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Anyone else read this? poorly orchestrated fraud ???
AmazingAvery
Age of Conan AdvocateMember UncommonPosts: 7,188
Ethec @ TTH has a write up about Cheyenne Mountain Entertainment : www.tentonhammer.com/node/61377
Partial Quote:
| Some of you might be familiar with the buzz phrase "multi-level marketing" or MLM. Fact is, if you know how Quixtar, Herbalife, Avon, or Mary Kay products are sold, you know a little about MLM. The jist of it is that independent, unsalaried "distributors" are authorized to sell a product, earning a commission based on volume. If the thought of this scheme raises your buyer beware hackles, it's with good reason. Illegitimate MLMs are prone to make their money in pyramid schemes, false advertising, and price fixing, which is one reason that Amway now does business as Quixtar in the US, though the brand remains intact overseas.
Why am I bringing up MLM? The concept may be the last hope or last nail in the coffin for Stargate Worlds and other Cheyenne Mountain Entertainment properties. Supposedly CME-affiliated Mmoguls.com began a viral "pre-launch" marketing campaign this past week, appearing on an MLM-geared website and posting on several forums, including Ten Ton Hammer (we've moderated the thread, both because advertising in our forums is verboten and, well, we're skeptical). I'll save you a click, here's their pitch: "The chairman and primary fund raiser of Cheyenne, Gary Whiting has decided to share the spoils of this phenomenon, and create an unrivalled opportunity, the scale never been seen before, where the games will go live, globally, after the first 200,000 Platinum members register in the network. A Platinum member is $250 with $50 monthly subscription that gives you full access to STARGATE WORLDS and 6 other 3D online games from a Motor Racing Game (where you get to choose the car of your choice, and if you win the twice monthly tournaments, you also win the real version of the car.) To American Football Game [sic] (like Madden NFL) and other new 3D Fantasy Worlds, 15 Future Games & a 3D Social Networking site with Shopping Mall. After the 200,000 Platinum members have been filled in the BINARY tree the Game will go on sale (est. May '09), and everyone who purchase [sic] the software for the game will be allocated pro-rata, so therefore evenly distributed among the 1st 200,000 platinum members downline." |
What do you if true? Does it sound "Dodgy" to you?
Comments
Assuming it's true it sounds like the last acts of a desperate company to me. This doesn't look good at all if true it means CME are skint and desperate for cash and now grabbing at straws for investment. I don't see many gamers signing up to become platinum members, 250 bucks AND a 50 bucks monthly sub?
The trouble is that along with the rumours about staff not getting paid, one rumour lends credence to the other. Is it true? I have no idea, I just hope not since I'm a fanbois of any sci-fi MMO and this one. I'd be interested to see what CME staff say on this, along with the almost cryptic statements on the salary rumour it isn't looking great for CME right now
"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience"
CS Lewis
Hey Avery,
Remember PE or P2 that originally had STO? This company sounds about like them. Where PE/P2 was going after venture capital firms, this company seems to be going after the gamer. $250 + $50 a month? I love to see what all each platinum member gets each month for that kind of $$$.
Fear not fanbois, we are not trolls, let's take off your tin foil hat and learn what VAPORWARE is:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaporware
"Vaporware is a term used to describe a software or hardware product that is announced by a developer well in advance of release, but which then fails to emerge after having well exceeded the period of development time that was initially claimed or would normally be expected for the development cycle of a similar product."
Wow. I must be reading that wrong. That sounds terrible.
As if Stargate wasn't a crap IP to begin with, if I wanted to play "a Motor Racing Game" or "Super Lucky American Joe Dollar Football Game Go!" I'd stick with Xbox 360.
Nah, I'm reading it wrong obviously, nvm.
Just to end this right here and now, here is a link to a post by the Community manager at stargateworlds.com
forums.stargateworlds.com/showthread.php
The article at Ten Ton Hammer was completely unresearched and no one at CME was asked to comment before TTH went to press with it. TTH lives up to my low expectations yet again.
