Whisper of a Rose

[Mizzou]

I have very mixed feelings on this one. I did purchase the game (by the time he disappeared, it was too late for a refund) and would like to finish the game when it is re-released. If it wasn't for that fact I wouldn't even bother with this game and I am VERY hesitate to buy another game from him. I'm very unhappy with his lack of customer service and complete disregard of them.

If anything, his game(s) should be thoroughly tested before hand, with a refusal to sell any of his games if he does a disappearance act again. Also, I think he should fully acknowledge that he did wrong and should find a way to make up for it. If he fails to do that, I for one will never buy another game from him and would fully support a boycott of his games.

BTW, did anyone ever see the download of the mp3 of the game soundtrack that was promised for purchasing the game when it was first released? I never did, all I received was an e-mail stating that it would be delayed and that was it. It's a small thing but it's just another thing that irks me about the whole situation.

[webgrunt]

So do you believe indy developers should boycott his game?

For example do you believe that if Amanda decide to sell his game on Amaranth Games during the christmas rush could be an offense to customers that already bought the game?

What is your opinion?

I think it would be an offense to those who bought it and didn't get refunds. Are those people supposed to re-purchase a game they already paid for?

And if Amaranth sold his game before verifying that it was completed and fully playable, I would be shocked.

[webgrunt]

BTW, did anyone ever see the download of the mp3 of the game soundtrack that was promised for purchasing the game when it was first released? I never did, all I received was an e-mail stating that it would be delayed and that was it. It's a small thing but it's just another thing that irks me about the whole situation.

Right! I was supposed to get that as well and never did. Yes, it's not a huge thing, but it is another indication of how AJ doesn't seem to feel any remorse about breaking promises.

[hemadre]

I'm not supposed to reveal it but you can contact the developer using this address. It's his hotmail account and MSN:

a_j_4444@hotmail.com

[Mizzou]

Are those people supposed to re-purchase a game they already paid for?

Sadly, that thought has crossed my mind and I would hope that he won't try to do that. If he does, that would be reason enough not to sell his games. But until he actually makes an appearance it's hard to know what he will do.

[aislingyngaio]

What I don't get is why he isn't releasing the game to the people who already purchased it. THEY aren't gonna be affected by the Xmas rush anyway.

[Zemba]

The X-Mas rush, ahaha I would avoid the X-Mas period if I was him.

[aislingyngaio]

Why? Cause Santa will grant everybody's wish of torturing him into the next year? XD

[Zemba]

Yes that, and also because everybody thinks like AJ and wants to use the X-Mas rush lol
I'm wondering if I should move my X-mas release to another calmer month

[Paralel]

I believe it would be highly offensive to the people that support the indie gaming community at large for anyone to agree to sell his game. It would be the equivalent to a slap in the face to all those he defrauded. I can only imagine there would be significant fallout from helping or supporting this guy in any way.

[aislingyngaio]

tick... tock... tick... tock... half of December is almost gone. You'd think that given the huge amounts of customers pissed he would return sooner instead of risking further anger.

[Blackthirteen]

tick... tock... tick... tock... half of December is almost gone. You'd think that given the huge amounts of customers pissed he would return sooner instead of risking further anger.

I heard from official sources that Whisper of the Rose will not ressurface. AJ (the developer) told he didn't feel motivated anymore. He's working on another game under a different pseudonym.

[Kinta]

He's working on another game under a different pseudonym.

That's fantastic! That way he can keep doing this bullshit and no one will ever notice that it's one person!!
Okay, I'm all for 'give people a second chance' but he didn't even try to make up for his mistakes. And having lost the motivation is no excuse at all. If he really wants to make money with his games that's definitely not the way.

Kinta

[aislingyngaio]

Official sources, Blackthirteen? May we have a look as well? Other sites won't appreciate second-hand info, no matter how trusted, compared to first-hand info, and I do believe they deserve at least this closure, late as it may be.

[Paralel]

I hope the people that were ripped off pursue prosecution of this scum.

[webgrunt]

Official sources, Blackthirteen? May we have a look as well? Other sites won't appreciate second-hand info, no matter how trusted, compared to first-hand info, and I do believe they deserve at least this closure, late as it may be.

