The Great CGL Rumors and Speculation Thread Options

[tweak]

That's the kind of white-wash PR you get from a spin doctor.

I get the mishandling of money thingy.

What I don't get is what happened to cause people to jump ship during a recession. Something doesn't add up.

[emouse]

I get the mishandling of money thingy.

What I don't get is what happened to cause people to jump ship during a recession. Something doesn't add up.

Do you mean leaving the company? I think they're referring to freelancers who were owed money and have made it clear that even if they're paid they have no intention of returning.

Though it's also possibly referring to some people, possibly who were supposed to be keeping an eye on things, who are resigning in order to keep from being fired. Again, no company is going to say something bad about or publicly detail the situation around an employee quitting, but they'd be well advised not to put their former employer on a recommendations list when they go job hunting!

[Werewindlefr]

Something doesn't add up.

Which is why I'm almost convinced that Frank's version is the correct one, and that the post on the CGL site is a softer, "read between the lines" one. But since I have no proof, I can't know for sure and CGL gains the benefits of the doubt.

[emouse]

Which is why I'm almost convinced that Frank's version is the correct one, and that the post on the CGL site is a softer, "read between the lines" one. But since I have no proof, I can't know for sure and CGL gains the benefits of the doubt.

The only conflict I really see between Frank's depiction of the situation and CGL's press release is that CGL is asserting that they can survive the situation, while Frank is painting a picture with no out for CGL.

To me, the gentle wording of the CGL release implies that all parties involved are still on relatively friendly terms in working to sort this out, and that neither side has resorted to pursuing legal action yet.

Further reading between the lines and assuming that both versions are right implies that there could be a stash of money involved that is large enough to keep the company going. The wording of the press release could well be a part of the delicate negotiations that have or are currently going on between the parties involved.

[TypeRyder]

Do you really think that you will read the truth about bad rumors about a company directly on their website or in other publications / press releases? I guess that only very few companies are that honest.

And even if they are - they will just reduce their chances regarding possible future negotiations regarding loans, licence agreemens and other things so I guess it's understandable that companies are not that honest regarding their press policy about bad news.

Lets just hope this all sorts out in a good way instead of burying our beloved game in advance.

[tsuyoshikentsu]

...

Guys, we're turning into JackPoint. Seriously.

In fact... hm. I need to get me hands on some PDF software...

[HappyDaze]

Lets just hope this all sorts out in a good way instead of burying our beloved game in advance.

In advance? I think it's clear that from the pattern of most RPGs that SR4 is past it's prime. The big sourcebooks/rulebooks are already out, and most of the new stuff is going to be increasingly fringe. Sales of the necessary (or almost essential) core book(s) is a key, and the game could make plenty of money with a reboot, whether in the hands of Catalyst or another company. Burying SR4 now might allow a SR5 to thrive before the product glut continues.

[Caadium]

...

Guys, we're turning into JackPoint. Seriously.

In fact... hm. I need to get me hands on some PDF software...

Turning?

I'm fairly certain that Jackpoint is just DBA Dumpshock in 2010.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/twirl.gif)

[tsuyoshikentsu]

No, like seriously. I just made this for fun. (And yeah, I cut out the Palladium bits; it was to fit everything on one page.)
http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/9192/du...ockhysteria.png

[crash2029]

No, like seriously. I just made this for fun. (And yeah, I cut out the Palladium bits; it was to fit everything on one page.)
http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/9192/du...ockhysteria.png

That is awesome. Seroiusly cool. The only way it would have been cooler is if I had been in it. Ah well, c'est la vie. Still, really cool. Major kudos and a few karma to tsuyoshikentsu.

Man I am glad this is text and I don't have to try to pronounce that handle. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cyber.gif)

[Bull]

No, like seriously. I just made this for fun. (And yeah, I cut out the Palladium bits; it was to fit everything on one page.)
http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/9192/du...ockhysteria.png

Hah! That's very well done. Nice job (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Bull

[Heath Robinson]

...

Guys, we're turning into JackPoint. Seriously.

In fact... hm. I need to get me hands on some PDF software...

There's an addon to OpenOffice that lets you work with PDFs, I believe. I have it installed, just haven't tested it much. Otherwise, you're probably going to need to pay monies, or grab a LaTeX compiler.

Edit: And I'm about 30 minutes too late for it to matter.

[The Dragon Girl]

In advance? I think it's clear that from the pattern of most RPGs that SR4 is past it's prime. The big sourcebooks/rulebooks are already out, and most of the new stuff is going to be increasingly fringe. Sales of the necessary (or almost essential) core book(s) is a key, and the game could make plenty of money with a reboot, whether in the hands of Catalyst or another company. Burying SR4 now might allow a SR5 to thrive before the product glut continues.

Actually I'm quite looking forward to some of the upcoming releases and plan to give them all my extra monies ..if the things get released. And I do need and use them for my gaming.

[ravensmuse]

Let me put it to you this way: I don't trust either source of this information.

