Comments on: Communication is the key http://www.stargazersworld.com/2010/01/12/communication-is-the-key/ A Role Playing Games Blog Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:50:04 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Andreas Davour http://www.stargazersworld.com/2010/01/12/communication-is-the-key/comment-page-1/#comment-2166 Andreas Davour Mon, 18 Jan 2010 11:51:58 +0000 http://www.stargazersworld.com/2010/01/12/communication-is-the-key/#comment-2166 Hunter Gordon is the guy who held (holds?) the Traveller licence for d20. When some family issue struck he managed to go offline leaving everything dangling, behaving very unprofessional by not communicating. Scott Agnew is the man behind Morrigan Press (Omnisystem, Talislanta, Arcanum). He also went missing and left things dangling. Lesson for one-man-companies: have a back up plan, and a trusty lieutenant among the fan base as a second in command to help you run the forum and issue clarifications. .-= Andreas Davour´s last blog ..<a href="http://theomnipotenteye.blogspot.com/2010/01/summary-of-outlaw-press-scandal.html" rel="nofollow">A summary of the Outlaw Press scandal</a> =-. Hunter Gordon is the guy who held (holds?) the Traveller licence for d20.

When some family issue struck he managed to go offline leaving everything dangling, behaving very unprofessional by not communicating.

Scott Agnew is the man behind Morrigan Press (Omnisystem, Talislanta, Arcanum). He also went missing and left things dangling.

Lesson for one-man-companies:

have a back up plan, and a trusty lieutenant among the fan base as a second in command to help you run the forum and issue clarifications.
.-= Andreas Davour´s last blog ..A summary of the Outlaw Press scandal =-.

]]> By: Misterecho http://www.stargazersworld.com/2010/01/12/communication-is-the-key/comment-page-1/#comment-2154 Misterecho Thu, 14 Jan 2010 13:10:54 +0000 http://www.stargazersworld.com/2010/01/12/communication-is-the-key/#comment-2154 Mr Gibson says he's spend tens if not hundreds of thousands of dollars on d6. He should cut his losses and sell it to someone with a little bit competance. .-= Misterecho´s last blog ..<a href="http://new2rpg.wordpress.com/2010/01/13/kobold-quarterly-a-magazine-review-from-a-newbie/" rel="nofollow">Kobold Quarterly: A magazine review from a newbie</a> =-. Mr Gibson says he's spend tens if not hundreds of thousands of dollars on d6.

He should cut his losses and sell it to someone with a little bit competance.
.-= Misterecho´s last blog ..Kobold Quarterly: A magazine review from a newbie =-.

]]> By: Stargazer http://www.stargazersworld.com/2010/01/12/communication-is-the-key/comment-page-1/#comment-2152 Stargazer Thu, 14 Jan 2010 11:38:39 +0000 http://www.stargazersworld.com/2010/01/12/communication-is-the-key/#comment-2152 The d6 System itself is worthy of our continued attention, but Eric Gibson is not. He's not the guy who came up with the system, he's just the one holding the license right now. And he has a pretty poor job as owner of WEG so far. As I see it, aside from making promises he can't keep he hasn't achieved much in the recent years. And I don't think he deserves much respect for sitting on a great game and not putting it to use. It's a shame that he didn't even manage to promote Bill Coffin's Septimus properly. *sigh* The d6 System itself is worthy of our continued attention, but Eric Gibson is not. He's not the guy who came up with the system, he's just the one holding the license right now. And he has a pretty poor job as owner of WEG so far.

As I see it, aside from making promises he can't keep he hasn't achieved much in the recent years. And I don't think he deserves much respect for sitting on a great game and not putting it to use. It's a shame that he didn't even manage to promote Bill Coffin's Septimus properly. *sigh*

]]> By: Jonathan Hicks http://www.stargazersworld.com/2010/01/12/communication-is-the-key/comment-page-1/#comment-2151 Jonathan Hicks Thu, 14 Jan 2010 11:34:27 +0000 http://www.stargazersworld.com/2010/01/12/communication-is-the-key/#comment-2151 I'm afraid that Eric's messages sound like someone who thinks he deserves respect, like he's doing us a favour and we should thank him for it. His attitude does not sound like a man trying to impress his fan/customer base and his final post - 'This horse is f***ing dead' - is atrocious behaviour and just sounds like some random internet joe mouthing off. This is why I gave up on the D6 system a while ago. I'm afraid that Eric's messages sound like someone who thinks he deserves respect, like he's doing us a favour and we should thank him for it. His attitude does not sound like a man trying to impress his fan/customer base and his final post – 'This horse is f***ing dead' – is atrocious behaviour and just sounds like some random internet joe mouthing off.

This is why I gave up on the D6 system a while ago.

