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Ah well, that means the can can (!) only be kicked down the road for another 4 years, give or take?

 TwoGunBob wrote:
There's Carmen the board game designer and then there's "Casey" the guy who threatens backers of Kickstarter projects that he feels will have a negative impact on his "dream" of being a big league game designer. It's not a nickname but a lame attempt at Carmen to cover his social bungling by chaning his name on Kickstarter so links don't go to Carmen but the mysterious "Casey". I call him "Casey" in kind of a "won't get fooled again" kind of way. Carmen is the one that decided on the Casey nickname, we've just kind of run with his course of action.

Where has "Casey" been makign appearances? Since I don't pay attention to Facebook, is that the spot?

Morgan Vening wrote:

 Alpharius wrote:
Who is "Casey"?

"Casey" appears to be a derogatory nickname for Carmen Bellaire,

Let's be perfectly fething clear that "Casey" brought that upon himself when he changed his name on Kickstarter to "Casey". That was entirely his doing, and he deserves no sympathy for his poor choices, only scorn, derision and mockery.

Casey wrote:Hello Everyone

I am Carmen Bellaire, I have started my own gaming company called Rogue Heroes, and as most of you know I will be doing a Kickstarter for a board game based on the Rifts IP.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/rrpgt/robotech-rpg-tacticstm/comments?cursor=15949591

This was back in February this year.

 JohnHwangDD wrote:

Morgan Vening wrote:

 Alpharius wrote:
Who is "Casey"?

"Casey" appears to be a derogatory nickname for Carmen Bellaire,

Let's be perfectly fething clear that "Casey" brought that upon himself when he changed his name on Kickstarter to "Casey". That was entirely his doing, and he deserves no sympathy for his poor choices, only scorn, derision and mockery.

Casey wrote:Hello Everyone

I am Carmen Bellaire, I have started my own gaming company called Rogue Heroes, and as most of you know I will be doing a Kickstarter for a board game based on the Rifts IP.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/rrpgt/robotech-rpg-tacticstm/comments?cursor=15949591

This was back in February this year.

Hmm.... I could have sworn he used his real name during that back and forth that cost him a crapload of credibility. And that it happened after the fact, so that he could both move on from the incident, and start up his own project without it being linked back. EDIT: The first being understandable, the second being an obvious pathetic attempt, because as you point out, he names himself in that first post.

I do know that when you change your nickname on Kickstarter, it changes your name in all post names, both current and past. I distinctly remember one dill weed changing his name, posting something offensive, and changing back, only to have anyone who didn't read inside that window of time, have it have his correct name appended. Caused him much embarrassment.

Don't take my statement about it being derogatory as defending the man. It was meant as a statement of fact rather than an opinion. He's never given me any opinion to think of him as any different to the rest of the people directly associated with PB.

@Morgan - he initially used his real name. Then when it blew up in his face, he switched it to "Casey".

I'm just noting that it's not a derogatory nickname - it's the new name that he selected for himself, and is still using on KS, so that's how he'll be known.

 JohnHwangDD wrote:
@Morgan - he initially used his real name. Then when it blew up in his face, he switched it to "Casey".

I'm just noting that it's not a derogatory nickname - it's the new name that he selected for himself, and is still using on KS, so that's how he'll be known.

Fair point regarding the former, but a check of the account shows his last post was at the end of the back and forth around 24 hours after his first initial post you linked, when he said goodbye, so it's hard to argue it's still in use, even if there's a way of seeing when he's logged in, like you can Creator accounts.

Again, not defending him. In any way. Ever.

Just like making sure the facts are straight. Cause with PB on the opposition, they've already taken up both sides share of bs, lies, and wankering.

Maybe my memory was off, and I'm digging months back into KS's garbage commenting system, but I thought he was posting under "Rogue Heroes, LLC".

Merijeek wrote:
Maybe my memory was off, and I'm digging months back into KS's garbage commenting system, but I thought he was posting under "Rogue Heroes, LLC".

If he did, I did not see him use it as such, and he was definitely posting as Carmen when he was trying to ward the RRT folks away from his upcoming gRift game.

I believe he created Rogue Heroes as a new handle after he burned the Carmen / Casey ID.

Well I guess that was the end of our bi weekly updates....

Bereavement leave is usually only three days here in the states, so if he was treating this as work
we should get something at the latest today.. But we all know even if we did it would be just more
"we are working on it" with no real proof of movement in any direction.

I just think about what the game could have been... I think if done right it would be a competitor against
drop zone commander.. Would love to played a game with a Cyclone bike army verses zentraedi foot soldiers.
Only way that would happen is fan rules and 3D printed figures.

