I've mostly been an observer (no lame, name-related joke intended) in the discussions about the lateness of RRT, as I've felt that I have little of value that I could contribute. I realized today however that there is an underlying assumption in pretty much all of the threads on this topic that seems to be going commented on. With that realization I thought I would post this, mostly as a poll of what others thought. I am in no way claiming any special or insider knowledge - this entire post is simple speculation on my part.
So the underlying assumption that I have noticed is this - all of the present threads are attributing the delays of the release of RRT as being solely (or 100%, if you're of a mathematical bend) the fault of Palladium Books. However, we know that there are other entities involved in this project that could be greatly affecting the pace of the release; three that I can think of - Harmony Gold, Ninja Division, and the manufacturer in China. So my question is this:
Is it not possible that some small or major part of the delays are not Palladium's fault, but those of one or more of their partners?
Now again, I make no pretense to any special or insider knowledge on this topic, as I am not a confidant of anyone at any of these companies nor am I directly or indirectly involved with this product (other than as a customer), so please don't assume that I am trying to deflect blame away from PB. (Heaven knows that Palladium has a well-earned reputation for late releases.) What I am saying is that, in my experience - which includes having brought several new products to market for a toy company a decade ago - often times there are delays in the process of getting a new product from its initial conceptualization to finished product in the hands of the customer, and seldom are those delays all caused by only one party.
I hear the question being asked, "So why, if other's might be to blame, has Palladium not said so?"
Again, this is pure speculation on my part, but based on my past business experience, a company never wins with it's customers when it tries to play the 'blame game'. This is not to say that a company shouldn't be truthful - anyone remember the Rifts CCG or the failed Nokia game? In both cases, once the product had died - through no fault of Palladium's (though some might debate that) - Kevin issued notice through the Rifter and online to let us all know what had happened, after the product had failed. These notices were short and to the point without being overly emotional regarding the sheer frustration he and everyone at PB must have felt after expending tremendous effort and energy only to see things unravel because of the mistakes of others. However, during the time when all this was happening, not a peep of the troubles they were going through escaped Palladium's collective lips. Why? Because the fastest way I know of to guarantee a business venture fails is to start publicly fighting with your partners.
Now, I'm not saying that RRT is failing or will fail (in fact, I hope to see this become a huge success and think it has the potential to do so - the market demand is certainly out there). I'm simply pointing out that Palladium might be shouldering the blame for the delays, that they themselves are not the cause of, simply to give this product the best possible chance of a successful launch.
So that is my thought - feel free now to pick it apart in the best and most noble tradition of the internet!
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