Fucked Up Far West Kickstarter - You Can't Even Register on the Far West Forums and Gareth Won't Communicate via Kickstarter

Ah, Far West. I hardly know you after waiting over 8 fucking years. Yes, today is January 1st, 2020 and Far West is now over 8 years late. You really should listen to the video on the Kickstarter page. I just did. What promise. What a windbag of bullshit. Gareth is one of those creators that simply CAN'T CREATE when paid upfront. You need to pay folks like Gareth upon delivery. Few even remember the preorders on the Buckaroo Bonzai RPG (you might have expected Gareth to remove that page - I know I expected that) that predates Far West.

Now to put it simply, back in July Gareth told backers he was no longer going to use Kickstarter to communicate - it was simply going to be used to update material and such. If you wanted to talk about Far West, you would need to go to the Far West Forums, presumably so Gareth would be able to control the narrative and keep negative comments in check.

I figured after 5 1/2 months Kickstarter silence I'd register for the forums with a burner email and ask some questions. I mean, the forums are dead and even Gareth hasn't commented there in years. To my surprise, you can't even register for the forums, as you can see below:

I'm not sure if this is on purpose or not, but it is certainly "fucked up". It does keep negative comments on the forums side "in check" though.

Did I mention he's still Twittering?

Is Gareth Michael Skarka Writing for the Star Trek RPG Under a Pen Name? Will the Real Michael Brophy please stand up ;)

There was a huge push back when it was learned that Gareth Michal Skarka was brought on board to write for the new Star Trek RPG from Modiphius Entertainment. In response, Modiphius promised to announce the books that Gareth was contributing to.

So now we have this mess:

 His credit is missing. It's there, under a different name.

But initially, they said he wasn't involved with the core book:

Let's peek closer, shall we?

Original PDF credits.

RPGNow preview.

Current PDF credits.

Sorry for all the screenshots, but it is what it is. Pictures speak in this case.

Now, IF Michal Brophy IS Gareth Michael Skarka, there was a slight of hands being performed on the buying public. Looking at the evidence above, I'd say that is most likely the case.

Kinda glad I never bought the Star Trek game at this point. Shame, I really like Star Trek.

Hey Gareth! When the next "do or die!" day for Far West?

Boardgame Geeks for the win ;)

Wayward Kickstarter - Appendix N Adventure Toolkits (DCC RPG Modules) - Five Years and Counting

Its July, 2017 and that means that Appendix N Adventure Toolkits is now at the FIVE years past due mark and still not fully fulfilled.

That's just part of the last update. Anyhow, YEARS ago I got my copies of the first two adventures. Someone told John it would be wise to get me mine, to keep me "on the good side." I guess it did, and John sure has gone through some genuine tragedies over the past five years (con crud not being one of them.) Still, lets take a look at where we are at:

- Five years later and folks are still waiting on the first two adventures. There are four more promised via stretch goals and a digest sized game box. All in print. All shipping NOT together. Anyone else see the problem here?

- Folks that got the first 2 adventures after the initial shipments got bonus material. Why? I have no idea but there are still folks that haven't gotten the items promised in the initial Kickstarter offering.

- Did I mention in the midst of all this there were complaints that the initial releases were showing up in stores with backers (years later) still out of luck?

- I was idealistically stupid. I backed for $101 at 5 of each offering (the more to give away) and that included shipping. Any idea how much shipping has increased over the last FIVE years?

- Read this about International Shipping

Yes, a fool and his Kickstarter are doomed for failure.

- I don't think that this can ever be completed in print. The money is long gone and even if it weren't, there isn't enough raised to print and ship HALF of what is promised. I think John should release the PDFs of ALL that was promised to backers in PDF and call it a day. Fall on the sword and close your career in gaming on a quasi positive note.

All that and he's still given us more than Gareth and #ConManKen combined.

The Far West Kickstarter was Six Years Old Tuesday - Launched July 11, 2011

Wow!

How the fuck did I miss this anniversary? Six years. Traditionally, that's a gift of Iron in the US. All I know is that as backers all we've gotten is broken promises and lies. Shit - it almost sounds like we're in a real relationship.

Gareth has been silent for over two months now. Actually, two and a half months. The update is from May 1st of this year. April 1st may have been more appropriate.

I understand family matters and obligations. These are things one has little control over. Obviously Gareth does not have five minutes in any of his days to update his backers over the last 10 weeks.

