Wayward Kickstarter - UV-RPG - A new way to virtually game with friends!

UV-RPG features a video to video connection, dice rolling, and character sheet creation all in one app!

I know what you are thinking - aren't VTTs a thing? Haven't they been a thing for over 2 decades now? (Fantasy Grounds was founded in 2004 / Screen Monkey in 2005 - there may be earlier VTTs). Well, apparently, no one ever told Jonathon.

There are dice rolling apps for individuals, there are calling apps, but there's not an app the includes all elements needed for gaming virtually.

The funding goal is $5,000, and Jonathan doesn't plan on charging for it once it's released. He's raised 0 after a month (there was a $700 pledge apparently at some point, but that has flaked.

I created the video presentation which I shared with multiple App development companies. I finally found an company that agreed to make a working prototype of that, make sure it was correct with us, and then create the actual app with any revisions needed. The cost is $5,000 but includes giving us ownership of the app upon completion as well.

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Far West RPG Releases Nearly 12 Years After Promised Release Date

I will give credit where credit is due. Gareth Skarka, nearly 12 years after the promised delivery date, has finally released Far West - in PDF. Don't hold your breath for print copies any time soon. 

Years ago, when Gareth felt he was being unfairly forced to offer refunds, refunds for print books were offered at full price less 10 bucks - as that was the assumed price of the PDF. Instead, Far West is currently on sale for 29.95 at DTRPG for a 278-page PDF. I can't speak for the gaming content, as I haven't read it yet and likely won't get to it for a while (after 12 years, what's the actual rush, right?), but I will offer some samples of the included art - art that was likely paid for by individual backers, like myself (59 of us), to be included in the book. You be the judge of whether or not THESE specific backers got / will get, their money's worth.

Tonight on Gamers' Health, Rach & I have a Special Guest, Author Daniel Hand. Daniel recently released Role-Playing Games in Psychotherapy: A Practitioner's Guide. Needless to say, Rach is taking the lead tonight 😉

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Wayward Kickstarter - Unlimited Online Tabletop RPG (a lesson in failure)

Can an interesting-looking RPG fall flat? Most assuredly. Such is the case with the Unlimited Online Tabletop RPG Kickstarter.

Let's look at some of the stumbles:

• The name itself - Unlimited Online Tabletop RPG. Most RPGs are "unlimited". Throwing "online" into the title makes one think of an MMORPG such as World of Warcraft or EverQuest. But the point is to sell physical books. It's a confusing project from the title alone.

• Hubris - "D3 Gaming plans to make Unlimited Online a powerful flagship in the tabletop rpg market. Our goal is a modern take on traditional TTRPG that feels familiar, while innovating new skills, locales, and tools for developing unforgettable storytelling experiences with your friends." So, is this meant to be played in person, or via VTT? Does it make a difference? How is this game tweaked for online performance? It promises a lot, yet shows little.

• AI Art - I can't say for certain the art is AI art, but it certainly has that feel.

• Lack of focus - cyberpunk or fantasy? Not like Shadowrun, where it's mixed, but separately. Do one thing well over two things poorly.

• Lack of updates - it appears that early on, the creator abandoned this project. Not a single update. It should have been canceled and reworked, instead of rotting on the vine.

• From About the Creator - "Creating is one of my greatest joys. Now is the time for me to make my mark. I will create the worlds of Unlimited Online and have no regrets, for I will try with all I have. I will bring those whom I love and hold dear on the road with me. All good journies start with good company." I believe he stopped trying.

• Nothing about the system itself. 'Nuff said.

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Far West - Another 5 Months of Silence From The Most Skilled Avoider in Gaming

Far West. Infamous for lack of any sort of, well, anything. The forums are gone, and the Discord Server has an invite link that only lasted 7 days. You CAN set a Discord link to NOT expire, but it's obvious Gareth doesn't REALLY want to interact with his Kickstarter backers that he's been fucking over for over 11 years.

As of today, it's been over 5 months since the last Far West Kickstarter update, which is the ONLY way Gareth can actually be sure he's communicating with his backers.

We don't care about the fiction. Your backers want what they paid for back in 2011.

Gareth has redefined what a failure at Kickstarter truly is.

