The ION STORM Lunatic Asylum : Check THIS article out !
Sean Tudor
http://www.dallasobserver.com/1999/011499/feature1-1.html.
It details what has to be the one of the most hilarious bunch of
idiots I have ever seen working at a games company.
The CEO Todd Porter sounds like a wanker extraordinaire. And if you
read the article it says the guy has never seen a game to completion.
Sort of explains the vapourware that is called Daikatana.
And one has to ask where the hell was John Romero during all this
bitch fighting ? Must be nice to work at a company where Eidos just
keeps feeding you money with nothing to show for it.
Let's all place bets on how long Ion Storm lasts - 3 months anyone ?
I feel sorry for the programmers who had / have to work under such
management. Must be an absolute nightmare.
------------------------
Sean Tudor
Sydney, Australia
------------------------
This is my cannon, this is my gun
One is for bandits, and one is for fun
------------------------
studor at ozemail dot com dot au
Sean Tudor
>Check out the Ion Storm article at
>http://www.dallasobserver.com/1999/011499/feature1-1.html.
Further to the above the Dallas Observer has just posted the first
series of Ion Storm company emails at
http://www.dallasobserver.com/1999/011499/feature1-x1.html
Some juicy stuff here !! :-)
And it looks like Warren Spector doesn't like EA that much either :
QUOTE
"So... Any idea what happens if the deal is off? (Just don't say "we
sign with EA...")
Warren
ENDQUOTE
<LAUGH!>
Krud
>
>Further to the above the Dallas Observer has just posted the first
>series of Ion Storm company emails at
>
>http://www.dallasobserver.com/1999/011499/feature1-x1.html
>
>Some juicy stuff here !! :-)
Juicy is an understatement. Looks to me like Eidos is headed for a big
write-off.
-Krud
joelm...@geocities.com
o...@two.com (Sean Tudor) wrote:
> On Fri, 15 Jan 1999 10:07:27 GMT, o...@two.com (Sean Tudor) wrote:
>
> >Check out the Ion Storm article at
> >http://www.dallasobserver.com/1999/011499/feature1-1.html.
>
> series of Ion Storm company emails at
>
> http://www.dallasobserver.com/1999/011499/feature1-x1.html
>
> Some juicy stuff here !! :-)
>
Can you blame him?
My favorite e-mail in the bunch is one where Todd Porter lays out what
Eidos's concerns about Ion Storm are. Confirms a lot of rumors and sets
up some other things. Eidos's concerns (and some of Porter's responses)
include:
"1. VERY VERY VERY concerned about Daikatana not shipping on time (as well
as the other titles)."
Can you blame them? I mean, there's no way that its going to ship when
Ionstorm says. Diakatana is doomed to be eventually pushed out the door
unfinished by an unscrupulous company who has never demonstrated any
remorse about releasing unfinished games (even when they were Domark).
"2. Somewhat concerned about Anachronox and Deus Ex."
I can't help but wonder if this is because of what Porter has been telling
them to make himself look good, the fact that they are a bit less
mainstream and the concepts pass right over the Eidos suit's collective
heads, or a more general concern about issues at Ionstorm affecting all
projects. It could easily be any one of the three...
"3. Think our valuation is TOO HIGH. Indicated that they are worth 1/2
what they were 6 months ago (and though they didn't say it outright -
therefore we should be as well)."
Just a brief confirmation that Ionstorm is killing Eidos. No suprises.
"4. VERY concerned about Warren's compensation, although they got more
comfortable after we told them what we offered him."
Well, this either means Spectre is underpaid (not likely) or the rest of
the big Ionstorm guys are severly overpaid (far more likely).
"5. Happy with the Burn Rate."
"6. VERY VERY VERY concerned about people leaving Daikatana - though I tried
to assure them that most of who left were shit anyways."
Gee, if they were so awful, then why were they working on Diakatana (the
project that will make or (more likely) break Ionstorm? I question the
general ability of Bloodshot to be able to manage a company (as I generally
do when groups of tech guys break off a project and found a startup), but I
do not doubt that they are all at the very least competant at their jobs.
"7. VERY VERY concerned about the litigation - not much we can do here.
They just need to be comfortable with this. Bill will talk with their
lawyers next week and review the facts."
This of course refers to Bob Wright's lawsuit regarding being forced out of
the earlier Eidos deal. Again, no real suprise.
