Trying to contact publisher

[Max_Bertolini]

I'm having some troubles trying to contact Fantasy Flight Games. I made more than twenty pieces for them a couple of months ago, the work was approved and then I had no news from them in the last month even if I tried to write them several times.
I wonder what is going on. Does anybody knows if they changed e-mail address?

[JessiBean]

Well... if you had a contract with them for work and they have broken their agreement, I suggest seeking legal recourse or contacting a professional-type advocacy group, like the IGDA. But I don't think I would recommend bashing a company and naming people at that company you are displeased with on an internet (and industry-related) forum -- your name and your reputation are your meal ticket, and bashing someone publicly doesn't help that. It is like unto burning bridges and you'll find this community and this industry is awfully small for you to be doing that.

Keep it between you and them if at all possible, and see what kind of legal recourse you have based on your contract.

[wassermelone]

Fantasy Flight games from what I've read from other threads like this likes to put publishing clauses in their contracts. If it doesn't get published, you don't get paid... and more specifically - you don't get paid TILL it gets published.

Good luck.

PS. I agree with Jessi; I would recommend keeping any contractual disagreements mum as it could backfire on you.

[Dave Kendall]

Well... if you had a contract with them for work and they have broken their agreement, I suggest seeking legal recourse or contacting a professional-type advocacy group, like the IGDA. But I don't think I would recommend bashing a company and naming people at that company you are displeased with on an internet (and industry-related) forum -- your name and your reputation are your meal ticket, and bashing someone publicly doesn't help that. It is like unto burning bridges and you'll find this community and this industry is awfully small for you to be doing that.

Keep it between you and them if at all possible, and see what kind of legal recourse you have based on your contract.

I agree with you to some extent Jessi. However bad publicity can and should go both ways. Freelancers should expect to be kept in the loop and treated professionally if they've delivered the goods.

Max, I found this has worked pretty well in the past. Send by post and get proof of receipt

I am writing in reference to the non-payment of my fee for the illustrations I produced for (insert project). You have proceeded to print and publish my work. As no payment has been received you do not yet have my permission or the copyright to do this. I have enclosed my invoice detailing fee due, and artwork produced.


I will proceed to consult my solicitor if there is no payment forthcoming by the end of (insert date).

PS: When I used to do work for fantasy flight they did have that publishing clause wasser mentioned. Doesn't excuse lack of contact though. However they always treated me well when I worked for them.

[Max_Bertolini]

I've been misunderstood. I know from the contract that they don't pay till publishing, and I'm not worried about payment 'cause I think my art haven't been published yet. I'm just wondering why nobody has been answering to me in the last month, maybe they are busy, and that's ok, or maybe some e-mail addresses have changed.

[Mox3d]

Contracts are one thing, opinions are another. Just to address the potential issue of the latter, if you have had a bad experience or been treated unfairly then absolutely let rip. Bear in mind there are areas you cannot go such as those protected typically by an NDA etc. But on a professional level or any level, there is a distinctive developer culture manifesting itself that breaks many rules of etiquette, respect and licensing. It is widespread, and should not become the standard. Therefore your opinion should be unbiased and to the point if you feel truly wronged.

However I feel certain that there are routes of communication you could explore should you need to get in touch. I'm a little confused as to the exact nature of the problem if there is one though. When you entered into dialogue with them regarding work, were ground rules and contracts not established with regard to what is required, when it was required etc and communication channels ?

[Max_Bertolini]

Contracts are one thing, opinions are another. Just to address the potential issue of the latter, if you have had a bad experience or been treated unfairly then absolutely let rip. Bear in mind there are areas you cannot go such as those protected typically by an NDA etc. But on a professional level or any level, there is a distinctive developer culture manifesting itself that breaks many rules of etiquette, respect and licensing. It is widespread, and should not become the standard. Therefore your opinion should be unbiased and to the point if you feel truly wronged.

However I feel certain that there are routes of communication you could explore should you need to get in touch. I'm a little confused as to the exact nature of the problem if there is one though. When you entered into dialogue with them regarding work, were ground rules and contracts not established with regard to what is required, when it was required etc and communication channels ?

I did sign contracts and finished the work, that was approved, in time. I repeat, I knew from the contract that there was a chance that my work could never be published. In the last month I wrote to the AD I worked with and to all the others mails on their site to know when my art was scheduled, but had no answer. I've been working with many other US publishers and have always been treated nice, so I still think everything is fine, maybe they just changed their e-mail addresses or are just too busy to answer, that's why I'm asking if someone else here is experiencing my same problems.

[mwillustration]

hey max, i have their art office number if you want it. send me a pm and i can give it to you.

[Undertow]

Also keep in mind that during this time of the year everyone is in crunch mode to finish holiday and January product releases. Review your contract and make sure that you've followed all instructions to the t and that everything is on the up and up. If there's no violation of contract just be patient, fire off another e-mail around release time, and I'm sure someone will get back to you. I would also highly discourage against airing issues like this publicly. This is a very incestuous community and word gets around quite quickly... the rumor mill is quite frowned upon in various organizations.