The Future of My Online Chats Posted by Ken Penders I am currently evaluating whether or not to continue my online conversations, or even respond to any inquiries on any projects I do (except for THE LOST ONES), because it seems some of you have no hesitation to use my own words as your reason for inquiring to anyone who employs me when voicing a complaint. This in turn has lead to me receiving a good deal of grief from any company I work for that receives such complaints. From their perspective, which is understandable, anything I say could be construed as criticism of corporate policies. Their position is that I'm paid to do a job, not comment on executive decisions, and, as much as some may not like to hear it, that is well within their rights. I have debated whether or not to even post this, as I don't wish to alienate anyone, but as I've hardly had the time to devote to the website as I would like, I feel it's necessary, as some may explain the rationale for my non-involvement lately for reasons other than what they actually are. If I am being evasive as I right this, I am acknowledging here and now there are certain questions I can not answer, certain topics I can not discuss, due to the strong belief it may come back to bite me. I am not trying to be unfriendly to anyone, as I appreciate the support I've received from the majority over the past several years. (And yes, this is why very few freelancers interact with fans on such a level, as they prefer not to enter the quagmire I'm currently in.) --- Hmm... Posted by Dr. Robotnik Well, when I want to write to the comic, I use my own words, not anyone elses. You could list things that are a no man's land when in chats or on MB's. Stuff that people can expect to not see an answer to. --- Er...okay.. Posted by Chordsy Heh.. Okay, did I just hear a bombshell being dropped? O.o I can see where you're coming from, somewhat. This is a big reason why the majority of 'comic celebs' don't do online chats with spoilers. Somebody is bound to find out something, take it the wrong way (or sometimes the right way), and send in something to your friendly neighborhood corporate exec to rip apart. Sure, it's very nice that you're so fan-minded, but I think that your job should come first. We'll all miss the opportunity to chat with you about Sonic, but if you're getting heat for it, the chats can go. The thing I don't understand is.. If Archie's been going around claming that the fans on the net are the minority in the fandom for so long.. then why, all of a sudden, are they so interested in our opinions.. -Chordsy --- (sigh) Posted by !! I like your online chats. It is nice to hear from the horse's mouth what is going on. I found the chats quite enjoyable. If you feel that you must discontinue to save your good name, then I will understand. As far as using you own words go, I only did that once when Archie was threatening to stop producing Sonic. Since then and especially after you said that you got in trouble, I have not. As for Archie, they don't seem to have a heart for the fans. They don't listen or try to be fair to the fans. It is what ever the bean counters want. They canned both Knuckles and the SSS series before K:20YL with out looking to see how the fans felt. I don't know why they would even care if some fans would write them. That is totally out of character for such a cold group. If they don't like what we are saying, may be they should change their actions instead of going after the messenger. They can put those words in their pipes and smoke it. --- It makes sense... Posted by Lady Laguna A lot of people don't understand how volatile the comic industry is, and how many of the things you say can only be called speculation at best. Of course, you'd see why even the slightest bad news can really upset fans like us, even if you say it might not be true! Also, a lot of people like to twist what they hear around the internet, and the bigger the name they attach to it, the more credible they seem. Someone cries, "Ken said Knuckles would turn into a magic potato!" and everyone believes it 0,o Those people, and the people that get their information that way, shouldn't be considered as seriously as they try to act. I've never been fortunate enough to be in one of your chats, but I had always taken it as a "talk to the professional to hear his wisdom"-type thing...Not a "reveal all the surprises in the stories he works on/get dirt on the evil conglomerate comic companies"-type thing... When I first came here, I was mostly looking to your for advice on how the comic industry works... But, mostly all I hear is, "You're pretty much doomed if you're dumb enough to want to work in this industry." That may be true, but I don't like to be so pessimistic! Um... All I'm really trying to get at is this: I would be fine with it if you didn't tell us about everything that goes on in your stories and when you have troubles with companies, if you would be more open to telling us more about your line of work... Just general stuff, like how this or that gets done... Every time you've given us insights, I've been extremely interested. I'm more content to not know there was an Ultimate Villain at all in Sonic 100, if I would be really (and pleasantly) surprised to find one when I picked up the issue. Know what I mean...? I tried to be clear... ;_; ~LL --- O.O What?!?! Posted by Emerald~Echidna And just when I was able to get the chance.......yet I understand it Mr. Penders. So, no more conversations about Sonic or Knuckles.........ever?!? Aw.....this is too bad........ But it's okay, I'm not really that upset.... What about chatting to OTHER chatters about a topic from S/K? I'm a bit confused as to what's going on. AND WHAT ABOUT THE MESSAGE BOARD? Are you saying that WE'RE NO LONGER GOING TO TALK TO ONE ANOTHER??? Now, if that's the issue, I don't really know how to respond in any kind of rational behavior....... but not at you of course, it isn't your fault. It's whoever is making you do this!! It isn't fair!! Ah well, anyone want to talk freelance, do so at my site :D Free discussions about whatever! ^_^ --- Re: O.O What?!?! Posted by BobR No, no, no, Emerald...that is NOT the case here. Let me explain what's going on. You see, some "fan" took comments Ken made in his on-line chats, and used them to bolster his or her rather unflattering diatribe towards Archie's management style and the way they're running things. The way in which the comments were used made it appear that Ken himself was making these statements in a derogatory manner. And that is something a professional must never do...and Ken never has. Fact of life...you never tell your boss he's full of it...unless you've already got another job lined up or you are absolutely indispensable to the company. Believe me, no one is that indispensable. The way Ken's comments were used in this letter appeared exactly that way. Needless to say, Archie management was none too pleased with Mr. Penders...and it caused him a few rough moments here...not to mention the ill-will and resentment that it generated in Archie's management towards Ken. If this person was trying to get Ken fired, she or he couldn't have picked a better way...then you could forget about Knuckles, Lara-Su's colors, Remington's secret, and everything else people seem to hold so important on this board. The Knuckles back story would simply cease...Karl would get full control of the book, and Knuckles would only show up when Karl needed him...probably to fight Monkey Kahn. (Little levity there to lighten the mood...heh heh.) Because of these problems, Ken is seriously considering dropping the live chats. If his words are going to be taken out of context and used against him in this manner (although that probably was not the intent), then the safest thing Ken could do would be to say nothing...ie, no more chats, no replies to the message board: just safe, innocuous little comments, if he'd even make those. In other words, he'd become the same as practically everyone else in the field...reclusive, out of touch, and paranoid. Now, after saying all that, the same does NOT apply to anyone else on this board (unless you happen to work for Archie!) I, myself, have been rather nasty and definitely unflattering towards Archie management and one person in particular...expressed as MY personal opinion derived from actions carried out by this person which has made the public media. I have that right to my opinion...as you have to yours. Since I do not work for Archie nor Ken (I consider myself working WITH Ken on this website, not for him), and I always express my opinion as just that, an opinion, I can say just about whatever I'd like to. And so can you and everyone else. But make sure you attribute your remarks as your own opinion, and don't try to fit others' statements into supporting your claims. So there are no changes for us in the foreseeable future on this MB...but we may see even less of Ken, and that would be a shame. --- ??-letter? Posted by !! I'm rather curious and would like to see this letter. Just me but I would like to see what was said in full. What could be so unspeakable that Ken would end all chats? --- Re: ??-letter? Posted by BobR You misunderstand. It wasn't WHAT was said...it's HOW it was said. The problem with letters is that the non-verbal cues we all use to get additional meanings from words spoken are missing. This means that written communique's are prone to misinterpretation and misunderstanding if read with the the wrong mindset in place. When taken out of the context of the chat, without the surrounding comments to set the tone of the statement, the statement itself can be interpreted many different ways. When placed within the context of a rant against Archie's management...well, you can see the association they made. Totally bogus, but also understandable in the setting given. ------