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2014/01/10 04:21:08
Subject: Robotech Kickstarter Funded at $1.44 Million!
Glad to see things moving along. What is the exp FPA holding in its left hand? I'm very happy I ordered the extra Miriya during the ks. After building the max model I'm very glad these models will be in plastic. I forgot how much I dislike metal models. If I get a metal Miriya mini it will seem daunting at first, but eventualy I'll put it together.
2014/01/10 04:36:18
Subject: Robotech Kickstarter Funded at $1.44 Million!
Really? It reads, don't worry despite the fact we don't know what's going on and it's everyone else's fault, but we're all working together, but we don't know what we've done, but they sound busy doing something, so you'll definitely get something one day.
There’s a difference between having a hobby and being a narcissist.
2014/01/10 14:23:21
Subject: Robotech Kickstarter Funded at $1.44 Million!
It's a Siembieda update. He starts a sentence by taking responsibility and by the end of it the problems are assigned to others.
However, it's also an update. Which is something. Siembieda had to stop negotiating a lucrative Rifts movie deal over the phone to type out that update.
2014/01/10 15:48:20
Subject: Re:Robotech Kickstarter Funded at $1.44 Million!
I really apologize if I seem to be leaving you hanging but the call was a personal one and I will not elaborate more than I already have. It would not be appropriate.
warboss wrote: As I noted on the forums, daily yoga did indead increase the survivability of your mecha against missiles. With a strict reading of the current rules, that isn't the case but apparently everyone plays it the old way.
This... actually kind of fits for an anime-inspired game. At least if there's any sort of 'will of the warrior' then it could almost, kinda make sense.
The Robotech Missile Rules are an infamous example of WTF game design, though.
Working on someting you'll either love or hate. Hopefully to be revealed by November.
Play the games that make you happy.
2014/01/10 16:10:38
Subject: Re:Robotech Kickstarter Funded at $1.44 Million!
Blaming Ninja Division does seem a bit defensive at this point in the game. I've seen some articles that it's very easy for a big, successful Kickstarter like this to spiral out of control. Ninja Division is also a relative newcomer, not a company that has been a successful RPG publisher for decades.
Well, they've stayed in business for decades, which is better than many companies.
Working on someting you'll either love or hate. Hopefully to be revealed by November.
Play the games that make you happy.
2014/01/10 16:22:34
Subject: Re:Robotech Kickstarter Funded at $1.44 Million!
Summary of the wall of rant: They choose to not inform us of progress since father Kevin thinks we cannot adjust to the chaotic changes of production which they themselves claim they do not understand. I could not on my best day publish an "update" that could convey so little information and "progress" that was supposed to "reassure us". He at least promises that the backer kits will become a reality but not even a hint of the status on ANYTHING. I feel insulted that he really thought what he wrote was sufficient.
Yes, I have decided to rant, really, really, hard, with 98% of my being... you have been warned.
Spoiler:
Identifying a problem and not providing a concrete solution: "I have come to realize that some Robotech® fans are so excited about Robotech® RPG Tactics™ that the unexpected delays and slow progress toward manufacturing have made some people nervous and worried that Robotech® RPG Tactics™ will not see release at all."
Check!
Belittling customers:"First, and I mean no disrespect, that’s crazy."
Check!
The same statement used for ANY product that runs well past the due date: : "we want Robotech® RPG Tactics™ out as quick as we can without sacrificing quality."
Check!
Long list of all the things that needed to be done that were no surprise but somehow become an excuse. Check!
Taking on "extra work" while admitting knowing nothing about it and not knowing the "why" of the delays = horrible supply chain management. Ambitious by their choosing and usual, no interest in lessons learned: "As a result, we don’t know why some of this is taking so long either, but a lot has to do with the scope of this ambitious and exciting Kickstarter-funded project."
Check!
That phrase again for late projects. Do they not know that the "cost of quality" is what they call a "bathtub curve"? Too little = bad. Too much = bad, I suspect they are sticking their noses in things they have little understanding and need people to explain it to them.: "to get the product line into manufacturing as fast as we can, without sacrificing quality."
Check!
The amount of "passion" in their descriptions (like so many projects before) and light on facts, is making my eyes water : "That means beautiful, accurate and consistently scaled game pieces that will make your mouth water."
Check!
Progress reports that really say nothing on progress other than we are not going backwards. I could not draft a statement to say any less if I tried: "Prelude to manufacturing. I’m pleased to report that progress continues to be made on Robotech® RPG Tactics™. We are starting to see final pre-production models and many of the sprue layouts have been hammered out."
Check!
Battlefoam case going into production "soon"... Ah, I give up...
A color guide to be included! Something outside the scope that somehow impacts timelines? Not really. Nice to have but again the primary goal being sidetracked. Plenty of reference material on the internet or fire up the TV show again...
Packaging, "resist the urge to show you"?? changes happen, why make us think it is not done at all since you do not want to show it to us? Ah yes, we are children to daddy Kevin.
I would bet money they do not even have a draft timeline for the project, firm dates are not going to happen.
It needs saying: They have not shared a single solitary finish date for a single element of the kickstarter; tokens, dice, a single kit, decals, a card.... NOTHING because they keep saying it is all subject to change.
No idea on how to throw a customer a bone... really... they need serious help on how they do things.
My work would be out of business with this kind of "reporting" method.
"Release Date: I’m sorry, but we still do not have a hard release date for the game. I know it is frustrating to say we are working on it and it will be released as soon as possible. When we know more, you will know it too. We are as frustrated and disappointed with the slow progress and sliding release date as anyone, but things are moving forward on all fronts. Hang tight. We are getting there. I’m sorry we can’t give you anything more substantive at this time. We are sharing information, photos and progress as we get them ourselves! Things are shaping up to be a Spring release."
