Dan Elggrens leaves CME for not being paid

[aric149]

looks like the studio head went to a place where there are paychecks.

from his own family's blog: "http"://elggrens.blogspot.com/ (remove quotes)

The last 8-9 months have been really rough at Dan's work and we've been trying so hard to make it work. Over 100 employees have left since October, so Dan felt he was as loyal as he possibly could be considering that he was basically volunteering for work and not getting paid! It's such a shame, because the game he's been working on for over 3 years was within several months of being ready to ship! I've admired how hard Dan has fought for his coworkers and for this game. He had been interviewing all over the country when he found this job with Gazillion in Louisville, Colorado. A few of his former coworkers are there now, so that's been a fun connection. We decided that he'd take the job just over a week ago and he begins work there June 1st."

[Cyaneyed]

...Wow. I can officially say this is the first time I have been legitimately scared for the game. Dan leaving is huge. And this blog looks way too personal and full of family pictures to be fake.

=|

[Lord Arawn]

well...i wonder what kind of spin CME is going to put out now... they can't deny they are in serious financial trouble...they just lost their studio head because of no pay.

[rabidcajun]

but give them a min the forum rats will be here to tell you its all a dream nothing is wrong and you are totally insane for even possibly believeing yet another stargate game is tanking =p

[Cranks]

Originally Posted by Cyaneyed

...Wow. I can officially say this is the first time I have been legitimately scared for the game. Dan leaving is huge. And this blog looks way too personal and full of family pictures to be fake.

=|

I have to agree with this, altho i really want to see Stargate worlds i have this horrible feeling we mite not or at least not a lot longer in case they send the game to some one else.

[Lisentia]

I guess some people can't seem to grasp the concept that someone is an employee filling a position, and that you can always hire someone else to fill that same position. =)

But that's okay. I'm just a dumb forum rat =D

[Kadael]

nomnom

[rabidcajun]

none said dumb forum rat just forum rat =p and there is a large difference between faith and blind faith, blind faith is usually undeserved. I've been a stargate fan forever since the first movie came out, no one wants the game to get made more than I do, but 6 months+ with no real news spells dead game. people can scream media blackout all they want, the blackout is so most people don't realise how screwed the game is. and as for hiring new people I doubt that ,they apparently cant afford to pay the ones they already have.

[Lord Arawn]

Originally Posted by Lisentia

I guess some people can't seem to grasp the concept that someone is an employee filling a position, and that you can always hire someone else to fill that same position. =)

But that's okay. I'm just a dumb forum rat =D

I'd like to know how they are going to pay the replacement...considering they weren't able to pay the previous guy.

I hope this game comes out, and it's a success, but let's be honest, in a media blackout and no communication from CME/Firesky directly, it leaves many blanks to be filled in, and we're the ones trying to fill the blanks.

[Shatter]

"Over 100 employees have left since October"

Thats the scary part

[Supremeaaron]

People have to remember that a studio head would make a lot of money. So with Dan leaving this frees up a lot of money now. Which they can now spend on devs I love a positive spin

[Lord Arawn]

Originally Posted by supremeaaron

People have to remember that a studio head would make a lot of money. So with Dan leaving this frees up a lot of money now. Which they can now spend on devs I love a positive spin

one small flaw in your positive spin...

Originally Posted by aric149

Dan felt he was as loyal as he possibly could be considering that he was basically volunteering for work and not getting paid!

hate to be the bearer of bad news for you.

[Supremeaaron]

fair anough but I would prefer an offical comment from CME and Firesky saying we are shuting up shop and not from some studio heads wife. Granted Dan will be missed but hes already done to another new company who are making a marvel mmo.

[Goalie Guy]

uhm this does not sound good at all!!

[Supremeaaron]

Hmm love how everyone is focusing on the bad news, did noone notice the new screenshots?

[Cranks]

Originally Posted by supremeaaron

Hmm love how everyone is focusing on the bad news, did noone notice the new screenshots?

Going out of the box, how much would you like to say they only came up because we got the news that another person left?

Sure its a way of them saying hey look were still here and so is the game.But for how long?

[Captain Underpants]

Isn't it worth pointing out the whole "within a few months of being ready to ship" part? If that isn't a total exaggeration, then Dan has already got most of the hard work as Studio Director out of the way, and we're nearing the "out of the woods" part. Provided they can find someone to replace him - or to fill in, at least - then the game might be able to struggle on until it's actually in a position to start earning money for the studio, and fixing the problem.

What I'm more concerned about personally is that, if the money problems are as bad as the rumours suggest, what's to stop CME rushing to get the game on sale before its completely ready? It'd suck if financial pressure forced them into a premature and bug-filled release. :-/

[HadesFLG3]

Originally Posted by Cranks

Going out of the box, how much would you like to say they only came up because we got the news that another person left?

Sure its a way of them saying hey look were still here and so is the game.But for how long?

Perception released like 5 screenshots of Stargate Alliance and what the game would look like on release, 2 weeks after they announced the cancellation of its development.

But, it was Perception and not CME.

