. He'd totally have the last laugh if he published Far West and it was freaking awesome.
But I doubt that day is coming.
I doubt it. With it being so late. State Attorney Generals investigating and all of the other problems there is no way even with this being pubished that he will get the last laugh.
I hope this might humble him but I doubt it.
Quote from: Kyle Aaron on January 23, 2023, 11:56:05 PM
He might be a lovely chap in person, I don't know. But online he's been abusive and obnoxious since... I dunno, must be 2005 if not earlier.
He's come up with some fun stuff like Hong Kong Action Theatre!, but again, I'd only pay for a published product of his.
From what I hear (Never met the guy) its highly doubtful.
Designers who treat customers like he does will never get money from me, no matter how good their product is.
Quote from: PulpHerb on January 24, 2023, 09:21:35 AM
Quote from: Kyle Aaron on January 23, 2023, 11:56:05 PM
Agreed. But this is why I'm against Kickstarters. First, produce the work. Second, ask people to buy it. That's the way capitalism works. If you want to reverse it then shit is going to get messy.
There are people who do this: Kevin at Sine Nomine Games and Greyhawk Grognard of BRW Games in particular.
In general, they have a draft ready before they do the KS which they use to fund art and editing.
That's not 100% done but both now have a track record of doing that and then coming in on time or even early. Kevin usually releases the draft to backers as soon as the KS closes.
Both also have no issues with funding KS after KS. Funny how that works.
Some product start as an idea in need of backers.
Others start as a product in need of funds to produce.
KS provides for both. But over time companies have shifted the perception that KS is a store and you are buying a product.
Worse there are people now selling ideas as if they were product in need of producing.
The scams are in a way irrelevant. They existed long before KS existed. They are just more prevalent and it is easier to make a business selling scams now than ever before. Golden Bell and Game Salute continue to plague KS to this day.
How isn't this clearly WOTC? They took the industry leader and turned it into something so vile the OSR (a competitor) became a thing. How many Ennie awards has D&D gained? Zach S, a WOTC consultant/foe has more awards than WOTC. Pundit's produced better games than D&D but the Twitterati stoned him. What has Chris Perkins done that Jim Ward didn't outdo? The odoriferous stench of WOTC's creative staff has breathed new life into the OSR.
WOTC isn't just terrible: they hold back the entire hobby in a way that's opposite of TSR.
There are kids playing their D&D campaign that weren't born when Far West was funded.
Meanwhile, I've followed through on 120 products (including tons of bestsellers) while people have been waiting for GMS' one product.
Quote from: Omega on January 25, 2023, 02:30:04 PM
Quote from: PulpHerb on January 24, 2023, 09:21:35 AM
Quote from: Kyle Aaron on January 23, 2023, 11:56:05 PM
Agreed. But this is why I'm against Kickstarters. First, produce the work. Second, ask people to buy it. That's the way capitalism works. If you want to reverse it then shit is going to get messy.
There are people who do this: Kevin at Sine Nomine Games and Greyhawk Grognard of BRW Games in particular.
In general, they have a draft ready before they do the KS which they use to fund art and editing.
That's not 100% done but both now have a track record of doing that and then coming in on time or even early. Kevin usually releases the draft to backers as soon as the KS closes.
Both also have no issues with funding KS after KS. Funny how that works.
Some product start as an idea in need of backers.
Others start as a product in need of funds to produce.
KS provides for both. But over time companies have shifted the perception that KS is a store and you are buying a product.
Worse, a lot of backers have taken to see it as a store.
As for an idea in need of backers vs. a product in need of funds to produce, in the RPG space I think expecting a significant draft to share with backers before you raise funds and sharing that draft upon funding isn't unreasonable. It shows you have thought about the idea and committed some time to it.
While I cut some people some slack that is less true today than a decade okay. First, a decade ago people were still figuring the process out. Now, even a first-timer has plenty of resources to help plan.
Second, after
Gossamer Worlds Compendium for
Gossamer & Shadow was delivered, not many excuses suffice. It was delivered 21 months late. The reason? It was funded in March 2016. In July 2016 the creator was killed in a car accident. His widow worked with the other members of the project to get the original creator's work finished and pulled the project together. When Steve died I figured that was that, but the project still got delivered and while late, not nearly as late as others with smaller hurdles. Miranda Russell and company set a pretty high bar for others.
