Fan letter to CGL, Because we care Options

[CanRay]

The point is, if you think it's going to be a crappy product, don't buy it. CGL is relying on the fact that we'll buy steaming turds if they have the words "Shadowrun" imprinted on it.

Oh, like the "Shadowrun" video game for the PC/X-Box 360!

Look how well that one went.

[Acme]

But again, what's your goal? To get them to continue producing, but keep to the level of quality we've enjoyed before? Or to drive the line out of business?

About time someone else asks that. A boycott without an explanation is just going to make Topps think that the game line doesn't have interest any more and they'll kill it. Maybe someone else will pick it up, but there's no guarantee of that. At least with the letter writing, proven someone bothers reading it, they'd understand. And as it is, it's starting to sound like there's not just unanimous "War blows!" opinions here.

[Cain]

But again, what's your goal? To get them to continue producing, but keep to the level of quality we've enjoyed before? Or to drive the line out of business?

My goal is twofold. One is to get them to stop using shady business practices. The second is to stop shoddy product. Boycotts serve to call attention to both. Letter writing campaigns serve to fill wastebaskets.

[Tymeaus Jalynsfe...]

My goal is twofold. One is to get them to stop using shady business practices. The second is to stop shoddy product. Boycotts serve to call attention to both. Letter writing campaigns serve to fill wastebaskets.

Well, Good Luck with that then... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wobble.gif)

[CanRay]

Shoddy products? Shady business practices? Hell, I thought that was the goal of corporations in this day and age!

[Acme]

Well, you know, it could be a hell of a lot worse. Just look at Cyberpunk 3.0. At least Shadowrun hasn't resorted to using Barbie dolls for art..

[Kagetenshi]

Well, you know, it could be a hell of a lot worse. Just look at Cyberpunk 3.0. At least Shadowrun hasn't resorted to using Barbie dolls for art..

Have you looked at the SR4 cover recently?

Edit: …wait, it just clicked. The characters all look like they're miniatures!

~J

[nezumi]

My goal is twofold. One is to get them to stop using shady business practices. The second is to stop shoddy product. Boycotts serve to call attention to both. Letter writing campaigns serve to fill wastebaskets.

Since neither of your goals seem to be 'get high-quality shadowrun products', I guess we're at cross-purposes then, and clearly your advice does not apply.

[sabs]

Since neither of your goals seem to be 'get high-quality shadowrun products', I guess we're at cross-purposes then, and clearly your advice does not apply.

wait how is "stop making shoddy product" any different than 'get high-quality shadowrun products' other than on a basic semantic level.. Although I guess it means he'll settle for normal quality shadowrun.

[KarmaInferno]

My goal is twofold. One is to get them to stop using shady business practices. The second is to stop shoddy product. Boycotts serve to call attention to both. Letter writing campaigns serve to fill wastebaskets.

What's wrong with doing both?

I mean, you're coming down on the letter writing like it's going to actually hurt something. At worst it's a waste of time.




-k

[CanRay]

What would you suggest then? Tying someone to a chair and using The Chair Leg of Truth on them?

...

Actually, that might be an idea for a variety of problems.

[nezumi]

wait how is "stop making shoddy product" any different than 'get high-quality shadowrun products' other than on a basic semantic level.. Although I guess it means he'll settle for normal quality shadowrun.

If the Shadowrun line dies, permanently, they would no longer be making 'shoddy products'. In fact, specifically, the best way to ensure no more shoddy products are made is to prevent ANY products from being made.

To the contrary, I'd rather shoddy products be made than no products. So I guess that puts us at odds.

[Blade]

From what I've been told, CGL has already reacted to the rumors of fan letter(s). Someone working on the French translation, who had already told CGL about the drop of quality, has been asked by one of CGL bosses (Bills I guess) to send a list of what's wrong with the book.

If you want to help, please post the errors you've found.
It's better if you stick to undebatable mistakes (for example, only post the use of carnivorous trees by Aztlan if you've got solid arguments to back it up) keep the description short, always give the page number and organize them in categories such as :
- editing (typos, layout problems, errors in names...)
- rules errors (contradiction with existing rules, broken gear/spell...)
- continuity error (contradiction with existing background, ic/ooc contradictions...)

Thank you.

