Not all �#OSR� rulesets are just "B/x clones". My own OSR rules in Lion & Dragon / Baptism of Fire have very specific & radical differences.
Also, is Zak S making a comeback?
�#dnd� �#ttrpg� �#osr�
https://youtu.be/9tsC4MPVKFs?si=lSiHRZYFmPvNC6xm
IMHO Zak is a pretentious Cunt who acts like an asshole most of the time and then as an innocent victim when anyone throws his own shit back at him.
That being said, cancelling him for that is IMO not Kosher, good for Raggi for hiring the cunt. Here's hoping he doesn't regret it due to said asshole throwing him under the bus, because he does love a cancellation as long as it's not his own.
Zak admitted to taking money for work and then refusing to deliver here on this forum and then tried to defend it saying the guy that contracted him was a Nazi. He may have some talent but he's an amoral scumbag and a bit dim.
Zak, if you have an ounce of sense you'd STFU publicly about everything except your products and sit this thread out.
Eh I don't really care either way. I think both Zak S and James Raggi are pieces of crap and I never plan on buying anything from either of them so Zak can do whatever he wants.
It seems like at this point Zak's problems as far as a comeback tour is concerned is that its not just the Woke who despise him; a lot of the people who bought his books back in the day, most of whom don't believe that Zak was guilty of anything, still won't want to buy his book.
Zak is basically the perfect rpg.net poster; his scorn for we problematics is palpable in any opinion piece he's written. But he will never again walk those golden halls now that he is outcast and unclean to them. So half of the audience detests him, and he detests the other half. Not a whole lot of people left with that math. The righties here will at least occasionally buy the work of a lefty if it's of good quality, but there's zero chance of any of his preferred pronouns buying the work. To even glance its way would catch them a ban off big purple.
Quote from: GhostNinja on August 04, 2024, 09:21:34 AMEh I don't really care either way. I think both Zak S and James Raggi are pieces of crap and I never plan on buying anything from either of them so Zak can do whatever he wants.
I have high regard for Raggi. He pays his contractors pretty well, produces high quality (Physically) books, and if the aesthetic is to your taste he produces high quality content as well. And he mostly stood by a contractor/friend (Zak) when the angry mob was after the guy and there was no actual proof which is pretty stand up.
Zak on the other hand. He is an angry fellow who appears to have been friends/coworkers with a few of his anonymous attackers (if that leaked interview thing is to be believed) which I think says a lot about Karma. If that interview thing was fake, but Zak is pushing it as real and thus implicating his old friends and coworkers that says even worse things about him. I guess the third option is Zak doesn't think the interview thing is real, and it isn't real, and he's so prickly nobody but Raggi stood up to defend him which also says a lot about him.
The article is real but it sounds like you might've just skimmed it.
The article, the audio files (with the Dr's voice), and interviewees Olivia Hill, Patrick Stuart and Brian Yaksha admitting they talked to her are all here (https://officialzsannouncements.blogspot.com/2024/08/they-admitted-they-lied-resource-round.html).
Quote from: Zak S on August 05, 2024, 04:55:45 PMThe article is real but it sounds like you might've just skimmed it.
The article, the audio files (with the Dr's voice), and interviewees Olivia Hill, Patrick Stuart and Brian Yaksha admitting they talked to her are all here (https://officialzsannouncements.blogspot.com/2024/08/they-admitted-they-lied-resource-round.html).
I read it, I listened to the audio files, I believe it was true. I was just providing all the options as I see it.
Quote from: Ruprecht on August 05, 2024, 09:30:48 AMI have high regard for Raggi. He pays his contractors pretty well, produces high quality (Physically) books, and if the aesthetic is to your taste he produces high quality content as well. And he mostly stood by a contractor/friend (Zak) when the angry mob was after the guy and there was no actual proof which is pretty stand up.
That's fine. I am not telling anyone what they should or shouldn't buy, I am simply saying that Raggi and Zak are on my blacklist (along with a few other designers) for the way they act and are people who will never get money from me.
Quote from: GhostNinja on August 05, 2024, 08:32:10 PMQuote from: Ruprecht on August 05, 2024, 09:30:48 AMI have high regard for Raggi. He pays his contractors pretty well, produces high quality (Physically) books, and if the aesthetic is to your taste he produces high quality content as well. And he mostly stood by a contractor/friend (Zak) when the angry mob was after the guy and there was no actual proof which is pretty stand up.
That's fine. I am not telling anyone what they should or shouldn't buy, I am simply saying that Raggi and Zak are on my blacklist (along with a few other designers) for the way they act and are people who will never get money from me.
What has Raggi ever done to invoke your ire?
Quote from: S'mon on August 08, 2024, 08:54:15 AMQuote from: GhostNinja on August 05, 2024, 08:32:10 PMQuote from: Ruprecht on August 05, 2024, 09:30:48 AMI have high regard for Raggi. He pays his contractors pretty well, produces high quality (Physically) books, and if the aesthetic is to your taste he produces high quality content as well. And he mostly stood by a contractor/friend (Zak) when the angry mob was after the guy and there was no actual proof which is pretty stand up.
That's fine. I am not telling anyone what they should or shouldn't buy, I am simply saying that Raggi and Zak are on my blacklist (along with a few other designers) for the way they act and are people who will never get money from me.
What has Raggi ever done to invoke your ire?
Apart from showing his tits
Quote from: RPGPundit on August 08, 2024, 05:38:54 PMApart from showing his tits
Yeah, talking about reinforcing the bad stereotypes attached to gamers.
I admire Jim's stance on anti-censorship within the gaming sphere.
Has any of his latest products been subject to censorship from Drivthru, does anyone know (I'm not referring to any of the zak stuff)?
Ta'
Quote from: Rob Necronomicon on August 08, 2024, 08:07:33 PMI admire Jim's stance on anti-censorship within the gaming sphere.
Has any of his latest products been subject to censorship from Drivthru, does anyone know (I'm not referring to any of the zak stuff)?
Ta'
I specifically talk about that in the video.