How many missed completion dates? You can check here: https://www.mutedhorn.net/far-west-delivery-estimates

But at least Gareth has time to tweet. Imagine if all those tweets over the last 11 years were put into book form. I'd guess they'd dwarf Far West in whatever size it theoretically releases in.

Of course, now he can blame Eric Trautmann for its further delay...

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What is 11 Years Late and Likely the Most Infamous Failure in RPG Kickstarters?

 

Gareth! Tweet harder my man! 

On December 31st, 2022, the Far West RPG was OFFICIALLY 11 years late. 11 years of lies and broken promises.

Of course, now Gareth is passing the blame for the - yet again - missed release date on his partner, Eric Trautmann.

I must say, when you can make Ken "Whit" Whitman look like an honest businessman, you've leveled up to unheard-of levels. Well done, Gareth. Well done!

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Far West - 11 Years and Counting - Why Bother Caring?

I'm just going to put this here:

This makes me read things like the following with a pound of salt:

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Wayward Kickstarter - Far West - BACKER UPDATE - Finished Manuscript within a Month or so - So Gareth Says!

 Well, Gareth has made promises before, so let me just add the following:

Sure, it's a "Backers Only Update", but after more than a decade of excuses and delays, I'm not sure how many backers actually care at the moment. Here's today's update, sans Dropbox link (I'll look over the linked material later):

Greetings, Backers --

I have some excellent news for you all.  I've spoken to my partner, Eric Trautmann, who informs me that the layout of FAR WEST will be completed within the next month or so!  We are so close to delivering the PDF!

Your incredible patience has made this all possible, and I cannot begin to thank you enough.

It occurred to me as I was preparing to send you this news that I hadn't yet sent you the complete manuscript, from beginning to end.  You'd seen bits and pieces of it, but not the whole thing.  So, without further ado, I present the following to you -- PDFs of the entire manuscript, from the Front Matter to the Open Game License that closes the rulebook.

No link for you - if a backer, look for today's update

Another piece of news for you:  As you know, our Far West society forums on the website were the victim of an attack, which corrupted several critical files, and ended up with us losing the entire forum.  Well, I have now replaced that forum with a dedicated Discord server -- and, as a thank you for your support and unbelievable patience with us, every backer of this Kickstarter is being given a lifetime membership to the Far West Society, and access to the Discord, where you can ask questions, make suggestions, and generally converse with your fellow members.  The invite is here:

No link for you. If you are a backer, look for today's update.

Society members receive special offers on Far West products, including exclusive merchandise not offered for sale to the public. The Society receives access to a private members-only Discord server, where they have direct access to the Far West Core Development Team, as well as early access to information and material before it is released via the main site.

Most importantly, however, the Far West Society has the ability to add material to the official Far West canon, and to directly influence the outcome of events within the setting. Society members can propose new characters, locations, organizations, events and more, and those proposals are discussed and collaborated upon by their fellow members. The proposals are honed to razor-sharpness by the community, and incorporated by the Core Development Team into the official setting!

We look forward to talking with you all on the official Discord!

That's all for now.  Talk to you again soon, when we sent you the final PDF of the game!

Sincerely,

Gareth-Michael Skarka

Adamant Entertainment

13 September, 2022.

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Far West Kickstarter - Is This an Actual Update from Gareth?

On Twitter, of course. The real question is, will it release under 11 years late? 

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When Do You Officially Call a Project "Dead"? re: City State of the Invincible Overlord (Judges Guild)

Tonight as I was flipping through Facebook, I saw a post from The Tavern from exactly three years ago - Oh My! Crowdfunding Update from Judges Guild (CSIO). Well, three years later (and a final update over two years ago on the CSIO Kickstarter page) and I think we can all agree, CSIO is NOT going to get the Marmoreal Tomb treatment. No publisher is going to swoop in and spend the dollars, nor the man-hours, to fix this failure. Unlike the Marmoreal Tomb, there are no funds left to pay for layout and development. There's nothing left but promises and disappointed backers.