"8. VERY concerned with the Non-Compete - but I explained texas law and they
said they would send me details in the memo."
Does Texas allow non-competition agreement? I guess they don't given the
number of people who run off in all directions out there.
"9. VERY concerned that John's heart is not in Daikatana - and I let them
know that the only attendance problem we've had is Warren...."
Another rumor becoming a bit more solid. However, given what we know about
attendance of some people at Ionstorm, I wonder if Spectre's the scapegoat
or if he's really getting fed up with the situation...
"10. VERY VERY VERY concerned about the AI in Daikatana and that there is a
TREMENDOUS amount left to do."
Note to Porter: Don't worry about lacking AI, that problem didn't hurt
Shogo's sales and it can always be fixed in a patch later. ;-)
Joel Mathis
-----------== Posted via Deja News, The Discussion Network ==----------
http://www.dejanews.com/ Search, Read, Discuss, or Start Your Own
Trent
Dark Reign. And in another part, he says something like, "Look how many
copies WarCraft sold." Todd, first of all, when the WarCraft games were
first released, there weren't 459 other RTS games on the shelves.
Second of all, Blizzard is a damn good company that cares in its
products.
The sad thing is that Mike Wilson seems like a really good employee
judging by this article, yet he is one of the first to leave. In one
e-mail, he directly states what Porter is doing wrong and how he can
improve, but Porter only admits to reading the first paragraph of
Wilson's letter. Even Romero tried to convince Porter that Dominion
would bomb.
----> Trent
Sean Tudor
>Can you blame them? I mean, there's no way that its going to ship when
>Ionstorm says. Diakatana is doomed to be eventually pushed out the door
>unfinished by an unscrupulous company who has never demonstrated any
>remorse about releasing unfinished games (even when they were Domark).
What's even more damning for Daiktana is the programmers admitting
they will have to reduce the feature set to get the product out the
door - damn we don't need that network multiplay code ! <LOL!>
>I can't help but wonder if this is because of what Porter has been telling
>them to make himself look good, the fact that they are a bit less
>mainstream and the concepts pass right over the Eidos suit's collective
>heads, or a more general concern about issues at Ionstorm affecting all
>projects. It could easily be any one of the three...
True. The other two products look extremely original - Anachronox and
Dues Ex - it's unfortunate they are being made under a company like
Ion Storm.
>Just a brief confirmation that Ionstorm is killing Eidos. No suprises.
And Ion Storm is bleeding a mile long trail of red ink EVERY month
>"4. VERY concerned about Warren's compensation, although they got more
>comfortable after we told them what we offered him."
>Well, this either means Spectre is underpaid (not likely) or the rest of
>the big Ionstorm guys are severly overpaid (far more likely).
I doubt anyone else in the company would be earning anywhere near
Spector's $150,000. I'd love to know what Porter's take home pay is -
HEY TODD - post another email to one of your employers !! Then we
will ALL get to read it ! <LOL>
>"9. VERY concerned that John's heart is not in Daikatana - and I let them
>know that the only attendance problem we've had is Warren...."
>Another rumor becoming a bit more solid. However, given what we know about
>attendance of some people at Ionstorm, I wonder if Spectre's the scapegoat
>or if he's really getting fed up with the situation...
As I said before - Spector should abandon ship - a move to G.O.D.
wouldn't be a bad move for him. Knowing this Porter bastard he would
lump Warren with all the blame when Ion Storm falls.
>Note to Porter: Don't worry about lacking AI, that problem didn't hurt
>Shogo's sales and it can always be fixed in a patch later. ;-)
<LAUGH!> Also make sure you check out the Dominion sales figures -
the Dallas Observer just posted the 2nd set of emails with some
spreadsheets embedded in them.
Even juicier than the first set of emails. :-)
Rocker
some fences, and correct the situation. He was playing the leader he was
suppose to (he was CEO afterall).
To Porter who is also partner (with more percentage than Wilson, btw).
Wilson told Porter
what he need to rectify, complement him (Porter having a "gift" as a
designer). Offer for
reconciliation "discuss over beers".