Quote from: RPGPundit on August 09, 2024, 09:59:53 AMQuote from: Rob Necronomicon on August 08, 2024, 08:07:33 PMI admire Jim's stance on anti-censorship within the gaming sphere.
Has any of his latest products been subject to censorship from Drivthru, does anyone know (I'm not referring to any of the zak stuff)?
Ta'
I specifically talk about that in the video.
I saw you mentioned that... But didn't you say that you 'thought' (if I remember correctly?). What I'm wondering if there is any official word from Raagi about the latest LoTFP material. I know he mentioned that Black Knight (or whatever it's called) would be a problem as it's 'racially fucked' apparently.
But I'm interested to know if Drivethru has suddenly got even more draconian with their censorship recently.
Quote from: Rob Necronomicon on August 09, 2024, 01:46:34 PMQuote from: RPGPundit on August 09, 2024, 09:59:53 AMQuote from: Rob Necronomicon on August 08, 2024, 08:07:33 PMI admire Jim's stance on anti-censorship within the gaming sphere.
Has any of his latest products been subject to censorship from Drivthru, does anyone know (I'm not referring to any of the zak stuff)?
Ta'
I specifically talk about that in the video.
I saw you mentioned that... But didn't you say that you 'thought' (if I remember correctly?). What I'm wondering if there is any official word from Raagi about the latest LoTFP material. I know he mentioned that Black Knight (or whatever it's called) would be a problem as it's 'racially fucked' apparently.
But I'm interested to know if Drivethru has suddenly got even more draconian with their censorship recently.
Yes. Raggi publicly stated his annoyance at the fact that Drivethru has an "Adult" restricted category and yet somehow a number of his latest books were rejected completely, making him question what the "Adult" category is even for.
AAAAYYYYY!!! Pundit. Merls. Zak. Everybody the Commies killed is back from the outer planes!!!
(https://media1.giphy.com/media/Pf0d7Y5oAKZgs/giphy.gif?cid=6c09b952xr5dbez0uj4t3do1a2vumxc5kv4g90x4qm70c0jf&ep=v1_gifs_search&rid=giphy.gif&ct=g)
Quote from: RPGPundit on August 10, 2024, 01:21:10 AMQuote from: Rob Necronomicon on August 09, 2024, 01:46:34 PMQuote from: RPGPundit on August 09, 2024, 09:59:53 AMQuote from: Rob Necronomicon on August 08, 2024, 08:07:33 PMI admire Jim's stance on anti-censorship within the gaming sphere.
Has any of his latest products been subject to censorship from Drivthru, does anyone know (I'm not referring to any of the zak stuff)?
Ta'
I specifically talk about that in the video.
I saw you mentioned that... But didn't you say that you 'thought' (if I remember correctly?). What I'm wondering if there is any official word from Raagi about the latest LoTFP material. I know he mentioned that Black Knight (or whatever it's called) would be a problem as it's 'racially fucked' apparently.
But I'm interested to know if Drivethru has suddenly got even more draconian with their censorship recently.
Yes. Raggi publicly stated his annoyance at the fact that Drivethru has an "Adult" restricted category and yet somehow a number of his latest books were rejected completely, making him question what the "Adult" category is even for.
Right... So they have changed their policy then. Despite having a so-called 'adult' section. I mean, we saw the writing on the wall with 'Wight Power' and now they seem to be even more censorious. This is the problem with monopolies (or near monopolies).
Hopefully, he can sell the pdfs from his own site and fuck the middleman.
Zak S is a talented writer, but he's burned so many bridges with both sides of the political divide that I don't see any "comeback" occurring.
But who knows? Maybe he'll launch something great on Gamefound instead of Kickstarter and ride a new wave of popularity. Or not.
We will see.
Quote from: Spinachcat on August 10, 2024, 06:51:52 PMZak S is a talented writer, but he's burned so many bridges with both sides of the political divide that I don't see any "comeback" occurring.
But who knows? Maybe he'll launch something great on Gamefound instead of Kickstarter and ride a new wave of popularity. Or not.
We will see.
Well, in my video I explain where Zak is starting his comeback.
This is one reason we really need to support indie creators like Raggi and places that sell alternative material like the Red Room.
Fair play to you, Pundit for releasing your Pundit Presents stuff on their site.
I doubt anyone can ever compete with Drivethru but it would be great if indie authors could at least sell their stuff at alternative places. I don't want to buy products that are censored for politically correct man-babies, personally.
Quote from: Rob Necronomicon on August 11, 2024, 11:50:16 AMThis is one reason we really need to support indie creators like Raggi and places that sell alternative material like the Red Room.
Fair play to you, Pundit for releasing your Pundit Presents stuff on their site.
I doubt anyone can ever compete with Drivethru but it would be great if indie authors could at least sell their stuff at alternative places. I don't want to buy products that are censored for politically correct man-babies, personally.
Hear, hear! As someone who'd never buy the degeneracy found in some of those adult products I fully support their right to peddle their smutt.
Quote from: GeekyBugle on August 11, 2024, 12:07:37 PMQuote from: Rob Necronomicon on August 11, 2024, 11:50:16 AMThis is one reason we really need to support indie creators like Raggi and places that sell alternative material like the Red Room.
Fair play to you, Pundit for releasing your Pundit Presents stuff on their site.
I doubt anyone can ever compete with Drivethru but it would be great if indie authors could at least sell their stuff at alternative places. I don't want to buy products that are censored for politically correct man-babies, personally.
Hear, hear! As someone who'd never buy the degeneracy found in some of those adult products I fully support their right to peddle their smutt.
Same here, mate. There's a lot of shit out there that would turn my stomach (that or I'd die laughing at), but I support their right to sell it. I think Raggi using the term 'adult category' is a bit misleading because it conjures up smutty and seedy shit in RPGs.
I prefer the term 'mature' as that deals with more Horror and violence, etc.
Zak S is a classic example of the principle that an asshole is still an asshole regardless of where they stand on the controversies du jour.