I don't have a problem with crowdfunding at all. I do have a problem with Kickstarter as a company. It makes me happy to see some of my favorite publishers taking things in-house and weening themselves off of KS.
But at Spinachcat points out - the method of success is pretty well established. But for people that are first-timers, I'm always leery.
I'm following the development of Gamefound to see if it can be KS 2.0 for crowdfunded games, but we'll see if backers actually flock to them vs relying on KS.
Quote from: PulpHerb on January 27, 2023, 10:54:01 AM
Second, after Gossamer Worlds Compendium for Gossamer & Shadow was delivered, not many excuses suffice. It was delivered 21 months late. The reason? It was funded in March 2016. In July 2016 the creator was killed in a car accident. His widow worked with the other members of the project to get the original creator's work finished and pulled the project together. When Steve died I figured that was that, but the project still got delivered and while late, not nearly as late as others with smaller hurdles. Miranda Russell and company set a pretty high bar for others.
Okay, I never heard of this. But if some guy can deliver a Kickstarter game from beyond the grave, ain't nobody else got any excuse otherwise.
Twelve years.
Twelve YEARS!
I posted my original comment in 2017. It's early/mid 2023 now, and things are what they currently are.
I'm guessing Moller will release a flying care before this thing launches.
Quote from: thedungeondelver on March 28, 2023, 01:41:33 PM
Twelve years.
Twelve YEARS!
I posted my original comment in 2017. It's early/mid 2023 now, and things are what they currently are.
I'm guessing Moller will release a flying care before this thing launches.
People who didn't exist when this game was announced are now nervous about going into middle school.
Quote from: RPGPundit on April 02, 2023, 02:10:49 PM
Quote from: thedungeondelver on March 28, 2023, 01:41:33 PM
Twelve years.
Twelve YEARS!
I posted my original comment in 2017. It's early/mid 2023 now, and things are what they currently are.
I'm guessing Moller will release a flying care before this thing launches.
People who didn't exist when this game was announced are now nervous about going into middle school.
Does GMS have kids? Maybe he's playing the long game, and expecting them to finish it...
Quote from: RPGPundit on April 02, 2023, 02:10:49 PM
People who didn't exist when this game was announced are now nervous about going into middle school.
This is just really sad. How does he even still have a career and how do people still trust him after this?
Quote from: Bruwulf on April 02, 2023, 03:28:08 PM
Does GMS have kids? Maybe he's playing the long game, and expecting them to finish it...
I read one of his blog posts and he said something about having a teen daughter. This was some time back so she is probably in her twenties now.
Has he made any new promises on this or is he radio silent right now?
Hopefully it shut him up. At least for a little while.
Quote from: GhostNinja on April 03, 2023, 09:27:05 AM
Has he made any new promises on this or is he radio silent right now?
Hopefully it shut him up. At least for a little while.
I seem to remember seeing some sort of promise in an email (as a backer, who got a refund except for the price of a PDF) earlier this year. I didn't read it thoroughly and deleted it.
Quote from: Simon W on April 03, 2023, 12:55:28 PM
I seem to remember seeing some sort of promise in an email (as a backer, who got a refund except for the price of a PDF) earlier this year. I didn't read it thoroughly and deleted it.
Totally understood. After all, after all of this time we know how good his word is. If I were in your spot I would be thinking the same thing, oh boy another promise he won't keep and then delete.
Another question: How is it that no one has taken legal action against him. Even in small claims court.
I know it takes money but I am surprised he hasn't been reported to the attorney general of his state.
I mean 12 years is a bit much.
Buyer beware, GhostNinja. With Kickstarter, people are buying... a promise.
It is better to wait until there are tangible goods or services to buy, rather than waiting on a promise.
Quote from: Kyle Aaron on April 04, 2023, 10:47:41 PM
Buyer beware, GhostNinja. With Kickstarter, people are buying... a promise.
It is better to wait until there are tangible goods or services to buy, rather than waiting on a promise.
Yep. I got screwed on a kickstarter and since then I will only buy things that area produced that I can buy. Sure the kickstarter says that they are almost finished, etc but I just dont trust them.
I consider it money lost but it will never happen again.
