darkphoenix
Assistant
Reality is the sensations most percieved.
Posts: 72
|
Post by darkphoenix on Sept 7, 2016 2:30:25 GMT -5
thejackalope thanks for your support. I didn't realize my initial posts would cause so much fuss, lol. The video link was an act of defiance when the head start email went out. I just don't like seeing people treated that way. To everyone backing Filigree in Shadow, I wish you all the best and hope your deliveries arrive promptly. Take care.
|
|
|
|
Post by Beckett on Sept 7, 2016 3:52:47 GMT -5
Devoting your resources to ensuring people get what they paid for is precisely how running a business operates, my old friend. In normal circumstances you can, to borrow an old turn of phrase, chew gum and fart. Fulfill the old orders and engage new customers simultaneously. This company however does not appear capable of such actions. So, indeed, given that these folks paid a handsome sum now more than a year ago, they should have in my opinion every right to be irritated by the company launching a new project before satisfying the previous purchases.
I did not intend to downplay the consternation of those who are still awaiting fulfillment of The Century Beast. I just believe that there must be a point - depending on the number of unfulfilled Experiences and the circumstances causing the delay - where devoting more ressources to the issue will not make for a quicker solution. I can only speculate, of course - and by no means do I think it mandatory for others to assume my point of view. I think we are in agreement that neither of us makes their arguments out of spite or ill intent; neither do I wish to lure newcomers into a crowdfunding campaign upon which I believe the Company will not deliver, nor are attempting to sabotage a company who were overwhelmed by the success of their first ever crowdfunding effort. I do remain, however... "something of an apologist for the Mysterious Package Company" were your words, I believe. Time will tell if I am right to expect that the Company will be able to simultaneously satisfy the remaining members waiting for the conclusion of The Century Beast and run the Filigree in Shadow campaign much smoother than the last one.
thejackalope thanks for your support. I didn't realize my initial posts would cause so much fuss, lol. , I do hope that you have not taken offense at my reply to your post. I know that my unbridled enthusiasm for the work of the Mysterious Package Company can be a bit vexing at times, especially to those with valid and reasonable complaints. I do hope that in the majority of cases, my point of view adds to the discussion rather than detract from it, and moreso in this community. The fact that I do feel comfortable to give my opinions here is a testament to the quality of discourse in this community; the way a civilized discussion can descend into mudlinging and namecalling in other places on the internet has taught me not bother in most cases. If I have come across as rude or inconsiderate, please accept my apologies. |
|
|
|
Post by thegenii on Sept 7, 2016 9:30:21 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by Beckett on Sept 7, 2016 10:00:04 GMT -5
Wonderful read! Are these articles going to be reviews of the existing Experiences, or did you even manage a peek beyond the veil and into the inner workings of the Company? |
|
|
|
Post by mistressariadanz on Sept 7, 2016 13:02:47 GMT -5
Well, I bit although I winced a little at the price. For those wondering the following levels are already sold out - The Early Bird Package $227 USD, The Photographer $1446 USD, The Solicitors $1449 USD, The Performers $1456 USD. But if you've got $6666 CAD or $5137 USD you can still get Beloved Patron level (5 left of 5). Then of course there's the regular $250 USD for the standard full package (why would you go for less?). They're up to $128,981 as of this moment so heading towards the 2nd stretch goal of $200k
I really should open my crate for the Century Beast - things have sucked here lately and I was saving it for a moment when I could fully immerse myself in the wonder and joy.
|
|
|
|
Post by Ashenden on Sept 7, 2016 13:07:35 GMT -5
Devoting your resources to ensuring people get what they paid for is precisely how running a business operates, my old friend. In normal circumstances you can, to borrow an old turn of phrase, chew gum and fart. Fulfill the old orders and engage new customers simultaneously. This company however does not appear capable of such actions. So, indeed, given that these folks paid a handsome sum now more than a year ago, they should have in my opinion every right to be irritated by the company launching a new project before satisfying the previous purchases. I received all of the CB mailings, so that isn't my issue with putting money toward a new Kickstarter; rather, I was just simply underwhelmed with CB. The mailings didn't follow close enough to one another to maintain my interest - we're talking months between each one - by the time I got the next one, I'd forgotten what the previous mailing was all about and due to a busy schedule didn't have time to revisit them. After nearly a year of such sporadic mailings, when the crate came, I'd already lost a good deal of interest in the experience. I actually let the crate sit around for a couple weeks before I could be bothered to pry open the lid, and when I did and saw the artifact, it was just...meh. I put it back in the crate and haven't looked at it since. I have to confess I don't even know what to do with it. I wouldn't display it anywhere I can think of, either at home or at work or ... wherever. The MPC gloss has quite worn off for me (I didn't purchase this year's Inner Circle kit, either). While I still support MPC, adore the basic premise of the product, and am still an enthusiastic subscriber to C&C, I can't justify the high prices for the experiences even at the Kickstarter level, when I'm afraid that based on past experience I won't even care when the crate comes. On a small and sad note, I'm also quite disappointed that the Sitting Room never reappeared on their website; something of the "exclusive mysterious club" aspect unfortunately disappeared with it. I haven't logged into the site in a long time - what's the point? There's no community there any more. Too bad, as I was a big fan last year. This year... not really on my radar, other things to do with my time and money. |
|
|
|
Post by thegenii on Sept 7, 2016 13:36:09 GMT -5
Beckett, I did not contact the company. When a person from the MPC gives an interview, they are simply explaining what the company does and the products they sell. Not much point to contacting them. Better to do my own analyzing. There are two more parts to come, one tomorrow and another the next day.