One of them has a history of banging his head against the establishment so hard he cracks his skull and blood pours out of his eyes. To say that there might be some slant (some would call it dancing on the ruins of the stupid stage) to his words would be an understatement.

The other is a corporation, and we all know not to trust them or their spin. So...

(Good luck Catalyst. I can't agree with a single other company mentioned here yet for SR)

[Fatum]

In advance? I think it's clear that from the pattern of most RPGs that SR4 is past it's prime. The big sourcebooks/rulebooks are already out, and most of the new stuff is going to be increasingly fringe. Sales of the necessary (or almost essential) core book(s) is a key, and the game could make plenty of money with a reboot, whether in the hands of Catalyst or another company. Burying SR4 now might allow a SR5 to thrive before the product glut continues.

Actually, the upcoming releases are looking extremely promising - and if corp info or info on the world affairs is "fringe" in your books, I don't know what isn't.

[Stahlseele]

Well . . one can say about Frank Trollman and his (posting) Style what you want . . but he seems to usually know what he is talking about . . Also nice to see that he is still around and kicking it well somewhere ^^

[JM Hardy]

Do you mean leaving the company? I think they're referring to freelancers who were owed money and have made it clear that even if they're paid they have no intention of returning.

Though it's also possibly referring to some people, possibly who were supposed to be keeping an eye on things, who are resigning in order to keep from being fired. Again, no company is going to say something bad about or publicly detail the situation around an employee quitting, but they'd be well advised not to put their former employer on a recommendations list when they go job hunting!

Let me be very clear here that none of the people who resigned did so to keep from being fired. They made difficult decisions and I respect what they did. I don't want any of them to have even the slightest hint of inappropriate behavior about them, because they were hard-working, honorable employees who will be missed.

Jason H.

[Stahlseele]

By the way, we really appreciate you still coming here and talking to/with us about this.

[Penta]

By the way, we really appreciate you still coming here and talking to/with us about this.

Agreed. Jason, whatever happens, I want to thank you for being as forthright as you have been. Most people wouldn't bother exposing their humiliation to their customers. But you guys, here at least, have been better than most of us probably could expect.

[raben-aas]

Thumbs up for Jason from the freelancer front here (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Bull]

What, praising Jason?? DIdn't I ask you all to be civil?

Quick! Lock the thread! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Heh.

Seriously, I just want to take a sec and say thanks to everyone here for keeping their cool, for the most part. I spent a good part of yesterday worrying that we were going to have an ugly, ugly flame war on our hands.

And Jason, I'll echo what everyone else is saying, thanks for stepping up to help calm everyone a bit.

Bull

[toturi]

Seriously, I just want to take a sec and say thanks to everyone here for keeping their cool, for the most part. I spent a good part of yesterday worrying that we were going to have an ugly, ugly flame war on our hands.

Bull

Dumpshock isn't what it used to be. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/frown.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif)

[raben-aas]

Ssssh! Don't wake the trolls...

[SCLariat]

There is not an insurance policy in the world which covers what Frank speaks of, that I know of.

It's why embezzlement is so devastating.

Sorry, but you must not know much about insurance. Coverage for thief by employees/partners is standard rider on most Commercial General Liability (ironic that its initials are CGL) policies. CGL policies are what funds most litigation in North America. You slip and fall in a Starbucks? Starbucks' CGL policy is what will pay for your injuries, pay the defense of Starbucks, or both. You're a barista at Starbucks, and your boss sexually harasses you? The CGL policy is what would cover the cost. I've got a copy of a CGL policy for a small church in a small po-dunk town in South Carolina sitting on my desk right now. I just checked, and they would have coverage if something similar happened to them. The premiums are usually dirt cheap (in comparison to insurance like health or auto.) I can't imagine a company like Catalyst wouldn't have some sort of CGL policy to cover themselves. The insured amount may not cover the whole loss, but it would help.

Remember when Taco Bell floated the target in the south Pacific Ocean and promised to give everyone a free taco if the Mir space station hit it? Do you remember when Dr. Pepper had to give away a free one to everyone because Guns-N-Roses finished "Chinese Democracy?" Those two promotions were actually limited CGL insurance policies paid for by both companies (Lloyds of London if I'm not mistaken.) Both Taco Bell and Dr. Pepper bought insurance to cover the cost of the promotion in case the event happened. Taco Bell's policy didn't have to pay off whereas Dr. Pepper's did. Insurance companies are willing to gamble on almost everything if you're willing to pay the premium.

[SCLariat]

Let me be very clear here that none of the people who resigned did so to keep from being fired. They made difficult decisions and I respect what they did. I don't want any of them to have even the slightest hint of inappropriate behavior about them, because they were hard-working, honorable employees who will be missed.

Jason H.

Jason:

It might be too early, but is there a feel for the impact on the future release schedule? There was a lot of interesting stuff in the pipeline (the Almanac was something I've wanted for years...I think I have an old email somewhere I pushed Mike M on it back in 1998 or 1999) that needs to to see the light of day.