Have you even read anything about the game? Because theres no way you could say that if you've even looked at it for two seconds.
What about this part? :
"As to the truth behind of CME's affiliation with MMOguls, my sole amateur Internet sleuthing tool WhoIs shows that the domain is registered to an address in the same building (though not the same suite) as the address we have on-file for CME. It's worth noting that the MMOguls site doesn't mention SGW but does cast itself as owned by Cheyenne Mountain Affiliates, LLC."
Same Building??
Thanks for posting an official response though.
Don't worry. Bernard Madoff will invest your $250 + $50/month, so that you'll get it all back with interest and be paid to play the game.
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I don't think it's gamers that they're targetting with that pitch. Gamers who are new to the industry are probably too young to have that kind fo money, and those who have been around a while would find the claims patently laughable. I mean, really:
"it's the most anticipated launch of any product ever in the world"
Without leaving the genre, let alone the industry, or going back more than a year, there's Age of Conan, WAR, Aion, and Darkfall ("anticipated" does not mean "ended up being a good game").
"Now what Cheyenne have done is they are the first and only Company to marry a technology called UNREAL, which they use on all the latest video console games, with the internet in real time without the need to buffer or wait to download."
Because no one would guess that the engine was named for (surprise) a game called Unreal. Even among MMORPGs, it was already used for Lineage II and Vanguard.
"With the 30 million STARGATE avid fans (called Gaters) 70% of them already playing MMO games. 11 million of them play a game called World of Warcraft that brings in $1.8 billion annually. This game features only 1 world, while STARGATE WORLDS will have 30!"
Who knew that every single WoW player was a Stargate fan?
"gives you full access to STARGATE WORLDS and 6 other 3D online games from a Motor Racing Game (where you get to choose the car of your choice, and if you win the twice monthly tournaments, you also win the real version of the car.) To American Football Game (like Madden NFL) and other new 3D Fantasy Worlds, 15 Future Games & a 3D Social Networking site with Shopping Mall."
If I were designing a hoax, I could do a lot better than that. I mean really, "To American Football Game"? I'd expect that to sound absolutely preposterous to people who know zilch about gaming, or even about football.
Nah, this is a hoax targetted at idiots who think they're savvy investors. I just hope that Cheyenne Mountain isn't behind it.
Well the link in my previous post is the only official statement there is from CME at this point and I tend to believe it. Until someone else with a little more credibilty can corroborate the story, all TTH is doing is mud slinging.
To be honest I wouldn't trust any MMORPG company as far as I could throw the fattest coder in the office! Let's face it they all lie at some time or another and pull shady stunts to some degree, and to trust the word of an alledgedly skint MMORPG company? Sorry, also that domain name is registered to an address in the same building as CME, seriously guys, what are the odds?
Wether it's been denied or not it's still very fishy in my opinion, I only hope that it is just another site trying to use the name for a scam rather than anything CME is involved in.
"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience"
CS Lewis
Hi all - sorry this got to two pages before I got to it.
As some users have stated, we've long been deleting mentions and advertisements for this on the forums. I've also spent more time than I wanted to deleting private messages sent by users from this organization to our users. Many community members have been communicating with me regarding spams they've received in the past weeks, which have been dealt with promptly. Times are slow here following the Holidays, and community will have ups and downs, in this current environment "spamvertisments" are never something we'll subject you to!
The following is a statement that has been prepared by CME management:
Cheyenne Mountain Entertainment (“CME”) and its subsidiaries (including Firesky) are not affiliated with this entity and there is no contractual relationship between these entities. They do not have any license or contractual rights with Stargate Worlds or any of the other products currently in development by CME.
We were not asked for an official comment regarding TTH's article before it was released. Stargate World's is the community's game (as you will all be playing it), so feel free to bring concerns like this up to us when they arise.
This wa sposted on the main SGW forum, sounds pretty legitimate to me.
