The Potential to Be Every Man’s Sky

SBFord

The Potential to Be Every Man’s Sky

Right now, on Kickstarter, Dual Universe is about half-way towards its 500,000 Euros goal to “finish” a game that boasts the ability for every single person who plays to share a single universe with fully editable voxel worlds, player-made ships, and constructs. Novaquark’s game is nothing short of phenomenally ambitious, but we’ve heard that before.

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SEANMCAD

the title makes me want to stick forks in my eyes.

that aside its nice to see games like this one getting more attention

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The user and all related content has been deleted.

Hatefull

Actually I find the fact that they have Samantha Belhassen and Benoit Pothier running operations interesting. Two people that understand the business world and how to make it work. Granted you want talent in art and everything else when it comes to this endeavor, but more often than not the artsy types aren't as well versed (and in same cases completely ignorant) of how to run a business.

High hopes for these guys.

SEANMCAD

Hatefull said:

Actually I find the fact that they have Samantha Belhassen and Benoit Pothier running operations interesting. Two people that understand the business world and how to make it work.....

High hopes for these guys.

how so? 

I am not asking to be difficult I literally just dont know anything about these twos past successes and i bit lazy to look (although I did start)

SpottyGekko

The game has been in developement for a few years, this KS campaign is just to help "finish it off". My cynical side thinks this is the start of their monetizaition efforts !

Given that nowadays, games in so-called Early Access are selling paid DLC already, it's not really far-fetched to see this kind of KS campaign as the start of the revenue-generating side of the business. The owner of the company has probably invested a good chunk of his own capital already, and they may even have raised additional funding via private placements. I have no problem with it, tbh.

I'm very eager to see if they can succeed in meeting their goals, and how players will respond to it all.

SEANMCAD

SpottyGekko said:

The game has been in developement for a few years, this KS campaign is just to help "finish it off". My cynical side thinks this is the start of their monetizaition efforts !

Given that nowadays, games in so-called Early Access are selling paid DLC already, it's not really far-fetched to see this kind of KS campaign as the start of the revenue-generating side of the business. The owner of the company has probably invested a good chunk of his own capital already, and they may even have raised additional funding via private placements. I have no problem with it, tbh.

I'm very eager to see if they can succeed in meeting their goals, and how players will respond to it all.

the game doesnt 'smell' of that. namely the art style and graphics can often be a sign. I know to some that sounds crazy but I have found it to often be very reliable, I wish I had taken my gut feeling on that fact regarding ArcheAge but I didnt

Hatefull

SEANMCAD said:

Hatefull said:

Actually I find the fact that they have Samantha Belhassen and Benoit Pothier running operations interesting. Two people that understand the business world and how to make it work.....

High hopes for these guys.

how so? 

I am not asking to be difficult I literally just dont know anything about these twos past successes and i bit lazy to look (although I did start)

Looking at it from a purely business stand point. That is great a PHD in Ai, and all manner of accomplished artists, and I would never try to take anything from the years of hard work all these individuals have put into their craft, but without a solid business team, as we have seen in the past, the chances of something like this going very far are not good.

Actually, one company that comes to mind immediately is CIG. They have a business model that is nothing short of spectacular in how abortive it is. I feel if they had actual leadership in place, that company would be much closer to a completed product than they are right now. However, I digress.

Novaquark has a different approach (on paper I have not spoken to one member of this team, although I want too for a paper I have due) in that the founder is the boss, however the business team should be advising on where the ship will go next. I don't really want to get into a lecture on this, lets just say I feel like Novaquark has their head int he right place as far as how to manage production. If nothing else they have the right people in place.

Octagon7711

Looks good like most planned games, will have to wait and see if they can actually deliver a fun and engaging experience. 

SpottyGekko

Another interesting factoid is that they plan to launch the game with a monthly subscription model !

But there's a twist... because they will also have a tradeable "game-time unit" that can be bought in their Cash Shop and sold on the ingame market, much like EVE-Online's PLEX.

So in theory, some players can play for free if they can earn the neccessary game currency each month via game play...

SEANMCAD

Hatefull said:

SEANMCAD said:

Hatefull said:

Actually I find the fact that they have Samantha Belhassen and Benoit Pothier running operations interesting. Two people that understand the business world and how to make it work.....

High hopes for these guys.

how so? 