Cropped to remove overtly political themes

But look at that! Just went to Gareth's Twitter feed. Still tweeting away. Every day. All day.

Can't spend five minutes saying "Shit's still shitty. Hoping to have something for you soon. Will update in a few weeks" or some other method of appeasing the masses. Sure, it would be a stroke job, but for 150 bucks I deserve something ;)

See, this is what REALLY irks me. Its not the lies. Its not the broken promises. It the idea that after six years the backers just don't matter.

He went to a con and did a podcast interview shortly after his last update. He tweets every day. Yet for the backers that pledged nearly $50k to bring Far West alive, all we have gotten is carnival tricks. Smoke and mirrors.

At least we have gotten a view of the real Gareth Sharka. It aint pretty but its real.

Follow Up #2 - Kickstarter - Rifts® Board Game - They Snuck in Their Own "Terms and Conditions" - You Can Forfeit Your Reward For Not Answering the Survey in a Timely Fashion

Holy shit! I've never seen a Kickstarter with its own "Terms and Conditions", especially one that basically says "If you don't confirm your pledge within 8 weeks of us emailing you, you have effectively forfeited your reward. We MAY ship to you if you miss the date or we MAY refund you, but it is just as likely we'll tell you to go screw."

They KNOW your basic order. They KNOW what you pledged for. They most certainly can fulfill that, but they have just stated they may choose not to. Because.

Customer service seems to be a foreign concept with these people. If this was a brick and mortar store would you buy anything from them with this warm and engaging attitude that they have towards their customers?

Yep, the Rifts® Board Game Kickstarter. The gift that keeps on giving...

Thanks to Impact Miniatures for pointing this out with a comment to the prior post.

PS - I still need to look at todays comments on the KS...

Wayward Kickstarter - Its Tax Season, So Lets Look at Myth & Magic!

Ah, Myth & Magic. How I despise you. Tom Ryan, alleged liar and alleged tax attorney and proven asshole is still stringing folks along. Because so long as you do what? Yearly updates? Somehow you are fulfilling your obligations.

Tom, the man who posted my shipping info in the comments of the Myth & Magic Player's Guide Kickstarter. BTW, that isn't "allegedly", he did so. I had to reach out to Kickstarter to have it removed.

Because, you know, Tom claimed to have shipped ALL of the Player's Guides, but many backers are still waiting and those that ordered multiple copies got but a fraction of what they paid for. Again, facts, not allegations.

I expected my copy to arrive urine soaked. Fact, it arrived fine. Color me surprised.

So, what does Tom do? He updates the M&M Gamemaster's Guide KS. That's the one where no one has gotten shit. Again, fact, not allegation. First update in nearly 13 months. Backers only, so I can't read it but something tells me it says something to the effect: "Soon! I promise!"

Tom, in my personal opinion, you are a (alleged) thief, (alleged) liar and nearly 5 years late on getting the M&M Player's Guide in the hands of people that gave you good money.

Tom, today is Good Friday and Sunday is Easter. Are you joining Gareth and Ken at the Church of the Deception for services? Inquiring minds want to know...

How the F' is This a Kickstarter? Really funny group of friends new to Pathfinder Tabletop RPG

Where is the project?

What is actually being produced?

How is this literally not a cash grab?

Wouldn't this be better as a GoFundMe?

  My name is Abe and I'm a disabled Army veteran that recently floated the idea to a friend about starting up a Pathfinder RPG campaign and before we knew it had a group of 5 awesome and funny friends ready for me to be their Game Master.  Character creation is still a work in progress be so far we have an Investigator and a Magus.   

     The reason I'm asking for funding is because the 5 of them live roughly 85 miles away from me and I'd like to drive to their house(s) once or twice a month.  Obviously the gas prices are a burden but also any funding I have left over I wanted to spread between the group for notepads, mechanical pencils, sticky notes, dice sets, and official Piazo Pathfinder Core Rulebooks.  Our first game session will be the first week of May 2017. 

     I'm considering, if there are no objections in group, recording our game sessions with audio (or video if I can manage to raise enough funds) and post them online for public entertainment.  I'll post links if I do this. 

Some of us have TONS of video game experience, a couple have no RPG experience at all, but we are guaranteed to have fun and plenty of laughs.  I thank you in advance and greatly appreciate any and all donations.  Be sure to check out the rewards section for added incentive! 