]]> By: Misterecho http://www.stargazersworld.com/2010/01/12/communication-is-the-key/comment-page-1/#comment-2136 Misterecho Wed, 13 Jan 2010 16:37:23 +0000 http://www.stargazersworld.com/2010/01/12/communication-is-the-key/#comment-2136 Eric Gibson is an idiot. Sorry for the personal nature of my comment, but he is. Is he totally disconnected from reality? He needs a kick up the backside. .-= Misterecho´s last blog ..<a href="http://new2rpg.wordpress.com/2010/01/13/kobold-quarterly-a-magazine-review-from-a-newbie/" rel="nofollow">Kobold Quarterly: A magazine review from a newbie</a> =-. Eric Gibson is an idiot. Sorry for the personal nature of my comment, but he is.

Is he totally disconnected from reality?

He needs a kick up the backside.
.-= Misterecho´s last blog ..Kobold Quarterly: A magazine review from a newbie =-.

]]> By: Tyler http://www.stargazersworld.com/2010/01/12/communication-is-the-key/comment-page-1/#comment-2133 Tyler Tue, 12 Jan 2010 16:36:41 +0000 http://www.stargazersworld.com/2010/01/12/communication-is-the-key/#comment-2133 Most interesting is Eric Gibson's stance that because his practice of not communicating regularly is standard operating procedure, that means it's not a detrimental habit. .-= Tyler´s last blog ..<a href="http://heldaction.wordpress.com/2010/01/12/prepare-for-total-confusion/" rel="nofollow">Prepare for Total Confusion</a> =-. Most interesting is Eric Gibson's stance that because his practice of not communicating regularly is standard operating procedure, that means it's not a detrimental habit.
.-= Tyler´s last blog ..Prepare for Total Confusion =-.

]]> By: johnkzin http://www.stargazersworld.com/2010/01/12/communication-is-the-key/comment-page-1/#comment-2132 johnkzin Tue, 12 Jan 2010 14:59:36 +0000 http://www.stargazersworld.com/2010/01/12/communication-is-the-key/#comment-2132 K. Scott Agnew is/was one of the talislanta/atlantis/omni-system folks. K. Scott Agnew is/was one of the talislanta/atlantis/omni-system folks.

]]> By: Lugh http://www.stargazersworld.com/2010/01/12/communication-is-the-key/comment-page-1/#comment-2131 Lugh Tue, 12 Jan 2010 14:53:06 +0000 http://www.stargazersworld.com/2010/01/12/communication-is-the-key/#comment-2131 I'd be very curious to know the whole story of what has been going on with Mr. Gibson over the last couple of years. It's very clear that he has gone through a couple of serious meltdowns on the business side. It's also pretty clear that his reaction to crisis is to retreat and regroup until he can come up with a solution (a tactic I can sympathize with, as that's what I do, too). But, there are other bits going on that are less clear. I can't tell if there are pressures on him that we are not privy to, or he is getting really bad advice from someone he trusts, or if he just hit some kind of wall with his ability to deal and refuses to admit it. It is kind of a shame. If he'd handled things with a bit more open communication and a bit less desperation, WEG could have been laid to rest with honors (like, say, Guardians of Order). He even could have deliberately worked to reinvent the company as a tiny indie outfit, opening up all of his IP and strongly encouraging community involvement to keep the name alive. Sure, both of those options smack of "giving up," and neither would provide one red cent to ease his financial woes. But, I don't think his current actions are doing much better. I really do feel for Mr. Gibson, because I can't honestly say I would do much better in his shoes. It's very easy to sit here and armchair quarterback. But, really, he does need to at least recognize that he has done a lot of damage to his own brand. .-= Lugh´s last blog ..<a href="http://immagini-di-vita.com/2009/12/18/reverence-and-awe/" rel="nofollow">Reverence and awe</a> =-. I'd be very curious to know the whole story of what has been going on with Mr. Gibson over the last couple of years. It's very clear that he has gone through a couple of serious meltdowns on the business side. It's also pretty clear that his reaction to crisis is to retreat and regroup until he can come up with a solution (a tactic I can sympathize with, as that's what I do, too). But, there are other bits going on that are less clear. I can't tell if there are pressures on him that we are not privy to, or he is getting really bad advice from someone he trusts, or if he just hit some kind of wall with his ability to deal and refuses to admit it.

It is kind of a shame. If he'd handled things with a bit more open communication and a bit less desperation, WEG could have been laid to rest with honors (like, say, Guardians of Order). He even could have deliberately worked to reinvent the company as a tiny indie outfit, opening up all of his IP and strongly encouraging community involvement to keep the name alive. Sure, both of those options smack of "giving up," and neither would provide one red cent to ease his financial woes. But, I don't think his current actions are doing much better.

I really do feel for Mr. Gibson, because I can't honestly say I would do much better in his shoes. It's very easy to sit here and armchair quarterback. But, really, he does need to at least recognize that he has done a lot of damage to his own brand.
.-= Lugh´s last blog ..Reverence and awe =-.