Quote from: GhostNinja on April 04, 2023, 09:48:16 AM
Another question: How is it that no one has taken legal action against him. Even in small claims court.
I know it takes money but I am surprised he hasn't been reported to the attorney general of his state.
I mean 12 years is a bit much.
If nothing else, 12 years makes me feel a little less stupid about "Chronicles of Future Earth" which is only 6 years out.
Quote from: PulpHerb on April 05, 2023, 01:16:43 PM
If nothing else, 12 years makes me feel a little less stupid about "Chronicles of Future Earth" which is only 6 years out.
I know there are other Kickstarters that is worse. How Kevin Siembieda got away with the Robotech Tactics kickstarter issue and seems to have walked away unscathed is beyond me.
Quote from: GhostNinja on April 05, 2023, 01:18:55 PM
Quote from: PulpHerb on April 05, 2023, 01:16:43 PM
If nothing else, 12 years makes me feel a little less stupid about "Chronicles of Future Earth" which is only 6 years out.
I know there are other Kickstarters that is worse. How Kevin Siembieda got away with the Robotech Tactics kickstarter issue and seems to have walked away unscathed is beyond me.
This is why you only back products that follow the Sine Nomine formula:
The game is complete, you get a PDF of it without art when you back it and then whatever perks included in the level you backed once the campaign closes and the art is in place.
Worst comes to pass you still got a complete and functional game, without art.
Now ask me how am I going to publish my games? Even better I might go the rippaverse way and not put it on ANY crowdfunding site but my own pre-order system.
Quote from: GeekyBugle on April 05, 2023, 01:30:19 PM
This is why you only back products that follow the Sine Nomine formula:
The game is complete, you get a PDF of it without art when you back it and then whatever perks included in the level you backed once the campaign closes and the art is in place.
Worst comes to pass you still got a complete and functional game, without art.
Now ask me how am I going to publish my games? Even better I might go the rippaverse way and not put it on ANY crowdfunding site but my own pre-order system.
This makes sense. Though after KS issues I just buy things once they are ready and I can trade my money for an actual product.
Quote from: GeekyBugle on April 05, 2023, 01:30:19 PM
Quote from: GhostNinja on April 05, 2023, 01:18:55 PM
Quote from: PulpHerb on April 05, 2023, 01:16:43 PM
If nothing else, 12 years makes me feel a little less stupid about "Chronicles of Future Earth" which is only 6 years out.
I know there are other Kickstarters that is worse. How Kevin Siembieda got away with the Robotech Tactics kickstarter issue and seems to have walked away unscathed is beyond me.
This is why you only back products that follow the Sine Nomine formula:
The game is complete, you get a PDF of it without art when you back it and then whatever perks included in the level you backed once the campaign closes and the art is in place.
Worst comes to pass you still got a complete and functional game, without art.
Now ask me how am I going to publish my games? Even better I might go the rippaverse way and not put it on ANY crowdfunding site but my own pre-order system.
That is generally the rule I follow...or a company with a track record who is probably doing something close.
CoFE was a flyer because I liked the original BRP version and she'd delivered on 2 prior KS.
Then her husband got cancer and died. I get the delay there.
But that was four years ago and she's remarried...and in January it was announced "she's writing again" but on a different game.
This is the first time I've been this angry about a late KS (and really only the second time I've been angry...that was about someone having to pay shipping out of pocket because his miscalculated and was slow getting out...I wish he'd just owned up and asked us for the $10 a year earlier than I got my book).
Quote from: GhostNinja on April 05, 2023, 01:18:55 PM
Quote from: PulpHerb on April 05, 2023, 01:16:43 PM
If nothing else, 12 years makes me feel a little less stupid about "Chronicles of Future Earth" which is only 6 years out.
I know there are other Kickstarters that is worse. How Kevin Siembieda got away with the Robotech Tactics kickstarter issue and seems to have walked away unscathed is beyond me.
I wouldn't say he survived unscathed. I watched a lot of "Kevin is always right" fanboys turn on him. I suspect it hit his wallet just not directly from the KS>
Quote from: PulpHerb on April 05, 2023, 02:12:32 PM
I wouldn't say he survived unscathed. I watched a lot of "Kevin is always right" fanboys turn on him. I suspect it hit his wallet just not directly from the KS>
DO you think it caused any of the fanboys to stop buying their products?