[tkksnow]

We at CME only recently heard the news of Dan's decision to leave. So you guys are more or less current with what know here. Dan's the man. I had the pleasure to work closely with him since I've been with CME, so I am very bummed. On a side note regarding "spin," we've been more than clear about our revenue and cashflow situation. Game development students have their ups and downs, and before a game is launched, trust me, it's more downs than ups

Below is an official statement from us here at CME (guess the above message is official too from CME, but you get the drift). If there's any doubts regarding Dan's replacement's ability to complete a game, I dare you to google Rod's name.

---------------------------------

While we are saddened by Dan’s departure, we believe that Stargate Worlds will benefit from this unforeseen change. Dan’s guidance has been crucial to getting Stargate Worlds to this point, but we believe fresh eyes may find ways to improve the game moving forward. We wish to express our appreciation to Dan for all he has done for our company and wish him the best of success in his new endeavors. Dan will be transitioning his responsibilities to Rod Nakamoto, senior vice president of product development, over the next week.

Rod has 25 years of industry experience and is well aware of the challenges that lie ahead. Rod has the right experience and vision to lead this team to the finish line.

We wish both Rod and Dan success in their new responsibilities.

[Lisentia]

Originally Posted by Lord Arawn

I hope this game comes out, and it's a success, but let's be honest, in a media blackout and no communication from CME/Firesky directly, it leaves many blanks to be filled in, and we're the ones trying to fill the blanks.

You're exactly right. However, gamers have been playing the fill in the blanks game for a very long time =D

Oh sorry. I have to do this:

I TOLD YOU SO! =D

[Cranks]

Originally Posted by tkksnow

We at CME only recently heard the news of Dan's decision to leave. So you guys are more or less current with what know here. Dan's the man. I had the pleasure to work closely with him since I've been with CME, so I am very bummed. On a side note regarding "spin," we've been more than clear about our revenue and cashflow situation. Game development students have their ups and downs, and before a game is launched, trust me, it's more downs than ups

Below is an official statement from us here at CME (guess the above message is official too from CME, but you get the drift). If there's any doubts regarding Dan's replacement's ability to complete a game, I dare you to google Rod's name.

---------------------------------

While we are saddened by Dan’s departure, we believe that Stargate Worlds will benefit from this unforeseen change. Dan’s guidance has been crucial to getting Stargate Worlds to this point, but we believe fresh eyes may find ways to improve the game moving forward. We wish to express our appreciation to Dan for all he has done for our company and wish him the best of success in his new endeavors. Dan will be transitioning his responsibilities to Rod Nakamoto, senior vice president of product development, over the next week.

Rod has 25 years of industry experience and is well aware of the challenges that lie ahead. Rod has the right experience and vision to lead this team to the finish line.

We wish both Rod and Dan success in their new responsibilities.

Thanks Tkk

I don't want to push CME for info but in the other post about the games development CME stated they were in discussion with some people on the money side of things. How is that coming along?

[Aszrayel]

Originally Posted by tkksnow

Rod Nakamoto, senior vice president of product development, over the next week.

OMFG. I met that guy about 8 years ago

[Supremeaaron]

Nice Aszrayel is he as good as tkksnow says? Also tkksnow nice quick responce

Originally Posted by Lisentia
I TOLD YOU SO! =D

lol lisentia I love that.

[tkksnow]

Originally Posted by Cranks

Thanks Tkk

I don't want to push CME for info but in the other post about the games development CME stated they were in discussion with some people on the money side of things. How is that coming along?

Hi Cranks,

For the past 6 months when the investments started shrinking due to the economic situation, the head-ups have been having a LOT of discussions. Some of them have come to fruition. We're in the same boat as months ago, but progressing.

It's ridiculous for us or our community members to view CME as a Blizzard or EA. We're not a mega company with multiple streams of revenue. We're a small studio who are trying to produce a game... in order to become a Blizzard[company and revenue wise, not game wise, don't worry]

[Cyaneyed]

Originally Posted by Lisentia

I guess some people can't seem to grasp the concept that someone is an employee filling a position, and that you can always hire someone else to fill that same position. =)

But that's okay. I'm just a dumb forum rat =D

I grasped that. I just couldn't believe that Dan was leaving. Dan has always seemed like the spearhead of the game to me (not just in his role but in alot of other ways). I'm the last person to be a doomsayer but when someone like him leaves the product I can't help my heart sinking a little...*nudges you to keep reading*

Originally Posted by tkksnow

While we are saddened by Dan’s departure, we believe that Stargate Worlds will benefit from this unforeseen change. Dan’s guidance has been crucial to getting Stargate Worlds to this point, but we believe fresh eyes may find ways to improve the game moving forward. We wish to express our appreciation to Dan for all he has done for our company and wish him the best of success in his new endeavors. Dan will be transitioning his responsibilities to Rod Nakamoto, senior vice president of product development, over the next week.

Rod has 25 years of industry experience and is well aware of the challenges that lie ahead. Rod has the right experience and vision to lead this team to the finish line.

We wish both Rod and Dan success in their new responsibilities.

...then I read this and my heart is lifted again =)