Risks and challenges 

The adventuring party will risk their very made-up and completely fictional lives battling the forces of evil in the pursuit of fame and glory. We really risk having a good time and developing a habit of meeting on a regular basis to develop lifelong bonds and memories.
My challenges include being creative enough to fabricate an epic and intriguing tale, organizing our meetings, and getting the party involved and engaged enough to want to do this over a year or more.

My God! Does Kickstarter even look at the shit that's submitted these days? I mean, the title itself should have been a warning.

Why not grab a system that's free for fuck's sake! Pathfinder is a money sink anyway.

Really funny group of friends new to Pathfinder Tabletop RPG

A WTF!?! Kickstarter - Dungeons and dragons: the whispering ring

There is SO much wrong with the Dungeons and dragons: the whispering ring Kickstsarter (and yes, that is the exact title of it.) Let's see, where shall we start?

1 - Maybe the damn title itself? You can't call it Dungeons & Dragons (or Dungeons and dragons - its the same shit)

2 - Look at the pic above. Look at the spine of the book. Yep. Can't miss it, can you?

3 - Anyone want to take a stab at editing the pic below?

I count at least 11 edits needed. I may have missed one and I'm not counting awkward grammar.

4 - Kickstarter charges between 8% and 10% in fees. Something doesn't add up:

5 - Read what I highlighted below:

I thought the problems with universities and unprepared students were unique to the US. The person that is running this Kickstarter is graduating university in the UK and this is how they present their best, most professional side while begging for money using another company's property.

Hasbro shouldn't even bother with the takedown, as this won't even fund.

I needed this right before Gary Con ;)

edit - in the time it took me to type this post, they edited the title and the main graphic - doesn't change the piss poor editing...

Gareth Sharka - Still Stirring Shit on Twitter 5 Years and Going Strong - Far West

Hey Gareth! Fuck you!

Sorry for making it personal for my readers, but telling folks that haven't asked for refunds that they can't bitch and complain pisses me off. Why?

Five months ago Gareth told us there would be no refunds until release. So, why ask for something that isn't going to happen.

Or did Gareth misspeak. No, he's not a lawyer, so it must be something else.

Are there refunds? Are there not refunds? Are those that are partially refunded still allowed to complain?

Keep your lies and stories straight. It helps in the long run when your are fucking backers over. All you are doing is trolling yourself.

I'm eagerly awaiting this supposed announcement later this week:

edit:

Can't comment, can only view. Echo Chamber in full effect. Feel free to comment here Gareth. We don't block, edit or delete comments or views we disagree with. Explain your position. Make sense of the disconnect between your statements. Salvage what little you have left of your rep.

Far West - The Dog Ate My Project - New Excuse, Same Results

So, what's the first Far West update of 2017? Computer problems, so Gareth can't do layout.

Now, mind you, we were supposed to get a work in progress before the end of last year. We didn't. Official explanation? None. But there was some blaming of Attorney Generals.

I'd love to see the "words of encouragement" he's been sent. Must be via Twitter, because it hasn't been on Kickstarter.

I'm waiting for the excuse that the dog ate the project...

Beware the Red Hands of Justice

Why I Focus on the Kickstarter Con Men - Hatred or Diligence?

There is currently a discussion going on in a Google Plus Community that has come down to this - is shining a continual spotlight on certain reprehensible individuals (my words, not theirs) that have abused the Kickstarter process to harm our gaming community an act of hatred or diligence?

Let me get this out there. I hate neither Gareth nor Con Man Ken. I do, however, loathe them for what they have done to the gaming community and to the Kickstarter process.

You see, no project creator on Kickstarter is in a bubble of their own (well, maybe Monte). When someone abuses the process, there are repercussions throughout this hobby of ours. I can't tell you the number of communications I've had with folks that tell me its because of Gareth, #ConManKen, Brave Halfling, Nystul, Myth & Magic or some other "took their money and failed to deliver" Kickstarter creator that they are now gun shy when it comes to supporting further Kickstarters.

Can you blame them?

Kickstarter funding requires trust and that is something that can not be bought, only earned. It is easy to lose and difficult to regain. And its a fucking shame that shitty people have taken the money of others and given back nothing that was promised, even years later.

Some do try to make right. Others, like Nystul, fall on the sword and admit to their failures. I can respect that. I might not be happy with the results, but it takes a certain amount of introspection to admit you are a failure. It also requires honesty.

Neither ConMan Ken nor Gareth are honest. They have yet to show they have the potential to be so. I will continue to shine my light on the pair of them until they either provide their backers with the products that were promised them OR fall on the sword, admit to their lies and failures and cease trying to fleece honest people of their money. They are a blight on this hobby of ours. Maybe by keeping this pair in focus I have discouraged others. Maybe...

