Excelsior Entertainment Forums
Talaminiatures => Announcements => Topic started by: T Prime on December 31, 2008, 03:06:18 PM
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As I sit down to write this missive I am stuck by feelings both familiar and new. As is certainly no secret I have been away from these forums for along time, a period that seems like it was only a few months in duration, not years. I was happy to keep these forums open for your enjoyment, but quickly found that I was really unable to participate in them much. This came as much a surprise to me as it was to some of you. By way of explanation let me offer the following.
When Excelsior closed I was understandably crushed. I had poured my hopes and dreams into something that I loved. The games Excelsior took over were properties filled with so much potential and I was proud to helm their growth. It was a huge task, one fraught with challenges that I expected and many more that I never saw coming. I don’t begrudge those times; but they were draining, both to my personal life and to my health. In many ways there was so much I didn’t know and so much I learned.
My dedication to the company sadly strained my marriage to its breaking point and following the companies closure a divorce followed. Now I do not claim that the business destroyed my marriage, but that my single-minded focus on it did. I offer this as a warning to other entrepreneurs; one must make the time for family. One must prioritize them. I did not, at least not well enough.
My health over the last year of operations was deteriorating and I needed to stop working so much. Suffice to say once the company closed and my marriage was ending I ended up very ill and needed months to recuperate. While I am better now, that was a draining time and one where I was still emotionally ignorant over everything I was going through, and I assure you that was a lot. I proceeded along dealing with the next crisis completely unaware that I had emotional issues that remained unresolved. This came crashing down around me when Maxx, my other “son”, got sick and needed to be put to sleep. For those of you who ever visited to shop, Maxx was my ever-present shadow, my Golden Retriever. I didn’t know at the time how much he was actually holding me together. It’s funny to look back now and see how one can take all the pain and push it aside with the help of just one dog. When he died, all the pain, unresolved anger and sadness came rushing back and I was devastated. The many betrayals hit me like a ton of bricks. I became a recluse. I did nothing except look for work and sleep. That was my 2006; an awful lot to deal with in one year.
The next two years saw improvements to my life. The cliché about whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger is certainly true, though I would add if you are lucky enough, wiser. I had the friendship and support of many family and friends to help me (once I allowed them to that is), many of whom are on these very boards. And while I couldn’t be here in person, I was hopeful that something positive remained for me to return to. So to Hal, Jason, Dennis, Andreas, Troy, Joshua, David, Jeff, William, Bill, Linda, Steven, John, Leslie, Kevin, Hans, Lance, Jonathan, Dave, and many, many others, my most grateful and earnest thanks.
So now at the end of 2008 I find myself happy. I have settled into a new home with a wonderful woman, have started to clear and sort the wreckage from my prior lives, and have found enjoyment again in my former passions. I share all this with you because I want to take a little of what I have learned and apply it, namely to communicate better and be forthcoming of all my doings, both positive and negative. And because by playing the games I poured myself into developing, I feel that you deserve to know what happened. So what next then??
As the New Year opens I am pleased to share with you those plans, which have been percolating for the better part of 2008. First, I am happy to say that I am returning to the miniatures game on both ends of the business. I will be sculpting freelance and also commissioning works by others under the banner of a new business entity.
This new venture will bring sculpts and fresh designs to anyone who likes metal (or in some cases resin). The companies primary focus is to make miniatures that are unique or simply things we want to see in production. I say we because I am not going this alone, your input will be most helpful in our efforts. Additionally, Joshua Slater, long time forum member, friend and Padawan, will be working with me to help this new venture get off the ground smoothly. Additionally I have been assembling a Board of Trustees (as I call them) to review and play test the products that get released as far as gaming systems go.
Which I suppose brings us to UWZ and CWER, what next for them? Fair question.
