CONAN: Shadizar map debacle?

[S'mon]

I agree 100% with Wil - despite what some seem to think there's no way to keep his identity secret from The Public while making the knowledge available to The Hidden Cabal of Games Publishers & those who might wish to commission his work. Public knowledge benefits everyone; it discourages plagiarism which benefits both the public and other publishers.

 

[DaveMage]

I feel like crap now. I tried to edit my post after I had given it some thought-but it had already been quoted. My connection of the dots (based on the non-working link to his site alone) should have been kept to myself, or confirmed privately. Now his name is being bandied about, and he’s not here to defend himself.

There's nothing else for me to say about this, except that I disagree that the man needs to be pilloried.

His name was mentioned in the other (older) thread so don't beat yourself up about it.

 

[jaerdaph]

I hope we do find out. I don't consider it internal because of the market.

I seriously doubt that Mongoose or any other publisher has a staff position where "check every single RPG map ever produced to make sure the artist didn't pull a fast one" is part of the job description, or ever will.

 

[GentleGiant]

I seriously doubt that Mongoose or any other publisher has a staff position where "check every single RPG map ever produced to make sure the artist didn't pull a fast one" is part of the job description, or ever will.

And neither should they (or any other company for that matter).
Doing business is a large part having to trust "strangers" - I don't blame Mongoose for not wanting to work with the cartographer in question again.
But on the other hand, I would hope that this is a tough lesson learned by all, not least the artist, and something like this isn't going to happen to anyone again (as Will said, "outing" the artist should at least deter anyone else from doing something similar, since they can see the pronounced effect this has)... and that someone see things this way and are willing to give Mr. Bunce a chance in the future. As I said before, it would be a shame to let his talents (and when he produces his own work, he really IS talented) go to waste.

 

[DanMcS]

Mistaken identity.

 

[Emirikol]

I seriously doubt that Mongoose or any other publisher has a staff position where "check every single RPG map ever produced to make sure the artist didn't pull a fast one" is part of the job description, or ever will.

They're selling a $40.00 boxed set with a license from a major icon (CONAN). They'd better be damn well looking at the maps before they go into the final product. ROMANTIC LOVE CANALS IN SHADIZAR???? What kind of moron editor let that one go? Forget plagarism. I'm talking about a moron editor who either doesnt' know what the hell he's doing, or is just plain sloppy. Either way, it's Mongooses fault that they even let a map that's completely unrealated to the material get put in there.

Who was the editor again? Who's name is listed in the book? That's the other person to blame for POOR PRODUCT QUALITY. The map doesn't even go with the city (not to mention it was plagarized). There's more than one issue here. That's what get's me worked up

jh

 

[BastionPress_Creech]

... and that someone see things this way and are willing to give Mr. Bunce a chance in the future. As I said before, it would be a shame to let his talents (and when he produces his own work, he really IS talented) go to waste.

I would have no problem with having Clayton do cartography for a future Bastion Press product if certain guarantees and understandings were negotiated and in place. Everyone deserves a second chance when they make a mistake and I think Clayton has understood the gravity of his. It's sad and unfortunate, but he's not the first to be in this situation nor will he be likely to be the last...

 

[morrigan]

I would have no problem with having Clayton do cartography for a future Bastion Press product if certain guarantees and understandings were negotiated and in place. Everyone deserves a second chance when they make a mistake and I think Clayton has understood the gravity of his. It's sad and unfortunate, but he's not the first to be in this situation nor will he be likely to be the last...

I think that may be too forgiving on your part. I've spoken with Clayton about this, and other serious issues he has with a number of publishers (Morrigan Press included). Not only has he refused to make amends or even apologize but he has absolutely no remorese other than he was caught. He may be a great cartographer and he may once have held the respect of the industry but now... that's all gone. Publishers would be well advised to use extreme caution if you plan on hiring him in the future. Contracts mean nothing to him and most publishers cannot afford the legal fees required to pursue their rights after the fact. (we on the other hand can and are pursuing those legal rights on principle of the matter alone let alone the money we are out).

And to those wwo think this post may be spiteful or bringing a private matter to the public... these types of gross negilgence and outright dishonetsy need to be brought to the public's attention so the perpetrator cannot do it again. If we said nothing and Clayton fleeced another publisher 6 months from now I'd feel personally responsible because I said nothing and could have.

Cheers,
Scott Agnew
Morrigan Press Inc.

 

[BastionPress_Creech]

I think that may be too forgiving on your part. I've spoken with Clayton about this, and other serious issues he has with a number of publishers (Morrigan Press included). Not only has he refused to make amends or even apologize but he has absolutely no remorese other than he was caught. He may be a great cartographer and he may once have held the respect of the industry but now... that's all gone. Publishers would be well advised to use extreme caution if you plan on hiring him in the future. Contracts mean nothing to him and most publishers cannot afford the legal fees required to pursue their rights after the fact. (we on the other hand can and are pursuing those legal rights on principle of the matter alone let alone the money we are out).

And this is new information that certainly sheds a different light on my opinion and goes back to what I said about "guarantees and understandings". Having no remorse and refusing to even attempt to make amends IS a major problem and one that will certainly keep him from working in the industry again.