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Mailing List Logs for ShadowRN

Message no. 1
From: Marty <s457033@*******.GU.EDU.AU>
Subject: Who owns FASA??
Date: Tue, 15 Oct 1996 00:39:06 +1000
Just a quick quiz for all the ShadowRun buffs out there..... Who owns
FASA corporation?

The answer is; Microprose Software inc., which is in turn a subsidiary
of Spectrum Holobyte Incorporated. The info is on Microprose's homepage,
but not FASA's.

Sounds like SR in real life eh?? My guess is that Microprose bought FASA
to secure the rights to the next Battletech computer games, and all
related products (like the card game being made by Wizards of the Coast:
The lovely folk that bought you "Magic: the Gathering", and
"Netrunner")

And before you all start bitching;
(1)At least it isn't owned by T$R.
(2)Spectrum Holobyte is a public company, so you can buy shares.
(3)You'll probably see a Shadowrun game by Microprose sometime in
the future.

I'd dearly like to know the approximate price Microprose paid to get hold
of FASA.... Anyone out there got any info??? Anyone want to go on a 'run
and find out? *grin*


Bleach
Message no. 2
From: Vaughn Thomas <daguru@*****.NET>
Subject: Re: Who owns FASA??
Date: Mon, 14 Oct 1996 11:38:59 -0400
Just to add some information from a good source. I am a former Microprose
Employee for 4 years, and I worked in development.
Microprose owns part of FASA's Interactive Software venture (I forget the
real name, it is the part of FASA that plans to make computer games). MPS,
at one time had the license from FASA to produce two Battletech products.
MPS failed to deliver in a timely fashion, and FASA took the license away.
As of May 31, 1996, there were no plans to produce any products under the
FASA product licenses. As a former employee of MPS, it saddened me that MPS
ruined it's opportunity to make any products under the FASA agreement.

BTW: The amount MPS paid for that part of FASA was in the 7-digit range...
It is highly doubtful if FASA and MPS ever do a product together, since
FASA is starting it's own software development lab.
----------
> From: Marty <s457033@*******.GU.EDU.AU>
> To: NERPS@********.ITRIBE.NET
> Subject: Who owns FASA??
> Date: Monday, October 14, 1996 10:39 AM
>
> Just a quick quiz for all the ShadowRun buffs out there..... Who owns
> FASA corporation?
>
> The answer is; Microprose Software inc., which is in turn a subsidiary
> of Spectrum Holobyte Incorporated. The info is on Microprose's homepage,
> but not FASA's.
>
> Sounds like SR in real life eh?? My guess is that Microprose bought FASA
> to secure the rights to the next Battletech computer games, and all
> related products (like the card game being made by Wizards of the Coast:
> The lovely folk that bought you "Magic: the Gathering", and
"Netrunner")
>
> And before you all start bitching;
> (1)At least it isn't owned by T$R.
> (2)Spectrum Holobyte is a public company, so you can buy shares.
> (3)You'll probably see a Shadowrun game by Microprose sometime in
> the future.
>
> I'd dearly like to know the approximate price Microprose paid to get hold
> of FASA.... Anyone out there got any info??? Anyone want to go on a 'run
> and find out? *grin*
>
>
> Bleach
Message no. 3
From: bborich@***.COM
Subject: Re: Who owns FASA??
Date: Mon, 14 Oct 1996 16:19:56 -0700
It should have been a good hunk of change considering the
cost of the Battletech simulators. I'd figure 7-8 figures.
Message no. 4
From: Vaughn Thomas <daguru@*****.NET>
Subject: Re: Who owns FASA??
Date: Mon, 14 Oct 1996 17:35:26 -0400
bborich@***.COM wrote:
>
> It should have been a good hunk of change considering the
> cost of the Battletech simulators. I'd figure 7-8 figures.
Nope, it was a "joint" venture deal involving purchase of stock. It was
high 7 digits. No physical material changed hands, it kind of went down
like this:
1. MPS: We want the Battletech liscenses...
2. FASA: We need money to start up interactive software group.
3. MPS: We will give you the money you need to start up in exchange for
part of your company, plus distribution rights, etc. on the product you
release, in exchange for the liscenses.
4. FASA: Okay, provided you deliver a quality Battletech product to the
market.
5. MPS: Okay, we have a deal...

