This is insanely stupid. So, Nevander is supposed to never play a game or discuss it that he Kickstarted to the tune of $150 just because some people made sexual assault allegations against the chief writer of the game? Allegations are NOT evidence of guilt. That is why we have court. And besides, is he supposed to never play the game because of that guy's stupid behavior? Is he supposed to abandon is $150 of gaming materials and just throw them in the trash? Why does the actions of the chief writer of the game have to overshadow the simple question of is the game any good?
Actually. I was involved in the Kickstarter for the Chill 3rd Edition book, Undead when the controversy hit. It caused me to withdraw my pledge, and to wait for the outcome of the whole affair. But yeah. I was thrown into the middle of that mess.
It was big enough of a thing that it caused rpg.net to de-mod and permanently ban Matt McFarland. And a short time later, they did the same thing to his wife. I don't know their behind the scenes particulars. But the whole thing was a big bad scandal for The Big Purple. That obviously the mods are still very much hot about.
Shortly after that, Matt and his wife closed Growling Door Games. Which was the publisher of the game line. And they left the RPG business behind.
What I'm going to say here is what I personally witnessed on RPG.net at the time. Matt McFarland was confronted by one of his victims in the middle of Tabletop Roleplaying Open. And he admitted to the allegations. Admitted them. There was no mistake. No misunderstanding. What happened was completely undeniable. As in evidence admissible in a court of law.
The reason the products are still for sale on drivethrurpg is that custody of them were given over to Chill's owner. Martin Caron.
Bear in mind. I was a supporter of Chill 3rd Edition. I bought every supplement up until that last one. I liked the game. I thought it had some great aspects. Which as a fan of the 2nd Edition, I really liked it. So withdrawing from that Kickstarter was neither easy nor something I truly desired to do. But I needed the distance.
You notice in that thread, I voiced my desire to get Cryptworld. Which is a retro-clone of Chill 1st edition. And yes, I am going to get it when my budget allows.
I have some sympathy for Nevander in this. I felt the same loss when the Chill 3rd Edition line ended abruptly. It sucks for the fans most of all. They didn't ask for any of this.
But in this case? The Big Purple is correct in the position they have taken on this.