Paul Trowe criticism on Kickstarter update

[Frogacuda]

In my view, there would have to be a lot more than bipolar disorder going on.

 

I don't think Paul is bipolar. I think he's exactly the same guy all the time. Which is to say, he doesn't really seperate how he is personally from professionally, or publicly from privately.

 

His comments about SpaceVenture would have been the sort of thing that would be fine to say in private, or even to say anonymously. SpaceVenture's biggest problem, development-wise, has been the fact that the project lacks a producer; there's no design document, no clear milestones or scheduling. Paul is a producer with a lot of experience and I can totally get why he'd have particularly strong opiniopns about that.

 

But whatever it is in most of us that would make it common sense not to post that under your own name in a public forum and not expect a backlash just isn't there in Paul. He doesn't have that filter.

[PurpleTentacle]

Frogacuda, I think you are missing an important point in your defense of Trowe. It seemed that Paul was trying harm the project.

 

It wasn't just Paul "being himself," as in, "oh, there goes that Paul Trowe again. Never a two-faced, always up-front. Take him or leave him."

 

No, Paul knows he's a higher profile backer than the rest of us and that his words will get more attention. It appeared that he had been waiting eagerly to say, "we did it, and your project is failing. Haha!"

 

When Paul says, "what are they hiding, and why?" he is apparently trying to spread doubts and increase the pile-on of criticism. Seemed he saw them struggling and wanted to kick them when they were down. It was conniving and malicious from someone who pretended to be their friend and a supporter of what they were trying to accomplish.

 

In other words, it wasn't just the objective opinion of a producer who was expressing an informed opinion for the sake of it.

 

That is what rubbed me the wrong way.

 

And that is without even getting into his unprofessional follow-up rants and punishing of his critics.

[Troels Pleimert]

It's really turning sad now and to the point where there's not really anything funny about it anymore. A company seems to be unraveling from within, affecting not only those we have heard about who got slapped silly with the ban-hammer, but probably also a number of Replay employees who had no real horse in this race to begin with.

 

I agree with MI that there's really nothing more to gain from this speculation into Paul's mental health. Instead, I'll try and get a sappy video bit shot sometime during the day and send it his way. :)

[Frede]

Any guidelines for such a video contribution that haven't been mentioned, Brandon? I may not be able to get something recorded today, but can get something done tomorrow.

[Troels Pleimert]

I'm just going to shoot something with my ugly face with my mobile camera. I'm going for the Oscar performance.

[Blackthorne]

This is also something to keep in mind; nobody will ever remake an entire game (or create an entire fan-game) that was created by Paul Trowe. No one, out of pure love and admiration, will dedicate so much time and effort into such a thing. Something for which no compensation was required; just the sheer joy of doing it and sharing it with others.

 

He'll never have that. He can flap his mouth now, and boast about any successes, financial gook, whatever - but he'll never, ever, ever have that admiration and love. Ever. You can't buy that, you can't swindle that, and you can't fake your way to that.

 

He can claim to want to be "Sierra 2.0" but it'll never happen; he doesn't have the charisma to pull it off. Sure, Sierra was a business, we all know that. And inherent in that are lots of things that can be at conflict with the passions of the heart - but when that fades, and we're here - 20+ years later, still loving these games that made their financial "nut" a long time ago, and yet the love, dedication and devotion remains.

 

We'll still remember and love Scott Murphy and Mark Crowe long after we've all forgotten the name Paul Trowe. In the end, that will be his legacy. Nothing. There will be no legacy. That is kind of sad, if you can think about it from an outside perspective. But we all chose our own paths and we reap what we sow. You can shuffle off this mortal coil so easily - you have to ask yourself "What is it, really, that you want to leave behind? What kind of impression can I make on my fellow man?" I often asked myself this when I was on dialysis, as it seemed like I could be gone any second, and though I've not always been perfect - I have tried my best not to cast a shadow of darkness (Hah!).

 

I don't care what Paul Trowe has done with Leisure Suit Larry; it's honestly irrelevant to SpaceVenture. I don't know if it was really a "success", I don't know how it did financially. If people enjoyed the production of it, and got the joy of making a game, at least it could be a success on that level. However, I don't know if it was a great process making it. Whatever the case, I know there were lots of decent people who did work on that game - and worked hard.

 

But, again, their "sucess" or lack of it has nothing to do with SpaceVenture. SpaceVenture is its own project - and it has it's own needs, its own timeline and its own challenges. Maybe Paul is jealous that they didn't join "Sierra 2.0" but now it's obvious that he was never the right person for that job.