From what I have read, Kevin took the brunt of the Robotech KS. Harmony Gold turned on him and there were issues with the model maker. Those two got away unscathed from everything. He is still feeling the effects of it today. There were people talking about backing Titan Robotics and cancelling their pledge at the last minute.
Quote from: GhostNinja on April 05, 2023, 03:19:06 PM
Quote from: PulpHerb on April 05, 2023, 02:12:32 PM
I wouldn't say he survived unscathed. I watched a lot of "Kevin is always right" fanboys turn on him. I suspect it hit his wallet just not directly from the KS>
DO you think it caused any of the fanboys to stop buying their products?
Given Palladium had to downsize because they couldn't afford their old warehouse, in Detroit of all places, yes.
Quote from: metallica9998 on April 05, 2023, 04:53:29 PM
From what I have read, Kevin took the brunt of the Robotech KS. Harmony Gold turned on him and there were issues with the model maker. Those two got away unscathed from everything. He is still feeling the effects of it today. There were people talking about backing Titan Robotics and cancelling their pledge at the last minute.
I hadn't even heard of Titan Robotics. Looked up the kickstarter and it still made $90,000.
It's good that Kevin didnt get away with it because he has gotten away with so much crap, including saying that someone taking his personal stuff (which sucks) could destroy his business just to gain sympathy.
Quote from: PulpHerb on April 06, 2023, 12:41:00 AM
Given Palladium had to downsize because they couldn't afford their old warehouse, in Detroit of all places, yes.
I hadn't heard of that and I cannot find any articles when googling about it. Do you have a link to this announcement?
Quote from: GhostNinja on April 06, 2023, 09:10:42 AM
Quote from: PulpHerb on April 06, 2023, 12:41:00 AM
Given Palladium had to downsize because they couldn't afford their old warehouse, in Detroit of all places, yes.
I hadn't heard of that and I cannot find any articles when googling about it. Do you have a link to this announcement?
If memory serves, I heard him talk about it during his interview with Legion of Myth.
Another sign of financial hit is all the memorabilia he keeps selling. There are links in the most recent weekly update (and most of them).
Quote from: PulpHerb on April 12, 2023, 02:31:29 PM
If memory serves, I heard him talk about it during his interview with Legion of Myth.
Another sign of financial hit is all the memorabilia he keeps selling. There are links in the most recent weekly update (and most of them).
My google fu is failing and I cannot find it.
I will look through some of his interviews and see if I can find it.
They put stuff like this right on the Palladium website.
https://palladiumbooks.com/about-palladium-2/weekly-updates/1313-palladium-books-weekly-update-april-6-2023
You know, we did get what was allegedly the finished text a while back. Do you think someone could strip it down to the OGL bits, BS some setting info, slap in some AI art, and have it to market before he does?
It won't be me. I'm not a layout guy. But I'll bet it could be done.
Quote from: Almost_Useless on April 12, 2023, 09:51:03 PM
They put stuff like this right on the Palladium website.
https://palladiumbooks.com/about-palladium-2/weekly-updates/1313-palladium-books-weekly-update-april-6-2023
Ok thank you for letting me know. I will check it out.
So, uh... it's out: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/452473/Far-West (https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/452473/Far-West)
Quote from: Theory of Games on January 25, 2023, 08:05:36 PM
How many Ennie awards has D&D gained? Zach S, a WOTC consultant/foe has more awards than WOTC.
Psst. WOTC have declined to submit or accept nominations for years and years. Way back when they allowed their books to be nominated they won almost every time. So they stopped allowing them to be in the nominations.
Quote from: RPGPundit on April 02, 2023, 02:10:49 PM
Quote from: thedungeondelver on March 28, 2023, 01:41:33 PM
Twelve years.
Twelve YEARS!
I posted my original comment in 2017. It's early/mid 2023 now, and things are what they currently are.
I'm guessing Moller will release a flying care before this thing launches.
People who didn't exist when this game was announced are now nervous about going into middle school.
My daughter was not born when this was announced and she is in her second year of middle school already.
