THE FACTS:: : : : : : : NON-COMPENSATED PERIOD BEGINS : : : : : : : Quote:
01 - We started out as a modding group. We began official production on what was the ORION: Source Multiplayer Beta (ORION: Prototype) back in January 2008.
02 - Daniel was recruited into the modding team in November 2009.
03 - We released the first free version of ORION: Prototype in December 2009 via FilePlanet.
04 - We continued development and released additional free updates with more content and tons of fixes. We released the final major update, Beta 1.2 in June 2010.
05 - We shortly began pre-limineary tests for what was to be our new game up until late 2010.
06 - We started major pre-production on ORION: Prelude in August 2010.
07 - We put together a trailer for EuroGamer in October 2010 (/ The Directors Cut)
08 - We spent 6 weeks on a game build that was showcased a month and a half later in December 2010.
09 - We geared up for the KickStarter campaign which was to begin on January 17th.
10 - We finished the KickStarter campaign on February 17th.
THE EVENTS THAT FOLLOWED: Quote:
11 - Daniel was initially tasked with quite a few to-be-compensated tasks as a thank you for doing a great deal of work previous to KickStarter. He however, completed none of the paid tasks in full.
12 - KickStarter funds were set to arrive in early March.
13 - We were busy with GDC 2011 (March 1 - 4) followed by PAX East 2011 (March 11 - 14).
14 - I had brought two NVIDIA Video Cards with me to GDC. One was a personal gift towards our Technical Artist - the other for our Composer. These were personal thank yous for the amount of work they had done for Spiral.
15 - Events involving our Composer occurred at GDC (and previously) that prevented any further business between the two parties from continuing.
16 - I was rooming with our Technical Artist and Michael. I arrived and gave the Technical Artist his card.
17 - When we saw our Composer he had asked Michael our schedule for GDC. Michael shared it with him - including a 5pm business development meeting that day.
18 - We arrive to the meeting area at 4:50pm only to see our Composer attempting to find the individual our meeting was with - later working his way into a business meeting he was not invited to nor intended to be at.
19 - Our Composer asks me if we can go back to my hotel room to get the video card. After what had happened I had stated verbally "We need to talk after GDC and sort a few things out before I do that".
20 - The next day I find out from our developer that our Composer had contacted him and attempted to get taken up to my hotel room to get the video card - without me knowing.
21 - Upon finding this out there was no further way we could do business - and something we were attempting to avoid within the company.
22 - I had every intention of still sending him that video card - simply to thank him for his work. However, due to recent events that have been occurring we are unable to do that.
23 - One composer, one sound effects artist and one conceptual artist were removed after GDC. Daniel was removed shortly prior. There were two other individuals who stepped down afterwards, one being Javid Ali. There were only 4 removals given the period being questioned. However, this is a business - and it is unfortunate but people will be and have to be removed.
24 - We will not talk any details about Daniel as he is currently cooperating with us and we are working hard to ensure both parties can find a happy resolution.
25 - Contracts were violated - information was leaked.
26 - The work of the Composer, Sound Effects Artist and Conceptual Artist is in the process of being removed from the game.
About the Community Portals:Quote:
Taking down those community portals became a very simple decision. We are not removing all forums or mediums for discussion. If you want to discuss Spiral Game Studios related stuff or ask us questions directly on any manners, we have put together these mediums to do so.
Previous to this, we were pretty huge on not only updating the community through media updates but also posting on a variety of forums (sometimes 20+). We checked those multiple times a day to to interact and answer any questions.
People are claiming some ridiculous things making this a much bigger issue than it is. This quote sums it up best:
Quote:
“I don't think I would shoot my self in the foot by removing any one that was either working hard, meeting deadlines or contributing towards the game in a positive way.
Let's use our heads, people.”
In short, spending all of that time interacting outside this forum would literally take up days. We can no longer afford to do that especially given the current circumstances. I haven't had time to devote myself to the actual game development these last few days and that is what is most important.
If you were a KickStarter donator we encourage you and welcome you to ask any questions. Please send an email to:
Otherwise, this is the last time we will be addressing this or having any future or public debates about an employee removal. These are private matters that should have never been made public.
We are going back into full development over the weekend and we encourage that you continue to check these forums for sneak peeks as well as regular interaction between developers and fans.