Will just keep showing up as this continues to burn... Funny how many people that are not even gamers
know this is one of the worse train wrecked kick starters.. But that's just another title for Kevin S.

 Genoside07 wrote:
Well I guess that was the end of our bi weekly updates....

To be fair, he did say this week, and there's still both plenty of time today, and PB do tend to work a lot of weekends, so until Sunday night, he's still technically got time. And with PB, technicalities are their bread and butter (alongside stupidly optimistic timeframes, and being just plain stupid).

Don't get me wrong, I consider Scott missing that deadline and Scott hitting that deadline with nothing of note to report, equally plausible. An outside chance that there'll be something of note that should have been done weeks ago, and next to zero of actual new information.

Just not ready to call his punctuality into account. Yet.

I expect that if we get an update, it won't be until next Tuesday. Not that it will contain anything worth getting worked up over, mind you.

If Scott is truly the business manager... He should see by now that nothing he says there, based on what he is allowed, or chooses to post will have any positive impact. If nothing, it's just flamed the fans... I mean, fanned the flames I mean in all honesty, what is the point? What was/is the purpose? That's what I find myself wondering... Because if it's to put a positive spin on something, at this juncture it's a total failure...

Theories?:

I mean, if it was to drum up positive interaction for another (Rifts Board Game) crowdsourcing effort: Failed.
If it was to show backers that Palladium wanted to have true transparency: Failed.
If it was to improve the overall PR of the company: Failed.
If it was to show an amount of work being done: Failed. Though I guess, if the amount of work done equates to zero this was a marginal success (lol).
If it was to delay legal action that in all likelihood wouldn't happen anyway: Failed... Based on the idea that it was pointless to begin with.

I wonder if Kickstarter actually did step in and say/ask something with Palladium. Kickstarter did do an investigation on one project back in the day... And I wonder if they used that as a cattle prod, or compelled Palladium to post something? Because, any of the other reasons, based on what's been put into these updates and how they've been handled don't suggest any of the other above mentioned theories...

Maybe Scott is being paid something.... Maybe he is just a fan friend... But if he is being paid, even Kevin should see he is wasting his money... Unless he is compelled by a reason non of us has been able to discern.

Personally, I think Scott came to Kevin, thinking he could truly help or make a difference - perhaps take some of the load off of Kevin's shoulders and get the company back on the straight and level, producing things like it used to churn things out in the 80's/90's.

And I think Kevin believed that too. However, Kevin's ego and paranoia will never allow him to give up the reigns and whatever his attention is on, it's not RRT - hell, I don't think it's on anything more than clearing the dead stock in his warehouse, because it's not on producing RPG products either. But whatever, he can't see - isn't willing to see - how deep in the gak he is. Perhaps, with some luck Scott is beginning to get a sense of how hopeless his position really is - and is reconsidering what he's got himself into. After three months, anyone with any sense ought to know by now to walk away from Kevin and PB.

Or maybe he had a bad beef burrito and he'll be back to his old tricks next week.

It wouldn't shock me if this is the last Scott post.
This may be the beginning of total radio silence on a failed project with no way to finish. It was bound to happen eventually.

It's been a while since I've done one of these, but the latest PBWU is up.

First up, Christmas Grab Bags are back. John Null pointed out in a flippant way that it's still middle of October, but to be fair, given how slow PB tend to be, if you're an international, getting your books before Christmas, it probably does have to start now. They've finally gotten rid of the stupid numbers, and are using rounded figures ($90-$100), but then still go into exacting detail (" Often you get $92-$95 (for most). Sometimes more! Santa Kevin likes to make gamers squeal with delight and often packs in $95-$100 worth of goodies into many Surprise Packages."). Just say "at least $90 worth of product, often more!", and be done with it. Is that extra $2-$5 worth of product REALLY going to tip someone over the edge? Frikkin insane.

Also, you have until December 24th. Because there's nooooo waaaaay this will be extended into January, possibly several weeks into. Because that will never happen. Also, it's pointed out that international backers should be happy they get to essentially pay full MSRP, after shipping. Possibly more!

It should be pointed out that to date, there have been two books released since last year's CGB. Secrets of the Atlanteans ($25) and Dark Designs ($21). Meaning if you're relatively up to date, the CGB's save you a total of one whole dollar on new material.

Then there's a plea to tell other people about it. Because it's not like PB books are an insular niche market, and people who might be interested don't already read the Updates, or know it's coming.

Finally, after a blurb about the Rifter, the Open House, the Drive Thru RPG stuff, and a few other odds and ends, there's another FULL PAGE advert for the Christmas Grab Bags that says exactly the same thing, but has the paragraphs changed around, and possibly modified (I'm not prepared to compare them, but several phrases are definitely repeated). That it's not even a straight cut and paste means that someone spent time rewriting/re-editing it. What a f'n waste of time.