I retain the rights to the game systems and the works we produced. A new site will become their new home. Here, we will release all the updates we talked about years ago in down loadable fashion. On a personal note, it was stymieing me as to how to compress the book sized formats of the data I had and it hit a few months ago at a game shop. Instead of large manuals and such, why not release individual modules online. In this manner new troops and ideas can be added much more quickly and smoothly. After some discussion, this became the plan.
The core rules need updating too and these will also be made available online. It is my hope that you will be able to enjoy your hobby with like-minded friends and stay in an active community.
Another feature that I am excited about is the promotion of other company’s products for use in the games. As I would not challenge trademarks and such, this presents a fun way to expand the games very quickly as well as to help out worthy business in our industry. We tried this initially with models from Heresy Miniatures and feature them on the new site. I realized that I want to both enjoy my hobby and be true to a particular vision. This allows me to do both.
These forums will remain active for the time being though I expect them to move over into the new website at some point when the site is ready.
In the past, I have shied away from the forums for many different reasons. Unfortunately this means I miss the good interactions with all of you too. One of the things I hated most about the Excelsior’s past web issues was that often I had to delay information, releases, or in some cases cover issues up to protect certain entities. I don’t want to do this again and I am trying very hard to set it up to so this is never the case. Having Joshua and the Board will keep me honest, focused and aware. I want to be around more than just at the rare gaming event, and I will try very hard to do so. More importantly, I feel I might actually be able to move on and do it, having made peace with the past and resolved my many feelings.
So that said, I wish you all a wonderful holiday and joyous new year’s ever and I eagerly look forward to 2009.
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Well, I am happy to have you back!!
I always did enjoy your presence and chats with you we had. Though that was some 6 years ago, shortly after I got married. Damn, that was a while ago. Anyways, I can't wait to see what you churn up.
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Hello
Glad to hear from you again. And happy you are enjoying life again, any time you need help let me know. My best wishes to your new enterprise may it soar like an eagle . Thank you for all that you have done over the years , keeping the forum alive helped keep the community alive. Happy New Year to you.
wmeredith.
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Thanks for the update Big Kahuna. The best of Holiday Wishes to you and yours. As for anything I may have done for you, you are my brother and for my blood I could do less. Love ya Bro and look forward to the future you have outlined.
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All I can say is, "Yeah, man. Yeah."
Welcome back, Thom.
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Thom,
Dang glad to see ya back. I am hoping that 2009 is a "breakout" year for all of us. And, maybe I will be able to finish all those wonderful figs I already have, in anticipation of all the new ones I will most certainly end up buying.
Drop me a line if you need the Colorado perspective on anything.
Take Care!
Brad Wagnon
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As much as I wanted to playtest, I really can't. As I am writing my own game, and that tends not to go over well . . .
I am still very interested in what you have coming though.
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Welcome back. Since I'm still pretty new to these forums, I'm still getting the 'lay of the land'. I am truly appreciative that these forums are available and are of such high quality in both content and company. Thank you and may your and yours have a truly happy New Year.
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Welcome back...and have a prosperous 2009...
B...
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Great read. Looking forward hearing more about your endeavors in 2009.
Happy New Year! ;D
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I can only say, "Long live the king!"
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Great news about the new venture looking forward to buying lots and hopefully getting some games in.
Take care of your self and those around you in 2009.
All the best
Andy C.
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Glad to hear from you Thom. I want to thank you for keeping the forum open all these years, its been a wonderful little haven for all of us. Looking forward to the future and excited to see what you'll bring to the table. Have a great and prosperous New Year.
Chris Hale.
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Welcome back. Sounds like you went through quite an ordeal, glad you've made your way through the Mirkwoods (karma to you), and I welcome you back with the rest of the folks here. Have an amazing New Year, and I will spread the word among the gaming brethren of Los Angeles!
D
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Welcome back ;D ;D ;D
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Welcome back.
I know I've only met you once, but I am glad to have you back.
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Good to see you back here Thom!
