The problem is that IMR are essentially handing out company property because they don't have enough liquid assets to fulfill demands. On the one hand it might be a good way to free some cash, but it also can mean that there is simply no money left to meet outstanding demands.

In other news, I've heard from multiple sources that checks for Shadowrun work are being received. Are we all caught up? No. Is it better than it was seven days ago? Yes!

Jason H.

That's good news. I still hope you retain the license, as waiting for a new publisher would delay new releases even more. I'll keep my fingers crossed that this is only a temporary hickup and will resolve in the long run.

But - and I hate to say this - I don't want to.

Shadowrun the property remains one of my favorite games, and yet, I have no will to give CGL money until this shit is straightened out. And I won't direct people to the game until it's straightened out either. Because while the creative side of Shadowrun is absolutely awesome (SR4a is seriously one of my favorite corebooks of all time) the business side is off in the bushes somewhere, doin' their own thing. It's screwing the creative side no matter how you look at it. And as I'm a creative person, and I was looking into shooting for freelance status with CGL, that's ass. That's double ass. That's two mules and a donkey standing around in a field saying that it's ass. Y'dig?

I'm just really disappointed in everything that's gone down these past few weeks. Jason, I feel you, and I've even sent some condolences your way, but seriously. Get yourselves in order before you ask me to purchase more product or bring more people into the fold. I would love to, but I can't do it with good conscience at the moment.

(and my girlfriend calls me a drama king. HA! Fraggin' HA!)

It's all very vague to me at this point. Based on a quick search:

http://www.sec.gov/answers/regd.htm
"Under the Securities Act of 1933, any offer to sell securities must either be registered with the SEC or meet an exemption. Regulation D (or Reg D) contains three rules providing exemptions from the registration requirements, allowing some companies to offer and sell their securities without having to register the securities with the SEC. For more information about these exemptions, read our publications on Rules 504, 505, and 506 of Regulation D."

Well, they're handing that property to the partner who owns the original copyright on that property. It would be pointless for Catalyst to sit on a stock of CTech books if Wildfire was no longer their partner. Presumably the stock is the first installment toward paying off what's owed. Hopefully that holds true, and Wildfire can turn a profit on selling that stock themselves.

The inconvenience for Wildfire is that they were not previously selling physical stock directly, so there's going to be some cost and effort associated with doing so.

That's a specific exemption to privately held companies if they choose to sell stock (after the initial stock distribution, which you decide # of shares and how many per person when you register the corporation). It also seems to reference private transfers of stock (not new stock sales for capital, but selling some of your privately held stock) but I'd have to read through the full legalese to turn it into something intelligible again. Definately nothing to do with number of shareholders in the corporation having anything to do with corporate activity or registrations. That item would come into play if a single shareholder sold personal stock after the fact and now had two shareholders... at least from the crib sheet version they've got there. I didn't read 504, 505, nor 506 nor the Form D amendments referenced there in any great detail.

There are references to what's considered a sophisticated investor, which basically means not some Joe Schmoe tossin' money into an IRA and hoping for the best, and there's only so many of those you're allowed per year, as well as a cap for the exception on how much money can be transferred around during a 12 month period.

Sorry folks, not trying to derail, and if this becomes a more... intricate conversation we'll hop over to another thread, just trying to clarify and understand where KZT's information can be confirmed in regards to augmentin's idea.

This asset was product inventory, from what was essentially a sideline (developing) business. Product inventory --> liquid asset --> pay off debts = being in business, in this case the middle step was virtual. Shedding a sideline business isn't "great" by itself but it is usually the best move when you are in trouble (EDIT: in this case somewhat forced upon them anyway by the termination of contracts....which isn't surprising since they lacked the cash/flow to make print runs at will as well as pay their debtors)

I don't think you understand that CGL just having the option to pay debt using inventory (no other company having a lien on it) is a whole lot better than the situation could be with debtors locking up assets so the company can't try maneuver to get out from under debt.

Now slow down - there is no evidence that Loren L. Coleman has inappropriately touched animals he may or may not have purchased using company funds.

-Ket

That reminds me:
"When did you stop beating your wife?"

Dude, If you guys are going to do Classic Schtick I am in.

BlueMax
/thank you
//thank you very much
/// I will be here all weak, try the Soyeal
//// and for Big D's sake, tip your waiter

As I said, the issue with this was that being able to sell stock in multiple states to random people who probably don't make an average of $200,000 per year for the last 3 years is complex and probably requires an expensive lawyer to avoid breaking the law. Then you have the state regulation of security sales...

Damn, I somehow read "they transferred to copyright to Wildfire". Sorry about that.

Somehow, I missed that as the essence of your post, my apologies. Must have misread it somehow. Luckily, the states controlling security sales is (mostly) non-existant, and the fees for lawyers for corporations setting up through an in-state agent (I personally recommend Delaware and Nevada, they're the most tax-lenient and because of that have some of the best agencies) are usually reasonable for the requirements, especially for common questions like this to be answered. Hell, they probably have it as boilerplate if requested and the nice receptionist just makes a copy for $20.

You're right on one thing though, I'm no longer sure what is considered a 'sophisticated investor' by law, it didn't come up for the few startups I created (and crashed, but that's because of other skills I lacked... ah well), so, well, I honestly don't remember. What you say above makes some sense though for the regulations. Thanks.

Last week.

Well, the toughest part for me was before the polygraph. They go over with you all the questions they are going to ask. So when they ask "Have you ever stolen anything?" you have to tell them all of the times you did. So when the polygraph is on they can phrase it like, "Other than that one time, have you stolen anything?" Once you bear your soul to the operator, it's a lot easier. Most of the questions were pretty standard, have you ever stolen anything, taken drugs, drink to excess, have you ever committed a crime, etc. There were a few weirder ones. Would anyone say yon don't give your full effort/do you do a complete days work and have you ever lied to your parents. Some other guys I knew got shit for the latter. The former I was worried about, because no one spends their entire shift working. You have downtime, especially in a high tech world. Luckily I got through it, though I learned not to try to beat the dang thing.