The last time I checked the RPG's, was mid July. Let's see where they're at.
Atlanteans was listed as August. And it delivered. Given it was part of the "First half of 2016", it's hard to call it "on time"
HOH Arsenal, Disavowed, Garden of the Gods and Sovietski were listed as "Summer". Now all dates have been removed, and they're listed only as "In Production". Good move, since all but Sovietski were listed in the same "First half of 2016" as Atlanteans.
Dark Designs was listed as August. They squeaked that one through on August 31st.
Face of Death was listed as Summer/Fall, but got the same date removed/in production dealy.
And Living Nowhere went from an 8 week project (first announced June 9th, due July) to August after Dark Designs is done, and as above, date removed/in production dealy, no release date.

It's good that they FINALLY stopped posting stupidly optimistic release dates, it only took them multiple years (decades?) of failure to finally have it sink in. So umm... yay?

Right at the bottom of the PBWU (and at the bottom of their priorities), and just above the multiline copyright text, is the RRT adverts. Pages 20-22 (of 22) have the standard RRT products at full MSRP, and the four promo figures they haven't sold out of. Tough luck if you want FPA for an official RRT tourney.

And right at the bottom, after the copyright, 16 registered trademarks, 11+ trademarks, and the 2-3 Harmony Gold Trademarks, it's apparently a breach of *something* that I link to the page. "This press release may be reprinted, reposted, linked and shared for the sole purpose of advertising, promotion and sales solicitation.". My sole purpose is mockery. Maybe mockery AND scorn? So that's not a sole purpose. But I don't know what the consequences are for not having the sole purpose be one of those listed. Or what the consequences are for not having a sole purpose.

Morgan Vening wrote:

And right at the bottom, after the copyright, 16 registered trademarks, 11+ trademarks, and the 2-3 Harmony Gold Trademarks, it's apparently a breach of *something* that I link to the page. "This press release may be reprinted, reposted, linked and shared for the sole purpose of advertising, promotion and sales solicitation.". My sole purpose is mockery. Maybe mockery AND scorn? So that's not a sole purpose. But I don't know what the consequences are for not having the sole purpose be one of those listed. Or what the consequences are for not having a sole purpose.

I saw that too.. Looks they needed to talk to their lawyers this week about something apparently.. They now have new shiny regulations, but I am afraid saying something like that will open pandora's box.
Personally I think Kevin is old and very tired.. Ready to call the whole game company thing to an end.. Any way possible.. Most decisions he makes recently is poor at best and most of
us here wonder how they keep the doors open .. Unless he is still living off the RTT money .. the company continues to miss ship dates and produce sub par books. Out of 10 game stores I visit
maybe 2 carry any of their products.. And most of the time its a small section in the back of the store with less than 3 books.. Who's fault is that??

Word of mouth alone has more people moving away from the products than towards it .. They could change that by having good products complete before announcement and fixing rules.
But that is not KS style.
Plus I think if they did go after a gamer that used their "press release" for something else, it would be a Games Workshop vs Chapter house all over again.. Lots of money lost and a minor win with major
internal ramifications.. They don't need bad press right now.. but that would help end the company...

I'm a layman and not a lawyer, but I think fair use laws explicitly are used for this. Fair use allows one to comment or criticize the work in a transformative manner.

I really think if Palladium were to attempt to take someone to court, it'd be an expensive uphill fight for them. Considering how little money it's assumed they have, it could outright end the company for attempting to stifle fair use laws. It's an even greater uphill fight considering that linking goes back to the source material itself in a public forum and proving damages from something like a report or commentary.

Furthermore, aren't these essentially press releases distributed as a way to get news out to the masses?

I can't help but feel it was put in as a scare tactic to stop commentary and the sharing of information that Palladium itself has made public. I assume Kevin is worried people will share stuff that's both being said now, as well as in the past and collate it towards something.

Morgan Vening wrote:
And right at the bottom, after the copyright, 16 registered trademarks, 11+ trademarks, and the 2-3 Harmony Gold Trademarks, it's apparently a breach of *something* that I link to the page. "This press release may be reprinted, reposted, linked and shared for the sole purpose of advertising, promotion and sales solicitation.". My sole purpose is mockery. Maybe mockery AND scorn? So that's not a sole purpose. But I don't know what the consequences are for not having the sole purpose be one of those listed. Or what the consequences are for not having a sole purpose.

They can say whatever they like, but that doesn't make it true from a legal standpoint. Legally, you are allowed to copy it for parody or critical purposes, that's a protected expression. Legally, PB can still sue you. If they do so, and you have the resources to see the suit through, you will almost certainly win, and can probably collect fees, but it will cost you money upfront to enforce that legal right.