My opinion of Porter at this stage is Porter is nothing more than a con
artist. He exaggerates his experience in the industry. He exaggerates
his ability and skill as a game designer. He had never finished a
product in his life. Of all his excuses to get the design
document for Doppleganger maybe becuase it couldn't do it, maybe he
didn't know how, or maybe really he is just isn't that creative. A game
designer with no game design ideas. Dominion was Porter easy ticket out
thats why he push for Ion to buy Dominion. Having a game
under Ion name with his name on it. He can say atleast he has a game out
for the company
(ironically enough, atleast that is one thing he can more than any of
the other Ion "designers" can say at this stage). He had to get rid of
Wilson because I think Wilson begin
to see through all that.
The stupid part for Romero and Hall is that they went with Porter
instead of Wilson. Considering they both had work with Wilson from iD.
Wilson was the marketing wiz that made Doom a huge success by going
shareware. But than again maybe Romero going with Porter because Porter
allows him to goof off while Wilson would have expect some results from
Romero.
It will be curious to see if Ion will last through 1999.
Rocker
Moleneux (sp?) of Bullfrog. Dealing with EA has left a bad taste in with
of these guys mouth.
Sean Tudor wrote:
>
> On Fri, 15 Jan 1999 10:07:27 GMT, o...@two.com (Sean Tudor) wrote:
>
> >Check out the Ion Storm article at
> >http://www.dallasobserver.com/1999/011499/feature1-1.html.
>
> Further to the above the Dallas Observer has just posted the first
> series of Ion Storm company emails at
>
> http://www.dallasobserver.com/1999/011499/feature1-x1.html
>
> Some juicy stuff here !! :-)
>
> And it looks like Warren Spector doesn't like EA that much either :
>
> QUOTE
>
> "So... Any idea what happens if the deal is off? (Just don't say "we
> sign with EA...")
>
> Warren
>
> ENDQUOTE
>
> <LAUGH!>
>
Dave Glue
Trent wrote in message <369F74...@bu.edu>...
>The sad thing is that Mike Wilson seems like a really good employee
>judging by this article, yet he is one of the first to leave. In one
>e-mail, he directly states what Porter is doing wrong and how he can
>improve, but Porter only admits to reading the first paragraph of
>Wilson's letter. Even Romero tried to convince Porter that Dominion
>would bomb.
Exactly. While critical, it was a very well-constructed email that
indicated Wilson at least has some discernible people skills, unlike the
former stripper who was the recipient. I'm not for snap judgements, but
Porter's reply truly reveals his character IMO.
bfa...@my-dejanews.com
o...@two.com (Sean Tudor) wrote:
> I doubt anyone else in the company would be earning anywhere near
> Spector's $150,000.
Indeed not. More like $200,000+ per partner from rumors I've heard.
Krud
>Yeah, seems like Wilson trying to motivate Porter into working, mend
>some fences, and correct the situation. He was playing the leader he was
>suppose to (he was CEO afterall).
>To Porter who is also partner (with more percentage than Wilson, btw).
>Wilson told Porter
>what he need to rectify, complement him (Porter having a "gift" as a
>designer). Offer for
>reconciliation "discuss over beers".
> My opinion of Porter at this stage is Porter is nothing more than a con
>artist. He exaggerates his experience in the industry. He exaggerates
>his ability and skill as a game designer. He had never finished a
>product in his life. Of all his excuses to get the design
>document for Doppleganger maybe becuase it couldn't do it, maybe he
>didn't know how, or maybe really he is just isn't that creative. A game
>designer with no game design ideas. Dominion was Porter easy ticket out
>thats why he push for Ion to buy Dominion. Having a game
>under Ion name with his name on it. He can say atleast he has a game out
>for the company
>(ironically enough, atleast that is one thing he can more than any of
>the other Ion "designers" can say at this stage). He had to get rid of
>Wilson because I think Wilson begin
>to see through all that.
For someone who has never worked for Ion Storm or met any of the people
involved, you sure seem to know a lot about it. Either that or you're just
speculating, making assumptions and jumping to conclusions about something
that you read online. Either way, why get so upset about it? You didn't
invest in Ion Storm, did you?
> The stupid part for Romero and Hall is that they went with Porter
>instead of Wilson. Considering they both had work with Wilson from iD.
>Wilson was the marketing wiz that made Doom a huge success by going
>shareware. But than again maybe Romero going with Porter because Porter
>allows him to goof off while Wilson would have expect some results from
>Romero.
More speculation.
-Krud