CSIO didn't fail to complete its obligations because of Bob II and Bob III going out in burning flames on social media, it failed because neither Bob II nor Bob III had the faintest ideas about:

- handling business finances

- managing a budget

- writing RPG material

- project management

- layout (oh my God, the layout horror stories)

Most of all, and perhaps the crux of their issues, is that they lacked simple honesty. With their backers. With their freelances. And yes, even with each other.

This isn't unique to Judges Guild. I wish it was. We see it right now, with companies taking money for products and never shipping them. If it isn't straight-up malfeasance, it's most likely due to one or more reasons stated above.

I am not judging Judges Guild by the social media insanity of its owner but by the incompetence of that very same owner. Bob II has set a new standard that I hope no other companies come close to meeting, but I suspect one or two may actually surpass, and do so with glee in their eyes.

Judges Guild is dead, and its best years were well over 40 years ago. It was a slow death, but a death nonetheless.

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Far West Kickstarter - An ACTUAL Update From Feb 1, 2022 - More Promises

Now, it should be noted that Gareth was informed of the Far West Forums being offline from one of The Tavern's readers. Never let it be said that we don't care. I'd have notified Gareth myself via the only medium he communicates via - Twitter - but he has me blocked. Ah well.

Now, on to the update:

Gareth-Michael SkarkaCreator

February 1, 2022

Greetings, All -- 

Several updates in this email, and we're busy as a cow’s tail in fly time, so I'll get right to it:

1) The manuscript has been handed off to Eric Trautmann (my business partner, formerly of West End Games) who is well underway on the layout, and should be done soon.

2) All additional spot illustrations requested by Eric have been delivered to him.  You can see one of them here, illustrating the "Artist" skill (in this case, a musician):

3) Once complete, we'll be delivering the PDF to you.  While layout is underway, meanwhile, I am conducting reviews of US-based printing companies, checking on prices, scheduling, and quality -- the pandemic-related supply chain issues, as you may have heard, have made overseas printing problematic.  Shipping from printers in China, for example, can take as long as 18 months or more.  So US-based it will be.  I'd rather not go the print-on-demand route, so I'm looking at offset printers -- -the costs will be higher, but, to be honest, this project is already a money-losing operation, so that's not a massive concern (but I would obviously like to keep it reasonable).

4) To that end, before physical delivery, I will be asking you all to email me directly with your present address.  Obviously, since this project has taken so long, there will be many of you who have changed your residence.  I will make an announcement of when I need that info.

5) We have been the victim of some malicious bastards who decided to mess around with our websites -- last week, backer John Fiala notified me that the forum on the FAR WEST website was spitting back fatal errors.  I hadn't touched anything on the site in over a month.  When digging, I discovered that somehow, the entire database for the forum had been removed.

Today, I discovered that the Adamant Entertainment website had been vandalized.  Somehow, somebody had managed to gain access to the admin account.  Luckily, I had a "back door" account set up (in the event that I ever forgot my login info, etc.) -- so I used it to gain access to the site and I deleted the offending account before it could do more damage.  UN-luckily, that account was the genuine admin account, so literally every post and page created by the account was deleted as well.  POOF.  The entire site is now empty.  

I have changed all of our login info, passwords, etc., on every site, and increased our security.  The amount of work that is currently staring me in the face is formidable -- so much so that I'm considering just starting from scratch on the Adamant site, and foregoing a forum entirely on the FAR WEST site (in favor of a dedicated Discord channel).  We'll see.

I know that the ridiculous amount of time this project has taken has made me some enemies out there, but still -- this has really been a gut-punch.

Anyway -- that's it for today.  Back to work.  I hope that you and yours are staying safe and healthy in these most peculiar times.

Gareth-Michael Skarka

Lawrence, Kansas

1 February, 2022

Before this fiasco known as Far West, I used to be a supporter of Adamant Entertainment. I literally couldn't give two fucks about Gareth politics, as he put out a crapton of good product. At some point, that morphed into producing no product and spewing politics non-stop on Twitter. It seems, for some, social media literally is a curse.

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Far West Forums are now Dead - So, Where Do We Get Our Promised Updates Now, Gareth?