Quote from: Rob Necronomicon on August 10, 2024, 01:45:23 PMRight... So they have changed their policy then. Despite having a so-called 'adult' section. I mean, we saw the writing on the wall with 'Wight Power' and now they seem to be even more censorious. This is the problem with monopolies (or near monopolies).
Hopefully, he can sell the pdfs from his own site and fuck the middleman.
I remember the bru-ha-ha over the Tokyo Black line releasing a book called "Tournament of Rapists". People were talking boycotting DriveThru, and Fred Hicks was loudly joining the call, and indy publishers were giving their sob stories about how if you boycotted DriveThru then it'd cut their supplemental income of dozens of pennies, and finally DriveThru pulled it, and everyone felt safe again.
Except for two things: first, it was about -fighting- an evil group of rapists (an idea which is hardly unique to this book), and secondly, only two copies were sold before the public outrage. So yeah, everybody was upset about something they hadn't even read. Which... is pretty typical for literature in general honestly, so yay that RPGs are getting the same treatment?
I'm not saying Tokyo Black is a good game line ("let's play D&D mechanics to do stories about Modern Day Japanese Hentai" seems like it'd take a very particular gaming group to play with), but I will say that the same people upset about ToR were the same people who gave White Wolf a pass for all the rape stuff in Exalted (Exalted: Infernals has child gang rape to justify "birthing" said Infernals, and there's a lot of rape art in the Scroll of Swallowed Darkness). And you can still buy those PDFs just fine on DriveThru.
So the lessons to game developers is "don't put naughty words in your title" and "you -can- depict rape in your game art if people like your game".
Quote from: Habitual Gamer on August 15, 2024, 01:36:25 PMI remember the bru-ha-ha over the Tokyo Black line releasing a book called "Tournament of Rapists". People were talking boycotting DriveThru, and Fred Hicks was loudly joining the call, and indy publishers were giving their sob stories about how if you boycotted DriveThru then it'd cut their supplemental income of dozens of pennies, and finally DriveThru pulled it, and everyone felt safe again.
Except for two things: first, it was about -fighting- an evil group of rapists (an idea which is hardly unique to this book), and secondly, only two copies were sold before the public outrage. So yeah, everybody was upset about something they hadn't even read. Which... is pretty typical for literature in general honestly, so yay that RPGs are getting the same treatment?
This has always been a thing, but it seems to be getting more common. Someone posts outrage on Twitter or Youtube or wherever, and people who had never heard of or seen the book before join in. I think the thing to do is that when people complain about a book without having read it, to hold them especially to erroneous claims about it.
If Fred Hicks is crying about your game then you've probably got something interesting at the very least.
DT do seem to be getting more censorious, however. It can even take just one person to boohoo on the internet (as JhKim pointed out) and the shit hits the fan. Unfortunately they have a near monopoly so you've got to bend the knee to some degree if you're a professional (or aim to be one).
That said, if they reject your material you can just sell it on your own site, or on an alternative platform just advertise the shit out of it on social media, and in any of the other pdfs you sell. So people will know that the product exists. Not a perfect solution but it beats having your products and art sanitized, imo.
But all this 'should be' a moot point because Drivethru technically has a section for mature material. Of course, it's not working as it should, sadly.
Quote from: Rob Necronomicon on August 16, 2024, 08:43:04 PMBut all this 'should be' a moot point because Drivethru technically has a section for mature material. Of course, it's not working as it should, sadly.
I'll believe DTRPG truly cares about sensitive topics when they pull some of the stuff White Wolf/Onyx Path put out. Not that I'll agree with it even then, but at least I'll think their intentions are honest (albeit wrong). Until then it's just favoritism masked as social awareness.
Quote from: Habitual Gamer on August 20, 2024, 04:43:07 PMQuote from: Rob Necronomicon on August 16, 2024, 08:43:04 PMBut all this 'should be' a moot point because Drivethru technically has a section for mature material. Of course, it's not working as it should, sadly.
I'll believe DTRPG truly cares about sensitive topics when they pull some of the stuff White Wolf/Onyx Path put out. Not that I'll agree with it even then, but at least I'll think their intentions are honest (albeit wrong). Until then it's just favoritism masked as social awareness.
100%!! I said this a while ago too. DT let a lot of the Vamp Black Dog stuff through (and other gnarly stuff). But no way would they ever go near WW because of their influence and cash generated for DT.
Some 'companies' are more 'equal' than others it seems.
Quote from: Rob Necronomicon on August 11, 2024, 11:50:16 AMI doubt anyone can ever compete with Drivethru but it would be great if indie authors could at least sell their stuff at alternative places. I don't want to buy products that are censored for politically correct man-babies, personally.
itch.io seems to be picking up. I think it might be years before it's really competitive (and they only cover digital, you need to use Lulu or something else for print). But it
is viable and an alternative.
It's not on DriveThru's corporate behemoth scale, but as a little guy, I discovered Gumroad as a DriveThru alternative.
We can support the little guy by posting or buying wares there.
Quote from: Rob Necronomicon on August 21, 2024, 02:23:37 PMQuote from: Habitual Gamer on August 20, 2024, 04:43:07 PMQuote from: Rob Necronomicon on August 16, 2024, 08:43:04 PMBut all this 'should be' a moot point because Drivethru technically has a section for mature material. Of course, it's not working as it should, sadly.
I'll believe DTRPG truly cares about sensitive topics when they pull some of the stuff White Wolf/Onyx Path put out. Not that I'll agree with it even then, but at least I'll think their intentions are honest (albeit wrong). Until then it's just favoritism masked as social awareness.
100%!! I said this a while ago too. DT let a lot of the Vamp Black Dog stuff through (and other gnarly stuff). But no way would they ever go near WW because of their influence and cash generated for DT.
Some 'companies' are more 'equal' than others it seems.
10000%!!!! I complained several times about the game
Comrades because it was inspired by and was made to inspire others to violent revolution. I did this in the name of equal treatment of the policy, as opposed to a 2-tier standard. In the guy's crowdfund campaign and in the book itself, the creator lamented how revolutionaries became candy-coated, and where are the really committed, violent extremism in communist rebels like in the old days? ...And the game is made int he hopes of inspiring real revolutionaries.