I am not asking to be difficult I literally just dont know anything about these twos past successes and i bit lazy to look (although I did start)

Looking at it from a purely business stand point. That is great a PHD in Ai, and all manner of accomplished artists, and I would never try to take anything from the years of hard work all these individuals have put into their craft, but without a solid business team, as we have seen in the past, the chances of something like this going very far are not good.

Actually, one company that comes to mind immediately is CIG. They have a business model that is nothing short of spectacular in how abortive it is. I feel if they had actual leadership in place, that company would be much closer to a completed product than they are right now. However, I digress.

Novaquark has a different approach (on paper I have not spoken to one member of this team, although I want too for a paper I have due) in that the founder is the boss, however the business team should be advising on where the ship will go next. I don't really want to get into a lecture on this, lets just say I feel like Novaquark has their head int he right place as far as how to manage production. If nothing else they have the right people in place.

I dont think (not sure though) that this is an answer to my question though.

I am asking what has Samantha Belhassen and Benoit Pothier done in the past that would give someone the indication that they are understanding business anymore then anyone else?

it appears to me that what you are basing it off of is one what one has said rather than what one has done in the past.

Not to pick on you specifically but a pattern i have noticed with gamers is that they often praise to high highlights those that have not created anything yet but like what they hear, then once they start creating something they start to complain until they can find a new developer who is saying what they will do in the future but not what they have done already. I dont understand the phycology of the pattern but I have seen it literally for years.

[Deleted User]

The user and all related content has been deleted.

SEANMCAD

blueturtle13 said:

SEANMCAD said:

Hatefull said:

SEANMCAD said:

Hatefull said:

Actually I find the fact that they have Samantha Belhassen and Benoit Pothier running operations interesting. Two people that understand the business world and how to make it work.....

High hopes for these guys.

how so? 

I am not asking to be difficult I literally just dont know anything about these twos past successes and i bit lazy to look (although I did start)

Looking at it from a purely business stand point. That is great a PHD in Ai, and all manner of accomplished artists, and I would never try to take anything from the years of hard work all these individuals have put into their craft, but without a solid business team, as we have seen in the past, the chances of something like this going very far are not good.

Actually, one company that comes to mind immediately is CIG. They have a business model that is nothing short of spectacular in how abortive it is. I feel if they had actual leadership in place, that company would be much closer to a completed product than they are right now. However, I digress.

Novaquark has a different approach (on paper I have not spoken to one member of this team, although I want too for a paper I have due) in that the founder is the boss, however the business team should be advising on where the ship will go next. I don't really want to get into a lecture on this, lets just say I feel like Novaquark has their head int he right place as far as how to manage production. If nothing else they have the right people in place.

I dont think (not sure though) that this is an answer to my question though.

I am asking what has Samantha Belhassen and Benoit Pothier done in the past that would give someone the indication that they are understanding business anymore then anyone else?

it appears to me that what you are basing it off of is one what one has said rather than what one has done in the past.

Not to pick on you specifically but a pattern i have noticed with gamers is that they often praise to high highlights those that have not created anything yet but like what they hear, then once they start creating something they start to complain until they can find a new developer who is saying what they will do in the future but not what they have done already. I dont understand the phycology of the pattern but I have seen it literally for years.

Well Benoit for one, has over 10 years experience in Managing start ups.
Has an MBA (in Business obviously)and a Master's in Engineering
Years of experience in Project Management and Business Management.
Was ACOO for Gostai as well. So the Business side of things is in good hands with a very experienced Business Manager like him.
Through all my years of visiting with studios and working with people in the industry every company that I have seen actual make it in the business long term has had a very capable Business Development Manager. Benoit is one of those.

EDIT:

I think what I am struggling to say or ask is what is the differentiator  here to make the statement. 10 years as a manager really isnt a differentiator

SpottyGekko

SEANMCAD said:

blueturtle13 said:

SEANMCAD said:

Hatefull said:

SEANMCAD said:

Hatefull said:

Actually I find the fact that they have Samantha Belhassen and Benoit Pothier running operations interesting. Two people that understand the business world and how to make it work.....

High hopes for these guys.

how so? 