I second that request, Blackthirteen.

[Mizzou]

I heard from official sources that Whisper of the Rose will not resurface. AJ (the developer) told he didn't feel motivated anymore. He's working on another game under a different pseudonym.

Are you serious!?! That's ridiculous! If that's the case, I have completely lost all respect and patience (what little remained) for him and will NEVER buy another game from him, different pseudonym or not.

You'd think that given the huge amounts of customers pissed he would return sooner instead of risking further anger.

You'd think so but given what he has done, he hasn't shown enough maturity to take responsibility for his actions.

[Zemba]

will NEVER buy another game from him, different pseudonym or not.

The whole idea, though, is that you won't be able to tell - unless you do spot his style in a way or another, that is.

[hemadre]

will NEVER buy another game from him, different pseudonym or not.

The whole idea, though, is that you won't be able to tell - unless you do spot his style in a way or another, that is.

His style? Such not being able to finish the game because there are too many bugs? haha

[Mizzou]

will NEVER buy another game from him, different pseudonym or not.

The whole idea, though, is that you won't be able to tell - unless you do spot his style in a way or another, that is.

If that's the case, I'll stick with the developers that I already know and if there's a new one that looks interesting, wait awhile and see what kind of reputation they have and then decide whether to purchase a game from them. It might be hard to identify him and I could unknowingly buy a game from him. But if I can seriously avoid him, I will. It is very unfortunate, since it is a disservice to other new developers.

[Elder]

I'm currently helping a young woman (Raule) to finish her commercial RPG and I highly suggest that people play this one, especially fans of Aveyond (because this game isn't like Eternal Eden). It's a beautiful RPG. It's supposed to be released at the end of December.

I'll give information as soon as I'm allowed to

[webgrunt]

A Poem about Whisper of a Rose

by webgrunt

Inspired by Whisper of a Rose – The Postmortem - http://houseofngaio.byethost6.com/?p=2898&cpage=1#comment-420


In March 09 there came a man
A programmer named Arend-Jan
He sold a game that wasn’t done
So he could take the cash and run

The game’s first part was really great
And led us to anticipate
We’d play it through and have much fun!
(We didn’t know it wasn’t done.)

We hit a bug which stopped our play
To Arend-Jan, we then said, “Pray,
Please fix this bug so we can proceed!”
“Sorry,” he said, “I have a need
To study. My finals are due this week,
Then I’ll give the game a tweak.”

Two weeks went by, then three, then four,
“I’m better than fixing, I’m adding more,
It will be better than before!
So wait until I finish my chore!”
So he said, and we believed,
We didn’t know we were being deceived.

Another month went by, then two,
“Arend-Jan, I’m onto you!”
“I know the game is incomplete!
I know that you’re a great big cheat!”
Said one person on his message board,
Of course, her post was just ignored.

Ignored, that’s wrong, it was deleted
So no one would know the game wasn’t completed!
In a private message, to me she said,
“This game is just a con, I dread.”
“Is that truth,” I thought, “Or lies,
I’d better look with my own eyes.”

I opened the game with a program that showed,
All the game’s internal code.
“It’s true!” I saw, “The game’s undone!”
It was quite a nasty stun.
“But perhaps the boy’s legit,
And really intends to finish it.”

So I gave him a chance, I gave him support,
Not knowing he was a festering wart.
“It’s almost done! He kept saying
While new people were buying and paying
For this game of his that wasn’t complete,
Because the game seemed really sweet.

Two months later, as I feared,
Arend-Jan had disappeared.

No one got their money back,
We now know AJ’s heart is black.
And now, we hear AJ’s returned,
Not caring ’bout the people he burned,

We hear he’s got a new game to sell,
And we’re all saying he can go to... well,
You can figure it out, I think,
Because he’s such a total dink.

[Kinta]

Great poem! Let's hope A.J. won't be too proud that someone dedicates a poem to him and his work.

Kinta

[Elder]

and no one wrote me any poem

[Mizzou]

@Elder: We've been too busy playing your game.