But this guy brings in $$$ with his communist game (hypocritical... if you ask me, a game promoting the end of capitalism should be available to the masses for free, on poorly Xeroxed paper), so Drive Thru deemed this more equal than others in both the cash category and the ideology category. The game remains available in violation of OneBookshelf's policy, but now it's okay now, because the seller now added a lie on the DriveThru page that the game doesn't promote real-life violence. So that excuses the content now.
Quote from: Cathode Ray on August 25, 2024, 05:08:29 PMQuote from: Rob Necronomicon on August 21, 2024, 02:23:37 PMQuote from: Habitual Gamer on August 20, 2024, 04:43:07 PMQuote from: Rob Necronomicon on August 16, 2024, 08:43:04 PMBut all this 'should be' a moot point because Drivethru technically has a section for mature material. Of course, it's not working as it should, sadly.
I'll believe DTRPG truly cares about sensitive topics when they pull some of the stuff White Wolf/Onyx Path put out. Not that I'll agree with it even then, but at least I'll think their intentions are honest (albeit wrong). Until then it's just favoritism masked as social awareness.
100%!! I said this a while ago too. DT let a lot of the Vamp Black Dog stuff through (and other gnarly stuff). But no way would they ever go near WW because of their influence and cash generated for DT.
Some 'companies' are more 'equal' than others it seems.
10000%!!!! I complained several times about the game Comrades because it was inspired by and was made to inspire others to violent revolution. I did this in the name of equal treatment of the policy, as opposed to a 2-tier standard. In the guy's crowdfund campaign and in the book itself, the creator lamented how revolutionaries became candy-coated, and where are the really committed, violent extremism in communist rebels like in the old days? ...And the game is made int he hopes of inspiring real revolutionaries.
But this guy brings in $$$ with his communist game (hypocritical... if you ask me, a game promoting the end of capitalism should be available to the masses for free, on poorly Xeroxed paper), so Drive Thru deemed this more equal than others in both the cash category and the ideology category. The game remains available in violation of OneBookshelf's policy, but now it's okay now, because the seller now added a lie on the DriveThru page that the game doesn't promote real-life violence. So that excuses the content now.
This is it, mate! Basically, a two tiered approach to censorship which really pisses me off. Sure, they can have a standard of stuff that they don't want on 'their' platform, as they are a private company. But you can't have it both ways. You either allow mature content for mature people or you don't.
It just seems unfair to blacklist a certain creator(s) for scoring a few political points while snatching the hand off a company like white wolf at the same time. Clan book Baali anyone? It's all about the cash!
Of course, I'm anti-censorship, but it would at least make it more palatable if the same standards were applied to everything. And not one of pandering to 'modern politics'. I mean, what has that got to do with gaming after all??
[quote author=migo link=msg=1290058 date=1724617241
itch.io seems to be picking up. I think it might be years before it's really competitive (and they only cover digital, you need to use Lulu or something else for print). But it is viable and an alternative.
[/quote]
The problem with itch.io is that the site itself is an utter disaster. There are some real games on there like Lancer. It's also clogged with a ton of political pamphlets pretending to be ttrpgs, narcissistic self-indulgences, solo journaling "games", PbtA shovelware, stuff I am convinced are just shitposts, people who don't know what a 'zine is and various other detritus. DTRPG's search function isn't great but the search functionality on itch.io is just useless. Finding anything requires digging through page after page of worthless garbage. I wouldn't be surprised if a large majority of products have sold in the single digits or that a substantial percentage haven't sold at all to anyone.
Quote from: yosemitemike on August 26, 2024, 06:45:44 AMThe problem with itch.io is that the site itself is an utter disaster. There are some real games on there like Lancer. It's also clogged with a ton of political pamphlets pretending to be ttrpgs, narcissistic self-indulgences, solo journaling "games", PbtA shovelware, stuff I am convinced are just shitposts, people who don't know what a 'zine is and various other detritus. DTRPG's search function isn't great but the search functionality on itch.io is just useless. Finding anything requires digging through page after page of worthless garbage. I wouldn't be surprised if a large majority of products have sold in the single digits or that a substantial percentage haven't sold at all to anyone.
It doesn't need to function as a platform for discovering new RPGs, it just needs to serve as a platform to host PDFs, and buy them. Then it's about finding out about games the way we used to before DTRPG exploded.
Quote from: migo on August 26, 2024, 07:12:12 AMIt doesn't need to function as a platform for discovering new RPGs, it just needs to serve as a platform to host PDFs, and buy them. Then it's about finding out about games the way we used to before DTRPG exploded.
The way we found out about micro-press indie rpgs back then was that most people didn't find out about them at all. I am a collector of oddities with a large collection of indie rpgs and I am sure there are lots of games from the 80s and 90s that I completely missed. Before people can buy your product, they have to know it exists. They have to be able to find it. itch.io isn't very helpful in that regard.
I've found out about games that aren't available on DTRPG and are only available on itch.io (or sometimes even only available on Lulu as a PDF). Realistically if you're a game designer you should be designing the game for yourself, and then offering it out there for anyone else who may also like it. If it takes off, that's great. But even with good marketing and good placement it may not sell if it's simply something people don't like.
Quote from: migo on August 25, 2024, 04:20:41 PMitch.io seems to be picking up. I think it might be years before it's really competitive (and they only cover digital, you need to use Lulu or something else for print). But it is viable and an alternative.
No, it really isn't.
Quote from: migo on August 26, 2024, 11:56:49 AMRealistically if you're a game designer you should be designing the game for yourself, and then offering it out there for anyone else who may also like it. If it takes off, that's great. But even with good marketing and good placement it may not sell if it's simply something people don't like.
That would be my assessment as well. I design games I want to play if anyone else likes it sweet. If not... that's okay. I mean, we'd all like for people to be enjoying our creations but truth be told that rarely happens. Marketing does play a part, but longevity and popularity are key factors.
A good game is relative as well, especially with the modern audience.
Of course, if your trying to be a pro then that's a different matter as your going to have to hit that sweet spot that makes your game desirable to 'x' amount of people.
