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Just spotted this. Not got much else to corroborate what's being said, but looks pretty serious

https://blainepardoe.wordpress.com/2016/01/21/case-study-the-demise-of-alien-dungeon-and-all-quiet-on-the-martian-front/

Key bit from the article

Back in May of 2013 Alien Dungeon launched a Kickstarter to fund a new miniatures game, All Quiet on the Martian Front – aka AQotMF. This was a miniatures game of the Martian invasion of the world, ala H. G. Wells, with a hint of steampunk. Taking place prior to WWI in the mundane world, the Kickstarter was a big success, receiving over $300,000.00 of the $50k target goal. The rules for the game were written by Rick Priestley, a seasoned game writer. There was a lot of promise here. Prototypes of the miniatures appeared in the Kickstarter leading us to all believe that the company had laid out all of the groundwork to be successful.

My Martians

They delivered product too, albeit many months late. Some of the products, like some the big land battleships were not delivered, and other product was cancelled outright – with offers of gift certificates for replacement products. These were issued two months prior to the company’s ultimate demise.

And now, Alien Dungeon is off-line, apparently out of business.

And Architects of War is off line.

http://www.architectsofwar.com/offline.aspx

This certainly doesn't sound good

there's also a post of an email from the person responsible for the Crush of Iron game which Alien Dungeon tried to KS at the tail end of last year the relevant bit of which is

If you are receiving this email it is because you previously signed up for the Crush of Iron Kickstarter. Thankyou.



Let me first say that this project is in no way associated with Robot Peanut Studios, Architects of War, Alien Dungeon or any other entity.



I am a one man, 2 dog, and 3 cat operation. I have been working on the game and miniatures now for nearly a year, and was going to launch it through Alien Dungeon, as this would have helped me out on many levels, but sadly that business is no more. Please do not ask me questions about that company as I am not able to talk about it.

(full post here https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1117201778/all-quiet-on-the-martian-front-miniature-tanks-vs/comments)

so it does sound like they're gone

The article was interesting. It was a bit self aggrandizing, as the writer mentioned his "decades of experience" a few more times than was probably necessary, but some of his observations about the owner of Alien Dungeon show that this was probably inevitable.

It's a shame, because the rules were pretty good as is (though an update was probably needed). They definitely needed someone to do a single PDF of the rules that was updated regularly, as the supplements were released pretty haphazardly. And the models look awesome.

Hopefully someone else will pick up the license, as I don't think anyone will trust Alien Dungeon again, especially after the fiasco they caused when they suddenly shut everything down and stopped talking to people.

I was told by people close to the owners that they have a warehouse packed with models. So something has to be done with those.

If they've actually folder (rather than just closing their doors themselves) I'd imagine a fire sale to somebody like miniature market with the stock showing up at clearance prices like alchemy/arcane legions/dust/contontation plastics/AT-43 etc

I'm not sure there's a solid and sizable enough community left for another company to risk the money (and good will as new owners would be expected to make good the KS shortfall by a significant number of backers but probably wouldn't afford to be able to do so) to take the game forward

Or it'll just be destroyed.

Warehouses are expensive

It is one reason (among others) that many start-ups use Kickstarter in the first place, to get an idea of demand. It is one reason (among others) even larger (for this niche) companies sometimes prefer to sell 30 000 units as "limited edition" in a week or two and be "sold out" than sell 40 000 units over a longer period of time.

If those models don't shift, and doubly so if nobody is paying the warehouse anymore, I doubt it'll last long.

Well that certainly stinks.

Guess I better be keeping my eyes peeled for super cheap walkers in the near future....

Still missing my MKIV command and flame tanks from my KS from being 100% filled. We know they made the molds, they just quit doing the work.

Also they really torqued a lot of backers off by having merchandise in retailers a full six or eight months before any of us got our KS rewards. It's hard to promote a game when you don't have your stuff.

