In case you missed the post over on shadowrunrpg.com:

What professionalism.

They... fumbled away their main product. That´s gotta hurt.

Before we get into another round of FanPro-bashing, I would call peoples' attention to the fact that some of us have been informed that their books have been shipped - less than a day behind FanPro's October 3rd adjusted shipping date. In my case it happened Tuesday night at 04:32 PM according to UPS.

Professionalism, a dying art form.

Axes were a mistake, they should be waving mono-whips....

Professionalism? Sure, then have a dress code that requires they wear suits and ties to the office.

Gaming companies are the last business I expect to be professional. Hell, it's just a lucky fan who gets paid to think crap up.

It's not really Fan Pro's fault that the binder flat out lied to them when they said the books were ready....

For the love of christ, these poor guys can't post anything without getting flamed by someone. No wonder they're reluctant to give out information, it always gets twisted into something negative.

They gave us the Shadowrun 4 FAQ, which set off months and months of vitriol, pure speculation, and doomsaying on this forum.

They relay information that is the best available and every monkey in the peanut gallery picks it apart.

The only safe way to play the Information Posting Game is not to play, it seems.

I, for one, just stopped reading the forum this summer it got so distasteful. A number of my friends did the same. Just too negative. And it just continues it seems.

Cool. Then leave again.

I'm just sayin', if a little real-world feelings, griping, negativity, disagreement, bitching, or whatever you want to call it really upsets you and your buddies so much you quit an internet forum for months (and then mention it, first chance you get)...then, well, maybe the internet is just a little too cynical and grown-up for your delicate sensibilities. So, y'know, leave again if you want.

And just as soon as I start getting paid for, and setting canon with, my thoughts and opinions where SR is concerned, I'll start showing some professionalism. 'Till then, I'm a customer, and I can bitch all I want.

Perhaps if a bit of obvious humour injected into someone's statements rubs your "professionalism" sensibilities the wrong way you should stop playing RPG games?

We have to be the change we want to see in others.

Not that it matters, but I've been back since the release of the PDF, reading and posting as usual.

Now I'm the source of derision. Perhaps it's the nature of the medium itself. Flaming seems to be endemic in forums and always has.

If you wish to have a private conversation I'm available through email. This is not the place.

I don't care about them trying very very hard to be zany and cool (like Starbucks, or pop music, or Chipotle), I care about them once again saying "Duhhr, we dunno when the books are gonna ship." If your head is so far up their ass, Blakkie, that you can't realize that the inability to produce a product on time shows a lack of professionalism, then I'm sorry to say that even shock therapy can't help you (though it would be fun to try).

Yes, because it is clearly unprofessional to be honest.

http://www.tombraider4u.com/puppy-pictures.../cute-puppy.jpg

Please click that link.

I like this one better, but only because i've seen it at a resolution that is legible.

http://www.tombraider4u.com/puppy-pictures...y-picture04.jpg

honesty has nothing to do with it, though it's certainly an admirable quality.

I just remembered that I'm tired of remembering Blakkie exists, much less rolling around in the steaming fecal matter that is a conversation with him.

So I will summarize: I'm irritated at the company's inability to supply a consumer with a product. Period.

I wish my copy had arrived also, Critias, and to be quite frank... its a small thing if they missed a ship date. After all, they put together a product we all want (a massive improvement all things considered) and if I have to wait an extra week to get it I'll be anxious but not condemning.

You being irritated is reasonable, but don't expect it to be encouraged. Its not like you're the only one waiting on a copy!

blakkie, i'm only talking about fanpro.

and to set a record straight that blakkie has confused, the way he confuses everything else with his dipshittery, i like fanpro. i like 90% of what they've put out. by and large, i'm happy with where they've taken SR. this latest change i'm not so happy about, and i'm not going to support it. but that doesn't mean that i suddenly hate their guts.

blakkie, you idiot. the same people have been involved in fanpro since its inception. fanpro has a history of late books. therefore, i'm not blaming anybody for fanpro's problems than the people at fanpro.

So whos with me on storming the binders with pitchforks and torches? Its their fault, and Im honestly suprised that FanPro hasent looked into legal ramifacations dealing with this crap.

But I still dont 'like' sr4. And I have an LE that should be here eventually.

no, he's looking at their track record. if your product is late 10 times in a row, it doesn't matter if there's a good excuse every time or not. the root problem is internal to your organization. this is as true in putting out game books as it is in any other industry.

Do a search for the word "feces" and filter by "critias" and you will find a beauty of a post by Critias to Blakkie where you can quote this:

Sometimes small companies are maneuvered into long-term contracts with larger companies and are forced to accept what comes. FanPro isn't the first small publisher to enter into a contract with a vendor only then to be screwed with no recourse.

All this asside, we all wanted the printed book sooner. And I guarantee that the small, dedicated band of fellow gamers cum game company employees at Fanpro, whose very livelihood is in large measure staked on this release, wanted the printed book sooner as well. No question that this has hurt sales and reputation in a dramatic way. Unfortunate all around.

Can we not let this rest?

some of us are discussing the gaming industry, superbum. and some of us should quit posting in this thread.

now that's a nice, on-topic reply that highlights both your facility at debate and your willingness to be a good loser. i'm out.

Who here is surprised that the majority of this thread is insults and horrendous retorts and counter-retorts?

I'm not.

Tanka--
I mainly read these forums for the trainwrecks and the games...if there wasn't a stream of perpetual insults from some of the established members it wouldn't be nearly as entertaining.

I personally want to go on record thanking Adam and the team at FanPro for letting us know that they are working on the problem despite the morale beating they are receiving here.

You feel let down by the all-singing, all-dancing crap of the world? Damn, sorry about that lack of professionalism. Here, does linking this help any?

You fools.

You're supposed to be bitching at FanPro. Not each other!

They've turned us against ourselves!

Pay no attention to the crazy vegetable, or anyone that suggests i'm employed by Rob to distract and divert venom spitting fanbois. I, umm, found this big bag of money...in...umm... the ditch. Yaaaa that's the ticket, the ditch.