Zak comming back to Raggi is the most 2024 thing that the Lamentions of the Flame Proncess imprint can do ! And it had ! But I would suggest a radical increase in quality from both Raggi (dude, you onw my a Referee's Handbook, which has become older than my own niece and nephew, for Jesus'sake !) and Zak, for their last book was no good enough, to my taste.
And Zakki boi had a dirty litte secret, now reaveled : his former lover, whatever her name, was his legal wife, not his live in girlfriend and 50 something Zakki boi is engaged, in the futile struggle, of maintining his male ego and diginity, in an acrimonious and international divorce ! God bless your soul, Zachary Smith, for he has not blessed your mind, your spirit and your body !
And buzz off, if you read this, you sell-out punk !!!
The fact I was married to Mandy was not a secret--she was a Canadian living in LA for over 10 years. And: we've been through this before.
**CONTENT REMOVED**
First, I do thank the moderation team for removing my doxxing by Zakki Boi.
Secondly, while I maintain my apologies for meddling in the affairs of Zak S., my apologies only extend to a certain degree.
Do I wish harm to ZaK S ? Of course, not ! Who, of sound mind, would wish harm to a total stranger, whose circonstances are, in reality, unknown to me ?
Is Zak S under criminal investigations ? To the best of my knowlegde, he is not, and even if it was the case, I would stress the fact that he is innocent, like me and everyone on this forum.
Do I endorse Zak S and his behavior ? NO
Do I have to endorse it ? NO
I remember a time, when Zak S was quite contemptious of the (many) rpg communities and when he declared that his TTRPG offerings were more a side job (which is something that many good people do) and he said his main job was porn actor (good for him).
The man has been, indeed, the victim of a vicious and vile smear campaign, and he has my compassion for that, but the tools that were used against him were, in fact, the very tools he asks to be used against his own foes : octrazitation and viewing them as "sub-human".
I do think most of you realize who had used those tools, in the past and in the present : not people with whom I wish to associate with ...
I wish James Raggi IV and Zak S the best, but I have come to the realization that the best for me is being far away from their grotesque circus, for my late father and my still alive mother had taught me better ...
Just want to state that I did not remove anything from Zak's post, nor did I tell anyone else to, nor was I informed that it was removed by someone (there's really only one other admin here these days, and Brett is focused on the tech, not on moderation).
So I don't know what happened there...
Well whatever happened I didn't doxx anyone this dude is a liar, says unhinged shit all the time and has had to publicly (public action is not "doxing") apologise in the very recent past for it
As for his current complaints:
Arguing about what the consequences for harmful behavior should be is just a way of distracting people from the more important and real question of whether a person actually did the bad behavior.
I removed it until we could determine what was going on. I've been busy (got distracted) and forgot about it, but didn't want anyone's personal info leaked in the meantime - just in case. Pundit, you can still see it in the report if you want to add it back.
Should be very easy to tell, anyone with mod powers on the forum can look at previous versions of a post before it was edited
Quote from: brettmb on September 17, 2024, 07:39:46 PMI removed it until we could determine what was going on. I've been busy (got distracted) and forgot about it, but didn't want anyone's personal info leaked in the meantime - just in case. Pundit, you can still see it in the report if you want to add it back.
I have no idea how to do that. But I mean, I suppose its not a big deal. If I recall, it was a public image that Zak was sharing, or am I remembering wrong?
Quote from: Zak S on September 17, 2024, 02:57:42 PMWell whatever happened I didn't doxx anyone this dude is a liar,
Hard to prove that when the evidence had been deleted, huh? Good thing you'd never do such a thing (https://archive.is/UHdgN#selection-3895.1-3895.17).
Quote from: Anon Adderlan on September 18, 2024, 04:23:53 AMQuote from: Zak S on September 17, 2024, 02:57:42 PMWell whatever happened I didn't doxx anyone this dude is a liar,
Hard to prove that when the evidence had been deleted, huh? Good thing you'd never do such a thing (https://archive.is/UHdgN#selection-3895.1-3895.17).
Correct. I would never do such a thing (and I don't know what thing you're trying to complain about).
Yabaziou publicly posted his apology all over twitter. Here is a link you can click on to the exact image that was posted of Yabaziou's public post on his public twitter https://armsinthewronghands.tumblr.com/post/761435011256909824 where he publicly uses exactly the same twitter name he uses here and makes no attempt to disguise himself.
Zak, you are a such dishonest person, to the very core of your person and persona, and you are lucky that the moderation action was not banning your sorry ass !
I am hoping that your future ex wife will be granted such much alimony, that you will have to become James Raggi's ghost writer, for the rest of your existence.
*sigh*
Well, I hope that's over with.
:)
Let it go, yabaziou. You are coming off as an unstable aggressor instead of making your case seen in a better light. In fact, please do not make your case here at all. I do not want to hear it as this site has had more than its share of this drama from courtrooms and back. Just... let it go.
:)
Hi Zak! Good to hear you are going to be creating again.
Opaopajr, I will abide to your worlds of wisdom.
But, for the record, Zak has put a link which which leads to my actual first name and family name, which was removed by a moderator, after I report the post containing this piece of information about me, and I was operating under the understanding that the Rpgpundit is not okay with revealing forum members true indentity, ie, my legal first name and family name.
But c'est la vie !
Quote from: Opaopajr on October 03, 2024, 07:07:32 AM*sigh*
Well, I hope that's over with.
:)
Let it go, yabaziou. You are coming off as an unstable aggressor instead of making your case seen in a better light. In fact, please do not make your case here at all. I do not want to hear it as this site has had more than its share of this drama from courtrooms and back. Just... let it go.
:)
Hi Zak! Good to hear you are going to be creating again.
Since you are a fan of puny, tiny, zani zakki boi, you should be delighted that the artist, formerly know the porn star Zak Sabbath, Zachary Smith, is offering an unique deal, for a life time !
See the details : http://dndwithpornstars.blogspot.com/2024/11/it-will-be-here-it-will-cost-0-and-then.html
Enjoy that, while it lasts ...