So no, its not hatred. It isn't just diligence. Its a responsibility that I take seriously, even if I do make some of the posts lighthearted at times.

There you have it.

Gareth is Adamant He will Release... Anything but Far West: Thrilling Tales 2e: Pulp Villains - The Subterranean Monarch releases for the New Year

Ah, you gotta love it when one flat out lies to one's backers about putting product into their virtual hands before the year is out (yep, never happened - color me surprised) and yet finds time to release a product for yet another product line.

Thrilling Tales 2e: Pulp Villains - The Subterranean Monarch

Awesome! So, this means all proceeds are going towards putting already paid for physical copies of Far West into backers hands, right?

Er, right?

Maybe?

Far West. When tomorrow is always a day away.

In all seriousness, the reason that Far West is Far From Complete is because there is no money in it. The money is long ago spent and the layers of media that were planned to be built upon the Far West property have rotted away over 5 years of falsehoods and misdirection.

New releases, semi detached from the Albatross can generate income for Adamant / Gareth. Far West is a time and money pit with no current upside - all the upside was spent up front with little if anything to show for it.

This is why there are no refunds - there IS NO MONEY left to refund anybody. I'm not going to guess what it was spent on, but it certainly wasn't held aside to ensure print copies went out to backers.

There is mismanagement here, not just of time but of the funds and it should serve as a warning for anyone looking to do business with Gareth in the future.

Remember, if it never releases, there will never be further refunds. I think I understand now...

Oh, and those "beta versions"? Four months later - haven't happened.

Its 2017 - Where's My F@cking Far West!?!

Gareth, he of endless release dates, promised to release Far West by the "end of the year" even if it was a dump of an incomplete manuscript.

So, where is it Gareth?

Failed again? Say it isn't so. After five fucking years there must be SOMETHING to show for the effort.

How about some words of wisdom attributed to Mister Big Time Publisher?

Gareth, after five years, this is your baby and yours alone. There is one thing I do understand about publishing - if the manuscript isn't complete, it can't be published. Gee, who has supposedly been working on the manuscript for the past five years?

Don't blame Cubicle 7 at this point. They jumped in to save your ass and you had nothing to give them in publishable form.

If you have nothing, be a man and admit it. Right now you've been playing the gaming community for a bunch of fools almost as long as Con Man Ken.

Wherefore Art Thou Buckaroo Banzai the RPG?

Before there was the fiasco know as Far West, Adament Entertainment (Gareth Sharka) grabbed the RPG license for Buckaroo Banzai.

What were the excuses for the preorders getting fucked on this one? Con Crud? Flaky artist? Incompetent publisher? Do tell...

Tip of the hat to one of The Taverners for sharing the above pics in The Tavern's Facebook Community.

Now, to be fair, this was due AFTER the Far West Kickstarter, even though it started shaking down marks prior to the Far West fiasco.

Anyone have an estimate of how much Kickstarter / Preorder monies this "Icon of the Gaming Community" bilked folks out of?

Ken Whitman - American Success Story - How to Build a Career Off of Other Peoples Money

Kenny boy, I know you read The Tavern like its Variety - I mean, where else do people actually know your name?

Here - let me tally up Ken's successes:

- Non-speaking part in a McGuiver episode
- Three appearances as a mope in The Walking Dead
- Keeping one step ahead of AGs and process servers
- Selling photos of himself

Now - let me tally up Ken's failures - if I miss any, please add them to the comments below - note: we are only referring to Ken's failures in business ventures, and remember, just because Ken made money does not make it a success:

- Deck Dice
- Pencil Dice
- RPG Pencil Dice
- Castles & Crusades: Beyond the River (T.V. Pilot)
- Knights of the Dinner Table: Live Action Series (KODT: LAS) (this should count as multiple fails)
- Spinward Traveller (T.V. Pilot)
- Every other KS project Kenny had his grubby hands on
- Directing
- Editing
- Managing
- Producing - anything of value
- RapidPOD - MIA since 2004 - dust in the wind

Yes Ken, you have that certain look. I'd define it for you but such words are no longer considered politically correct these days. I'll leave it that have a "special" look.

Still using the equipment paid for by your Kickstarter backers to further for your career? You lovable lug you! You get to insult your backers AND your viewers. Lets see, make a livable salary and pay off your debts or have the sense of responsibility of a 5 year old and take up acting?