Ashenden, one cannot argue with a personal opinion, and I have to agree with you to some extent.
With a 10-part mailing for "The Century Beast," it should take about 10 months if the mailings come once a month. I think that between the number of mailings and the delays, the hook of the story was not sufficient to bear the time it took to get to the end.
And it's true, the various stories were often linked only by the fact that this group of people and then that group of people encountered the beast. It was more a series of weakly linked anecdotes than a narrative, and this differentiates it from the other experiences the MPC has offered.
"Filigree of Shadows" looks as if it will return to the narrative tradition which is a plus. And the fact that it's only four or five mailings will be a plus. I can easily imagine that someone who did not receive the Kickstarter extra, the tabloid newspaper, could be dissatisfied because it was the real climax of the experience and brought the different anecdotes all together in one place.
As I've mentioned earlier, the demise of The Sitting Room (due, it would seem, to poor advance planning in its structure, as well as the influx of people from the first Kickstarter campaign) definitely changed things. This board is a wonderful resource, but the tone is entirely different and the community has changed in the process.
|
|
|
|
Post by Beckett on Sept 7, 2016 14:34:37 GMT -5
There are two more parts to come, one tomorrow and another the next day. I am looking forward to it! On a small and sad note, I'm also quite disappointed that the Sitting Room never reappeared on their website; something of the "exclusive mysterious club" aspect unfortunately disappeared with it. I haven't logged into the site in a long time - what's the point? There's no community there any more. I still cannot help but wonder if the Company are not working on something behind closed doors. Building this community has always been a stated goal of theirs - it seems so very strange for them to abandon the though completely. If they are not, that would indeed be a shame, although I am happy that so many of us found their way here. And all in all, we are mostly keeping true to whatever code of conduct we used to adhere to over there. I can easily imagine that someone who did not receive the Kickstarter extra, the tabloid newspaper, could be dissatisfied because it was the real climax of the experience and brought the different anecdotes all together in one place. Although I did not mind the more ambiguous conclusion that came with the crate, where her fate was left somewhat uncertain. The item that I could not quite sort out was one my brother did not receive, namely the charcoal sketch. Before the tabloid arrives, I assumed that Sarah had never made it out to sea, but had instead been arrested when trying to hire a boat and a band of mercenaries, which would have led to her being sequestered at the psychiatric hospital, but then the tabloid arrived, and apparently her phone was found on that boat! I still feel like I am missing some parts of the story... |
|
|
|
Post by thejackalope on Sept 7, 2016 15:04:48 GMT -5
Devoting your resources to ensuring people get what they paid for is precisely how running a business operates, my old friend. In normal circumstances you can, to borrow an old turn of phrase, chew gum and fart. Fulfill the old orders and engage new customers simultaneously. This company however does not appear capable of such actions. So, indeed, given that these folks paid a handsome sum now more than a year ago, they should have in my opinion every right to be irritated by the company launching a new project before satisfying the previous purchases.
I did not intend to downplay the consternation of those who are still awaiting fulfillment of The Century Beast. I just believe that there must be a point - depending on the number of unfulfilled Experiences and the circumstances causing the delay - where devoting more ressources to the issue will not make for a quicker solution. I can only speculate, of course - and by no means do I think it mandatory for others to assume my point of view. I think we are in agreement that neither of us makes their arguments out of spite or ill intent; neither do I wish to lure newcomers into a crowdfunding campaign upon which I believe the Company will not deliver, nor are attempting to sabotage a company who were overwhelmed by the success of their first ever crowdfunding effort. I do remain, however... "something of an apologist for the Mysterious Package Company" were your words, I believe. Time will tell if I am right to expect that the Company will be able to simultaneously satisfy the remaining members waiting for the conclusion of The Century Beast and run the Filigree in Shadow campaign much smoother than the last one.
