The accusations against him were lies.

He's an arrogant asshole.

These are not mutually exclusive statements.  They can both be true.

Quote from: yosemitemike on January 03, 2025, 08:18:08 AMThe accusations against him were lies.

He's an arrogant asshole.

These are not mutually exclusive statements.  They can both be true.

Not sure who this post is directed to, so it would be helpful if I knew who had pointed to me or the person who replied to me

Quote from: GhostNinja on January 03, 2025, 02:17:29 PMNot sure who this post is directed to, so it would be helpful if I knew who had pointed to me or the person who replied to me

It's not directed at anyone in particular.  That's why it's not a reply.

I withdraw the questions I originally posted here in response to Rpgpundit. I've gone over a lot of posts and familiarised myself with the background to this conflict. And I don't want to recycle it. There's plenty of information going way back - so it's a tedious thing for me to ask to have it redescribed for my benefit. And no gain to anyone.

And also because it just seems to bring out The Nasty in people. True, some responses are fairly measured (summarised broadly as "I think he is an ass and don't want anything to do with him or is products"). But to be honest when I read some of the antiZak posts (e.g. yabaziou) I wince. Whatever right they may have on their side, they come across as a real ugly spectacle to fresh eyes and drive me away. The Zak posts I read seem to have a good deal more dignity than some posting against him.

Granted, I've seen stuff from the left, from the harassers, in response to Weismann article which was  way worse - vile, sociopathic, sadistic stuff. And more effective as a bullying maneuver as it was more cleverly done. But mainly, chillingly, because it appears to come from a really sick place (just to clear, I'm talking about the original harassers here, not anyone in this thread). I admit, having read a lot of stuff this week, I feel sympathy for Zak S even if you don't.

That said, I do have some fresh responses to the article by Weisemann specifically. I know its old news to Grognards with Hero status here. But it was new to me on New Year's Day and really interested me. I won't post my thoughts here. I'll put them in the thread where it was discussed for anyone still interested.

Quote from: Green Demon on January 04, 2025, 05:34:02 AMThat said, I do have some fresh responses to the article by Weisemann specifically. I know its old news to Grognards with Hero status here. But it was new to me on New Year's Day and really interested me. I won't post my thoughts here. I'll put them in the thread where it was discussed for anyone still interested.

Start a new thread titled "Weisemann Article Discussion" (WAD) or something. The thread we are in right now centers Zak with its title and even though he is a central character to the article he's not the central character to the subject (social cancelation).

Let's Go!!! 

Quote from: Green Demon on January 04, 2025, 05:34:02 AMI withdraw the questions I originally posted here in response to Rpgpundit. I've gone over a lot of posts and familiarised myself with the background to this conflict. And I don't want to recycle it. There's plenty of information going way back - so it's a tedious thing for me to ask to have it redescribed for my benefit. And no gain to anyone.

And also because it just seems to bring out The Nasty in people. True, some responses are fairly measured (summarised broadly as "I think he is an ass and don't want anything to do with him or is products"). But to be honest when I read some of the antiZak posts (e.g. yabaziou) I wince. Whatever right they may have on their side, they come across as a real ugly spectacle to fresh eyes and drive me away. The Zak posts I read seem to have a good deal more dignity than some posting against him.

Granted, I've seen stuff from the left, from the harassers, in response to Weismann article which was  way worse - vile, sociopathic, sadistic stuff. And more effective as a bullying maneuver as it was more cleverly done. But mainly, chillingly, because it appears to come from a really sick place (just to clear, I'm talking about the original harassers here, not anyone in this thread). I admit, having read a lot of stuff this week, I feel sympathy for Zak S even if you don't.

That said, I do have some fresh responses to the article by Weisemann specifically. I know its old news to Grognards with Hero status here. But it was new to me on New Year's Day and really interested me. I won't post my thoughts here. I'll put them in the thread where it was discussed for anyone still interested.

Hello, puny zany tiny fugly zakki boyo enjoyer !

Any person who has an user name "Green Demon" and an ugly and grotesque user avatar is, forever and ever, disqualifies as a person of sound judgement.

You carry water for zakki boyo ? Good, he will need all the help he can get, to unturn his full cancellation and regain his taste maker status.

Quote from: LouGarou on January 04, 2025, 07:08:06 AMStart a new thread titled "Weisemann Article Discussion" (WAD) or something. The thread we are in right now centers Zak with its title and even though he is a central character to the article he's not the central character to the subject (social cancelation).

Let's Go!!! 

Good point. But there's a thread posted last January called The Worst People You Have Never Met. I'll just post there when i get some time to write something.

Quote from: yosemitemike on January 03, 2025, 06:39:43 PMIt's not directed at anyone in particular.  That's why it's not a reply.

I don't care about the accusations against him and they are not why I boycott Zak's work.

If the amature look of the pictures he posted are any indicaton, I am not missing anything.

Quote from: Green Demon on January 04, 2025, 05:34:02 AMI withdraw the questions I originally posted here in response to Rpgpundit. I've gone over a lot of posts and familiarised myself with the background to this conflict.

I wish more people would do this.  There's a reason that old threads are kept on forums.

I'm not familiar with all these stories. I'll take the time to discover them all (or not) but for the moment what matters to me is the possibility of seeing new books. I got Vornheim for Christmas, I'm a fan. and discovering A Red and Pleasant Land was a great moment.

Greetings!