And so it was, in the month of January, in the year of our Lord 2022, that the Far West Forums went offline. Our savior, Gareth Skarka, had promised over the last few years that the forums would be his salvation from the toxic comments on the Far West Kickstarter page. Now, even this latest promise is dead - From the History of the Failed Far West RPG - Iconic for a Failed Success

I'm guessing we are being set up for yet ANOTHER failed delivery date in five days.

Gareth is nothing id no dependable in his unreliability.

But hey, the twit is still on Twitter. Nothing about Far West though...

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Far West Kickstarter - Promised to Deliver SOMETHING Prior to the End of 2021 - "Delayed" Again

Gareth is, if nothing else, reliable in his unreliableness.

2021 was going to be the year, and Gareth was promising Far West, in whatever form it was, by the end of 2021.

So, guess what happened before the end of 2021?

Announced at, of all places, Gareth's "safe space", Twitter.

Promises from Gareth are as valuable as Iraqi dollars. They are a curiosity at most. Worthless for all purposes.

Looking for a list of ALL 77 missed Far West Completion Dates?

https://www.mutedhorn.net/far-west-delivery-estimates

I Missed a Far West Kickstarter Fiasco Update in February 2021!

Holy fucken shitballs! I had nearly given up on updates on the Far West Kickstarter. Of course, the Kickstarter itself hasn't seen an update since July 15th, 2019. That's sneaking up on two years. At this point, Gareth has CLEARLY qualified himself for a VP position over at Kickstarter with his amazing history of responsibility, timeliness, and truthfulness. I'm sure if he reached out to Luke Crane he could get a few pointers.

So, what actually does Gareth say in the update buried on his Far West website? (note, my commentary is in Orange - Tenkar)

Here 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. (I don't recall being asked, but whatever)

It’s been the hardest decade of my life (its been a hell of a decade for possibly everyone). Professional (challenges like keeping your pen names straight) and personal challenges, like I’d never experienced before. Physical and mental heath crises requiring damn near all of my focus and attention (well, and Twitter. Twitter has consumed nearly ALL of your focus for the last 10 years). The work on FAR WEST definitely suffered   (I doubt much work on Far West actually happened over the past 10 years) You know it. I know it. 

Honestly, I’m all out of apologies. (Apologies need to be meant to have value. I have heard no apologies of value)

2021 is the year where FAR WEST finally gets released. (where have I heard THIS before?) I have not abandoned the project (I have not yet begun to fight! wait, wrong quote). I am finishing it up (where have I heard THAT before) (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 (if by proceeding, you mean nothing of value has been happening, then yes, 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). (there is NO WAY printed books are happening, not unless the PDF sales are huge. The money is long gone. Gareth has said so)

We will release this year– delays, disasters, pandemics or societal collapse be damned. (somehow, I doubt this statement. No. Really. Is that bad of me, to NOT take Gareth, the icon of honesty, truthfulness, and honor in the gaming industry at his word?)

Home is on the horizon (What, we're not in Kansas anymore?). We’re racing the sunset, but we’re gonna get there.

謝謝你的好意

Gareth-Michael Skarka

Lawrence, Kansas

22 February, 2021

I think I threw up a little bit in my mouth. 

Then we had some comments, and Gareth replied:

Chad S. says:

February 25, 2021 at 11:24 am

Will you commit to releasing the pdf to backers, in whatever state of completion it may happen to be, before the end of 2021?

admin says:

February 25, 2021 at 11:26 am

Yes, without hesitation. (even if that state is Nothing Completed)

Darq says:

March 14, 2021 at 10:54 am

And the long suffering Pre-Orderers who didn’t have the benefit of all the secret “backer only” communications and releases, I hope! (wait! There were Pre-Orders on top of the Kickstarter backers? How much money did Gareth take in on this shell game?)

admin says:

March 14, 2021 at 4:56 pm

That’s one of the reasons why I’ve moved all updates to this site and our social media accounts. (the main reason was inability to remove negative comments from the Kickstarter page)

Michael says:

March 17, 2021 at 11:08 pm

Would those be the social media accounts you blocked people on when they asked once every 4 years for an update? (see? EVERYONE knows the reason)

admin says:

March 18, 2021 at 12:14 pm

Nobody has ever been blocked for asking for updates. Several people have been blocked for being rude jerks. (me love you long time. Feel free to attempt to "punch Tenkar in the throat" big man)