Yes, punting projects to Summer of 2017 with NO posted plans on how to actually complete such projects. The World According to Ken. That sir, is a fucking bucket of hubris.

A Far West F@ck You - There Will be a November Adamant Release, but it isn't Far West...

Let's see...

Last Far West project update - August 22nd

Last Far West random Sharka comment - October 3rd

Last Far West comment that actually had Far West relevance - September 9th

Last Far West Fuck You - today and every day

Far West - where the Fuck Yous just keep on coming!

Just think, back when we thought Con Crud was the big excuse the project was only a year late. The truth is worse - arrogance, obnoxiousness and downright incompetence.

Above video thanks to Andy G who linked it in the Far West KS comments

Give Me an F'n Break! Monte Cook Games Posts it's Own Press Release and the Author Quotes Himself

I get it. Monte Cook Games is "The Shit". Really. Just ask them. They'll tell you that themselves.

So, what does a company that lives on press releases do when ENWorld, the site that lives to post press releases (really, they hire staff to find press releases), is offline for a few days do?

They post their own press release.

Really. And you know what is even better? Charles Ryan even quotes himself:

Yes, please toot your own horn even louder while you are at it.

Being that MCG apparently can't publish a game these days without "artistic watermarking" obscuring the majority of the relevant text, I'm surprised they can publish self pandering press releases that are legible.

Hey, look at that. A Kickstarter I'm not backing. Imagine.

Far West - No Refunds Until Its Done! (and then we'll talk about it)

Wow. No asking for refunds until release and even when the PDF releases its only then that "(you) can discuss refunds with me (Gareth)."

But hey, "beta versions" of stuff next week.

What?

You don't believe it?

Wanna buy a bridge instead?

Partially delivered?

Did I here a mic drop?

Adamant Entertainment 2.0 - Someone Does Not Know the Definition of Stalwart

and with that I threw up a little in my mouth

ENWorld has this sweet little article about how Gareth is resurrecting Adamant Entertainment. They call the article Adamant Entertainment 2.0 - Rebirth of a Brand, Return of a Stalwart and it's a blatant Sean Patrick Fannon fluff piece.

Holy shit, talk about nepotism in the gaming industry.

Is there controversy* associated with Adamant? Certainly. Gareth is the first to admit it, but he's also had a very difficult road along the way, and many in his position would have thrown in the towel, dumped the whole mess, and moved on to another path.

Does Gareth admit it with his small quote later in the article? Fuck no. Hell, Far West isn't even mentioned until you follow the "asterisk" and get this gem from Sean:

(*) - I know as I type this that the Comment section will contain some vitriol, as there are those who have very strong opinions about how Far West has gone so far. I will not engage, so don't expect me to, and I really would prefer if folks could keep their tone civil, please. You are welcome to your opinions, and reasonable discourse is encouraged... but cruelty and angry, accusatory rhetoric is not helpful. This effort by Gareth to come back from adversity and get things on track is the way to successfully executing all that has been promised, in this columnist's humble opinion.

What exactly is "accusatory rhetoric?" Mentioning a KS over 4 1/2 years late? Broken promises? Outright lies? How about Buckaroo Bonzai?

What a fucking load of bullshit.

My opinion of Mr Fannon has ebbed and flowed since he became a columnist for ENWorld, but this poor excuse of an article isn't news, it's propaganda to white wash his friend's failures and lies. "Stalwart" my ass! Try "unreliable" and you'd be closer to the truth.

Con Crud lingers years later.

Right, why engage those that actually call you on your bullshit...

Kickstarter - Spinward Traveller (TV Pilot - Ken Whitman) - Now We Know how it Ends

You weren't expecting to actually see the end of the TV Pilot, were you? No, silly! This is about the End Credits for Spinward Traveller. You know, the part when you are at the movies you walk out on in the rush to get to the bathroom before the line forms.

Yep, that's our Kenny. Always rushing to get things finished, even when they aren't hardly even started.

Oh, you so silly Kenny! Next you'll be showing the opening credits. Then, maybe the sound clip of a blaster rifle cribbed from some 15 year old sci-fi show. Are you sharing notes with Gareth? He was going to go all "transmedia." Maybe you could do the closing credits for Far West. Sure it's a game book, but with all of your experience making pencil dice (or rather, making money from selling nonexistent pencil dice) you two are a natural fit.

Hat tip to my one of the Taverners. Nothing gets by them :)