I purchased the book Vornheim, by Zak S. Vornheim is a disorganized and scribbled mess, that I think is thoroughly uninspiring and mostly useless. After thoroughly reading through the book, hoping to find the much-proclaimed "Brilliance" I was convinced I have no interest in anything that Zak S. has written. Vornheim has remained somewhere on my bookshelves, discarded and forgotten. I own books and supplements that are far superior, many of which are an absolute pleasure to read and use. All of the proclamations that Zak S. is some brilliant writer, artist, and visionary game designer, whatever, I think are entirely exaggerated and overblown. The book as a whole is mediocre at best, in any regard.

Semper Fidelis,

SHARK

Quote from: SHARK on January 05, 2025, 07:34:05 PMGreetings!

I purchased the book Vornheim, by Zak S. Vornheim is a disorganized and scribbled mess, that I think is thoroughly uninspiring and mostly useless. After thoroughly reading through the book, hoping to find the much-proclaimed "Brilliance" I was convinced I have no interest in anything that Zak S. has written. Vornheim has remained somewhere on my bookshelves, discarded and forgotten. I own books and supplements that are far superior, many of which are an absolute pleasure to read and use. All of the proclamations that Zak S. is some brilliant writer, artist, and visionary game designer, whatever, I think are entirely exaggerated and overblown. The book as a whole is mediocre at best, in any regard.

Semper Fidelis,

SHARK

100% agree. I did NOT like Vornheim, I reviewed it when it came out, was told I "didn't get it." Sold it for enough money to buy Nobilis which I really didn't get.

Quote from: SHARK on January 05, 2025, 07:34:05 PMGreetings!

I purchased the book Vornheim, by Zak S. Vornheim is a disorganized and scribbled mess, that I think is thoroughly uninspiring and mostly useless. After thoroughly reading through the book, hoping to find the much-proclaimed "Brilliance" I was convinced I have no interest in anything that Zak S. has written. Vornheim has remained somewhere on my bookshelves, discarded and forgotten. I own books and supplements that are far superior, many of which are an absolute pleasure to read and use. All of the proclamations that Zak S. is some brilliant writer, artist, and visionary game designer, whatever, I think are entirely exaggerated and overblown. The book as a whole is mediocre at best, in any regard.

Semper Fidelis,

SHARK

Agree Shark. I bought it some years ago after reading the hype. I was saying to myself is that it?
Horses for courses and all that. But the ideas inside were not to my taste at all they were far too whimsical and 'wacky'.

Quote from: SHARK on January 05, 2025, 07:34:05 PMGreetings!

I purchased the book Vornheim, by Zak S. Vornheim is a disorganized and scribbled mess, that I think is thoroughly uninspiring and mostly useless. After thoroughly reading through the book, hoping to find the much-proclaimed "Brilliance" I was convinced I have no interest in anything that Zak S. has written. Vornheim has remained somewhere on my bookshelves, discarded and forgotten. I own books and supplements that are far superior, many of which are an absolute pleasure to read and use. All of the proclamations that Zak S. is some brilliant writer, artist, and visionary game designer, whatever, I think are entirely exaggerated and overblown. The book as a whole is mediocre at best, in any regard.

Semper Fidelis,

SHARK

Glad I'm not alone. I prefer a lot more prep than the style of play presented in the book. I also like my world more grounded. Nothing in Vornheim was useful to me. 

Quote from: Ruprecht on January 06, 2025, 08:41:02 PM

Quote from: SHARK on January 05, 2025, 07:34:05 PMGreetings!

I purchased the book Vornheim, by Zak S. Vornheim is a disorganized and scribbled mess, that I think is thoroughly uninspiring and mostly useless. After thoroughly reading through the book, hoping to find the much-proclaimed "Brilliance" I was convinced I have no interest in anything that Zak S. has written. Vornheim has remained somewhere on my bookshelves, discarded and forgotten. I own books and supplements that are far superior, many of which are an absolute pleasure to read and use. All of the proclamations that Zak S. is some brilliant writer, artist, and visionary game designer, whatever, I think are entirely exaggerated and overblown. The book as a whole is mediocre at best, in any regard.

Semper Fidelis,

SHARK

Glad I'm not alone. I prefer a lot more prep than the style of play presented in the book. I also like my world more grounded. Nothing in Vornheim was useful to me. 

Greetings!

Nice, Ruprecht! Yeah, I also prefer to be far more "Prepped" for my games, and of course, my campaign world is also very grounded. Reading through Vornheim, I got the impression that some mediocre DM got totally baked, and decided to throw some kind of "Urban Supplement" together for his party animal friends to laugh at. It was difficult for me to take seriously as a supplement. Wading through so much scribbled, "Hee Hee" mess tables, half-baked encounter ideas, it made me wonder that this book is targeted at an audience of adolescent party animals, paying only minimal attention to the idea they are playing a roleplaying game. Page by page, section by section, the book seemed more irrelevant to me at every step. Which to be honest, was something of a disappointment, after reading so many people rave about how much of a RPG genius Zak is, and how majestic and revolutionary Vornheim is. Upon finishing surveying the book, I tossed it somewhere in the bookshelf, and haven't used it ever. It definitely taught me that most people gulping down whatever hype are full of BS. Which, legitimate hype for a serious game designer or writer can definitely be legitimate and worthwhile.

However, looking at Zak, his appearance, the way he speaks and presents himself, his website, and the company he keeps, to me certainly sends a message that he is not a serious person, let alone a serious game designer or writer. For better or for worse, his game book Vornheim reflects that image and that impression. It furthermore informed me that I wouldn't be interested in anything else produced by Zak, because I felt fairly convinced that any other products would be produced in the same style and approach of Vornheim.

Yeah. I just wrote off the expense as a learning fee, to trust my instincts and better judgment. I won't make that mistake again. *Laughing*

Semper Fidelis,

SHARK