West End Games for sale.

[samaritan1975]

So, this won't really mean much to some of you, but others will probably be all "Huh?".  Still others will know the story behind it.

At any rate, the owner of West End Games (makers of the primary d6 System RPG products) has put the company and its assets up for sale.  This comes on the heels of an explosive blowout on RPG.net due to some mismanagement, trolling/harassment/badgering/complaining (depending on how you see it, and to be fair, the complaints were warranted) by posters, and so on.

On one hand, I think of it being a business, and know there's not really room for poorly managed businesses.  On the other, it's sad to see someone want so badly to wash their hands of something they once loved because of the shrill voices of people who actually have no stake in the matter.

Comments

[tracker7.livejournal.com]

I hated seeing this turn out the way it did. While I had no financial stake in WEG's most recent incarnation, the emotional carryover from the D6 Star Wars days is pretty strong.

I wish Eric the best, and hope that he's able to refund everyone who pre-ordered the Septimus book.

[samaritan1975.livejournal.com]

Rough to watch, to be sure. I actually know one of the particular posters from his days on the R. Talsorian boards. He was just as inciteful then.

[marcochacon.livejournal.com]

DJorgensen? Apparently he's renown for it ...

-Marco

[samaritan1975.livejournal.com]

*nods*

On one hand, I could respect the guy for uncovering what he seems to fervently believe is a con.

On the other, he just comes off as having issues about having to be noticed, of being *right*.

[marcochacon.livejournal.com]

He's done it to other people to--I don't for a moment believe it's about "uncovering a con"--I think it's his own issues (getting to tear someone down).

That doesn't mean it's okay for WEG to take people's money and not deliver--that isn't right either--but just because you are going after someone in the wrong doesn't make you righteous.

It can mean your self righteous too.

-Marco

[samaritan1975.livejournal.com]

He did the same thing, back with R. Tal. Of course, then, it wasn't a 'con', or distinct customer service issue- he just didn't like the lack of product as I recall.

[tracker7.livejournal.com]

Dana J, I'm guessing?

[samaritan1975.livejournal.com]

Got it in one.

[tracker7.livejournal.com]

So I see from other comments. I was never on the RTG forum, so RPGnet was the first place I encountered him. His blowup at Crafty Games didn't impress me at all, and the latest incidents are even worse.

[samaritan1975.livejournal.com]

Huh, hadn't heard about the Crafty Games one. What's the story there? Spycraft reprint, I imagine?

[tracker7.livejournal.com]

A while ago, Dana had gotten a Powered by Spycraft license for a line of vehicle books - a variant of his Big Bang Ricochet stuff, I think - and some other projects, too. Apparently, communication wasn't going fast enough for him, and he made a very vocal complaint over on the Crafty forum. Response wasn't immediate, so badmouthing increased and nothing further was released. His big blowup happened over Origins weekend (I believe), and when someone pointed out that problem with timing, he responded that he doesn't bother to pay attention to convention scheduling.

Now, I'll be the first to admit that Crafty initially bit off more than they could chew (and maybe are continuing to do so), but things have improved and products are being developed in-house and by freelancers and licensees.

[q99.livejournal.com]

Wow, I hadn't heard of this. I hadn't heard of WEG doing anything for awhile either.

The blowups and selling are definitely related?

[samaritan1975.livejournal.com]

Ohhhh yes.

http://forum.rpg.net/showthread.php?t=404426&page=6

[q99.livejournal.com]

That puts a lot in perspective, thanks.

[samaritan1975.livejournal.com]

Yup. Turns out that Dana got himself a one-month ban for his part. *shrug* A little late, but I guess the mods felt they had to do something.

[darktouch.livejournal.com]

The only WEG game I actually own is the DC Heroes core book. That said, I've never born them any ill will. (If I was going to wish any company out of existence it would probably be Palladium).

Still, it a sad thing when these things go.