The whole arragement kind of went to pot when MPS failed miserably with
dealines to deliver product. I know this for certain, because I worked
with the lead programmer and designers to come up with preliminary
concepts for the Battletech line.

Hope that helps,
Vaughn
Message no. 5
From: Marty <s457033@*******.GU.EDU.AU>
Subject: Re: Who owns FASA??
Date: Tue, 15 Oct 1996 10:26:35 +1000
> The whole arragement kind of went to pot when MPS failed miserably with
> dealines to deliver product. I know this for certain, because I worked
> with the lead programmer and designers to come up with preliminary
> concepts for the Battletech line.
>
It's not what it says on the Microprose or Activision homepages...
Apparently Activision isn't planning to bring out another Mechwarrior
upgrade, and if remember correctly Microprose had something on their
hompage about it.

Well, at least I know who to dislike for the long delay in bringing out a
second Mechwarrior game..

Bleach
Message no. 6
From: Timothy P Cooper <tpcooper@***.CSUPOMONA.EDU>
Subject: Re: Who owns FASA??
Date: Wed, 16 Oct 1996 13:25:24 -0700
> > The whole arragement kind of went to pot when MPS failed miserably with
> > dealines to deliver product. I know this for certain, because I worked
> > with the lead programmer and designers to come up with preliminary
> > concepts for the Battletech line.
> >
> It's not what it says on the Microprose or Activision homepages...
> Apparently Activision isn't planning to bring out another Mechwarrior
> upgrade, and if remember correctly Microprose had something on their
> hompage about it.
>
> Well, at least I know who to dislike for the long delay in bringing out a
> second Mechwarrior game..
>
> Bleach

No offence, but last time I checked a home page was about as credible as a Corp
Press Release, sure it may have true elements but who knows what spin was put on
it and what really went on in the "shadows" as it were.

- another Tim
Message no. 7
From: Marty <s457033@*******.GU.EDU.AU>
Subject: Re: Who owns FASA??
Date: Thu, 17 Oct 1996 08:33:01 +1000
> No offence, but last time I checked a home page was about as credible as a Corp
> Press Release, sure it may have true elements but who knows what spin was put on
> it and what really went on in the "shadows" as it were.
>
But it *does* make sense for MPS to be accurate about future products..
personally I wouldn't believe anything else I read on there, either.....
Which is why my friends and I got the Spectrum Holobtye annual company
report mailed to us... I might post some details if I get bored enough.

Not that I really believe all the stuff in the report either, but there
were some nice tidbits of info in there.

Maybe you'll see a post later.

Bleach
Message no. 8
From: Vaughn Thomas <daguru@*****.NET>
Subject: Re: Who owns FASA??
Date: Thu, 17 Oct 1996 13:34:33 -0400
It feels strange, but I am playing the role of "Former Company Man" or
"Mr. Johnson" on this one. My name is Vaughn Thomas, and I was the Test
Manager for MPS back in May of this year. I have since left and joined a
startup software testing company known as Absolute Quality,
Inc.(http://www.aqinc.com). FASA and MPS' relationship, based on what went
on when I left, was rooted in the financial aspect only. There isn't much
to go on concerning this, but I remember a press release a while back. If
there are any specific questions, I'll try to answer as much as I can.

Vaughn



----------
> From: Marty <s457033@*******.GU.EDU.AU>
> To: NERPS@********.ITRIBE.NET
> Subject: Re: Who owns FASA??
> Date: Wednesday, October 16, 1996 6:33 PM
>
> > No offence, but last time I checked a home page was about as credible
as a Corp
> > Press Release, sure it may have true elements but who knows what spin
was put on
> > it and what really went on in the "shadows" as it were.
> >
> But it *does* make sense for MPS to be accurate about future products..
> personally I wouldn't believe anything else I read on there, either.....
> Which is why my friends and I got the Spectrum Holobtye annual company
> report mailed to us... I might post some details if I get bored enough.
>
> Not that I really believe all the stuff in the report either, but there
> were some nice tidbits of info in there.
>
> Maybe you'll see a post later.
>
> Bleach

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Thwap!