]]> By: Stargazer http://www.stargazersworld.com/2010/01/12/communication-is-the-key/comment-page-1/#comment-2129 Stargazer Tue, 12 Jan 2010 10:58:17 +0000 http://www.stargazersworld.com/2010/01/12/communication-is-the-key/#comment-2129 I think I have lived under a rock for some time, since I never heard of Scott Agnew or Hunter Gordon. Who are those guys and what exactly have they done? I think I have lived under a rock for some time, since I never heard of Scott Agnew or Hunter Gordon. Who are those guys and what exactly have they done?

]]> By: Andreas Davour http://www.stargazersworld.com/2010/01/12/communication-is-the-key/comment-page-1/#comment-2128 Andreas Davour Tue, 12 Jan 2010 10:56:04 +0000 http://www.stargazersworld.com/2010/01/12/communication-is-the-key/#comment-2128 Yeah, Hunter Gordon, Eric Gibson, Scott Agnew. There are a bunch of people who have behaved that way. .-= Andreas Davour´s last blog ..<a href="http://theomnipotenteye.blogspot.com/2010/01/some-reflections-on-sanbox-campaigns.html" rel="nofollow">Some reflections on sanbox campaigns</a> =-. Yeah, Hunter Gordon, Eric Gibson, Scott Agnew. There are a bunch of people who have behaved that way.
.-= Andreas Davour´s last blog ..Some reflections on sanbox campaigns =-.

]]> By: David http://www.stargazersworld.com/2010/01/12/communication-is-the-key/comment-page-1/#comment-2127 David Tue, 12 Jan 2010 08:55:32 +0000 http://www.stargazersworld.com/2010/01/12/communication-is-the-key/#comment-2127 OK, I live under a rock and have never heard of D6 as a system name before. But I have heard of D20. I was intrigued by your story about the vanishing/returning Mr Gibson as this seems to mirror the performance of a Mr Gordon who was heavily involved with a D20 version of Traveller. The story arc both gentlemen have scribed across the RPG community are so similar that I really had to do a double-take while reading your post. Ain't life funny. OK, I live under a rock and have never heard of D6 as a system name before. But I have heard of D20. I was intrigued by your story about the vanishing/returning Mr Gibson as this seems to mirror the performance of a Mr Gordon who was heavily involved with a D20 version of Traveller. The story arc both gentlemen have scribed across the RPG community are so similar that I really had to do a double-take while reading your post.

Ain't life funny.

]]> By: Andreas Davour http://www.stargazersworld.com/2010/01/12/communication-is-the-key/comment-page-1/#comment-2126 Andreas Davour Tue, 12 Jan 2010 08:54:39 +0000 http://www.stargazersworld.com/2010/01/12/communication-is-the-key/#comment-2126 Eric Gibson is a dud. He has gone AWOL more than once so expect nothing, and don't be disappointed. I wouldn't buy a used car from that man. .-= Andreas Davour´s last blog ..<a href="http://theomnipotenteye.blogspot.com/2010/01/some-reflections-on-sanbox-campaigns.html" rel="nofollow">Some reflections on sanbox campaigns</a> =-. Eric Gibson is a dud. He has gone AWOL more than once so expect nothing, and don't be disappointed. I wouldn't buy a used car from that man.
.-= Andreas Davour´s last blog ..Some reflections on sanbox campaigns =-.

]]> By: Aaron http://www.stargazersworld.com/2010/01/12/communication-is-the-key/comment-page-1/#comment-2125 Aaron Tue, 12 Jan 2010 08:42:29 +0000 http://www.stargazersworld.com/2010/01/12/communication-is-the-key/#comment-2125 First of all, let me say that I agree with the fans on this one. You can't just vanish for a long stretch of time with no communication, then get annoyed when people try to fill the void. What was he thinking? BUT, from early on in the thread, there were some fans (I don't think I've gotten to your post yet, so I'm not referring to you specifically) that were attacking him. Yes, what he did was wrong. Yes, he's going on and on about this alleged site that's going to be better than sliced bread and is offended that anyone would use sliced bread in the meantime. But that doesn't mean you have to attack him. Ignore what he says, because in the big picture, you're getting something accomplished. He… might be. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt. <b>EDIT:</b> Also, if those pictures that came out of the site a while back are really what it's going to look like? It's NOT better than sliced bread. First of all, let me say that I agree with the fans on this one. You can't just vanish for a long stretch of time with no communication, then get annoyed when people try to fill the void. What was he thinking?

BUT, from early on in the thread, there were some fans (I don't think I've gotten to your post yet, so I'm not referring to you specifically) that were attacking him. Yes, what he did was wrong. Yes, he's going on and on about this alleged site that's going to be better than sliced bread and is offended that anyone would use sliced bread in the meantime. But that doesn't mean you have to attack him. Ignore what he says, because in the big picture, you're getting something accomplished. He… might be.

I'll give him the benefit of the doubt.

EDIT: Also, if those pictures that came out of the site a while back are really what it's going to look like? It's NOT better than sliced bread.

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