Quoted from Aniraf:So, I'm kind of new to this whole John Popadiuk drama. My first realization that I even liked his games came very recently as I played a Cirqus Voltaire for the first time and was amazed. In almost no time, I bought one for myself and I can tell you, the game doesn't get old...it is just awesome. Then I look at his other games...all amazing. They are my favorite pinball machines ever.
Suffice it to say, I was super excited to find out what he was working on now...until I read what has been happening for the last five years or so.
I guess my question is, has Popadiuk been shamed into never producing another game, or is there still a bit of hope that these games will be completed? Perhaps nobody knows the answer to this question. To me, it almost appears like this guy has fallen off the grid.
Can someone hook him up with a competent builder/business person as I think his designs are quite impressive.
You have your work cut out for you - read the first 23,000 posts. I'll save you some time getting oriented...
A quick recap.
JPop will never (IMO) build another game or be hired by any pinball maker.
He would be foolish to show his face at any pinball event - ever.
His failure as a business person was a spectacular train wreck.
Many people tried to help, were frustrated or rebuffed or otherwise screwed. - they starting telling their stories.
Vendors who gave time and parts were not paid. $thousands were lent in parts, labor, or prepays - all were squandered.
Claims are ongoing in litigation: I don't think any court rulings are final: claims are many and include fraud, commerce laws, broken contracts.
Recommended reading to catch up:
1. Various efforts to get a business person to rescue failed - search Pintasia in this thread - you will get the best picture reading the 100 posts before and after the Pintasia "event". Bill Brandes is an experienced business investor - Jpops misrepresentations were many. Bill spent real money on discovery and his findings were a big help in discovering the real state of MG and the lack of progress.
2. Read the keyposts at the top of this thread. Keyposts are marked by a small group of experience Pinside editors - the key post idea was prompted by threads like this with thousands of posts.
3. Search the thread for Bruce Zamost - He initiated the class action suit.
4. A small list of those who tried to help or were stiffed for payment include ZombieYeti (art), Applejuice (code), PBL, GLM, Cointaker, APB coils and electronics. Many tried - Ben, Spooky, JJP, myself, Andrew B, Ben Heck, @wcbrandes, @pdxmonkey- the list of well intentioned offers is long, and essentially summarizes as: JPop alienating everyone, refusing to listen, no humility to accept criticism, no credit to any of the artists, coders, suppliers, money troubles, etc. JPop went the opposite of other start-ups, and was completely opaque, and often decietful. Successful startups such as JJP and Spooky were very open and detailed on successes and failures, speed bumps, set backs etc. - completely opposite for Jpop.
5. Over time, we all discovered JPop has nothing to do with art, code, engineering/design on previously credited titles (he did some, but major oversight was required by the "real" designers - Steve Ritchie could explain, but he'd rather poke himself in the eye that recall those memories). Many podcasts have covered the fiasco, with interviews.
Whew - It was cathartic to write this. I only wasted a few hours trying to get MG to show Bill and the public a partially working MG at the NWpinball show. I feel horrible for the $loss and damage to many of my pinball friends, and pinball folks I haven't met, but were treated badly (putting it mildly). Hopefully this is an informative reply to your question.