 

So, my friends and colleagues, I don't damn Paul Trowe or Replay Games; the noose of his hanging was fashioned by his own hands, and I don't want to take any joy in someone's bad/self-destructive behavior. I do, however, celebrate The Two Guys From Andromeda (And one Space Pope!) who have become friends and brothers-in-arms over the past few years, and continue my support of them, and I know they'll make a great game, full of adventure, fun, laughs and maybe even a gruesome death or two!!

 

 

Bt

[Frede]

[mendel]

I find it ironic that Paul Trowe was complaining about a lack of response from the 2GFA, yet the recurrent questions on the status of Replay doing LSL2:R remain unanswered. If I remember that correctly, Codemasters only licensed LSL1 to Replay with some (more or less implied) promise of licensing the whole series if that first game did well. Replay must now be at a point where they're negotiating for those upcoming licenses. It would certainly explain why we're seeing the first LSL:R sale now. If Replay fails to get that license, the thought arises as to which properties would carry Replay into the future. (It would also explain why we're not getting a confirmation on Josh Mandel's future (non-)role at Replay until those negotiations have concluded - if he's left for good, I could see him and Paul agreeing to keep it under wraps so as not to jeopardize Replay's bargaining position.) Certainly this kind of pressure could make Paul Trowe anxious and irritable, and also make him wish that the Two Guys had signed up with Replay (or would sign up with Replay if they needed to go looking for more funding, assuming as Paul does that their Kickstarter money has been spent).

 

But then all of the above is pure speculation.

 

Upshoot: as far as reading the fates of video game ventures from tea leaves (or the lack of answers to certain questions) goes, it's stones and glass houses.

[Frede]

I do hope Al eventually gets to remake LSL2R, preferably under another banner. I criticised the original game on Twitter at one point because of its inhuman difficulty and Al actually took time to reply, basically saying that he agreed and wished he could get to do things better. LSL1R didn't really need a remake to the same degree. So it's kinda frustrating if the Reloaded-series ends this way because of the self-destructive behaviour of one guy.

 

I suppose all we can do is wait and see. Blackthorne's words really resonate with me. I'm done. Trowe is a dead fish in the water, so now it's all about supporting the Two Guys on the road to SpaceVenture.

[Troels Pleimert]

Brandon, your check is in the mail. Except it's a video, not a check, and it's in Google Drive, not your mail.

[Frede]

http://www.adventure...php?newsid=6394

 

The story has hit this German site. Google Translate is probably mangling it, but they seem to be retelling what went on in a very objective manner rather than commenting on it or jumping to their own conclusions. Paging Christian "Meister Fistel" Giegerich...

[Intendant S]

http://www.adventure...php?newsid=6394

 

The story has hit this German site. Google Translate is probably mangling it, but they seem to be retelling what went on in a very objective manner rather than commenting on it or jumping to their own conclusions. Paging Christian "Meister Fistel" Giegerich...

 

Yeah. My translation is a bit garbled, but the gist of it is there. There's no slander, no attack, just pure objective news. As it should be.

[shoptroll]

I do hope Al eventually gets to remake LSL2R, preferably under another banner. I criticised the original game on Twitter at one point because of its inhuman difficulty and Al actually took time to reply, basically saying that he agreed and wished he could get to do things better. LSL1R didn't really need a remake to the same degree. So it's kinda frustrating if the Reloaded-series ends this way because of the self-destructive behaviour of one guy.

Larry 2 is probably one of the few games in the franchise that really could use a remake (5 is probably the other). I'll be sad if we don't get that one, but unfortunately it's a much bigger game and they already had to dump additional money into Reloaded just to have enough cash to finish it. Reloaded came out ok, but there's some very rough edges which was to be expected given the resources they had.

 

Anyways, I decided to send Al an email inquiry this morning just to say I still support him and any future endeavors despite whatever is going on at Replay. I figured given everyone's anger at he who shall not be named and the company it seemed like a good idea to let Al know that some people still believe in him and his creation. I know Larry means a lot to him and I've always hoped that HWSNBN wasn't trying to take advantage of Al for personal gain.

 

I wonder if the Coles, Jane Jensen, and Jim Walls felt there was something fishy about Replay? None of them signed on with Replay for their projects and oddly it doesn't sound like HWSHNBN ever gave much consideration to QfG, GK, or PQ in some of the earlier interviews. It was all about KQ, SQ, and LSL which I think were Sierra's best selling adventure series in the heyday?