 

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A Wayward Kickstarter - Apocalypse 5e

Sometimes you simply have to wonder. Maybe even scratch your head. Everyone and their mother want to have THAT Kickstarter. The one that makes them a household name in the gaming industry and means they will never have to be a cog in someone else's business model ever again. Another rich and famous game creator. Sadly, the reality is that Kickstarters that hit those life-changing amounts of pledge dollars are somewhere on par with the odds of hitting it big with Lotto. It can be done, but it needs more than luck, hard work, and name recognition. It often needs something resembling the planets coming into alignment.

Now, do 13 10 (as three were canceled) successful prior Kickstarter projects mean you can hit a $100k payday with your latest? 

Hmmm- The most backers Daniel had before his current project was 124. The most monies raised on a successful project by Daniel was $2,179. That's okay though because his eyes are big and are focused on the prize:

Now, over two weeks into the funding period of the Apocalypse 5E RPG Kickstarter, he has 72 backers and just shy of $3,700 in funds raised. With two weeks left to fund.

Simply put, this will not fund. Not now at $100k. Not if rebooted at $10k. Certainly not to raise 1 million. Dare I say it, but this is delusional. The leap it takes to go from where he is to where he wants to be is nowhere in the realm of reality, but I've seen this many a time. From names well known and not so well known. 

The question to ask is "who will be to blame" for the project's failure to fund? Certainly not the creator. It never is.

Strangely enough, even the name of this project isn't accurate, as Apocalypse 5E RPG isn't a stand-alone RPG as the title would imply, but as the Kickstarter page itself says, it's a "post-apocalypse RPG setting handbook that allows you to use 5E rules and combine fantasy and sci-fi themes."

Or is it?

I'm sure this would have done well on the DM's Guild, though not in the amount that the author would have hoped for.

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News - Luke Crane Resigns from His VP Position at Kickstarter Due to "Perfect RPG" Fiasco

Go figure.

Apparently, Luke Crane was not able to weather the storm that resulted from the Perfect RPG Kickstarter fiasco. I'm not going to say Luke abused his position at Kickstarter to further his own projects, but it's apparent that he felt that the rules that applied to everyone else did not apply to him.

Luke snuck Adam Koebel into the Perfect RPG Kickstarter. Adam is "Best known as the co-designer of the popular Dungeon World game system, Koebel in 2020 broadcast a TTRPG scenario involving in-fiction sexual assault live on Twitch. His handling of that scene was widely criticized by viewers and fans, and ultimately resulted in the dissolution of the actual-play series in which it occurred."

Kickstarters official announcement:

After a discussion about what is best for Kickstarter and our team, we came to the mutual decision with Luke Crane for him to leave Kickstarter. We recognize the many years of work Luke has done to help bring creative projects to life at Kickstarter and we are committed to ensure continued support for our team and for our backer and creator community through this moment of change.

Luke Crane was the main man behind The Burning Wheel RPG.

Read the full article at Polygon 

Luke's statement was shared as an update on the Kickstarter project:

Hello.

I apologize for such a long silence in the wake of the project launch last month. I’ve been in a lot of conservations, and doing a lot of listening. I waited to post anything because I wanted to be sure to be as thoughtful and considered as possible:

When we began the Perfect RPG project, my only goal was to launch a small collection of micro-games designed by my friends and others whose work I respect in the community. On the day it launched, while the project was falling apart, I did not fully understand what was at stake and what had happened—in the shock of the moment my communications were insensitive and desultory.

So here and now I wish to unequivocally apologize to you, and everyone affected, for the harm I’ve done to the community with this project. I am grateful for your input over the last month, and have done my best to listen with an open heart. I thank you for sharing your opinions and feelings, and know that I have violated the trust you placed in me. I am sincerely, deeply regretful.