Or you could just take a bunch of downers beforehand

Being a sociopath is much cheaper and more efficient.

This thread wasn't available at the time.

And you were unable to Google 4chan?

Not at work.

Okay. Since you don't have the final say, what would be your choice of projects to pay off? Strictly hypothetical, and since you don't decide payments, it only amounts to which existing and announced projects you'd like to see in the hands of fans.

Also, paying off a few freelancers may be too little, too late. Paying them all off would put CGL in a stronger position, wouldn't you agree?

Seriously, Cain -- Jason has nothing to gain from answering questions like that, and a lot to lose. Even if he had nothing to lose, it's time and effort he could be spending _working on Shadowrun._

What's going on with the GEN CON events? I downloaded the file today, and I saw some Catalyst ones that don't make any sense given the recent license changes. When can I expect updated events?

Great job! Seriously, you have taken so much shit over the past couple of weeks. I hope everything works out okay.

The Gen Con events were submitted months ago, long before the trouble start (Public trouble, anyways). I can't speak for exactly how these will be worked out, as that's not my department.

However, at worst, these events just get canceled. At best, Wildfire and Posthuman take over the slots and handle running those events themselves.

Bull

So I guess I'll just buy generics, rather than risk an event cancellation.

Oh, good point. Forgot about those since I don't often deal with them.

Military NDAs (aside from the scientific / Governmental ones), would be brutal. It's like treason to even think of breaking one. <Insert assumption here>

I'd tell you, but I'd have to kill you...

On a bright note (from my side of things) I recieved all of my back pay today. I was not notified that it would be sent out either, so just cause a freelancers didn't get a note, doesn't mean they're not getting paid in this go around.

And it's time we give him a break. I wouldn't want to be in his shoes right now.

If an event gets canceled, the Convention should issue a refund. THe same goes for if you have a No-Show GM at an event.

Bull

First, thanks to those who said kind or supportive things! You people are awesome. Second, these questions are easy. Strictly hypothetically speaking, I would like all books moving forward and every single one of them getting in the hands of fans. And of course I'm in favor of paying off all freelancers! That's what we are working on. But things in this world do not happen instantly.

Jason H.

They look a lot like this. The one for higher level access looks a lot like this.

I know, but then, I'll have nothing to do since events book up fast. I have received refunds before, but it's tough to find substitute events on the spot.

True.

Well, you can't go too wrong with Generics. You can usually find something to play in if you look hard enough. I'm trying to maintain a positive attitude, so I'm assuming we'll be running SR events there, and I know we generally try and take a bit of "overflow" to cover generics, and if there are any extra GMs on hand and any open tables, we'll run an extra game.

Bull

Calming the fanbase *is* working on Shadowrun. You've helped out fans in a pinch before, myself included. In addition to making your fans happier by knowing you're there for them, it's just a cool thing to do.

I must have a different set of assumptions as I assume that most of the fanbase is ignorant of the situation and especially of the updates.

Jason is working his but off though and its certainly appreciated.

BlueMax

Yeah, this point needs to be bolded a lot for emphasis. Dumpshock is not the entirety of the fanbase.

Depends on the agency and the depth of the polygraph. They have standard questions (name, birth date, employer, etc). Then they choose from a standard battery, then from specific questions related to your background. The standard battery changes, and the specific questions, while given to you in advance, are classified. What is public knowledge is that they involve any possible variation of sexual or recreational drug use, and multiple combinations thereof, you can imagine.

-M&P

HE would make an interesting interview subject (Loren L. Colman, not ketjak).

Doesn't work, they do a drug screen the same day

Just when I thought I had seen my last DD form...

Here's an interesting question. How much control does the license holder (TOPPS in this case) have over how Shadowrun progresses? For example, if a major rule change was going to happen or another System Crash type event, would they get approval?

That's a good question. I know that with WizKids, basic book concepts would be run by them for approval--I don't know if Topps has continued this procedure. I'm sure there is at least some oversight, though. If, for example, I turned Shadowrun into a vehicle for hardcore porn, I'm sure there would eventually be repercussions. From several directions.

Jason H.

Well...the necessary money would be raised quickly.

"Nadja Daviar as you've never seen her before! Join now!"

That puts the Lone Star Cop and the Unicorn in a whole new light.

Seriously though, who at CGL has final say over the direction? You or someone else? Or, is it a group decision?

-M&P

Group decision, though I'm the one who would generally take the lead in proposing specific directions. Though higher-ups retain the right to tell me what to do.

Jason H.

I'm trying to find a way to post this without sounding snarky, and I know I'm going to fail. So, let me preface this by saying that I am not trying to insult, disrespect, belittle, or slander you in any way.

Exactly what authority do you have as line developer? It sounds like you can only propose major decisions, and can't actually implement them on your own. You make it sound like you have a lot of influence, but not a lot of actual authority or power to make major decisions.

Again, please forgive me if I come across as insulting. I'm not trying to be a troll. I'm just curious as to how much free rein you have when it comes to developing Shadowrun projects. I know that past Line Developers have had almost total freedom; I'm wondering how CGL handles things.

When I read the letter, it was my impression that they'd taken the position of "forgive and forget since he's going to be paying it all back" -- it's the "since he's going to be paying it all back" that wrapped up nicely in my mind. I really don't see why people are getting worked up about this or why private correspondence needed to be posted. Apparently everything is on its way to being fixed. I don't know, maybe I'm missing something.

A certain unnamed author already took care of rogue brown body parts for a lifetime, thank you very much.