"We give you “target dates” because you want them, but they are estimates and thus subject to change, and they have been changing." ??? I must have missed the memo of target dates. Show you can manage the "chain of target dates" and we can see the logical change of the delivery date. What parts are still in the design stage? How many released for production tooling? How many have tooling complete? How many are now in production? What is the anticipated completion of production to meet backer demand? Has sprue size and any cuts to be made to fit packaging been evaluated? This is not rocket science... rather than starry eyed wonderment some cold assessment of the production machine is in order.
"Palladium has been nothing but honest with you about our expectations and what has been going on. We appreciate your patience and understanding." This is a bit of a kick in the teeth. Honesty is easy when you tell someone almost nothing other than "kinda, maybe, mostly done..." at least the famous 98% has not showed up. We have been lied to because they choose to guess rather than make an honest assessment. To do something the same way and expect a different result is to be insane, I am not sure if I prefer them lying to us or being off their nut.
"Being a Kickstarter backer. Your Kickstarter pledge goes toward funding a special project, to make that goal a reality. The product you are to receive as a Kickstarter backer is your reward for that pledge. Palladium Books is working diligently to finish the project you have so graciously helped to fund. And you WILL get the rewards promised. Believe that, because it is absolutely true" Note, you WILL get it but absolutely no idea when that will happen for either party. Also a small reminder that it was to fund making the project happen and we should be thankful we are getting anything at all for our money outside of that...
A revolution is an idea which has found its bayonets.
Napoleon Bonaparte
2014/01/10 16:28:13
Subject: Robotech Kickstarter Funded at $1.44 Million!
Manchu wrote: It's clear that we are meant to turn on Ninja Division at this point.
No, I'd place it equally on both sides.
I said "we are meant" as in Siembieda wants the grumblers looking to Ninja Division and I guess some amorphous notion of "China" rather than PB.
To wit:
We are reliant upon Ninja Division and the engineers and manufacturers in China. As newbies to this type of product, Palladium has no choice but to trust the people handling design, layout, sculpting/model making, engineering, mold making, manufacturing and all the rest. As a result, we don’t know why some of this is taking so long either ... Every time we speak with the guys at Ninja Division they sound like they have their hands full and are working to get this game into manufacturing.
Manchu wrote: It's clear that we are meant to turn on Ninja Division at this point.
No, I'd place it equally on both sides.
I said "we are meant" as in Siembieda wants the grumblers looking to Ninja Division and I guess some amorphous notion of "China" rather than PB.
To wit:
We are reliant upon Ninja Division and the engineers and manufacturers in China. As newbies to this type of product, Palladium has no choice but to trust the people handling design, layout, sculpting/model making, engineering, mold making, manufacturing and all the rest. As a result, we don’t know why some of this is taking so long either ... Every time we speak with the guys at Ninja Division they sound like they have their hands full and are working to get this game into manufacturing.
The second hand info is that the way Ninja Division was chosen was a bit shady in the first place. This all just reminds me a bit too much of 1984.
"Oceania was at war with Eurasia and in alliance with Eastasia."
From the MTV interview... "Siembieda said, "We teamed up with Ninja Division and everything came together really fast. When we have an experienced team of game designers, you don't say, 'Let me think about it.' You go, 'Okay. Let's do this.' And here we are.""
Oceania was at war with Eastasia. Eurasia was an ally.
From yesterday's update... "MUCH of this is out of Palladium Books’ hands. We are reliant upon Ninja Division and the engineers and manufacturers in China. As newbies to this type of product, Palladium has no choice but to trust the people handling design, layout, sculpting/model making, engineering, mold making, manufacturing and all the rest. As a result, we don’t know why some of this is taking so long either, "
In the end, I suspect this modified quote is the most appropriate:
"Oceania(Palladium) is permanently at war(blaming) with the other superstates. Such war(blame) is not necessary – except in the sense of keeping the warring states’ constituents(backers) in check. Oceania uses war to control its constituents.(backers)"
The blame is not necessary because they could instead keep up truly and accurately updated with progress like some (but admittedly not all) kickstarters do with an table of what needs to be done, what has been done, and when both of those did/will happen. I'm not particularly upset that it's late but rather in the "Palladium as usual" fashion that they're handling this delay. They make a big deal about how this project is so different than anything they've ever done but yet they're handling the backers exactly like they've handled their preorder customers for decades and NG crowdfunders for years (and yes, we're in the second year of NG crowdfunding waiting). You can't have your cake and eat it too, Palladium, without the others at the table wondering aloud "WTF?!".
This message was edited 3 times. Last update was at 2014/01/10 17:55:54
2014/01/10 17:51:18
Subject: Robotech Kickstarter Funded at $1.44 Million!
Ninja Division is a state of being, a French phrase that translates roughly as "movement through stillness." Like all French-described states of being, it is not a choice so much as an illusion of choice.
Also, as Manchu stated, Amorphous China is really throwing its weight around by delaying every Kickstarter it can get its inscrutable hands on.
I "know" it because I neither PB nor SodaPop (a.k.a. Ninja Division?) seems able to write good rules and they are supposed to collaborate to write these.
What's worse than bad rules? Bad rules written by committee.
Manchu wrote: I "know" it because I neither PB nor SodaPop (a.k.a. Ninja Division?) seems able to write good rules and they are supposed to collaborate to write these.
What's worse than bad rules? Bad rules written by committee.