In creating the project, I made a series of missteps and miscalculations that added up to a gross oversight on my part and, accordingly, I am fully responsible for the current situation and its effects. So I would like to add some clarification around some of the particular points raised, in the hope that it will help the community as a whole move forward in a productive way: There was no deceit, deception or bad faith in any of my actions around the project. I understand that I should have disclosed the participant list to all contributors beforehand, and I feel terrible that my poor planning placed some creators in a difficult position. Likewise with the unusual order in which contributors were listed—I was seeking to highlight the first creator on the list, who was my primary playtester for this project. In hindsight this was a poor idea that came off as duplicitous, for which I apologize.

The Indie RPG community is close-knit and passionate—it is one of the things I've loved the most about being a member. I have worked for 20 years to build and advocate for this community and expand it past its roots. It is very much my life’s work. To see it hurt through my actions has been devastating. Therefore I am now doing my best to repair the harm I have caused and make restitution to anyone negatively affected by my actions.

I recognize that this statement reflects an as-yet incomplete understanding of the impact of my actions, and only a start to making things right. I am actively looking for other ways to redress the wrong I’ve done. To begin this process, I have reached out to all the contributors of the project and I am in discussions with them, listening to their perspectives and asking them for input. I hope that with their help, and the help of this gaming community, I can demonstrate my continued commitment to building better games for all of us.

Sincerely,

—Luke

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Like a Hydra, You Just Can't Kill the Beast - Ken Whitman "Claims" to have Found the "Lost to a Fire" KotDT Live Action Footage

I kid you the fuck not!

Ken "I only lie when I talk" Whitman now claims to have found the Knights of the Dinner Table: Live Action Series footage that he claimed in court was lost in a barn fire. Kenny, we all know this is yet another attempt to milk money from those you have already scammed.

Kenny had been silent for over four years on the KotDT: LAS Kickstarter, but look what Mr. "The FBI is waiting for you at your doorstep" Whitman has updated with today:

Hey Everyone,   

This morning I recovered the original files for KODT Live Action series.   I am copying the files and shipping them to Jolly on Monday.   

I have reached out to Jolly and Dave and have asked for permission to remaster the product, however, my contract ran out years ago.   If I can get their permission to work on the footage I would love to finish and distribute the project.  

I do ask for your forgiveness, and hope I am allowed a way to make amends for my shotty business performance.   

I will keep you updated, and hope all of you are still enjoying one of the best damn comics ever made!

-Ken Whitman 

Ken does nothing out of the kindness of his heart. It has always been about separating many fools (and some not so foolish) from their money. Highlander Collectible Card Game and printing off rares to sell? Allegedly. Rapid POD Printing Company and books that fell apart the moment you cracked them open? Allegedly. Using Kickstarter as a pyramid scheme to bilk honest folks out of their hard-earned cash? Most definitely!

So Kenny, where did these files come from that allegedly went up in smoke when your friend's barn burned down? That was your testimony in NYS Court. 

I can guarantee that ANYTHING of potential value that Ken is willing to give to the backers of the KotDT: LAS will come with a new price tag. That simply is Kenny's way.

My advice? Don't give him a cent. He preys on the gaming community, then hopes the community will forget the transgressions and theft that he committed in the past. Kenny will never be reformed. 

Don't forget to subscribe to The Tavern's weekly Newsletter! We currently have 92 subscribers. When we hit 100 subscribers, I'll award a random subscriber a $10 DTRPG Gift Certificate. We'll do the same at 200 subscribers, but then it will be TWO Gift Certificates given away. So on at 300 subs and beyond.

 Note: This week's newsletter went out Sunday night. If you are a subscriber, check your spam folder - Tenkar

Gareth Sharka tells Dying Man that Far West is Expected to Deliver by the End of This Year

 

I have no idea how I missed this back in September. 

Oh wait, that's right. All Far West updates are via a forum for which new sign-ups are broken and Gareth never posts on.

Until now.

Here's the direct link to the thread in the Far West Forums

Darq has been asking about progress on Far West since 2014. I hope and pray Darq doesn't truly have a terminal illness, but if he does and Gareth has made yet another promise he can't keep it will be a new low, even for him.

I'm at a loss for words.