Erie Baker ran this rodeo so bass-ackward that it's no surprise he ran out of steam.

their business is already undergoing foreclosure proceedings:

There is a foreclosure pending for the previous aow/ad office location.
go here
casesearch.courts.state.md.us/casesearch/
Case ‪#‎13C15104463‬
Circuit Court of Maryland
Go Back Now
Case Information
Court System: Circuit Court for Howard County - Civil System
Case Number: 13C15104463
Title: Brown, et al vs Baker, et al
Case Type: ForeclosureFiling Date:07/31/2015
Case Status: Open/Active
Plaintiff/Petitioner Information
(Each Plaintiff/Petitioner is displayed below)
Party Type: PlaintiffParty No.:5
Name: Stone, R Kip
Address: 10021 Balls Ford Road
City: ManassasState:VAZip Code:20109
Attorney(s) for the Plaintiff/Petitioner
Name: Simon, Esq, Sarah M
Appearance Date: 07/31/2015
Practice Name: Shapiro, Brown & Alt, LLP
Address: 10021 Balls Ford Rd
Suite 200
City: ManassasState:VAZip Code:20109
Party Type: PlaintiffParty No.:1
Name: Brown, Kristine D
Address: 13135 Lee Jackson Highway
City: FairfaxState:VAZip Code:22033
Attorney(s) for the Plaintiff/Petitioner
Name: Simon, Esq, Sarah M
Appearance Date: 07/31/2015
Practice Name: Shapiro, Brown & Alt, LLP
Address: 10021 Balls Ford Rd
Suite 200
City: ManassasState:VAZip Code:20109
Party Type: PlaintiffParty No.:2
Name: Savage, William M
Address: 13135 Lee Jackson Hwy
City: FairfaxState:VAZip Code:22033
Attorney(s) for the Plaintiff/Petitioner
Name: Simon, Esq, Sarah M
Appearance Date: 07/31/2015
Practice Name: Shapiro, Brown & Alt, LLP
Address: 10021 Balls Ford Rd
Suite 200
City: ManassasState:VAZip Code:20109
Party Type: PlaintiffParty No.colonthree emoticon
Name: Britto, Gregory N
Address: 13135 Lee Jackson Highway
City: FairfaxState:VAZip Code:22033
Attorney(s) for the Plaintiff/Petitioner
Name: Simon, Esq, Sarah M
Appearance Date: 07/31/2015
Practice Name: Shapiro, Brown & Alt, LLP
Address: 10021 Balls Ford Rd
Suite 200
City: ManassasState:VAZip Code:20109
Party Type: PlaintiffParty No.:4
Name: Stitely, Lila Z
Address: 13135 Lee Jackson Highway
City: FairfaxState:VAZip Code:22033
Attorney(s) for the Plaintiff/Petitioner
Name: Simon, Esq, Sarah M
Appearance Date: 07/31/2015
Practice Name: Shapiro, Brown & Alt, LLP
Address: 10021 Balls Ford Rd
Suite 200
City: ManassasState:VAZip Code:20109
Party Type: PlaintiffParty No.:6
Name: Hirschfeld, Jordy B
Address: 10021 Balls Ford Road
City: ManassasState:VAZip Code:20109
Attorney(s) for the Plaintiff/Petitioner
Name: Simon, Esq, Sarah M
Appearance Date: 07/31/2015
Practice Name: Shapiro, Brown & Alt, LLP
Address: 10021 Balls Ford Rd
Suite 200
City: ManassasState:VAZip Code:20109
Defendant/Respondent Information
(Each Defendant/Respondent is displayed below)
Party Type: DefendantParty No.:2
Name: Baker, Barbara A
Address: 12237 Carroll Mill Rd
City: Ellicott CityState:MDZip Code:21042
Party Type: DefendantParty No.:1
Name: Baker, Jr, Ernest D
Address: 12237 Carroll Mill Rd
