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Mailing List Logs for ShadowRN

Message no. 1
From: "XaOs [David Goth]" <xaos@*****.NET>
Subject: FASA Interactive and Microsoft
Date: Sat, 26 Dec 1998 21:03:35 -0600
I wasn't sure if this story had been confirmed on here previously, but
here's the bad news:

http://www.cdmag.com/Home/home.html?article=/articles/016/082/fasa.html

The portion of this that is most pertinent to us is the following quote:

"The only game that seems nearly certain to fall by the wayside is the
Shadowrun title FASA Interactive was developing. While there is no official
word on its fate, it seems the cyberpunk action/RPG has been edged off the
development schedule for the time being."



-XaOs-
xaos@*****.net
-David Goth-
Message no. 2
From: Blackadder <blkadder@****.NET>
Subject: Re: FASA Interactive and Microsoft
Date: Sat, 26 Dec 1998 22:33:05 -0500
XaOs said:

I wasn't sure if this story had been confirmed on here previously, but
here's the bad news:

http://www.cdmag.com/Home/home.html?article=/articles/016/082/fasa.html

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

I added ;-}

HAH! Someone else besides me fell for this one! [Don't take it hard,
though ;-] This is the same article I came across when I was searching for
the list a couple weeks ago.
I'm sure someone else will answer this, but some people on the list
have already said there's nothing to be worried about.


The Blackadder
Message no. 3
From: "XaOs [David Goth]" <xaos@*****.NET>
Subject: Re: FASA Interactive and Microsoft
Date: Sat, 26 Dec 1998 22:03:18 -0600
> HAH! Someone else besides me fell for this one! [Don't take it hard,
> though ;-] This is the same article I came across when I was searching for
> the list a couple weeks ago.
> I'm sure someone else will answer this, but some people on the list
> have already said there's nothing to be worried about.

I also found it on www.gamespot.com. I'll see if I can find more.



-XaOs-
xaos@*****.net
-David Goth-
Message no. 4
From: "XaOs [David Goth]" <xaos@*****.NET>
Subject: Re: FASA Interactive and Microsoft
Date: Sat, 26 Dec 1998 22:54:08 -0600
http://www.next-generation.com/jsmid/news/5148.html

Most interestingly:

http://www.next-generation.com/jsmid/news/5286.html

I was not able to get to http://www.fasainteractive.com

This is an older article that gives some interesting history on FASA and the
companies associated with it:

http://www.badkarma.net/newsroom/interviews/denney_thorley/bkidennythorleymw
1197.html

Based on these, I don't think we're any closer to knowing the fact or
fiction about these reports. I'll note that the article I originally
provided the link for, was dated 12/24/98.

-XaOs-
xaos@*****.net
-David Goth-

As a side note, I *really* hate getting Bryan Covington's Out Of Office
reply when I post to RN...
Message no. 5
From: "Hatchetman, GUV" <hatchet@*********.BC.CA>
Subject: Re: FASA Interactive and Microsoft
Date: Sun, 27 Dec 1998 09:42:57 -0800
> As a side note, I *really* hate getting Bryan Covington's Out Of Office
> reply when I post to RN...

You got that too? I got it once, what the heck is that?

Hatchetman, GUV
Message no. 6
From: Lehlan Decker <DeckerL@******.COM>
Subject: Re: FASA Interactive and Microsoft
Date: Sun, 27 Dec 1998 12:44:20 -0500
> As a side note, I *really* hate getting Bryan
Covington's Out Of Office
> reply when I post to RN...
>You got that too? I got it once, what the heck is that?

It's an autoresponder, alot of companies want you to
use them when your out, so people emailing your will
know when you will return. In Unix world it's called
"vacation".
The problem is when they autoreply, they get the list's
address, so we all get the email. You should be able to
block autoresponders at the mail server, so that they
don't go out onto the internet, etc. But most sysadmins
don't for some reason. Hell I can't use them even if I
wanted to, I'm on so many different lists, it would take
me two hours to unsubscribe each time.
Message no. 7
From: Damon Harper <nomad74@*******.COM>
Subject: Re: FASA Interactive and Microsoft
Date: Mon, 28 Dec 1998 00:22:10 PST
Has anyone asked the folks at FASA?

If the buyout is true- and I have no reason to believe it isn't- and
knowing MS, my money lies on Shadowrun for the PC getting canned.
What's going to happen to the folks that worked for FASA and were
moved over to FI? Specifically, Dowd. It's my understanding he was
moved over to FI to develop the SR game. If it's scrapped- or even if
it's not- will he stay with FASA's RPG Shadowrun team, or get bumped
over to Seattle with the FI crew?
I know, I know, "Questions, questions..."