Far West - Obligatory Annual Update on Gareth the Hut

On July, 15th, Gareth Skarka made the following update on the Far West Kickstarter (funded way back in 2011 - note, my commentary will be in ORANGE)

For those of you that haven't seen this already via social media, the following update appears on my personal blog and the FAR WEST website (not Twitter? I'm surprised):

I've been quiet recently, I know. (but not on Twitter. NEVER quiet on Twitter. If only Far West could be written 256 characters at a time)

First things first:  Far West is NOT dead (please, bring out your dead). I only have one chapter remaining to assemble from the earlier drafts (and I have this bridge in Brooklyn to sell really cheap).  Things are moving slowly, and I figure that I owed you an explanation. (I think we are owed a new explanation)

It's no secret that among the many trials and tribulations that have plagued this project, my depression and anxiety have been at the forefront.  I have been my own worst enemy. (strangly enough, it hasn't stopped Gareth from working on other projects, which we'll detail below)

Well, a few months ago, my family convinced me to finally seek treatment. 

So I've done that. 

The initial stages of the process, where, among other things, we were trying to zero in on the right combination of prescriptions and correct dosages, made it very difficult to get anything done.  I just couldn't focus on anything other than my mental health. 

Now that we are further along, and I've begun to feel the effects, I'm coming back into myself, in a way.  And that includes finishing Far West. (so close, yet so far...)

So that's what I'm going to do. 

I appreciate the patience of so many people who have given far more than I could have ever asked. "Thank you" seems terribly inadequate, given the circumstances. (i think the last year you've given so many people a big FUCK YOU)

As a final administrative note:  All official updates will now appear on the Far West website (last update was THIS very update).  We have a forum there where I can be reached for questions. (last forum comment, not from Gareth was January 2 - Gareth's last was in 2015 - did i mention the forum hasnt taken new sign-ups in years?) The Kickstarter page will be used purely for delivery of texts, PDFs, etc. to backers. (so obviously the KS page hasn't been used)

Now, the home stretch.  Talk to you soon. (but only on Twitter)

Gareth-Michael Skarka
Lawrence, KS
July 15, 2019.

So, what else has Gareth written during the time frame he HASN'T completed Far West?

• Axanar: Ships of the Four Years War for Squadron Strike! Troy, NY: Ad Astra Games, 2019.
• Legend of the Five Rings Roleplaying Game. Roseville, MN: Fantasy Flight Games, 2018.
• Star Wars: Force and Destiny — Unlimited Power. Roseville, MN: Fantasy Flight Games, 2018.
• Star Wars: Age of Rebellion — Cyphers And Masks. Roseville, MN: Fantasy Flight Games, 2018.
• Star Trek Adventures: Beta Quadrant Sourcebook. London, UK: Modiphius Entertainment, 2018.
• Star Trek Adventures: Core Rulebook. London, UK: Modiphius Entertainment, 2017.
• Fiasco ’12: Fiasco Playset Anthology Vol 3. Chapel Hill, NC: Bully Pulpit Games, 2015.
• Doctor Who: The Eighth Doctor Sourcebook. Oxford, UK: Cubicle 7 Entertainment, 2015.
• Doctor Who: Adventures In Time And Space – Limited Edition Rulebook. Oxford, UK: Cubicle 7 Entertainment, 2014.
• “Exit Visa”, Have Blaster Will Travel. Washington, NJ: Galileo Books, 2012
• Defending The Earth: The UNIT Sourcebook. Oxford, UK: Cubicle 7 Entertainment, 2012.
• Doctor Who: Adventures in Times and Space (Eleventh Doctor Edition). Oxford, UK: Cubicle 7 Entertainment, 2012.

Kind words said by those that weren't Far West backers:“[A] standout example […] of one of our newest professions: the e-book publisher.”

—The Associated Press. (Washington Post, December 2007)

“…a visionary in the electronic publishing field.”–Dominic McDowall-Thomas, Cubicle 7 Entertainment.

“A trail-blazer… an innovator… one of the inventors of ‘how it’s done’ in the ePublishing sector.”

–Sean Patrick Fannon, OneBookShelf, Inc.

“Gareth got the Inner Circle off of the ground and I couldn’t recommend a better person to take start-ups under his wing.”

–Jeffrey J. Visgaitis, The Inner Circle.

“A lot of publishers would benefit from [his] experience.”

–Steve Creech, DragonWing Games/Bastion Press.