City: Ellicott CityState:MDZip Code:21042
Document Tracking
(Each Document listed. Documents are listed in Document No./Sequence No. order)
Doc No./Seq No.: 1/0
File Date: 07/31/2015Entered Date:08/03/2015Decision:
Party Type: PlaintiffParty No.:1
Document Name: Order to Docket Foreclosure
Doc No./Seq No.: 2/0
File Date: 07/31/2015Entered Date:08/03/2015Decision:
Party Type: PlaintiffParty No.:1
Document Name: Case information sheet filed; form not filled on computer (exempt case)
Doc No./Seq No.: 3/0
File Date: 07/31/2015Entered Date:08/03/2015Decision:
Party Type: PlaintiffParty No.:1
Document Name: Attorney's certification under Rule 1-313
Doc No./Seq No.: 4/0
File Date: 07/31/2015Entered Date:08/03/2015Decision:
Party Type: PlaintiffParty No.:1
Document Name: Affidavit pursuant to MD Rule 14-207(b)(1) re: copy of lien instrument
with attached deed of trust
Doc No./Seq No.: 5/0
File Date: 07/31/2015Entered Date:08/03/2015Decision:
Party Type: PlaintiffParty No.:1
Document Name: Affidavit, pursuant to MD Rule 14-207(b)(4) re: copy of deed of appointment
with attached appointment of substitute trustee
Doc No./Seq No.: 6/0
File Date: 07/31/2015Entered Date:08/03/2015Decision:
Party Type: PlaintiffParty No.:1
Document Name: Statement of Mortgage Debt
Liber 8102, Folio 064Balance $437,231.19
Doc No./Seq No.: 7/0
File Date: 07/31/2015Entered Date:08/03/2015Decision:
Party Type: PlaintiffParty No.:1
Document Name: Affidavit of default/notice of intent to foreclose, per MDRP 7-105.1 (D)(1)(II)
Doc No./Seq No.: 8/0
File Date: 07/31/2015Entered Date:08/03/2015Decision:
Party Type: PlaintiffParty No.:1
Document Name: Preliminary Loss Mitigation Affidavit
Doc No./Seq No.: 9/0
File Date: 07/31/2015Entered Date:08/03/2015Decision:
Party Type: PlaintiffParty No.:1
Document Name: Residential Property Statement and no Pre-File Mediation Statement
Doc No./Seq No.: 10/0
File Date: 07/31/2015Entered Date:08/03/2015Decision:
Party Type: PlaintiffParty No.:1
Document Name: Non-Military Affidavit
Doc No./Seq No.: 11/0
File Date: 07/31/2015Entered Date:08/03/2015Decision:
Party Type: PlaintiffParty No.:1
Document Name: Non-Military Affidavit
Doc No./Seq No.: 12/0
File Date: 07/31/2015Entered Date:08/03/2015Decision:
Party Type: PlaintiffParty No.:1
Document Name: Affidavit certifying ownership of debt instrument - MDRP 7-105.1(D)(2)(III)
Doc No./Seq No.: 13/0
File Date: 08/13/2015Entered Date:08/14/2015Decision:
Party Type: PlaintiffParty No.:1
Document Name: Affidavit of Personal Delivery
Doc No./Seq No.: 14/0
File Date: 08/13/2015Entered Date:08/14/2015Decision:
Party Type: PlaintiffParty No.:1
Document Name: Affidavit of Personal Delivery
This is an electronic case record. Full case information cannot be made available either because of legal restrictions on access to case records found in Maryland rules 16-1001 through 16-1011, or because of the practical difficulties inherent in reducing a case record into an electronic format.