Quote from: yabaziou on December 06, 2024, 08:34:00 AMQuote from: Opaopajr on October 03, 2024, 07:07:32 AM*sigh*
Well, I hope that's over with.
:)
Let it go, yabaziou. You are coming off as an unstable aggressor instead of making your case seen in a better light. In fact, please do not make your case here at all. I do not want to hear it as this site has had more than its share of this drama from courtrooms and back. Just... let it go.
:)
Hi Zak! Good to hear you are going to be creating again.
Since you are a fan of puny, tiny, zani zakki boi, you should be delighted that the artist, formerly know the porn star Zak Sabbath, Zachary Smith, is offering an unique deal, for a life time !
See the details : http://dndwithpornstars.blogspot.com/2024/11/it-will-be-here-it-will-cost-0-and-then.html
Enjoy that, while it lasts ...
You know, this isn't a binary choice. Just because one of you is a documented asshole, doesn't mean you both aren't assholes. Frankly, I'm happy not to know anything about either of you. Let's keep it that way, shall we?
Quote from: Eirikrautha on December 07, 2024, 02:12:22 PMQuote from: yabaziou on December 06, 2024, 08:34:00 AMQuote from: Opaopajr on October 03, 2024, 07:07:32 AM*sigh*
Well, I hope that's over with.
:)
Let it go, yabaziou. You are coming off as an unstable aggressor instead of making your case seen in a better light. In fact, please do not make your case here at all. I do not want to hear it as this site has had more than its share of this drama from courtrooms and back. Just... let it go.
:)
Hi Zak! Good to hear you are going to be creating again.
Since you are a fan of puny, tiny, zani zakki boi, you should be delighted that the artist, formerly know the porn star Zak Sabbath, Zachary Smith, is offering an unique deal, for a life time !
See the details : http://dndwithpornstars.blogspot.com/2024/11/it-will-be-here-it-will-cost-0-and-then.html
Enjoy that, while it lasts ...
You know, this isn't a binary choice. Just because one of you is a documented asshole, doesn't mean you both aren't assholes. Frankly, I'm happy not to know anything about either of you. Let's keep it that way, shall we?
Do not mettle in the affairs of yours better, you moronic coward, who probably is suffering from diabetes !
Buzz off and go disappear in the nothingness that is your sorry and patethic existence !
I am very proud of the fact that I will never meet puny zany zakki and you, stupid username, IRL, you little scared boyo !!!
TLDR : buzz off and go play outside !!!
@GnosticGoblin : I am not your son or your friend, buddy !
Yep, looks like Zak is back.
@ Zak: how many of the people who threw crap at you have actually apologised now that it has been proved in a court of law and justice that you were correct the whole way through? Those who have not are in shame.
@ Zak AND Yabaziou: "Do not feed the troll" - internet lore.
@ Everyone: Neuro-diversity is required for problem-solving. Therefore it is impossible that we should all think in exactly the same way. We are not supposed to. If another person does not think the same way you do, that is actually a good thing. If you make a conscious choice to hate them for it, that is a bad thing. This is how sane people think. Have fun trying to prove it wrong.
Quote from: GnosticGoblin on December 08, 2024, 03:56:36 PM@ Everyone: Neuro-diversity is required for problem-solving. Therefore it is impossible that we should all think in exactly the same way. We are not supposed to. If another person does not think the same way you do, that is actually a good thing. If you make a conscious choice to hate them for it, that is a bad thing. This is how sane people think. Have fun trying to prove it wrong.
This is the sort of bullshit that leads to terms like MAP...
Quote from: jhkim on August 15, 2024, 09:28:39 PMQuote from: Habitual Gamer on August 15, 2024, 01:36:25 PMI remember the bru-ha-ha over the Tokyo Black line releasing a book called "Tournament of Rapists". People were talking boycotting DriveThru, and Fred Hicks was loudly joining the call, and indy publishers were giving their sob stories about how if you boycotted DriveThru then it'd cut their supplemental income of dozens of pennies, and finally DriveThru pulled it, and everyone felt safe again.
Except for two things: first, it was about -fighting- an evil group of rapists (an idea which is hardly unique to this book), and secondly, only two copies were sold before the public outrage. So yeah, everybody was upset about something they hadn't even read. Which... is pretty typical for literature in general honestly, so yay that RPGs are getting the same treatment?
This has always been a thing, but it seems to be getting more common. Someone posts outrage on Twitter or Youtube or wherever, and people who had never heard of or seen the book before join in. I think the thing to do is that when people complain about a book without having read it, to hold them especially to erroneous claims about it.
You wish it was a new thing. "I hate it because someone told me to!" has been a thing since at least the 00s and picked up steam around the start of current 2010 SJW wave. BGG was rife with this mentality. BGG feeds off this mentality.
Quote from: Brad on December 08, 2024, 05:03:50 PMThis is the sort of bullshit that leads to terms like MAP...
Not where I'm coming from, and not where I'm going.
Quote from: yabaziou on December 08, 2024, 03:28:35 PMQuote from: Eirikrautha on December 07, 2024, 02:12:22 PMQuote from: yabaziou on December 06, 2024, 08:34:00 AMQuote from: Opaopajr on October 03, 2024, 07:07:32 AM*sigh*
Well, I hope that's over with.
:)
Let it go, yabaziou. You are coming off as an unstable aggressor instead of making your case seen in a better light. In fact, please do not make your case here at all. I do not want to hear it as this site has had more than its share of this drama from courtrooms and back. Just... let it go.
:)
Hi Zak! Good to hear you are going to be creating again.
Since you are a fan of puny, tiny, zani zakki boi, you should be delighted that the artist, formerly know the porn star Zak Sabbath, Zachary Smith, is offering an unique deal, for a life time !
See the details : http://dndwithpornstars.blogspot.com/2024/11/it-will-be-here-it-will-cost-0-and-then.html
Enjoy that, while it lasts ...
You know, this isn't a binary choice. Just because one of you is a documented asshole, doesn't mean you both aren't assholes. Frankly, I'm happy not to know anything about either of you. Let's keep it that way, shall we?