[KarmaInferno]

If the Shadowrun line dies, permanently, they would no longer be making 'shoddy products'. In fact, specifically, the best way to ensure no more shoddy products are made is to prevent ANY products from being made.

To the contrary, I'd rather shoddy products be made than no products. So I guess that puts us at odds.

Seriously? You're not understanding that "stop making shoddy products" is meant to say "stop making shoddy products and go back to making good ones"?

Are we being reduced to petty dithering over semantics here?




-k

[otakusensei]

The only likelihood of Shadowrun not being produced is that:

A) Topps has a capitalism fail and decides that they don't want free money

B) Topps sells the rights for Shadowrun to someone who has a capitalism fail and decides that they don't want free money

C) Topps looks for a new publisher, and no one in the world wants to make new Shadowrun content

Just thought I'd mention. The publisher makes all the difference as far as quality goes. So anyway you manage to tell Topps that you aren't happy with way things are going, is a good way.

...

Well, maybe skip any of the options that sound like something you'd do in a game of Shadowrun. So no fun options, just stick to letter writing and boycotting or selective purchasing.

And seriously, if anyone has an insight on the corporate structure at Topps, or knows someone, it would be helpful. Just as a matter of making sure the letter gets to the right people and doesn't waste anyone's time.

[Doc Chase]

What would you suggest then? Tying someone to a chair and using The Chair Leg of Truth on them?

...

Actually, that might be an idea for a variety of problems.

Is there a Fred Christ working at Topps and/or CGL? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[Draco18s]

From what I've been told, CGL has already reacted to the rumors of fan letter(s). Someone working on the French translation, who had already told CGL about the drop of quality, has been asked by one of CGL bosses (Bills I guess) to send a list of what's wrong with the book.

I still plan on mailing my letter with a return receipt.

If you want to help, please post the errors you've found.
It's better if you stick to undebatable mistakes (for example, only post the use of carnivorous trees by Aztlan if you've got solid arguments to back it up) keep the description short, always give the page number and organize them in categories such as...

I (horror of horrors) pirated a copy of War! yesterday so I could take a peek through it to try and find some of these errors, although I haven't had the time to sit down and read it. I had no plans on purchasing it in the first place (the first I heard about it was here saying it was terrible). But I'll try and run it through a spellchecker later today.

[CanRay]

If you want to help, please post the errors you've found.

How about they moved away from the design theory of War! being about, you know, WAR in the 2070s, and gave us a city splat book with some new gear? From what I understand, this is the major issue.

'Course, I have no issue of the book and can't comment one way or another properly. Someone confirm/deny this, please?

[Draco18s]

'Course, I have no issue of the book and can't comment one way or another properly. Someone confirm/deny this, please?

That's what I've heard. I'll try and read through it better at some point in the next week.

But from my skim last night it appears to be about Bogoda. Or however you spell that South American city's name (it has a whole chapter just about it).

[Acme]

Wow, Blade offers *gasp* a chance that maybe actually they'll fix the book and people are still complaining. I guess that's just the state of Dumpshock lately.

[Draco18s]

Wow, Blade offers *gasp* a chance that maybe actually they'll fix the book and people are still complaining. I guess that's just the state of Dumpshock lately.

Emphasized critical phrase.

[CanRay]

"Nae king! Nae quin! Nae laird! We willna be fooled again!" - The Nac Mac Feegle, Wee Free Men, Terry Pratchett

A chance is not a "We'll fix it. Period."

[Cain]

"Nae king! Nae quin! Nae laird! We willna be fooled again!" - The Nac Mac Feegle, Wee Free Men, Terry Pratchett

A chance is not a "We'll fix it. Period."

That's exactly my point. It took *how* many years for them to fix Augmentation?

Applying a little financial force isn't going to kill Shadowrun. On the contrary, it will make it better.

[TheMadderHatter]

A chance is not a "We'll fix it. Period."

And even if CGL said something to that effect, issuing an apology calling their own product shoddy and promising a rewrite (neither of which are really feasible from a corporate standpoint), I don't think many people currently angry over WAR! would, or should, quietly sit and wait for it. If anything, either they'll get tired and quit posting eventually or they'll be appeased by a visible change in the quality of the products.

[Draco18s]

"Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me."

I'm not risking my money unless I am sure I am buying a quality product.