[tomimt]

LSL2 was the remake I was hoping to see as well. It such a broken game, that a new design approach could have worked miracles on it and Al could have even fleshen out the story even further.

[Irishmile]

Very well said Blackthorn, there comes a time when some people have to look within and realize if they have NO real relationships with other people, that everyone distrusts, or doesn't want to be around, or work with. You just might realize the common factor in each instance is yourself.. Then you realize you're NOT the victim being picked on by everyone you interact with and that you are indeed the aggressor... Some learn and can be honest with themselves and make an effort to change... Others never grow out of it and continue to act entitled and that everyone around them owe them something. Paul is in a position to live a truly happy and blessed life but it will never happen unless you mirror the love you recieve. .. He has found himself surrounded by talented and passionate people, the means to make something special, and charitable people to make it happen, I wouldn't have squandered that gift from the universe..

[RaemesTQuirk]

I find it ironic that Paul Trowe was complaining about a lack of response from the 2GFA, yet the recurrent questions on the status of Replay doing LSL2:R remain unanswered. If I remember that correctly, Codemasters only licensed LSL1 to Replay with some (more or less implied) promise of licensing the whole series if that first game did well. Replay must now be at a point where they're negotiating for those upcoming licenses. It would certainly explain why we're seeing the first LSL:R sale now. If Replay fails to get that license, the thought arises as to which properties would carry Replay into the future. (It would also explain why we're not getting a confirmation on Josh Mandel's future (non-)role at Replay until those negotiations have concluded - if he's left for good, I could see him and Paul agreeing to keep it under wraps so as not to jeopardize Replay's bargaining position.) Certainly this kind of pressure could make Paul Trowe anxious and irritable, and also make him wish that the Two Guys had signed up with Replay (or would sign up with Replay if they needed to go looking for more funding, assuming as Paul does that their Kickstarter money has been spent).

 

I thought I would speak up on this topic. I think we all love Larry and need to take action. I believe there is a difference between "Taking the high ground" and all sitting around watching one man poison a water well we are all trying to drink from. We can do just as much harm by not taking action. We are the power here, not Paul. We are the consumers, we are the customers and we have the money. Let us use the tools we have.

 

My suggestions.

1. Email Al and let him know how you feel about Paul. Let him know we still support him but not with Paul. On his website his email is listed as webmail@allowe.com

2. Email codemasters. The game must not be selling well which is why Paul is acting like this. Email the highest person you can get ahold of there. They also have listed custservice@codemasters.com . I also think tweeting to them, so its more in the public eye, is also beneficial. https://twitter.com/codemasters

 

We have to make it very clear to them that we want more Larry games with Al, but not with Paul. Don't let Al get painted with the same brush. These are all normal channels with which WE can also express our opinion. Take the 5 minutes it would take to write an email. It might just save Larry.

[DrJ]

but when I look at names like Tom King, Jeroen Dekkers and YOU getting banned, people that donated thousands of dollars and a hell of a lot of time to the project, that's when I call foul.

 

I honestly dont care about the amount of money I spent on LSLR, it's more of the tactics that were involved that now diminish this entire experience. I'm still happy with LSLR just not with the person running the show..

But I'm glad we're able to discuss this in a civil non nudity manner ;-)

[Irishmile]

I will say it again and I can not stress it enough, you have no idea how fun Josh Mandel made it for us, getting to chat with him during late night phone conferences, seeing things others didn't and seeing your ideas and suggestions put in the game talked about or ignored was a genuine blast. Josh made it worth it I know the others will agree.

[DrJ]

I will say it again and I can not stress it enough, you have no idea how fun Josh Mandel made it for us, getting to chat with him during late night phone conferences, seeing things others didn't and seeing your ideas and suggestions put in the game talked about or ignored was a genuine blast. Josh made it worth it I know the others will agree.

 

Couldnt say it better myself. As I said before - out of everything, I'm grateful to have had this experience and gotten to know great people in this community more & more (you know who you are :)). It's sad that this all is being destroyed by 1 person.

 

I do think what Quirk above here is saying would be interesting to try.

[mendel]

http://www.adventure...php?newsid=6394 The story has hit this German site. Google Translate is probably mangling it, [...]