Do not mettle in the affairs of yours better, you moronic coward, who probably is suffering from diabetes !
Buzz off and go disappear in the nothingness that is your sorry and patethic existence !
I am very proud of the fact that I will never meet puny zany zakki and you, stupid username, IRL, you little scared boyo !!!
TLDR : buzz off and go play outside !!!
@GnosticGoblin : I am not your son or your friend, buddy !
Are you okay mate? Ça n'a pas l'air de bien aller, M. Abaziou... If you need to talk privately about personal issues, perhaps I can help. I don't understand the level of angst on display here. Peace out.
Please, stop spreading my doxx by Zachary Smith, and go pester him or anyone else but me ...
Quote from: yabaziou on December 30, 2024, 03:49:02 PMPlease, stop spreading my doxx by Zachary Smith, and go pester him or anyone else but me ...
OK, I'm very sorry but you are going to need to explain to me, in DM if you like, what exactly was the "doxxing" that Zak did to you in your opinion?
Because if you were a user named TBrown, and you also have a public twitter account called "Tim Brown", I don't quite see where the doxxing comes in? Are you just claiming that the "doxxing" is that now we know your first name?
It would be another matter if your public twitter account was completely separate from your RPG identity, but if you did in fact post your statement about Zak in the twitter account, then it obviously isn't?
Anyways, if there's something I'm missing, and you'd rather talk to me in private send me a DM.
A Zak thread turned into a dumpster fire. Who could have predicted?
Quote from: RPGPundit on December 30, 2024, 05:10:28 PMQuote from: yabaziou on December 30, 2024, 03:49:02 PMPlease, stop spreading my doxx by Zachary Smith, and go pester him or anyone else but me ...
OK, I'm very sorry but you are going to need to explain to me, in DM if you like, what exactly was the "doxxing" that Zak did to you in your opinion?
Because if you were a user named TBrown, and you also have a public twitter account called "Tim Brown", I don't quite see where the doxxing comes in? Are you just claiming that the "doxxing" is that now we know your first name?
It would be another matter if your public twitter account was completely separate from your RPG identity, but if you did in fact post your statement about Zak in the twitter account, then it obviously isn't?
Anyways, if there's something I'm missing, and you'd rather talk to me in private send me a DM.
RPgpundit,
it will come back to you, by private message, about my version of event, next year ... ^^
My main issue is with the post number 50 of this thread.
The Tumblr account is Zak s's account and I have no power over it.
Since it is the end of the year and I will not abuse your time, with my stupidity and the douchebagery of puny, tiny, zany, coward zakky boyo, I will send yout a direct message at the end of the week and you will decide what to do, including banning my arrogant French ass ... C'est la vie !!!
Zak S is on my ignore list and i will not interact with him, anymore, he is dead to me !!!
Quote from: Ratman_tf on December 30, 2024, 07:40:50 PMA Zak thread turned into a dumpster fire. Who could have predicted?
I behaved, childish ans stupidly, with a narcisst, who thinks is better than me, and above the laws, and found out.
Luckily, my job and financial positions are not in jeopardy, for my boss, the French State, strongly dislikes anarchists, nihilists, losers and fugly people, like Zak S, who are not French citizens and do not speak French ...
Quote from: yabaziou on December 31, 2024, 09:59:22 AMQuote from: RPGPundit on December 30, 2024, 05:10:28 PMQuote from: yabaziou on December 30, 2024, 03:49:02 PMPlease, stop spreading my doxx by Zachary Smith, and go pester him or anyone else but me ...
OK, I'm very sorry but you are going to need to explain to me, in DM if you like, what exactly was the "doxxing" that Zak did to you in your opinion?
Because if you were a user named TBrown, and you also have a public twitter account called "Tim Brown", I don't quite see where the doxxing comes in? Are you just claiming that the "doxxing" is that now we know your first name?
It would be another matter if your public twitter account was completely separate from your RPG identity, but if you did in fact post your statement about Zak in the twitter account, then it obviously isn't?
Anyways, if there's something I'm missing, and you'd rather talk to me in private send me a DM.
RPgpundit,
it will come back to you, by private message, about my version of event, next year ... ^^
My main issue is with the post number 50 of this thread.
The Tumblr account is Zak s's account and I have no power over it.
Since it is the end of the year and I will not abuse your time, with my stupidity and the douchebagery of puny, tiny, zany, coward zakky boyo, I will send yout a direct message at the end of the week and you will decide what to do, including banning my arrogant French ass ... C'est la vie !!!
Zak S is on my ignore list and i will not interact with him, anymore, he is dead to me !!!
I'm assuming you meant post 49, with the link to the tumblr page, and I assume you meant that the tumblr in question was Zak's? But anyways, if you want to clarify on what you feel was doxxing, please contact me via DM.
I read the full article: https://archive.is/0Nv3c. It's something from dystopia. This phrase nails it:
"In the end we are left with a large group of harassers who cancelled someone on vibes alone because, well, he spent a decade trying to tell them to stop being the kind of harassers who cancelled people on vibes alone".
What a sick industry. And shameless. A serious assault was perpetrated against this guy. A mad world.
Quote from: McPhisto on January 01, 2025, 06:58:35 PMI read the full article: https://archive.is/0Nv3c. It's something from dystopia. This phrase nails it:
"In the end we are left with a large group of harassers who cancelled someone on vibes alone because, well, he spent a decade trying to tell them to stop being the kind of harassers who cancelled people on vibes alone".
What a sick industry. And shameless. A serious assault was perpetrated against this guy. A mad world.
I read the whole article. Terrifying.
Quote from: RPGPundit on August 04, 2024, 02:40:19 PMIt seems like at this point Zak's problems as far as a comeback tour is concerned is that its not just the Woke who despise him; a lot of the people who bought his books back in the day, most of whom don't believe that Zak was guilty of anything, still won't want to buy his book.
I'm new here and naive on this issue. Why not? Because he writes crap books? Presumably not. His books have a solid reputation.
