(Note from Robert: Credit to Taliesen at the TrekRPGNet forum for posting the link to this story and adding some verification to it. Very sad. No wonder CBS doesn't have faith in dealing with any potential licensees for a Trek RPG right now. Not to get all political, but it's thieves like this that have helped dump our economy where it is now. It's thieves like this that do damage to the RPG industry and its reputation. It's thieves like this that left books unpublished and writers unpaid. What a winner.)
Norfolk man pleads guilty to embezzling more than $1.5m
By Michelle Washington, The Virginian-Pilot
© March 10, 2009
As vice president of finance for Decipher Inc., Rick Eddleman controlled every aspect of the company's money.
His brother-in-law, Warren Holland, had founded the Norfolk-based company in 1983. It quickly took off, producing and selling a line of collectible and role-playing card games such as "How to Host a Murder," "Lord of the Rings" and "Star Wars."
Holland hired Eddleman to work part time on Decipher's computer systems. By the end of 1992, Holland asked Eddleman to become vice president of finances for the company.
Prosecutors say Eddleman embezzled more than $1.5 million from the company over nine years.
Click here for the rest of the story...
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
The Nail in Decipher Trek's Coffin?
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Very disappointing and certainly the nail in the coffin that currently prevents us from seeing a Star Trek table top RPG right now when it would be the perfect time to do so (thanks to the upcoming film and MMORPG).
ReplyDeleteAt the same time I wasn't a fan of Decipher's Star Trek game. It felt like a second hand copy of the superior Last Unicorn Games version. In addition, the changes it made to the game created by its predecessor seemed far to D20/OGL like and not really suitable for Star Trek. Lord of the Rings used almost the same system but worked much better.
AD
I feel exactly the same way. I think Decipher's books are pretty, well written and nice Trek RPG references (if not errata ridden), but LUG's ICON system, although quirky, captured the spirit of Trek so much better IMHO, whether it was TOS, TNG or DS9. I'll always feel it was cut down in its prime.
ReplyDeleteIt is certainly a shame that no new game is ready to capitalize upon the inevitable success and interest that the film will generate. I'm still not convinced, though, that an new, extended series of Trek RPG books would be a mid or long term success. I've been giving it a lot of thought because of a recent RPGnet thread "Star Trek roleplaying -- based on this trailer, time for a rebirth?", http://forum.rpg.net/showthread.php?t=441687, and will have a post on the subject soon.
In the meantime, good times ahead for eBay, Noble Knight Games and perhaps for ADB and SJG if they can get PD in front of peoples' eyes. Fortunately, almost all of the systems are still relatively easily available and inexpensive, and there's no lack of homegrown attempts either. If May comes and lots of people want to roleplay Trek, they'll have plenty of opportunity and resources to do so. If that can sustain itself, then it'll probably be time to start working on a new officially licensed game (possibly in time for the also-inevitable Trek 2011 film?!).
Never mind a new RPG line...I just wish someone would come out with a new line of 28mm figures. Why ADB doesn't do this baffles me to no end.
ReplyDelete^ **** this **** ^
ReplyDeleteSeriously, some generic TOS style miniatures would be SO welcome. Look on the intrawebs, people are asking for Trek or Trek clone minis all the time. Right now the only option is MegaMiniatures 25mms which are nice, but obviously no Klingons, Romulans, etc.
Which reminds me, I've got to post pics of these wonderful licensed Trek minis from a few years back. Italian and nearly impossible to find, but best evah, really. TOS crew, Klingons, Romulans, Gorn and hot little Orion girl. I'll make that a priority this week.