The timing of this "honor" is mistimed. Especially announcing it when the backers of Robotech Tactics are asking for refunds, not to pay again to ship stuff they ALREADY paid shipping on.
Had this been last year or even next, I doubt there would have been push back. Timing is a huge factor IMHO.
I do realize the whole Robotech fiasco is beyond ridiculous, but the dude has run one of the more successful gaming companies in this niche industry for almost 40 years...it's not like he's had a history of fleecing anyone.
He has a history of disastrous project management, including a preorder (Mechanoid Space) that is twenty years late (not an exaggeration). A bad reputation and bankruptcy are, or should be, natural consequences of being a bad businessman.
In addition, with RTT he lied to his backers for at least the last few years (telling them work was progressing on Wave 2, when in fact no work was being done due to lack of money). Since the expiration of the Robotech license allowed him to "run out the clock" on fulfilling rewards for the project, the suspicious is very strong that he crossed the line from incompetent to fraudulent during the execution of RTT.
If nothing else, he is trying to get away with continuing to operate as usual while NOT fulfilling and NOT offering refunds, rather than taking his medicine and declaring bankruptcy, as an honorable businessman would after blowing $1.5 million on a failed project.
I'm not the one who flushed a million and a half bucks down the toilet, and lied to backers for at least three years (and that's being generous - my guess is Siembieda NEVER intended to produce wave 2 of RTT).
Yeah, he has a loooooooong history of taking money for things and not delivering on pre-orders for products that don't exist (and likely never will). The Robotech Tactics Kickstarter is just the latest example of this. I love the Palladium system (well, as it appears in the original Palladium RPG), but I don't buy direct from Palladium anymore because I don't want to support a company that I feel is largely built on lies.
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Your blog is a great place for schadenfreude sometimes, thanks.
ReplyDeleteThe timing of this "honor" is mistimed. Especially announcing it when the backers of Robotech Tactics are asking for refunds, not to pay again to ship stuff they ALREADY paid shipping on.
DeleteHad this been last year or even next, I doubt there would have been push back. Timing is a huge factor IMHO.
They could at least spell his name right.
ReplyDeleteCorrect spelling is for closers.
ReplyDeleteI do realize the whole Robotech fiasco is beyond ridiculous, but the dude has run one of the more successful gaming companies in this niche industry for almost 40 years...it's not like he's had a history of fleecing anyone.
DeleteHe has a history of disastrous project management, including a preorder (Mechanoid Space) that is twenty years late (not an exaggeration). A bad reputation and bankruptcy are, or should be, natural consequences of being a bad businessman.
DeleteIn addition, with RTT he lied to his backers for at least the last few years (telling them work was progressing on Wave 2, when in fact no work was being done due to lack of money). Since the expiration of the Robotech license allowed him to "run out the clock" on fulfilling rewards for the project, the suspicious is very strong that he crossed the line from incompetent to fraudulent during the execution of RTT.
If nothing else, he is trying to get away with continuing to operate as usual while NOT fulfilling and NOT offering refunds, rather than taking his medicine and declaring bankruptcy, as an honorable businessman would after blowing $1.5 million on a failed project.
It's all true, the Shadow DOES know ;-)
DeleteYou guys have serious issues...
DeleteI'm not the one who flushed a million and a half bucks down the toilet, and lied to backers for at least three years (and that's being generous - my guess is Siembieda NEVER intended to produce wave 2 of RTT).
DeleteYeah, he has a loooooooong history of taking money for things and not delivering on pre-orders for products that don't exist (and likely never will). The Robotech Tactics Kickstarter is just the latest example of this. I love the Palladium system (well, as it appears in the original Palladium RPG), but I don't buy direct from Palladium anymore because I don't want to support a company that I feel is largely built on lies.
DeleteWhen I saw the headline I assumed Kevin must have PM'd a SJW lady and told her she looked nice. >:)
ReplyDeleteExcellent to see this. Hope he soon faces other consequences for his egregious behavior, such as lawsuits and bankruptcy.
ReplyDeleteA panel discussion featuring Kevin, Kenny-boy and Gareth. I'm verklempt so discuss amongst yourselves. . .
ReplyDeleteHighly appropriate, as long as the topic is "Incompetents, Frauds, and Hucksters of the RPG World".
Delete