Quote from: Daddy Warpig on September 09, 2023, 08:39:53 PM
So, uh... it's out: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/452473/Far-West (https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/452473/Far-West)
I was genuinely shocked when I saw someone post that they got it in the mail.
Well, now the question will be how bad is it?
Quote from: RPGPundit on September 12, 2023, 12:54:28 PM
Well, now the question will be how bad is it?
I have it. I'll do a first look overview and review of it on this forum soon. (3-5 days?)
I can tell you that mechanically, it's Open D6/WEG D6 with no significant changes I can see from thumbing through it. I personally like Open D6 but I also know that it's not perfect. I feel that the system is either overrated or unjustly despised.
Quote from: BadApple on September 12, 2023, 06:15:08 PM
Quote from: RPGPundit on September 12, 2023, 12:54:28 PM
Well, now the question will be how bad is it?
I have it. I'll do a first look overview and review of it on this forum soon. (3-5 days?)
I can tell you that mechanically, it's Open D6/WEG D6 with no significant changes I can see from thumbing through it. I personally like Open D6 but I also know that it's not perfect. I feel that the system is either overrated or unjustly despised.
So considering that it took 12 years for this asshole to finish it, is it "12 years to make" good? Or is it "average if the guy took six weeks to write it" quality?
Quote from: RPGPundit on September 13, 2023, 09:56:41 PM
Quote from: BadApple on September 12, 2023, 06:15:08 PM
Quote from: RPGPundit on September 12, 2023, 12:54:28 PM
Well, now the question will be how bad is it?
I have it. I'll do a first look overview and review of it on this forum soon. (3-5 days?)
I can tell you that mechanically, it's Open D6/WEG D6 with no significant changes I can see from thumbing through it. I personally like Open D6 but I also know that it's not perfect. I feel that the system is either overrated or unjustly despised.
So considering that it took 12 years for this asshole to finish it, is it "12 years to make" good? Or is it "average if the guy took six weeks to write it" quality?
I don't think anything I've ever picked up is 12 years of waiting good. It's much better than a lot of the crap coming out today. Disregarding the circumstances surrounding it and trying to take it just as to what's between the covers, I give it a 7 out of 10. Here's my review: https://www.therpgsite.com/reviews/far-west-a-first-look/
The biggest knock I have with it is that it's an incomplete setting. My supposition is that's why it took so long to bring out as well. Honestly, it's a setting that needs a solid 500 page book by itself just to flesh it out. I think it could have been much better if they had just given a bunch of random tables to generate factions, locations, events, NPCs, and the like.
I also think they tried too hard to make their version of the Open D6 system different. Most of the changes are probably going to get dropped or modified by house rules by people that play it. Fortunately, it's 100% compatible with other Open D6 products so reverting to a simpler version will be easy. I have but not read through Black Star. I have sneaking suspicion that it may be better mechanically for running the Far West setting.
I like it, I may end up running it in the near future if I can get a table together for it. It's just going to take a lot of work to prep a campaign. It's a very compelling core idea with lots of potential for high adventure and treasure hunting.
Edit: formatting and typos
Well, I have my copy of Far West in my hands right now. Just arrived tonight.
Pretty hard to believe, after all this time.
Quote from: Daddy Warpig on April 19, 2024, 11:41:23 PMWell, I have my copy of Far West in my hands right now. Just arrived tonight.
Pretty hard to believe, after all this time.
Dude you gotta tell us over on Twit how it is.
Quote from: GhostNinja on April 02, 2023, 05:35:38 PMQuote from: Bruwulf on April 02, 2023, 03:28:08 PMDoes GMS have kids? Maybe he's playing the long game, and expecting them to finish it...
I read one of his blog posts and he said something about having a teen daughter. This was some time back so she is probably in her twenties now.
That was one of the many infamous posts where the game was stalled again, because his daughter got sick, the dog got sick, ad excusium.
While working on other projects the whole time and taking money.
Quote from: RPGPundit on September 13, 2023, 09:56:41 PMSo considering that it took 12 years for this asshole to finish it, is it "12 years to make" good? Or is it "average if the guy took six weeks to write it" quality?
After nearly as long. HeroQuest 25th has been handed out to a few of the backers who happened to be local to the workshop in Seville in Spain. Everyone else is still waiting and likely will continue to for many more years at this rate.