I am not asking to be difficult I literally just dont know anything about these twos past successes and i bit lazy to look (although I did start)

Looking at it from a purely business stand point. That is great a PHD in Ai, and all manner of accomplished artists, and I would never try to take anything from the years of hard work all these individuals have put into their craft, but without a solid business team, as we have seen in the past, the chances of something like this going very far are not good.

Actually, one company that comes to mind immediately is CIG. They have a business model that is nothing short of spectacular in how abortive it is. I feel if they had actual leadership in place, that company would be much closer to a completed product than they are right now. However, I digress.

Novaquark has a different approach (on paper I have not spoken to one member of this team, although I want too for a paper I have due) in that the founder is the boss, however the business team should be advising on where the ship will go next. I don't really want to get into a lecture on this, lets just say I feel like Novaquark has their head int he right place as far as how to manage production. If nothing else they have the right people in place.

I dont think (not sure though) that this is an answer to my question though.

I am asking what has Samantha Belhassen and Benoit Pothier done in the past that would give someone the indication that they are understanding business anymore then anyone else?

it appears to me that what you are basing it off of is one what one has said rather than what one has done in the past.

Not to pick on you specifically but a pattern i have noticed with gamers is that they often praise to high highlights those that have not created anything yet but like what they hear, then once they start creating something they start to complain until they can find a new developer who is saying what they will do in the future but not what they have done already. I dont understand the phycology of the pattern but I have seen it literally for years.

Well Benoit for one, has over 10 years experience in Managing start ups.
Has an MBA (in Business obviously)and a Master's in Engineering
Years of experience in Project Management and Business Management.
Was ACOO for Gostai as well. So the Business side of things is in good hands with a very experienced Business Manager like him.
Through all my years of visiting with studios and working with people in the industry every company that I have seen actual make it in the business long term has had a very capable Business Development Manager. Benoit is one of those.

EDIT:

I think what I am struggling to say or ask is what is the differentiator  here to make the statement. 10 years as a manager really isnt a differentiator

I suspect the original comment was not referencing the specific resume's of the people involved, just commenting on the fact that so many indie startups do NOT have an experienced team running the business side of things. Many of these KS campaigns are launched by tiny teams with predominantly technical development skills.

Novaquark is not an indie startup trying to raise funds so that they can start turning their pretty design document PDF's into an actual MMO. The company was founded in 2014 and has been operating since then without any crowdsourced funding.

As far as I can tell, they've been building the technical framework that will make the game possible. It seems that has progressed well enough so far for them now to be confident that they can actually build the game they are saying they will build. That's why they're taking it to KS at this point, they are certain they can do it.

SEANMCAD

SpottyGekko said:

SEANMCAD said:

blueturtle13 said:

SEANMCAD said:

Hatefull said:

SEANMCAD said:

Hatefull said:

Actually I find the fact that they have Samantha Belhassen and Benoit Pothier running operations interesting. Two people that understand the business world and how to make it work.....

High hopes for these guys.

how so? 

I am not asking to be difficult I literally just dont know anything about these twos past successes and i bit lazy to look (although I did start)

Looking at it from a purely business stand point. That is great a PHD in Ai, and all manner of accomplished artists, and I would never try to take anything from the years of hard work all these individuals have put into their craft, but without a solid business team, as we have seen in the past, the chances of something like this going very far are not good.

Actually, one company that comes to mind immediately is CIG. They have a business model that is nothing short of spectacular in how abortive it is. I feel if they had actual leadership in place, that company would be much closer to a completed product than they are right now. However, I digress.

Novaquark has a different approach (on paper I have not spoken to one member of this team, although I want too for a paper I have due) in that the founder is the boss, however the business team should be advising on where the ship will go next. I don't really want to get into a lecture on this, lets just say I feel like Novaquark has their head int he right place as far as how to manage production. If nothing else they have the right people in place.

I dont think (not sure though) that this is an answer to my question though.

I am asking what has Samantha Belhassen and Benoit Pothier done in the past that would give someone the indication that they are understanding business anymore then anyone else?

it appears to me that what you are basing it off of is one what one has said rather than what one has done in the past.

Not to pick on you specifically but a pattern i have noticed with gamers is that they often praise to high highlights those that have not created anything yet but like what they hear, then once they start creating something they start to complain until they can find a new developer who is saying what they will do in the future but not what they have done already. I dont understand the phycology of the pattern but I have seen it literally for years.