-Damon Harper
"Tell me, and I forget. Show me, and I remember.
But let me do, and I understand."
-Confucious
________________________________________________________
<nomad74@*******.com> <ICQ 4297972>


______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
Message no. 8
From: "XaOs [David Goth]" <xaos@*****.NET>
Subject: Re: FASA Interactive and Microsoft
Date: Mon, 28 Dec 1998 02:31:07 -0600
> Has anyone asked the folks at FASA?

One of the stories said that the source was an unnamed individual at FI that
would be relocating to Seattle. (Although, I'm finding the reliability of
stories that are both confirming and denying the intitial rumors are BOTH
poor).



-XaOs-
xaos@*****.net
-David Goth-
Message no. 9
From: Gurth <gurth@******.NL>
Subject: Re: FASA Interactive and Microsoft
Date: Mon, 28 Dec 1998 10:52:52 +0100
According to Damon Harper, at 0:22 on 28 Dec 98, the word on
the street was...

> Has anyone asked the folks at FASA?

I doubt they'd give an answer other than something in the direction of "no
comment."

> What's going to happen to the folks that worked for FASA and were
> moved over to FI? Specifically, Dowd. It's my understanding he was
> moved over to FI to develop the SR game.

From what I heard, FASA's owners decided that SR wasn't doing to well
under his guidance, so they "offered" him a move to FI (whether or not
this had an "or else..." attached I don't know).

--
Gurth@******.nl - http://www.xs4all.nl/~gurth/index.html
The names have not been changed to protect the guilty.
-> NERPS Project Leader * ShadowRN GridSec * Unofficial Shadowrun Guru <-
->The Plastic Warriors Page: http://shadowrun.html.com/plasticwarriors/<-
-> The New Character Mortuary: http://www.electricferret.com/mortuary/ <-

GC3.1: GAT/! d-(dpu) s:- !a>? C+(++)@ U P L E? W(++) N o? K- w+ O V? PS+
PE Y PGP- t(+) 5++ X++ R+++>$ tv+(++) b++@ DI? D+ G(++) e h! !r(---) y?
Incubated into the First Church of the Sqooshy Ball, 21-05-1998
Message no. 10
From: K in the Shadows <Ereskanti@***.COM>
Subject: Re: FASA Interactive and Microsoft
Date: Mon, 28 Dec 1998 18:07:26 EST
In a message dated 12/28/1998 5:59:37 AM US Eastern Standard Time,
gurth@******.NL writes:

>
> According to Damon Harper, at 0:22 on 28 Dec 98, the word on
> the street was...
>
> > Has anyone asked the folks at FASA?
>
> I doubt they'd give an answer other than something in the direction of "no
> comment."

I'll help you out here guys, as I *did* ask Mike M. about the FASA Interactive
story. His exact reply was ...

"NO COMMENT".

When I asked (after I stopped laughing) why he said that, if it was a company
reason or a personal one...his reply was ...

"Personal".

I do not see any problems with FASA itself in so far as the potential
Microsoft Interests. And besides, IF it happens, we may not like it, but it
isn't ours to decide.

-K
Message no. 11
From: Michael vanHulst <Schizi@***.COM>
Subject: Re: FASA Interactive and Microsoft
Date: Mon, 28 Dec 1998 20:58:42 EST
In a message dated 12/28/98 3:08:37 PM Pacific Standard Time,
Ereskanti@***.COM writes:

> > > Has anyone asked the folks at FASA?
> >
> > I doubt they'd give an answer other than something in the direction of "
> no
> > comment."
>
> I'll help you out here guys, as I *did* ask Mike M. about the FASA
> Interactive
> story. His exact reply was ...
>
> "NO COMMENT".
When someone asked FASAInfo on the board if FASA were being bought, he said
"FASA is not being bought by anyone" but when I clarified as FASA Int, there
was no other response. Make of it what you will :-)
Message no. 12
From: Damon Harper <nomad74@*******.COM>
Subject: Re: FASA Interactive and Microsoft
Date: Tue, 29 Dec 1998 00:31:51 PST
>I do not see any problems with FASA itself in so far as the potential
>Microsoft Interests. And besides, IF it happens, we may not like it,
but it
>isn't ours to decide.

I agree here. However, we as consumers have a choice in what
products they will produce- or at least, I'd like to think.
I emailed FASA and asked the questions I posed to this list, as well
as a person we could contact to support the Shadowrun PC game (in
essence, petition or protest the cancelation thereof). I have yet to
get a reply.
As to Tom Dowd, I find it hard to believe that they would fire
someone with such a huge following. I can see, even understand, taking
him off as line developer, but I don't see why they wouldn't want him to
continue to write/co-write books, novels, and especially modules- as his
are usually the best.
Dowd was, and can be again, FASA's proverbial Golden Goose. To
just throw him away would be stupid. Not to mention immoral since he
co-created Shadowrun. It'd be like firing Gene Roddenberry(RIP) from
Star Trek.

