Quote from: Omega;1034080That sounds like James Shipman the creep who stole art and RPGs and was selling them with name changes and other tweaks. He even had the gall to release a game called True West which he claims was written in 79.

https://www.amazon.com/True-West-Wild-Roleplaying-Game/dp/1453600027/ref=sr_1_13?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1523585974&sr=1-13

And this gem.


Followed by the real artists comment.

Ah yes, I got the two confused, thanks for the correction. Ken's list of unhappy people equally lengthy it seems!

He's certainly a scumbag who has failed to deliver.

Looking through the brief, it appears to be a civil case. That doesn't really mean too much, unfortunately.

If people want to make waves, they need to bring a class-action before the state.

Quote from: Willie the Duck;1034003Regardless, it is the current model, and those people who previously went to venture capitalists or friends and family (or having started out in a lucrative career and now liquidating your savings to attempt a creative enterprise) are now doing Kickstarters. Like it or lump it, this is the modern system.

And it should be pointed out that in many cases in the past, these people didn't do any of those things. Instead, they simply didn't start the project at all. Kickstarters have produced a good many products that simply wouldn't have been produced if they didn't exist, including many that eventually do wind up in stores.

Quote from: FeloniousMonk;1034095He's certainly a scumbag who has failed to deliver.

Looking through the brief, it appears to be a civil case. That doesn't really mean too much, unfortunately.

If people want to make waves, they need to bring a class-action before the state.

Not enough money.

Quote from: Ulairi;1034188Not enough money.

Also, the only people who benefit from class actions are the Lawyers.

On the last page, it mentions Kickstarter refused to provide a list of backers to the plaintiff.  This didn't allow him to try to get them to join legal action.

Quote from: Almost_Useless;1034193On the last page, it mentions Kickstarter refused to provide a list of backers to the plaintiff.  This didn't allow him to try to get them to join legal action.

Good. My information is none of his damn business.

Quote from: Ulairi;1034197Good. My information is none of his damn business.

If he can make a case with it?  It is his business.  That's how American Law works.  However, in this case, he didn't.  Thankfully.

Quote from: Christopher Brady;1034001You know how you should do that?  By not buying into a promise, but actually buying a PRODUCT.

I think you've mistaken the URLs. We're talking about Kickstarter.
You're talking about this site.

QuoteIf they can't get the money for the startup on their own, then maybe it shouldn't see the light of day, ne?

Actually, "ne". (Funny enough, that means "no" in my native language:D).

The creators being able to get the money for the startup on their own is unrelated to the qualities of the work itself, those are often different skillsets.
The whole point of Kickstarter is that some works that should definitely see the light of day would never see it unless other people help those creators that aren't able to get the money for the startup;).
Judging by his post, you should probably look at Chris24601 for an example of this.

Granted, this requires trusting the creators' good intentions. When people use money because they trust others, other people are going to abuse that trust, it's basically guaranteed. Ken Whitman is allegedly one of those people.
And that's why it's a good thing that he has been served. The courts can now send a message to those who would abuse the trust of other people, should they decide he's done that:).
But it doesn't change at all the way we should treat Kickstarter. Or at least, it shouldn't change it;).

Quote from: AsenRG;1034247I think you've mistaken the URLs. We're talking about Kickstarter.
You're talking about this site.


Actually, "ne". (Funny enough, that means "no" in my native language:D).

The creators being able to get the money for the startup on their own is unrelated to the qualities of the work itself, those are often different skillsets.
The whole point of Kickstarter is that some works that should definitely see the light of day would never see it unless other people help those creators that aren't able to get the money for the startup;).
Judging by his post, you should probably look at Chris24601 for an example of this.

Granted, this requires trusting the creators' good intentions. When people use money because they trust others, other people are going to abuse that trust, it's basically guaranteed. Ken Whitman is allegedly one of those people.
And that's why it's a good thing that he has been served. The courts can now send a message to those who would abuse the trust of other people, should they decide he's done that:).
But it doesn't change at all the way we should treat Kickstarter. Or at least, it shouldn't change it;).

There will always be those who abuse any system for illegitimate gains. This does not automatically discredit the system in question. Kickstarter has been a net good for the gaming hobby, in spite of fraudulent behavior such as that of which Ken Whitman is accused.

Quote from: RandyB;1034257There will always be those who abuse any system for illegitimate gains. This does not automatically discredit the system in question. Kickstarter has been a net good for the gaming hobby, in spite of fraudulent behavior such as that of which Ken Whitman is accused.

Exactly my point, made more succintly:). Thank you!

Good.

The thing is, Crowdfunding is a REALLY fantastic concept. It's an amazing way for creative types to potentially monetize their skills.
But for it not to be totally ruined, it needs to be accountable.

Quote from: RPGPundit;1035306Good.

The thing is, Crowdfunding is a REALLY fantastic concept. It's an amazing way for creative types to potentially monetize their skills.
But for it not to be totally ruined, it needs to be accountable.

Not really, most who use it have zero business sense.  In fact very few can be considered successes.  Most Kickstarters deliver late.  If it was a real business, they'd have gone under, or at least been in financial trouble.  In fact, most use it as a supplementary income model, while they continue to have a day job to pay the bills, because they almost always fail to live up to promised release dates.

My pussy and I are very much relieved. And it all warrants a good thrashing... I am unanimous in this! :cool:

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(Seriously, over twenty posts and not a single 'Are You Being Served?' joke? )

Quote from: Opaopajr;1035315My pussy and I are very much relieved. And it all warrants a good thrashing... I am unanimous in this! :cool:

[ATTACH=CONFIG]2417[/ATTACH]

(Seriously, over twenty posts and not a single 'Are You Being Served?' joke? )

It's a British show, I don't think anyone outside of Easter Canada and a some U.S. states gets anything from the motherland anymore.