Yup they are gone for sure.

++++ Warning: Rant Ahead++++
However, I find the article to be pretty light on actual business acumen. I am a business owner, and let me tell you some of the things he said fall under , "easy to say, but not easy to finance" type of "common sense" that non-business owners spout on about all the time.

You have to weight the cost vs. the actual measurable profit. I find amateurs talk a lot about "sales" while professionals talk about profit, margins, and revenue streams.

Let's be honest, there is a very good reason 95% of businesses die before the end of their 5th year. Being a small business owner is a hard, thankless job with little of no profit for those first 5 years. It grinds people down financially, professionally, personally, and emotionally. Success at starting a small business is an exception and NOT the norm.
++++End Rant++++


Alien Dungeon made it 4 years, better than most manage. However, I hope they managed to sell off the molds and IP to someone else.

Looks like another sad Kickstarter story...

One wonders if a more traditional release format could have kept the company solvent.

But then of course it might never have taken off at all.

Wow, shocked to see this, especially after they moved their operations relatively recently.

Moving is always risky,

usually you think you're moving up (and so taking a bigger more expensive place to let the business grow) great if you're right

or you're jumping to somewhere cheaper to run (and hoping the move doesn't cost you sales)

Aww balls thats terrible.

i just got a starter box and Texas stuff because they all looked soo cool

Yeah, this sucks. I missed the KS campaign and bought a person's pledge on Bartertown but never ended up getting the last bit of items sent from Alien Dungeon and was told a gift certificate was coming my way. Now the company is dead.

I had placed an order with Alien Dungeon for some AQMF stuff at the end of October that was only partially fulfilled and never received a response from them through November or December regarding the status of my incomplete order. When news of their potential demise hit a few weeks back I opened a Paypal claim and got my money back for the missing items last week. If anyone else had an outstanding order paid through Paypal I'd recommend filing a transaction report with Paypal so you can get your money back ASAP.

 Polonius wrote:
The article was interesting. It was a bit self aggrandizing, as the writer mentioned his "decades of experience" a few more times than was probably necessary, but some of his observations about the owner of Alien Dungeon show that this was probably inevitable.

Well, he did only mention that twice!

It is a shame that this company has folded - and not only because they still owe a fair amount of people a fair amount of stuff!

I really like games at this scale, but there don't seem to be many out there anymore?

I'm wondering, since Rick Priestley was involved (albeit in a limited capacity it seems), whether Warlord Games have half an eye on it now.

Ok, maybe a quarter of an eye.

I also bought someones pledge, i really liked the setting, hope that some company buys up their IP

Believe it or not I actually sold them a piece of equipment to so they could shrink wrap their boxes. They were good peeps, I talked to the owner a fews times and apparently some of the guys that made the game were old GW folks. But these guys never seemed to advertise. The only reason I heard about them is because they called our company, sad to see them go.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
http://www.architectsofwar.com/offline.aspx
This is there main website... seems to be offline.

 Jehan-reznor wrote:
I also bought someones pledge, i really liked the setting, hope that some company buys up their IP

I still have regrets about selling it to you-- I really liked the models. Sadly, it was just one more game that I would never have played.

If I read that case right, it was filed last July.

 highlord tamburlaine wrote:
Well that certainly stinks.

Guess I better be keeping my eyes peeled for super cheap walkers in the near future....

On that note, when AQOMF came out I decided to pick up some Star Wars X-1 Viper Droids to use as walkers.
They cost $3-$5 and are pre-painted. Was gonna use them with my FoW figures rather than buy into a whole new game.
The rules for the game were serviceable but didn't really grab me.

Here's what those miniatures look like and they scale well as walkers at 15mm.
http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/X-1_Viper

 Snoopdeville3 wrote:
Believe it or not I actually sold them a piece of equipment to so they could shrink wrap their boxes. They were good peeps, I talked to the owner a fews times and apparently some of the guys that made the game were old GW folks. But these guys never seemed to advertise. The only reason I heard about them is because they called our company, sad to see them go.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
http://www.architectsofwar.com/offline.aspx
This is there main website... seems to be offline.

At this point I honestly cannot say they are "good peeps", to just up and close leaving so many people in a lurch doesn't say "good peeps" to me. Things happen, but it's how you conduct yourself during the tough times that defines who you are.

