BattleTech: Mercenaries – CGL does a shipping booboo? Internet rages!

[sundancer 43058xp 0]

Please don’t let CGL start singing! Or do poetry!

[limburger 21764xp 2]

their updates read like Vogon poetry :
full of nonsense and afterwards you feel sick …

[sundancer 43058xp 1]

And now John taunts us!

I’ll be playing Battletech tonight and *not* have fun! Just out of spite! XD

[sundancer 43058xp 1]

I was just going to show off the newest Battletech KS update only to realise: It’s a flipping update for the Clan Invasion KS! Over 5 years after the end of the KS they still have not fulfilled all of it!

*throws towel*

[tankkommanderParticipant 6428xp 1]

Anyone that backs Voltron may be in for a rough ride.

CGL are active on Voltron because they want money, but inactive on all of the unfulfilled projects. I’m not sure how anyone can defend this company and the utter contempt they have for backers.

No news as to WHY the EU stuff is stuck in customs. No news to to why a boat heating to Australia has taken longer than any possible journey since the invention of the sail.

[limburger 21764xp 0]

hmmm … must not have pressed send after my little rant 😉

The clan invasion update is odd. Older updates show that they’ve handed communications over to a 3rd party, which apparently is also involved in their live streams.

Given how these live streams have never resulted in a timely update on their projects I can now understand why.
Not sure what genius thought that would be a great idea, but then all of CGL’s communications to date show that they’re not really interested in operating on a global scale.

You’d think a company like “Rem Alternis Productions” would understand how the internet works these days and adopt a strategy to match. OTOH … the primary feature is that they are owned by a woman, because that’s worth noting for some reason?

https://remalternis.com/
(Looks like these guys are also doing some kind of Shadowrun-themed short movie … )
Latest update on that website dates back to 2023 … so yeah, really a company that’s ‘up to date’ on things.
I suspect they’re more than a little overwhelmed

 

[tankkommanderParticipant 6428xp 1]

I can sum up how bad things are in one short clip https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Ky-5sN-1uRU

An EDI company that deploys racism, ageism and sexism at the same time. You really couldn’t make this up.

And this is who CGL hired instead of an experienced project manager after raising $12m. Is it any wonder they have multiple unfulfilled KS projects.

I’m glad I got my stuff before the wheel fall off the CGL clown car.

[limburger 21764xp 0]

@tankkommander when I read that “female owned company” bit on their website I had a feeling it would be *that* kind of company. It’s sad to see my gut feeling confirmed. (and why is it that these types always think that bright purple hair is a good idea ? … it’s like a warning flag : do not engage; may exhibit toxic behavior …)

It’s weird how racism, ageism and sexism is apparently ‘ok’ in their book when directed at their hated enemies (= Caucasian heterosexual males ).

Identity politics needs to die a quick and brutal death.

// —

I guess they still couldn’t be arsed to update us on the current situation in the EU.
At this point I expect an update in January telling us that the new regulations have caused a delay and they’re so very sorry.
I’m not expecting any updates between now and new year, because they will likely be closing their offices.

[limburger 21764xp 1]

Over at the Voltron kickstarter someone with the name ‘backer beware’ has posted this :

 

For informed backing, please review CGL’s previous campaigns, viewable on their profile:

https://www.kickstarter.com/profile/cgl/created

 

Start Date: Unfulfilled Campaign:

Jul 2019 BattleTech: Clan Invasion

Aug 2022 Leviathans

Mar 2023 BattleTech: Mercenaries

Aug 2023 Shadowrun: Takedown

 

The dates below are taken from the campaign pages, with “Backers left behind” showing the last post by a frustrated backer.

The Duke

Jun 2012 – Started

May 2018 – Refunds

 

Shadowrun: Sprawl Ops Boardgame

May 2018 – Started

May 2023 – All done

May 2024 – Backers left behind

 

Super Camelot 16-bit

Aug 2018 – Started

Aug 2019 – All done

~late 2021 – Backers left behind

 

Centurions

Feb 2021 – Started

Jul 2024 – All done

Oct 2024 – Backers left behind

 

Shadowrun: Edge Zone

Sep 2022 – Started

Aug 2024 – All done

Nov 2024 – Backers left behind

 

Postage costs, disclosed and added later, are typically inflated, especially if you are outside the US.

If you are outside the US, it is generally much cheaper (and typically faster, see Mercenaries) to wait for the items to hit retail shelves.

 

There is a consistent pattern of behaviour for over a decade.

 

CGL do fulfil *most* pledges eventually, but pledge wisely and manage your expectations.

[grantinvanman 2227xp 0]

[jamescutts 6932xp 1]

Todays update
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/cgl/battletech-mercenaries/posts/4273625

Posted by Catalyst Games
Dec 12, 2024

View on Kickstarter

Hey there backers!

Here’s our latest news:

US/CAN/RoW without Hubs: Other than the Company Store Retailer orders, Wave 1 and 2 are complete, or in final packaging. We should have an update for you soon about Wave 3..

If you are from the above regions and have not received your shipment, please check Backerkit for any outstanding balance. Over 1,500 backers have not finalized their pledges, and about ¼ of the messages we have received asking for the status of their orders show they have not completed their pledge or paid shipping yet.

UK: Shipments continue

EU: Still processing through Customs – hoping to have more news for next week’s update. We are actively working to get the shipment through as soon as possible.

Asia: Packaging continues.

AUS: Short stock shipment still in transit

Note that retailer shipments and exclusivity dates will continue to be pushed based on fulfillment completion.

[sundancer 43058xp 0]

*sigh*

[limburger 21764xp 0]

“actively working” = “sorry guys, we didn’t give them the information that everyone with half a brain had told us to prepare ages ago …”

[tankkommanderParticipant 6428xp 1]

And yet despite the warnings people are backing Voltron. When they are crying later they cannot claim they were not warned.

CGL failed to find a UK/EU business partner which would have stopped the stupid shipping prices when buying direct from them. So maybe they also failed to find a GPSR partner? Who would really want to get in bed with a company like CGL given their history?

CGL ‘actively working on’ something is little comfort. And with Rem Alternis Productions running point on all this you might as well just give up hope now 🙁

[limburger 21764xp 1]

that’s because folk expect them to improve … and most companies do learn from their mistakes.

CGL is not most companies that’s for sure.

Did I mention that they don’t even have official permission to do the Voltron boardgame they’re promising in that kickstarter ?

If there’s a huge red flag it’s that kind of stuff, especially when things are linked to a 3rd party IP.
There’s soo much scope for delays and other shenanigans it’s not even funny.

I’m not one to scream ‘fraud’ or ‘scam’, but they’re not making themselves look good when you look at the overall picture.

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