Well Benoit for one, has over 10 years experience in Managing start ups.
Has an MBA (in Business obviously)and a Master's in Engineering
Years of experience in Project Management and Business Management.
Was ACOO for Gostai as well. So the Business side of things is in good hands with a very experienced Business Manager like him.
Through all my years of visiting with studios and working with people in the industry every company that I have seen actual make it in the business long term has had a very capable Business Development Manager. Benoit is one of those.

EDIT:

I think what I am struggling to say or ask is what is the differentiator  here to make the statement. 10 years as a manager really isnt a differentiator

I suspect the original comment was not referencing the specific resume's of the people involved, just commenting on the fact that so many indie startups do NOT have an experienced team running the business side of things. Many of these KS campaigns are launched by tiny teams with predominantly technical development skills.

Novaquark is not an indie startup trying to raise funds so that they can start turning their pretty design document PDF's into an actual MMO. The company was founded in 2014 and has been operating since then without any crowdsourced funding.

As far as I can tell, they've been building the technical framework that will make the game possible. It seems that has progressed well enough so far for them now to be confident that they can actually build the game they are saying they will build. That's why they're taking it to KS at this point, they are certain they can do it.

ah gotcha that does make sense actually i didnt think of it that way.

fair enough

blutigfaust

[quote]I think what I am struggling to say or ask is what is the differentiator here to make the statement. 10 years as a manager really isnt a differentiator[/quote]

@SEANMCAD ... I think you must type just to see your own typed words. Like talking to hear your own voice. You argue when there is no argument. Anyone, other than you would consider 10 years experience as a good base for considering their credentials.

Any way, I'm backing this one. I like the non-cartoony and scope of playability they're trying to reach. I've read up on their game, and I like what I'm reading. We keep complaining nothing different comes our way these days. ...well, this is different from what I been seeing pushed at us.

SEANMCAD

blutigfaust said:

[quote]I think what I am struggling to say or ask is what is the differentiator here to make the statement. 10 years as a manager really isnt a differentiator[/quote]

@SEANMCAD ... I think you must type just to see your own typed words. Like talking to hear your own voice. You argue when there is no argument. Anyone, other than you would consider 10 years experience as a good base for considering their credentials.

Any way, I'm backing this one. I like the non-cartoony and scope of playability they're trying to reach. I've read up on their game, and I like what I'm reading. We keep complaining nothing different comes our way these days. ...well, this is different from what I been seeing pushed at us.

10 years of management in a management position actually is not a differentiator at all.

SpottyGekko however made a good point. it IS a differeator with gaming KS projects which is something I hadnt thought of, yes that is true

HOWEVER, when I hear 'managed by people who know business and have experience in management' I think AAA shit project

SpottyGekko

SEANMCAD said:

blutigfaust said:

[quote]I think what I am struggling to say or ask is what is the differentiator here to make the statement. 10 years as a manager really isnt a differentiator[/quote]

@SEANMCAD ... I think you must type just to see your own typed words. Like talking to hear your own voice. You argue when there is no argument. Anyone, other than you would consider 10 years experience as a good base for considering their credentials.

Any way, I'm backing this one. I like the non-cartoony and scope of playability they're trying to reach. I've read up on their game, and I like what I'm reading. We keep complaining nothing different comes our way these days. ...well, this is different from what I been seeing pushed at us.

...

HOWEVER, when I hear 'managed by people who know business and have experience in management' I think AAA shit project

Don't worry, the days of "AAA games" are almost over !

Soon, all games will launch as Early Access !

Hell, games in Early Access are even selling paid DLC's already, lol

It's a no-brainer, why wait until the game is "finished" when you can start making money like a boss halfway through development ?

Kyleran

Kick starters are risk free money, with no pesky obligations. Why wouldn't ask for it even if you didn't really need it?

SEANMCAD

SpottyGekko said:

SEANMCAD said:

blutigfaust said:

[quote]I think what I am struggling to say or ask is what is the differentiator here to make the statement. 10 years as a manager really isnt a differentiator[/quote]

@SEANMCAD ... I think you must type just to see your own typed words. Like talking to hear your own voice. You argue when there is no argument. Anyone, other than you would consider 10 years experience as a good base for considering their credentials.

Any way, I'm backing this one. I like the non-cartoony and scope of playability they're trying to reach. I've read up on their game, and I like what I'm reading. We keep complaining nothing different comes our way these days. ...well, this is different from what I been seeing pushed at us.