Here's a quick translation of Michael Stein's news item:

A few days ago, Paul Trowe, CEO of Replay Games, left a comment on an update to the Kickstarter-campaign for Two Guys SpaceVenture. The former creators of Space Quest were apparently out of funds for their project, stated Trowe.

 

Susequently, other supporters pointed out that his public behaviour was unjustified and unprofessional, among them people who had done voluntary and unpaid work for production of Leisure Suit Larry Reloaded, including areas such as cover design, beta testing and forum administration.

 

Shortly after, a [volunteer] staffer noticed that her Replay forum user accounts had been deleted and that she had thus been dismissed from the team. Meanwhile, the discussion in the Space Quest forum continues. Other freelance staff have apparently lost all of their rights as well.

 

A new official update for SpaceVenture has been announced for Wednesday 10/16.

 

Link to discussion on Kickstarter

Link to discussion on SpaceQuest.net [this topic]

He might have mentioned that Leisure Suit Larry Reloaded was produced by Replay Games, but other than that, it appears a succinct summary.

[Spikey]

Hey, folks. How's everybody doing.

 

I'm kinda late on this one, but there's just a few things I want to say:

 

1. YIKES

2. Serena, Irishmile, Jeroen, and so forth, sorry to hear about you guys getting shafted, you guys did a lot for the Replay community and the success of the Reloaded project, so thankyou from the bottom of my heart. I have a box in my SMC studio with larry reloaded stuff in it and i'm sure it wouldn't have happened without you guys.

3. Paul Trowe is a dickbag (more to the point, I started a thread about him during the 2Guys' Kickstarter last year and some people did not get that he was doing anything wrong.. I hope everybody is now on the same page about Paul and the potential harm he can bring to the Sierra table)

4. Josh Mandel has been the #1 important part of the LSL project and now that he is MIA, I am very worried. Any time a bad Paul thing was going down, I was talking to him about it, and while I can't really share any of that, it hurt Josh very deeply and he copped a lot of personal attacks on behalf of Replay, and misdirected anger over Paul got sent his way a lot as well.

I would ask anyone and everyone, please send Josh an email at joshoATjosho.com and let him know that we're sorry he's been shafted in this way, and that we still love him for what he's done in the community and what he will do in the future.

 

On Josh:

Someone mentioned why Josh would want to be a part of Replay. Josh is a game designer, and Paul Trowe's numerous flaws aside (many of which were not necessarily obvious to Josh before these Kickstarter events), he has (had?) pulling power and was able to give Josh's projects budgets and attention. Obviously we have seen how that has ended, but there was good potential there. Sadly, Al and Josh's time, money and efforts have been ruined, for a better word, and post LSL:R, assuming Al and Josh work together in the future, they have to find another backer (although honestly, I don't see how Al would not have the money to fund it himself if he wanted to).

 

 

Anyway, this is a truly sad affair, but kudos to the community for banding together like champs. Let's hope there's a silver lining (pun not intended) and that we come out of this stronger. Plus, for every Replay Games, there's a SpaceVenture, Hero-U, Moebius, and so forth.

[MusicallyInspired]

Good words, Alistair. And a good idea to send Josh an email. I'll be doing that myself.

 

Regarding the aforementioned tribute video for the Two Guys, here's a brand new shiny thread for it filled with useless information as a formality to just have a place for you to dump your videos! I've received Troels' video and it is absolutely hilarious. Others, please follow suit!

 

http://www.spacequest.net/index.php/topic/657-mass-collaborative-tribute-video/

[Irishmile]

I'm officially locked out of the Replay boards I think it was because I didn't return Paul's call or text yesterday.

[Tom King]

I will say it again and I can not stress it enough, you have no idea how fun Josh Mandel made it for us, getting to chat with him during late night phone conferences, seeing things others didn't and seeing your ideas and suggestions put in the game talked about or ignored was a genuine blast. Josh made it worth it I know the others will agree.

 

Yes, very well said! Josh Mandel is a hell of a guy. I'm glad to see that the community recognizes that and appreciates him as much as we do. Jeroen's response to this is also spot on.

[SteveHNo96]

But I'm glad we're able to discuss this in a civil non nudity manner ;-)

 

Don't get your hopes up, homeboy. I still want naked animations of Bea and Stellar (and the Latex Babes of Estros), but we need to focus on the real enemy here, and that's Paul.

 

I don't know how this game is going to do, to be honest with you, but SQ is actually one I surprisingly enjoy *slightly* more than LSL, because I do love the ways that the game tells you you screwed up.