Certainly you are allowed to be "something of an apologist" for the company... although, given the degree to which you respond to every criticism, you sometimes seem to take it as an obligation -- a personal challenge to defend the company. All well and good; that is what fandom is about, right? As thegenii might know better than I, a dazzling light is also a blinding one. Logistically speaking, however, they knew precisely how many orders of The Century Beast they had to fulfill one year ago. While of course Kickstarter projects are notorious for delays, this company exacerbated the issue with a series of poor decisions. They started the experience for many before they had all the pieces they needed to complete it... moved offices at a time when they were attempting to fulfill these huge orders... started the experience, and then shut down for several weeks for an extended holiday... and of course the extremely poor communication the company has unfortunately become notorious for. I still subscribe to C&C -- for now -- but I shan't be hoodwinked into giving them a pile of cash for a vague promise that has in the past ended in sheer disappointment. |
|
|
|
Post by thegenii on Sept 7, 2016 15:11:20 GMT -5
Jackalope, was "The Century Beast" your first and only experience purchased from the MPC?
|
|
|
|
Post by thejackalope on Sept 7, 2016 15:22:42 GMT -5
Jackalope, was "The Century Beast" your first and only experience purchased from the MPC? It was the first one I sent to myself. I also sent Risen and Weeping Book to friends. Both loved it. Risen also had delays although nothing akin to Century Beast. But, both left a lasting impression and were wonderful gifts. I was dazzled in the belief that a higher price and more mailings would lead to an even better experience. Instead, I found the TCB narrative to be disjointed, not even close to par with "Risen" and the extra mailings somehow told a lesser story. The artifact at the end wasn't all that special, in my opinion. I told my 11-year-old it was stone and she held it for a moment and said "it's plastic." Here's the important thing, which you will know better than everyone else here given your devotion to magic: I was like an eager and willing participant in a magic show. I was ready to suspend all disbelief and give the performer all benefit of the doubt. I was in the absolutely perfect frame of mind for this. And it still didn't dazzle me, although I tried very hard to be dazzled... it just didn't happen and eventually I had to accept what I experienced. |
|
|
|
Post by Beckett on Sept 7, 2016 15:23:52 GMT -5
a dazzling light is also a blinding one. Ha! Fair enough - as long as my enthusiasm does not get in the way of the enjoyment others find in this community, I am good. |
|
|
|
Post by thejackalope on Sept 7, 2016 15:30:41 GMT -5
a dazzling light is also a blinding one. Ha! Fair enough - as long as my enthusiasm does not get in the way of the enjoyment others find in this community, I am good. Not at all, at least for me. I'm sure I have my own blind spots -- and I admire your enthusiasm for MPC, and one year ago may have joined you in it. Also 'twas one of your posts, I believe, that led me to the Haunted Dollhouse -- you had only mentioned it in passing, but the name alone made me look it up -- which I have high hopes for! |
|
|
|
Post by Beckett on Sept 7, 2016 15:45:09 GMT -5
Also 'twas one of your posts, I believe, that led me to the Haunted Dollhouse -- you had only mentioned it in passing, but the name alone made me look it up -- which I have high hopes for! Ah, the Dollhouse - and we are so close, too! Did you look at Lady Delaney's other miniatures? They are gorgeous! |
|
|
|
Post by Ashenden on Sept 7, 2016 15:49:02 GMT -5
Ashenden, one cannot argue with a personal opinion, and I have to agree with you to some extent. With a 10-part mailing for "The Century Beast," it should take about 10 months if the mailings come once a month. I think that between the number of mailings and the delays, the hook of the story was not sufficient to bear the time it took to get to the end. And it's true, the various stories were often linked only by the fact that this group of people and then that group of people encountered the beast. It was more a series of weakly linked anecdotes than a narrative, and this differentiates it from the other experiences the MPC has offered. "Filigree of Shadows" looks as if it will return to the narrative tradition which is a plus. And the fact that it's only four or five mailings will be a plus. I can easily imagine that someone who did not receive the Kickstarter extra, the tabloid newspaper, could be dissatisfied because it was the real climax of the experience and brought the different anecdotes all together in one place. As I've mentioned earlier, the demise of The Sitting Room (due, it would seem, to poor advance planning in its structure, as well as the influx of people from the first Kickstarter campaign) definitely changed things. This board is a wonderful resource, but the tone is entirely different and the community has changed in the process. Exactly this. While I appreciate this resource greatly and do not want to infer that it is somehow paltry or subpar (admittedly, in many ways it is a vast improvement) the tone is indeed quite different. No surprise visits from Bernard or the Curator to stoke whispering amongst the inhabitants, no smoky bar from which one can obtain a refreshing gin pahit, no curious characters popping in with exotic stories to be told. Even the colors and fonts here are dressed out in basic "internet mainstream". It's just less... well ... mysterious. |
|