...

HOWEVER, when I hear 'managed by people who know business and have experience in management' I think AAA shit project

Don't worry, the days of "AAA games" are almost over !

Soon, all games will launch as Early Access !

Hell, games in Early Access are even selling paid DLC's already, lol

It's a no-brainer, why wait until the game is "finished" when you can start making money like a boss halfway through development ?

dude that sounds friggin awesome!

and no I am not joking.

as a side note why so many gamers not caring about gaming expeirence but instead what 'state' the game is in? call me selfish but I play game to have fun, 'released' or not.

SpottyGekko

SEANMCAD said:

SpottyGekko said:

SEANMCAD said:

blutigfaust said:

[quote]I think what I am struggling to say or ask is what is the differentiator here to make the statement. 10 years as a manager really isnt a differentiator[/quote]

@SEANMCAD ... I think you must type just to see your own typed words. Like talking to hear your own voice. You argue when there is no argument. Anyone, other than you would consider 10 years experience as a good base for considering their credentials.

Any way, I'm backing this one. I like the non-cartoony and scope of playability they're trying to reach. I've read up on their game, and I like what I'm reading. We keep complaining nothing different comes our way these days. ...well, this is different from what I been seeing pushed at us.

...

HOWEVER, when I hear 'managed by people who know business and have experience in management' I think AAA shit project

Don't worry, the days of "AAA games" are almost over !

Soon, all games will launch as Early Access !

Hell, games in Early Access are even selling paid DLC's already, lol

It's a no-brainer, why wait until the game is "finished" when you can start making money like a boss halfway through development ?

dude that sounds friggin awesome!

and no I am not joking.

as a side note why so many gamers not caring about gaming expeirence but instead what 'state' the game is in? call me selfish but I play game to have fun, 'released' or not.

Uhuh, that shortsighted approach is what got us into the current F2P/P2W mess.

Once Early Access becomes pervasive, you'll be paying 1/3 of the AAA price for a new game, but you'll get 1/4 of the content that you used to get. The rest will be delivered as $20 DLC's while the "Early Access" development continues.

By the time the game reaches actual "release status", you'll have paid $30 for the initial EA access and $40 for 2 paid DLC's, all of which will add up to the amount of content in a "complete" game which used to be sold at $49.99 on release...

But players will love it, because games will appear to be "cheaper"...

Hatefull

blueturtle13 said:

SEANMCAD said:

Hatefull said:

SEANMCAD said:

Hatefull said:

Actually I find the fact that they have Samantha Belhassen and Benoit Pothier running operations interesting. Two people that understand the business world and how to make it work.....

High hopes for these guys.

how so? 

I am not asking to be difficult I literally just dont know anything about these twos past successes and i bit lazy to look (although I did start)

Looking at it from a purely business stand point. That is great a PHD in Ai, and all manner of accomplished artists, and I would never try to take anything from the years of hard work all these individuals have put into their craft, but without a solid business team, as we have seen in the past, the chances of something like this going very far are not good.



Actually, one company that comes to mind immediately is CIG. They have a business model that is nothing short of spectacular in how abortive it is. I feel if they had actual leadership in place, that company would be much closer to a completed product than they are right now. However, I digress.



Novaquark has a different approach (on paper I have not spoken to one member of this team, although I want too for a paper I have due) in that the founder is the boss, however the business team should be advising on where the ship will go next. I don't really want to get into a lecture on this, lets just say I feel like Novaquark has their head int he right place as far as how to manage production. If nothing else they have the right people in place.

I dont think (not sure though) that this is an answer to my question though.

I am asking what has Samantha Belhassen and Benoit Pothier done in the past that would give someone the indication that they are understanding business anymore then anyone else?

it appears to me that what you are basing it off of is one what one has said rather than what one has done in the past.

Not to pick on you specifically but a pattern i have noticed with gamers is that they often praise to high highlights those that have not created anything yet but like what they hear, then once they start creating something they start to complain until they can find a new developer who is saying what they will do in the future but not what they have done already. I dont understand the phycology of the pattern but I have seen it literally for years.