Does sound a bit like a poorly orchestrated scam, but I'm thinking who has the most to gain if SGW ( a space game) fails?
I know, we'd better investigate CCP. No doubt those evil masterminds from Iceland are behind this dastardly plot.
and then again....what about folks developing STO, JE etc..... the plot thickens.
( j/k, in case my poor attempt at humor failed to come through)
"True friends stab you in the front." | Oscar Wilde
"I need to finish" - Christian Wolff: The Accountant
Just trying to live long enough to play a new, released MMORPG, playing New Worlds atm
Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. Pvbs 18:2, NIV
Don't just play games, inhabit virtual worlds™
"This is the most intelligent, well qualified and articulate response to a post I have ever seen on these forums. It's a shame most people here won't have the attention span to read past the second line." - Anon
Yeah sure its the same building someone gets some money up rents the space out gets the money fro mthe suckers who believe it then they split off with the money , then uses their amatuer at best web design skills cuz the mmoguls website is absloute crap and contains nothing of substance in their terms of use they just updated an hour ago, and their privacy policy about 20 hours ago, it looks to me like they're revising it so they can look like its credible when the whole thing is a hoax and a scam.
"you know that whole 'we come in peace business.' Bite me!"
Actually it can be a blind door rental too.
Many comapnies will rent out a 'door' to another company to use as an office. It can be a utility closet for all that matters, just as long as they can get a place to recieve mail, sort of like a PO Box but with an address and building used by other companies. It makes that company look more official that way.
The only thing I can say though is that if anyone actually signs up for such a scam they deserve to lose thier money.
There are 3 types of people in the world.
1.) Those who make things happen
2.) Those who watch things happen
3.) And those who wonder "What the %#*& just happened?!"
Anyone who's been in the beta for SGW can tell you it's dead in the water. Also, I believe there were also reported financial difficulties regarding Cheyenne Mountain just a month or so ago.
So while i'll take this particular piece with a grain of salt until we get a little more substance to it, I won't discount it completely. I could definitely see a company that's about to have a major failure trying something like this out of desperation.
This is not a "fraud". MMOGULs is an official company run by the Chairman of the Board of CME. MMOGULS will contract with CME for the rights to sell and use SGW accounts (just like any distributer would). It *is* and alternative attempt to find ways to raise money for SGW's production. It *is* struggling with its legal identity and its ability to function as a seperate entity. However, it is owned by the Chairman of CME who owns %51 of CME and if you're familiar with CME at all you know that his word is god at the company because of that.
There may be no contract yet, but there will be. If MMOGULs passes FTC investigation it will be a valid entity. Is it t he right way to go? Who knows, but CME is out of money and this is one possible avenue of many, they are trying to use to raise cash to get the game launched and pay people.
ER you know what, I did a quick Google search fo MMOGUL's and this is only one of many listings I came up with: (might not be total BS afterall)
globaladview.blogspot.com/2008/12/mmoguls-stargate-worlds.html
Monday, December 29, 2008
MMOGULS *www.GamesThatPay.com*
Just a note from MMOGULS- thought I'd pass it along in my little blog here to let you know things are Really kicking up into High Gear!
Gary Whiting, founder of Cheyenne Mountain Entertainment
will be in the Salt Lake Area to introduce MMOGULS,
the latest in Social Networking and MMO Game Distribution
If you have any friends, family or fellow gamers, encourage them to attend one of the following events
Announce Salt Lake City
1PM Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Best Western Cotton Tree Inn
1030 North 400 East
North Salt Lake, UT 84601
(801)292-7666
Announce Provo 2
7PM Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Marriot Provo
101 West 100 North
Provo, UT 84601
(800) 777-7144
Get directions
"True friends stab you in the front." | Oscar Wilde
"I need to finish" - Christian Wolff: The Accountant
Just trying to live long enough to play a new, released MMORPG, playing New Worlds atm
Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. Pvbs 18:2, NIV
Don't just play games, inhabit virtual worlds™
"This is the most intelligent, well qualified and articulate response to a post I have ever seen on these forums. It's a shame most people here won't have the attention span to read past the second line." - Anon
Well, we all know that TTH would NEVER announce something that hasn't been proven as true.