-Damon Harper
"Tell me, and I forget. Show me, and I remember.
But let me do, and I understand."
-Confucious
________________________________________________________
<nomad74@*******.com> <ICQ 4297972>


______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
Message no. 13
From: Gurth <gurth@******.NL>
Subject: Re: FASA Interactive and Microsoft
Date: Tue, 29 Dec 1998 11:37:37 +0100
According to Damon Harper, at 0:31 on 29 Dec 98, the word on
the street was...

> Dowd was, and can be again, FASA's proverbial Golden Goose. To
> just throw him away would be stupid. Not to mention immoral since he
> co-created Shadowrun. It'd be like firing Gene Roddenberry(RIP) from
> Star Trek.

Yeah, but the ST:TNG episodes made after Roddenberry died are better than
the ones he supervised...

--
Gurth@******.nl - http://www.xs4all.nl/~gurth/index.html
The names have not been changed to protect the guilty.
-> NERPS Project Leader * ShadowRN GridSec * Unofficial Shadowrun Guru <-
->The Plastic Warriors Page: http://shadowrun.html.com/plasticwarriors/<-
-> The New Character Mortuary: http://www.electricferret.com/mortuary/ <-

GC3.1: GAT/! d-(dpu) s:- !a>? C+(++)@ U P L E? W(++) N o? K- w+ O V? PS+
PE Y PGP- t(+) 5++ X++ R+++>$ tv+(++) b++@ DI? D+ G(++) e h! !r(---) y?
Incubated into the First Church of the Sqooshy Ball, 21-05-1998
Message no. 14
From: Tony Rabiola <rabiola@**.NETCOM.COM>
Subject: Re: FASA Interactive and Microsoft
Date: Sat, 2 Jan 1999 17:02:39 -0600
>I do not see any problems with FASA itself in so far as the potential
>Microsoft Interests. And besides, IF it happens, we may not like it,
but it
>isn't ours to decide.


So where is Tom Dowd these days? Anyone heard? No response from his
Email.

Tony Rabiola
rabiola@**.netcom.com
Fourth and Sixth World Adept
(still working on the Fifth)
Proud owner BABY #972
Message no. 15
From: K in the Shadows <Ereskanti@***.COM>
Subject: Re: FASA Interactive and Microsoft
Date: Sat, 2 Jan 1999 22:20:44 EST
In a message dated 1/2/99 6:34:40 PM US Eastern Standard Time,
rabiola@**.NETCOM.COM writes:

>
> So where is Tom Dowd these days? Anyone heard? No response from his
> Email.
>
I haven't the slightest. However, I have recently come into possession of a
few, free, software packages, as well as access to Gamestorm(TM). Battletech,
Mechwarrior and Mech Commander are made by FASA Interactive, but FASA
Corporation still owns them all. Call 'em subsidiaries. Now I know some of
what happened years ago when Tom D. left the SR Line Developer's chair and
switched over. But, what I know is very incomplete.

I am curious as to exactly *whom* it is/was that Microsoft has lured to go
move to Washington State (iirc). Does anyone know whom it is/was?

-K
Message no. 16
From: "XaOs [David Goth]" <xaos@*****.NET>
Subject: Re: FASA Interactive and Microsoft
Date: Fri, 8 Jan 1999 01:30:36 -0600
Might I joyously throw a blast from the past back into someone's face... ;)


> XaOs said:
>
> I wasn't sure if this story had been confirmed on here previously, but
> here's the bad news:
>
> http://www.cdmag.com/Home/home.html?article=/articles/016/082/fasa.html
>
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> I added ;-}
>
> HAH! Someone else besides me fell for this one! [Don't take it hard,
> though ;-] This is the same article I came across when I was searching for
> the list a couple weeks ago.
> I'm sure someone else will answer this, but some people on the list
> have already said there's nothing to be worried about.
>
>
> The Blackadder
>
Message no. 17
From: Lady Jestyr <jestyr@*******.COM.AU>
Subject: Re: FASA Interactive and Microsoft
Date: Fri, 8 Jan 1999 17:41:54 +1000
>Might I joyously throw a blast from the past back into someone's face... ;)

Bit pointless doing that, really - sure, the rumors about MS buying FIT
have been around for ages. What most of us were trying to do was not DENY
those rumors, but ensure that hysterical speculation gave way to rational
analysis of the facts of the time.

Lady Jestyr

"A true beanie should have a propellor on the top." -- Terry Pratchett
- jestyr@*******.com.au URL: http://www.geocities.com/~jestyr -

Further Reading

If you enjoyed reading about FASA Interactive and Microsoft, you may also be interested in:

Disclaimer

These messages were posted a long time ago on a mailing list far, far away. The copyright to their contents probably lies with the original authors of the individual messages, but since they were published in an electronic forum that anyone could subscribe to, and the logs were available to subscribers and most likely non-subscribers as well, it's felt that re-publishing them here is a kind of public service.

Thwap!