Fire Mountain Games - 5 years since funding - communication thread
Libertad
Hero
This is not to deflect the very legitimate grievances people have with Gary McBride who still owes communication and an apology, but I just recalled that apparently his OneBookShelf account was hacked. When someone gave a 5 star review to Way of the Wicked Book One, there was a "Creator Reply" which on DTRPG is from an author/publisher. Instead it was this:
I alerted OBS over this back in the day, although this reply is still up to this day. One could interpret it as Gary caring so little about his business that he doesn't even bother to combat a serious security breach. This happened well after the scandal of no communication, so I don't think it's a case of "hacker took over his accounts and ruined the KickStarter."
I alerted OBS over this back in the day, although this reply is still up to this day. One could interpret it as Gary caring so little about his business that he doesn't even bother to combat a serious security breach. This happened well after the scandal of no communication, so I don't think it's a case of "hacker took over his accounts and ruined the KickStarter."
kevin_video
Explorer
I backed the project for $94 US. And as a Canadian, that's a huge amount because at the time our dollar sucked. Funny enough, I didn't even remember why it was so much when it came time to fill out the survey. When I did the rewards I somehow short $5 and my last message to Gary was that I couldn't figure out why I hadn't maxed out and if he could remind me why it might that amount. I probably didn't word it very well because his final response was to not sweat the $5 because of everything I'd done to help promote it. I think he understood it as my going OVER the $5. It's too bad that was our final communication. I would have bought the print editions, but I knew full well all the mistakes that needed fixing, and wanted to wait for the second printing with all of the fixes.
TheSword is correct about Gary ignoring snail mail. I have sent two letters to him over the years. Both pleading with him to get in touch with me and to let me help. The final message I got from Michael Clarke (and I've tried to contact him since) was he'd talked to Gary and the project was nearly complete. All of the encounters had been built and he didn't require any assistance. The rest was just fluff and editing. That was a year ago. I take Michael at his word.
Michael's the person I feel the worst about. His reputation was muddied just as badly, and he's got a very thin presence online now compared to what it used to be. He hasn't update his own sites, and he's not responding to emails like he once used to. I honestly because this project hurt him too, and he's unnecessarily getting targeted with questions on Gary and the condition of the project. I'm just glad he got paid in full before getting let go by the company.
Alzrius, I have to admit that I'm rather envious of your experience. I'd always wanted to meet the man (partially grateful that it never came to be). I would have loved to have experienced that exclusive adventure. You'll have to tell me about it some time. I'd love to hear about it.
Jenner2057 I also soured over dealing with Kickstarter. They're so much worse than they used to be. I have every ticket and message ever sent during these past five years. At the start, they were sympathetic and felt bad for us. Then at some point everything was copy/paste.
If I was rich enough, I'd fly down to their New York location and demand to talk them, with evidence printed. That said, if I was that rich, I'd be knocking on Gary's door, asking what the hell's up with him, offer him a cash settlement to take over the project until completion, and send everything out to everyone. However, I doubt my numbers will kick in tonight. That'd be pretty sweet though. I think everyone could use $60 million.
I did some research. Gary hasn't posted a response on any of the forums he once belonged to since 2013. It was only the KS that he posted to until 2014 before going dark.
Libertad That's good to know. I hadn't heard of any of that. I also agree that it's not a matter of the hacker making this the reason things went to crap.
I remember back in the day continually sending Gary emails letting him know about Way of the Wicked being pirated and where it was. He'd thank me, and say he'd take care of it. Now all nine books are everywhere, and I don't know that he cares any more or would bother. It's probably an inevitability nowadays. I think all but maybe one of my books are pirated at this point and I haven't even done that much. Hopefully people like them enough to actually buy them too.
TheSword is correct about Gary ignoring snail mail. I have sent two letters to him over the years. Both pleading with him to get in touch with me and to let me help. The final message I got from Michael Clarke (and I've tried to contact him since) was he'd talked to Gary and the project was nearly complete. All of the encounters had been built and he didn't require any assistance. The rest was just fluff and editing. That was a year ago. I take Michael at his word.
Michael's the person I feel the worst about. His reputation was muddied just as badly, and he's got a very thin presence online now compared to what it used to be. He hasn't update his own sites, and he's not responding to emails like he once used to. I honestly because this project hurt him too, and he's unnecessarily getting targeted with questions on Gary and the condition of the project. I'm just glad he got paid in full before getting let go by the company.
Alzrius, I have to admit that I'm rather envious of your experience. I'd always wanted to meet the man (partially grateful that it never came to be). I would have loved to have experienced that exclusive adventure. You'll have to tell me about it some time. I'd love to hear about it.
Jenner2057 I also soured over dealing with Kickstarter. They're so much worse than they used to be. I have every ticket and message ever sent during these past five years. At the start, they were sympathetic and felt bad for us. Then at some point everything was copy/paste.
If I was rich enough, I'd fly down to their New York location and demand to talk them, with evidence printed. That said, if I was that rich, I'd be knocking on Gary's door, asking what the hell's up with him, offer him a cash settlement to take over the project until completion, and send everything out to everyone. However, I doubt my numbers will kick in tonight. That'd be pretty sweet though. I think everyone could use $60 million.
I did some research. Gary hasn't posted a response on any of the forums he once belonged to since 2013. It was only the KS that he posted to until 2014 before going dark.
Libertad That's good to know. I hadn't heard of any of that. I also agree that it's not a matter of the hacker making this the reason things went to crap.
I remember back in the day continually sending Gary emails letting him know about Way of the Wicked being pirated and where it was. He'd thank me, and say he'd take care of it. Now all nine books are everywhere, and I don't know that he cares any more or would bother. It's probably an inevitability nowadays. I think all but maybe one of my books are pirated at this point and I haven't even done that much. Hopefully people like them enough to actually buy them too.
kevin_video
Explorer
Reading the copy/paste replies KS is depressing me. They know exactly what's going on and are doing absolutely nothing because it helps their bottom line.
kevin_video
Explorer
I got a letter finally. It's not what I was hoping for, but I'm going to respond to it.
jaynay27
Explorer
Well at least they put SOME effort in to that response, but it still boils down to 'not our problem'.
I mean seriously - why cant they attempt to contact him in an official capacity (knowing he has been silent for so long) to force a backer update at a minimum? We are at least owed an explanation.
I mean seriously - why cant they attempt to contact him in an official capacity (knowing he has been silent for so long) to force a backer update at a minimum? We are at least owed an explanation.
kevin_video
Explorer
I completely agree that we are. As such, I've asked them to make it their problem and at least perform the minimum that they can do, which is suspend his account. We've been told by a few people that they are capable of doing that. Good. Then do it. Now. And until he 1) apologizes and tells us why this happened, and 2) publicly releases his notes and work, then he can't back any more projects. That's what I've asked to happen. Now, granted, it's not like he can't come up with a dozen more emails and accounts for KS, but unless you're using a different credit card altogether, that's still a blip on the radar. I'm expecting them to perform the less than minimum effort (ie. nothing) and prove to all of us that they only care about their bottom line. I'd like them to do at least the minimum though. I made sure to be a little patronizing in my response. Kind of goad them into at least doing the suspension. We'll see though.
Hey everyone. Nonbacker here, but I did purchase them, and kept the maps on my wall by my desk. Loved the concept and the Upper Azathyr area and was looking forward to seeing what else Gary had come up with, especially the underwater civilizations, Skis'raal and Xan being able to join the party as PCs or even have all-spider or all-mushroom parties, and wanted to see the result of how NPCs could be influenced towards either Good or Evil. Hope this story has a happy ending that also results in the rest of the AP being released.
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