CGL Speculation #8, Put on your asbestos underwear Options

[JM Hardy]

[snip]

I believe that takes care of the bulk of things. I didn\'t cover some little things, like Frank sending e-mails to Topps\' legal counsel or statements that Topps and IMR are each doing audits. I don\'t think the Colemans\' house is terribly important from a business standpoint, so I didn\'t include most of the links to that either. Anyone that thinks this should be amended or expanded, or is inaccurate, give a holler.

I think this is generally a good, even-handed rundown of the events, and I appreciate AH's efforts in putting it together. A few possible corrections:

1) It might be noted that the reasons Jennifer gave for resigning contain her perceptions, and Randall and Loren might see it differently;

2) While concerns about the delayed shipping of the SR4ALE are noted, the fact that the book was shipped and received is not mentioned; and

3) The summary mentions that no street dates have been given for hard copy items, but this is incorrect; Battletech Historicals: Operation Klondike and the Runner's Companion reprint streeted just last Tuesday, the 24th.

4) There have been multiple rounds of payments that have gone out.

Again, it is difficult for anyone, including me, to be entirely neutral, so these corrections naturally come with my own biases. People can do with them as they will.

Jason H.

[Ancient History]

Damn screwy links.

Okay, made a few changes based on Jason's statements.

[ravensmuse]

Great job AH, thanks. Now I know the whole Sugarloaf thing.

My only other suggestion is making a quick note about how Loren L. Coleman, IMR owner, and Loren Coleman, cryptozoologist, aren't the same person, merely to keep people from emailing the latter?

[Prime Mover]

I see today the Cthulhutech website is gone. Anyone know the status of Wildfire?

[BishopMcQ]

The CthulhuTech site is working for me.

[Adam]

I see today the Cthulhutech website is gone. Anyone know the status of Wildfire?

They're aware of it; domain renewal issues.

[augmentin]

With everything that's been said in these threads, I'm not sure which tangent you're referring to with that statement. Hesitant as a I am to ask, could you expound on this one?

My search skills evidently aren't up to snuff. At some point in CGL Speculation #x it was alleged that some of the former freelancers were actively working to ensure CGL didn't get the license so that they could go work for the a new company. As far as I know it was no more substantiated than anything else that's been said here. Though someone wrote a very entertaining Shadowrun adventure plot around CGL hiring a Johnson to doublecross the former freelancers and force Topps to renew the license.

[nemafow]

My search skills evidently aren't up to snuff. At some point in CGL Speculation #x it was alleged that some of the former freelancers were actively working to ensure CGL didn't get the license so that they could go work for the a new company. As far as I know it was no more substantiated than anything else that's been said here. Though someone wrote a very entertaining Shadowrun adventure plot around CGL hiring a Johnson to doublecross the former freelancers and force Topps to renew the license.

I must of missed that, but I love the idea of the adventure plot, would love to see it (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[fastdos]

Regardless of whether CGL can maintain the license or not, the main question should be, "what is the future of the shadowrun universe?" There's been a lot of speculation in posts about the impact of a large number of BT freelancers descending on the SR world. I'm taking a wait-and-see attitude right now. On the one hand, Drops of Corruption showed that Hardy has an interest in street-level politics that honestly wasn't there when Kenson was doing a good chunk of the writing. On the other hand, I have real doubts that many of the new freelancers have an awareness of the history of Shadowrun and all the tiny plot threads woven throughout its existence.

[JM Hardy]

Regardless of whether CGL can maintain the license or not, the main question should be, "what is the future of the shadowrun universe?" There's been a lot of speculation in posts about the impact of a large number of BT freelancers descending on the SR world. I'm taking a wait-and-see attitude right now. On the one hand, Drops of Corruption showed that Hardy has an interest in street-level politics that honestly wasn't there when Kenson was doing a good chunk of the writing. On the other hand, I have real doubts that many of the new freelancers have an awareness of the history of Shadowrun and all the tiny plot threads woven throughout its existence.

There is not "a large number of BT freelancers descending on the SR world." Some freelancers who have worked on BT also want to work on SR; some of them started a while ago, and have stories in Spells & Chrome (which were, for the most part, written well over a year ago, so they've been thinking about the setting for a while). The majority of current SR freelancers came to SR because they love and know SR. Most of them have either already published SR material, or had SR material in the works when I was hired, or had been added to the pool before I came on. There has been this perception that the entire freelancer pool drained in the past few months, and I had to scramble to fill it up with new people and BT writers. That simply is not the case.

Sorry if I'm overly detailed--just wanted to make sure that was clear.

Jason H.

[Caadium]

2) While concerns about the delayed shipping of the SR4ALE are noted, the fact that the book was shipped and received is not mentioned; and

Really? You think that CGL/IMR should get a pat on the back, or a cookie, or something because the book finally shipped? Nearly 14 months after taking customers money the LE version of a book that had already been printed finally shipped. Getting this shipped is akin to paying back payments to freelancers IMO. Sorry, but CGL/IMR (or any other company for that matter) doesn't get an atta-boy from me because they eventually fulfill their basic obligations.