His politics? That would be absurd - as that's one of the things they presumably despise about woke cancel culture. I dislike your politics but I still buy a lot of your books because they are very good and we share similar ideas about what makes RPGs great.
His personality? Same - thought they'd believe in the separation of the artist from the work of art and buy the book on it's own merits and value.
If Zak S can come back from the heinous headfukkery visited upon him by this industry then he has my full respect. That's some comeback.
Quote from: McPhisto on January 01, 2025, 08:59:29 PMWhy not?
1) He's an insufferable asshole who is insanely narcissistic and yet has such a fragile ego he will go out of his way to literally make up shit in every effort to prove he's never wrong.
2) If it were someone else who was being raked over the coals, he'd join in if there was any possible benefit to himself.
Convenient your reply in this thread tries to sound innocuous and yet clearly is agenda driven.
Quote from: Brad on January 01, 2025, 09:04:42 PMConvenient your reply in this thread tries to sound innocuous and yet clearly is agenda driven.
What do you mean?
I wanted more from rpgpundit.
I roleplay but I've never been part of RPG online culture. I don't regret that one bit.
And my information on Zak S is based on this article: https://archive.is/0Nv3c
Which has a lot more punch, for me, than what some say about his personality in RPG forums
Quote from: McPhisto on January 01, 2025, 09:25:59 PMQuote from: Brad on January 01, 2025, 09:04:42 PMConvenient your reply in this thread tries to sound innocuous and yet clearly is agenda driven.
What do you mean?
I wanted more from rpgpundit.
I roleplay but I've never been part of RPG online culture. I don't regret that one bit.
And my information on Zak S is based on this article: https://archive.is/0Nv3c
Which has a lot more punch, for me, than what some say about his personality in RPG forums
What an obnoxious article. Doesn't even try to explain how this "hateful" culture came about and is clearly agenda driven. Like, things started with the "Storygamers" more specifically the GNS people told everyone else how to play games and kicking up a fuss. It continued when self proclaimed "experts" talked out of there ass regarding how the average table looks and only became worst the more popular ttrpgs became.
It's almost like people who like to have power and control over others are the ones that cause issues. You know, the people which want to tell you how to play games, the people who want to remove games that don't fit in their critera of "proper". This whole article is just one big soap box repeating the same shit people have been saying for years and isn't exclusive to the ttrpg scene.
Kek. Also, what's up with yall Zak posters reviving dead threads and being obnoxious with your need to make everyone like your idol?
I had zero opinion of Zak until recently, and now I'm starting to believe the random people who dislike him because fans like you are obnoxious. Like, just post about his work. Stop trying to defene him in every thread where someone mentioned him. He's an adult, he doesn't need you to preach.
Quote from: Black Jasper on January 01, 2025, 08:59:29 PMHis personality? Same - thought they'd believe in the separation of the artist from the work of art and buy the book on it's own merits and value.
I'm not. If the person is a shitheel I am not going to buy their work and give them my money. The game industry is oversaturated with games and there is plenty of good things to buy.
Quote from: GhostNinja on January 02, 2025, 11:49:38 PMIf the person is a shitheel I am not going to buy their work and give them my money. The game industry is oversaturated with games and there is plenty of good things to buy.
Makes sense to me. As the old saying goes 'why give money to people who hate you'.
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 PMQuote 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
Quote from: Rob Necronomicon on January 05, 2025, 09:39:39 PMQuote 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'.
Greetings!
Rob my friend! "IS THAT IT?" *Laughing*
Brother, I said exactly that to myself after I read through the Vornheim book! Whimsical and wacky is right! Melan, here over in the REVIEWS section, provides his own thoughts and assesssment of Vornheim, and he includes pictures and diagrams! *Laughing* Melan also digs down into some of the design details, and nails it like a carpenter using a nail gun. Scribbled, half-developed, style and gimmicks over real substance and work.
Obviously, I feel the same way, and we are most definitely not alone.
Semper Fidelis,
SHARK
Quote from: Brad on January 05, 2025, 07:43:27 PMQuote 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.
Greetings!
*Laughing* "You didn't get it!" Oh, Geesus man. Yeah, I can laugh at such an idea, just ribbing you. But clearly, all of these fans of his proclaiming his revolutionary brilliance and how stellar his books are--somehow, people like us, Brad, just aren't "Getting It!". There is just something we aren't seeing that all these other people are so deeply impressed with. *Shrugs* Yeah, like, whatever, you know?
I haven't bought another product by Zak, because Vornheim was so messy, scribbled, and useless to me.
Semper Fidelis,
SHARK
I wonder if the folks raving about Vornheim actually used it in play or if they just read it and thought I don't use Cities but if I did that would be great 5 stars!.
I never raved about it but I did get some useful ideas from it. Other than the art style not being your thing, I don't get the hate. It's mostly a shortcut tool book for when you need to generate a city quickly.
Quote from: Mistwell on January 07, 2025, 10:05:01 AMI never raved about it but I did get some useful ideas from it. Other than the art style not being your thing, I don't get the hate. It's mostly a shortcut tool book for when you need to generate a city quickly.
I don't have any "hate", I simply didn't find it any more useful than the countless other city generation books that came out before it. All those Citybooks that FBI put out were had more utility for me than Vornheim without an art style I disliked.
Why is it that people can't criticize ZakS' books without this sort of pushback...hatred has nothing to do with it.
Quote from: Brad on January 07, 2025, 12:47:00 PMWhy is it that people can't criticize ZakS' books without this sort of pushback...hatred has nothing to do with it.
There's a certain group of posters here (not counting the newbies with 10 posts or the possible socks) who must disagree with anything posted on this board, especially posts with a strident or universalist tone. I don't know enough about the posters' true selves to speculate too much, but I have noticed a certain class of people who live by vacillating between whatever ideas seem to be popular at the moment, never declaring their allegiance to any set of firm principles, and always trying to split the baby (we call them "moderates"). I would imagine if that is the way they approach life, they would probably approach their hobbies the same way.
I am reminded of Revelation 3:16 - "So, because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth." That or the old adage, "Those who walk down the center of the road get run over by the traffic going both ways..."