The article was interesting, but had some funny points.

I don't think he knew who the owners of the company were at all. They certainly know quite a bit about the game industry. Ernie Baker had experience with Mattel, which might by why he said toy industry vs games. But he headed up GW in the US for two decades. Ed Spettigue was also involved, and had decades of GW experience. So they certainly knew a chunk about the game industry.

I liked the game, wish it had done better for them. As others have mentioned, they are good people. Sorry to see it go badly.

Does suck, though i do have enough of 2 sides for games with people i fond who'd be interested, though i'm not 100% sure what i got in my wave 2 box as its at my parents house.

 mikhaila wrote:
The article was interesting, but had some funny points.

I don't think he knew who the owners of the company were at all. They certainly know quite a bit about the game industry. Ernie Baker had experience with Mattel, which might by why he said toy industry vs games. But he headed up GW in the US for two decades. Ed Spettigue was also involved, and had decades of GW experience. So they certainly knew a chunk about the game industry.

I liked the game, wish it had done better for them. As others have mentioned, they are good people. Sorry to see it go badly.

Perhaps that was a problem for them? GW doesn't advertise either. They may have been in the habit of promoting an established game and not understood what was needed to launch a new one.

Just spitballing here...

 JoshInJapan wrote:

 Jehan-reznor wrote:
I also bought someones pledge, i really liked the setting, hope that some company buys up their IP

I still have regrets about selling it to you-- I really liked the models. Sadly, it was just one more game that I would never have played.

Me now neither but i like to collect stuff, it is my affliction

 Forlorn wrote:

 Snoopdeville3 wrote:
Believe it or not I actually sold them a piece of equipment to so they could shrink wrap their boxes. They were good peeps, I talked to the owner a fews times and apparently some of the guys that made the game were old GW folks. But these guys never seemed to advertise. The only reason I heard about them is because they called our company, sad to see them go.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
http://www.architectsofwar.com/offline.aspx
This is there main website... seems to be offline.

At this point I honestly cannot say they are "good peeps", to just up and close leaving so many people in a lurch doesn't say "good peeps" to me. Things happen, but it's how you conduct yourself during the tough times that defines who you are.

Why are people surprised he stopped communicating? It is the first thing a lawyer tells you to do because anything you say can be used against you during the bankruptcy/lawsuits.

I've met Ernie and he seemed a decent guy. I'm sure he feels like gak right now. He is a victim of his own success. AQMF grew too big in scope too quickly because of the Kickstarter, and it is apparent he wasn't able to rise to the occasion.

 Crimson Devil wrote:

 Forlorn wrote:

 Snoopdeville3 wrote:
Believe it or not I actually sold them a piece of equipment to so they could shrink wrap their boxes. They were good peeps, I talked to the owner a fews times and apparently some of the guys that made the game were old GW folks. But these guys never seemed to advertise. The only reason I heard about them is because they called our company, sad to see them go.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
http://www.architectsofwar.com/offline.aspx
This is there main website... seems to be offline.

At this point I honestly cannot say they are "good peeps", to just up and close leaving so many people in a lurch doesn't say "good peeps" to me. Things happen, but it's how you conduct yourself during the tough times that defines who you are.

Why are people surprised he stopped communicating? It is the first thing a lawyer tells you to do because anything you say can be used against you during the bankruptcy/lawsuits.

I've met Ernie and he seemed a decent guy. I'm sure he feels like gak right now. He is a victim of his own success. AQMF grew too big in scope too quickly because of the Kickstarter, and it is apparent he wasn't able to rise to the occasion.

I think its more a matter of those of us still owed things were told not too long ago we'd get some compensation and then *poof* the company is gone.

We are out money, and no matter how awesome the people behind Alien Dungeon are as individuals, for those of us who got shafted they are kinda pricks at the moment.