Is there a new format for kickstarter comments? On other ongoing miniature comments I don't see anything different but on Roach' s new project I see backer info links next to each name plus a report spam option (and I'm not even logged in).

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1366211550/the-necronomnomnom-a-cookbook-of-eldritch-horror/comments

Is that an option enabled by Palladium's eternal apologist or a bug?


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Pressing the report just asks me to confirm without even logging in.

I'm not seeing it on that page, or a sampling of others I've backed. Maybe Kickstarter was just being a bit weird about it.

I've seen other bugs/errors on the platform. People's avatar pics being switched up, multiple repeated comments showing when later it's just the one.

That said, I'm not a backer, and I refuse to even briefly be associated with this project, so I'm not ruling out anything definitively at this point.

I'm not a backer either and wouldn't touch anything he was involved in. Maybe it's a kindle glitch.

Edit: and checking it again it's now gone. Did I somehow access maybe a creator page option? I've never crowfunded myself so I don't know if their interface is different. That would explain why it's so easy for Palladium to report messages if that's the case. That would explain why backer info was one click available for each comment too.

 warboss wrote:
I'm not a backer either and wouldn't touch anything he was involved in. Maybe it's a kindle glitch.

Edit: and checking it again it's now gone. Did I somehow access maybe a creator page option? I've never crowfunded myself so I don't know if their interface is different. That would explain why it's so easy for Palladium to report messages if that's the case. That would explain why backer info was one click available for each comment too.

Its a glitch, you are seeing the comments from the creators side i believe, ive been getting the same bug across a few projects the last week, report button works but when you click on "backers info" it takes you to KS home page

Ok, thanks for the confirmation. I didn't know if it was an additional feature added recently. No wonder palladium is able to easily report individual comments whereas backers suffering white knight trolling have to come through a dozen screens searching for it if they don't have it bookmarked.

Well, looks like Scott has joined the dark side and completely missed his own deadline. Don't know what's up with that other than he is now fully indoctrinated into PB's culture ... and luck, it seems.

On the above, I wonder if NMI has backstage access to the KS. That he posts as "himself" seems to indicate he does not.

Turns out Scott was only 98% sure he would post an update last week... If only he would of told backers that (the 98% part anyway); I'm sure the backers, would be much more understanding...

AmIright?

Back to my dungeon.

WithintheDungeon wrote:
Turns out Scott was only 98% sure he would post an update last week... If only he would of told backers that (the 98% part anyway); I'm sure the backers, would be much more understanding...

AmIright?

Back to my dungeon.

But Pallidium is the same way.. I guess he has accepted their attitude toward dead lines.. They are not a priority, But not giving it priority you start to upset your customer base and end up like
they are currently. Again, Scott has no excuses for no update with the technology the way it is in 2017. He could be on a toilet in Cambodia and still post a update. I never thought for a minute
he would make it in time.. Maybe he quit and someone else used his account to post that...but we don't even know if Scott is real and what he is truly doing there, because I don't see improvement.

So maybe he stood up to Kevin and said no update until he sees true improvement on the project and it blew up in his face.. But you would think if Kevin had a warehouse full of over printed
RRT that he would be trying to do something to help move them... Every day this goes by makes it worse.. Get one popular model done.. start with that... lower cost and less work.. it's better
than nothing and getting nothing..

Scott hasn't done anything to us, outside of coming into the game really late and being the one who gets to deliver us no news. Scott didn't steal our money, make irresponsible choices with it, generate lies over the years (yes, he repeats what he is told).

I think that people sometimes get caught up in their anger or frustration and forget that these are people. I don't know what Scott's personal situation is and I don't care. If he had to deal with something and it prevented him from posting an update, that's fine.
Someone else at PB should have posted in his place. But be it that they are afraid of us, or they are incompetent communicators, or whatever, that's on Scott's boss, not Scott.

We all know that it was going to have zero useful content, so it matters nothing at all.

Pretty much, doesn't matter if Scott takes two months off or a year because he'll will have nothing to report because Unca Kev and the Amazing Wayno have done literally nothing for the past three years but pray this just goes away. Hard to update that Kev is counting his rosaries but for some reason divine providence has not directly intervened on how badly he's screwed this project up.

I would find some humor in Scooter doing a vanishing act and the nebulous 'personal issues' being his last update as he is never heard from again in regards to Palladium and Robotech.

The next Palladium/backer liaison will no doubt be Unca Kev's dog Riftee running updates from a twitter account I guess.

Riftee™, not Riftee.

Now you're trying to leave him open to legal action through his DOG? What kind of monster are you?