PS - AH, that summary was very helpful. I know that I don't have time to sift through the pages of this, and that summary helped me to find some of the things I'd seen referenced. As things continue to develop would you be willing to update that post (possibly putting a 'last updated xxx at the bottom)?

[JM Hardy]

Really? You think that CGL/IMR should get a pat on the back, or a cookie, or something because the book finally shipped? Nearly 14 months after taking customers money the LE version of a book that had already been printed finally shipped. Getting this shipped is akin to paying back payments to freelancers IMO. Sorry, but CGL/IMR (or any other company for that matter) doesn't get an atta-boy from me because they eventually fulfill their basic obligations.

PS - AH, that summary was very helpful. I know that I don't have time to sift through the pages of this, and that summary helped me to find some of the things I'd seen referenced. As things continue to develop would you be willing to update that post (possibly putting a 'last updated xxx at the bottom)?

As I've said before, I understand that the wait was too long and should not have happened. I was not seeking an atta-boy, but if the question of the ongoing delays was brought up, I thought it should be reflected that the delay finally ended. That's all.

Jason H.

[Dread Moores]

Really? You think that CGL/IMR should get a pat on the back, or a cookie, or something because the book finally shipped? Nearly 14 months after taking customers money the LE version of a book that had already been printed finally shipped. Getting this shipped is akin to paying back payments to freelancers IMO. Sorry, but CGL/IMR (or any other company for that matter) doesn't get an atta-boy from me because they eventually fulfill their basic obligations.

Or it could just be a correction of something that was mistated, to contribute to the neutral and balanced summary (well done on that, Ancient), rather than looking for recognition. I won't try to speak for Mr. Hardy, but I might recommend no one else does either. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Fuchs]

Some info about the actual members of IMR would be helpful too. There was some information which hinted at there being some trouble with filing registration paperwork and/or tax forms, or at least some discrepancies between the two, laid at the feet of a lawyer.

[RunnerPaul]

Some info about the actual members of IMR would be helpful too.

It was my impression that the pages and pages of back-and-forth on that subject is what got the previous thread locked. Unlike other concerns discussed in these threads, those in a position to provide definitive answers to that question seem to have already said all that they're willing to say on the subject at this time. Sure there are still questions that are left out there hanging, but we may just have to accept that we'll have to wait for whatever choice nuggets of information that happen to come out in further courtroom documents released to the public.

[Fuchs]

There were pages of going back and forth related to a rather grammatical tangent, and about standards lawyers could be held to.

But for actual information concerning the membership of IMR LLC it was said and not disputed that there was a discrepancy between what's officially registrated and what was agreed upon between several people involved.

[RunnerPaul]

And I think that's all that the parties directly involved are going to volunteer to put forward. I'd love to be proven wrong.

[Fuchs]

Should be mentioned in the summary then.

[BTFreeLancer]

while I'm loathe to admit it - I do like lurking in Frank's forum, and between the vitriol, there's often some interesting truths to be found.

for example: http://tgdmb.com/viewtopic.php?p=149765#149765

now, while I have no idea who Laughing man is - nor do I particularly care - Sandstorm Productions LLC does indeed exist, and is indeed populated by few familiar names. In fact, Ergo and Balance of Power (which were both upcoming CGL games) designers the Brothers Knudson are both listed in "About Us" section - not sure if that means Closet Nerd Games has become Sandstorm, or its a license situation.

And while I don't particularly care for his/her style of presentation - it does beg the question how much is accurate. I certainly hope not a lot, because I've always found DSG to be a stand up guy. But so is Randall (until you've worked with him, you simply can't have any idea how much of his heart, soul and body Randall puts into CGL), and I'm being asked to believe from other quarters that he's in on the whole Loren thing. (which I sincerely doubt)

food for thought anyway, and answers Augmentin's question about "freelancer conspiracy" (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

edit: got Closet Nerd/Closed Mind mixed up (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Fuchs]

Interesting indeed. Especially since it depicts both Loren L. Coleman and David M. Stansel as "evil".

[BTFreeLancer]

ah, it seems Closet Nerd was acquired by Sandstorm, with CN being continued an in-house studio according to their Facebook page

edit: guess we know who IMR's competition for the licenses is lol (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[Fuchs]

Hard to get confirmation about the actions David Stansel took according to the "fairy tale" post.

I have no idea what "his (David) husband's disabled brother brought in most of the gold" refers to though.

[Deadmannumberone]

Whatever happened to the vast freelancer conspiracy? Or speculation about who else might be bidding on the license?

Are you referring to the Trollman propaganda?

[Kid Chameleon]

Hard to get confirmation about the actions David Stansel took according to the "fairy tale" post.

I have no idea what "his (David) husband's disabled brother brought in most of the gold" refers to though.

Trent Garner, Troy's twin brother who recently passed. He was a great guy, an injustice in the world that he was hit with a stroke at such a young age.

Edit: Troy being Dave's husband.

[BTFreeLancer]

edit: Ken` answered it better than I