Next time we meet I demand a chance to defeat you in a game. ;D
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Hey Thom,
Glad to hear your happy, healthy and wiser for your experience,. Though we've never met more than a couple of times over the last few yers I've found myself sending positive thoughts your way. I guess what I mean to say is long live the Dark Symetry System! Here's wishing you fortune, friendship, faith, and many happy returns.
Happy new year Thom.
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Almost there.....eyes bleeding. Body weak. Mind strong. I'm thinking we're almost at the first mile marker. Puke and rally. Puke and rally.
I'm going to be on this computer a long while yet.
Straight ahead money, peace out.
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Great to see you here Thom....and glad to hear things are moving in a positive direction for you. Wishing you all the best of health, happiness and success in 2009.
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Glad to have you here Thom. Looking forward to the future.
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Good to see there was some healing (literally and figuratively) for you in the journey. I wish you all the best and welcome back!
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Thanks for sharing Thom, glad to see you back. I hope this new year brings you everything you really need. May it be prosperous.
Don
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Thom;
It's good to hear from you again I look forward to experiencing all the plans that you have for this year. I look forward to playing a game with you again in the future. Maybe I'll let you win this time. I wish you and all of yours happy new year.
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Thanks all. Things are moving forward nicely. We have had some site clean up recently (which I am excited about) and other new improvements are on the way. The new advisory board has been assembled to help get the many promises I have personally made out to the players. Somethings will be handled differently going forward (which is a good thing), others will remain unchanged. I hope this is met with a sense of optimism. I do appreciate everyone's support and kind words.
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Hi Thom,
Glad you not got lost in the Void and you are back! Glad to find the site again.
Greetings,
Akos aka Catinator
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Holy Crap! Catinator! Where have you been?
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Holy Crap! Catinator! Where have you been?
He got back from a long mission involving terminating Cats, I think. Or being terminated by them. ;)
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Hi guys,
job kept me busy, crashed PCs denied me the good old links and had simply too much to do.
There was a time when I couldn't reach the forum at all.
I'm generally on very good term with cats and would not harm them. ;D
They seem to be on very good term with me as well.
Browsing the forums as time permits.
Greetings,
Catinator
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Hopefully you were not spending too much time in the Cat House!
Welcome back.
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Hopefully you were not spending too much time in the Cat House!
Welcome back.
Ye know, that was a nice, if pricey, restaurant at the Luxor.
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Hopefully you were not spending too much time in the Cat House!
Welcome back.
Yes, your not coming back would be a cat-astrophe!
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Hopefully you were not spending too much time in the Cat House!
Welcome back.
Yes, your not coming back would be a cat-astrophe!
It would be one of the signs of the impending cat-aclysm.
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2006 wasn't a good year for alot of people, Thom. Good to see you're back and in better spirits. I look forward to seeing your future projects.
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Thanks guys, I am glad you are all still around too. Had numerous computer issues as well and now I am moving forward. I had forgotten how much tech I used during the EE days. Anyway, I am thrilled to be back in the swing and look forward to your feedback.
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You know, this thread title always reminds me of the old joke.
"If you were a hobbit, your name would be Douche Baggins."
I seem to recall telling Thom that joke around 6 years ago . . . . .
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Back again. Hope to see you again.
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Wow, I'm excited about this. But now is another years of silence.
What happened?
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Wow, I'm excited about this. But now is another years of silence.
What happened?
Life
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"Here, we will release all the updates we talked about years ago in down loadable fashion"
This never happened correct? I can't seem to find anything searching the boards, but i have 72 pages of new posts since my last visit to go through :(
Was there any new art, if so can at least that be posted ? The one thing that always amused me was how recycled all the same art was between different games in the MC universe and it'd always make me excited to find something that I couldn't trace back to something else.
I wish I was brave enough to pursue my passions the way you did yours! It's awesome your able to start again with the the cauldron site you opened today.
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Wow, I'm excited about this. But now is another years of silence.
What happened?
Life
"Life. Don't talk to me about life." Marvin the paranoid android.