Well Benoit for one, has over 10 years experience in Managing start ups.
Has an MBA (in Business obviously)and a Master's in Engineering
Years of experience in Project Management and Business Management.
Was ACOO for Gostai as well. So the Business side of things is in good hands with a very experienced Business Manager like him.
Through all my years of visiting with studios and working with people in the industry every company that I have seen actual make it in the business long term has had a very capable Business Development Manager. Benoit is one of those.

Thanks for that mate, I was not going to do all of his homework for him, honestly I am sick to death of his nonsensical bs and I only entertained this particular question because it sounded sincere. I should have known he just wanted to argue and not look anything up. @SpottyGekko Yes, that is the comparison I was trying to make. Thank you as well.

Vrika

SpottyGekko said:

As far as I can tell, they've been building the technical framework that will make the game possible. It seems that has progressed well enough so far for them now to be confident that they can actually build the game they are saying they will build. That's why they're taking it to KS at this point, they are certain they can do it.

Why would they need to be confident that they can actually build the game to take it to KS?

They needed to believe in their chances back in 2014 when they invested their own money to the project. But now that they're getting Kickstarter money, even if the game fails they get to keep any salaries they paid to themselves using the KS money.

It's like a lottery where if they win they become rich, and if they lose other people lose money.

SpottyGekko

Vrika said:

SpottyGekko said:

As far as I can tell, they've been building the technical framework that will make the game possible. It seems that has progressed well enough so far for them now to be confident that they can actually build the game they are saying they will build. That's why they're taking it to KS at this point, they are certain they can do it.

Why would they need to be confident that they can actually build the game to take it to KS?

...

You're joking, right ?

Phry

Hatefull said:

blueturtle13 said:

SEANMCAD said:

Hatefull said:

SEANMCAD said:

Hatefull said:

Actually I find the fact that they have Samantha Belhassen and Benoit Pothier running operations interesting. Two people that understand the business world and how to make it work.....

High hopes for these guys.

how so? 

I am not asking to be difficult I literally just dont know anything about these twos past successes and i bit lazy to look (although I did start)

Looking at it from a purely business stand point. That is great a PHD in Ai, and all manner of accomplished artists, and I would never try to take anything from the years of hard work all these individuals have put into their craft, but without a solid business team, as we have seen in the past, the chances of something like this going very far are not good.



Actually, one company that comes to mind immediately is CIG. They have a business model that is nothing short of spectacular in how abortive it is. I feel if they had actual leadership in place, that company would be much closer to a completed product than they are right now. However, I digress.



Novaquark has a different approach (on paper I have not spoken to one member of this team, although I want too for a paper I have due) in that the founder is the boss, however the business team should be advising on where the ship will go next. I don't really want to get into a lecture on this, lets just say I feel like Novaquark has their head int he right place as far as how to manage production. If nothing else they have the right people in place.

I dont think (not sure though) that this is an answer to my question though.

I am asking what has Samantha Belhassen and Benoit Pothier done in the past that would give someone the indication that they are understanding business anymore then anyone else?

it appears to me that what you are basing it off of is one what one has said rather than what one has done in the past.

Not to pick on you specifically but a pattern i have noticed with gamers is that they often praise to high highlights those that have not created anything yet but like what they hear, then once they start creating something they start to complain until they can find a new developer who is saying what they will do in the future but not what they have done already. I dont understand the phycology of the pattern but I have seen it literally for years.

Well Benoit for one, has over 10 years experience in Managing start ups.
Has an MBA (in Business obviously)and a Master's in Engineering
Years of experience in Project Management and Business Management.
Was ACOO for Gostai as well. So the Business side of things is in good hands with a very experienced Business Manager like him.
Through all my years of visiting with studios and working with people in the industry every company that I have seen actual make it in the business long term has had a very capable Business Development Manager. Benoit is one of those.

Thanks for that mate, I was not going to do all of his homework for him, honestly I am sick to death of his nonsensical bs and I only entertained this particular question because it sounded sincere. I should have known he just wanted to argue and not look anything up. @SpottyGekko Yes, that is the comparison I was trying to make. Thank you as well.

After looking at Benoit's Linkdin page i have to say, its an impressive looking history, i think its fairly safe to say the guy knows what he is doing, i can't see someone like him being involved in anything shady.
It is easy to be disillusioned though, given recent history with NMS etc. but sometimes, things really are as they appear to be, and they do appear to be legit, impressively so. O.o