/sarcasm off
Scam eh? Go to CME"s address, if you can. 4140 E. Baseline Rd., suit 208, mesa AZ. Stand outside any day of the week, monday to friday. There are regular presentations for MMOGULS at 2pm, 4pm and 6pm every day given by the CME investment team.
It's real. Deal with it.
Can't get there? Don't worry, rumor is in about 3 weeks there will be a video selling mmoguls, Gary Whiting will appear in it. That should eliminate the "hoax" theory.
Well, I'm giving this a healthy thrust of sodium... but in the event that it IS true, given the sad affairs already plaguing the game, I really hope that someone with a concience buys the IP before this disaster can ruin even the IP. The concept is too good not to make.
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Tried- L2, Ryzom, WAR, DDO, PWI, Tab Rasa, Requiem, Champs, AA, JD, PWI, SUN, Dawntide
Played- SWG (pre-cu), AoC, VG, WoW, LoTRO,CoX, EQ2, DAOC, GW, PotBS, Aion, MO,APB, NASA, Fallen Earth, DCUO, Rift
Playing- EVE, Black Prophecy, TOR
Waiting for- Tera, Jumpgate Evo, WH40K, WWE, WOD, TSW
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"Hey, if Activision liked it, then they should have put a ring on it," Double Fine President Tim Schafer said. "Oh great, now Beyonce is going to sue me too."
well if tentonhammer can prove that what they reported on this is true I would be interested to know how they could know. Also I find it odd that it appears to me that TTH likes to report mostly bad news about the SGW and there forums and tth higher ups slander the SGW community, so I wouldnt trust a word tentonhammer says unless they come forward to reveal how they know there info. Also maybe go get a counter statment before saying something, that is how reporting works well I would hope so not just shouting rumors until you are horse but tth wont change to far stuck up its own ass in my opinion. Ok rank over hope you enjoyed
I think there is some truth about this. Considering the supposedly "company" being in the Investor's Spotlight (Anderson Chocolate: Make Money from Home) and that is a MLM (spin it as much as they can, but it is a MLM, because it relies on new members being harvested).
Something shady here me thinks.
And that is why...
Conservatives' pessimism is conducive to their happiness in three ways. First, they are rarely surprised -- they are right more often than not about the course of events. Second, when they are wrong they are happy to be so. Third, because pessimistic conservatives put not their faith in princes -- government -- they accept that happiness is a function of fending for oneself. They believe that happiness is an activity -- it is inseparable from the pursuit of happiness.
2009 is going to be a tough year for MMO's still in development. Especially the small indy houses. The economy just plain sucks.
I hope these guys pull through this. They deserve some credit for trying something unique in the industry
Through my further research these guys are nothing more than a scam, its amazing what you find the more you delve into it.
Crap had high hopes for this one to bad...
CME have stated they are not affiliated with them, etc.
One of the things I will note, recently someone found a court case that supposedly linked MMOGULS directly to CME, what it actually was was a court case against MMOGULS/ Cheyenne Mountain & Affiliates.
Cheyenne Mountain & Affiliates is not "CME" & affliliates, its a new organisation or business actually registered as "Cheyenne Mountain & Affiliates" this is highly misleading as it makes it look like its CME + affiliates, when this is not the case.
Cheyenne Mountain & Affiliates != CME in any form or fashion, and is no way affiliated with it.
There seems to be a lot of things goin around, when referencing the court case then name 'Robert Guenther" is mentioned and seems to have been linked with mmoguls as a partner, but if you search his name and mmoguls, you will find sites referencing scams, and get rich systems, it all seems that the further you look into it, the further you find a site that is trying to take money from people, and they are using a well known mmorpg and the name itself to imbiggin there company profile.