.400 Closing Up Shop

[Farrah Whitworth-Rahn]

Not unexpected, I'm sure.

Here's the link to the announcement. And for the linky/clicky challenged:

Game over
12.15.05

The story of this company has the trappings of an exciting baseball game, doesn't it? Errors, bad calls, injuries, drama, nail biting, bench clearing brawls and even some tears. But like all baseball games, once the third out in the last inning is called, the game is in the record books.

And now, so is this company.

When the clock strikes midnight on January 1, 2006, .400 Software Studios will cease operations. Total Pro Football, Tournament Dreams and Coaching a Dynasty will never again be available for purchase. Once the company closes its doors, those games will head to the download server in the sky. If you've ever thought about giving these games a try, now's the time.

As a thank you to all of our loyal fans and supporters, game prices been dropped to obscenely low levels. The critically acclaimed Total Extreme Wrestling is a brilliant bargain at it's new, close out price. And you can skate away with a copy of Face Off Hockey for less than an afternoon at the local ice rink.

We will continue to provide technical support for all products until January 31, 2006. All existing game licenses will continue to be honored and supported by ViaTech (eLiense) after .400 closes its doors. Should you have issues with your license, they will be happy to assist you. Their contact info can be found here.

Thank you for time and effort in helping all of .400's developers and staff - past and present. I know your efforts were appreciated by each and every one. And the lessons learned from this company will not soon be forgotten.

Now it's time to clear the field. Strike three. Game's over.

Regards,

Farrah Whitworth-Rahn
Owner, .400 Software Studios

I'm limited in what I can discuss, but if anyone has questions I'll happily answer whatever I can.

[Swaggs]

RIP .400.

It was a pretty solid run.

[sovereignstar]

Originally Posted by Swaggs

RIP .400.

It was a pretty solid run.

Define solid.

[Farrah Whitworth-Rahn]

Originally Posted by sovereignstar

Define solid.

Not liquid or gas?

[Hurst2112]

Bah,

Reminds me of those local appliance store commercials.

"GOING OUT OF BUSINESS! EVERYTHING MUST GO!"

(2 weeks later)

"WE WERE ABLE TO SELL ENOUGH TO STAY OPEN! WE ARE CELEBRATING WITH A RE-GRAND OPENING SALE!!!"

it's too bad the company has to fold. knowing only the surface fodder of the last 2 years, it doesn't suprise me.

Oh, is TPF gonna be freeware now?

[Farrah Whitworth-Rahn]

Originally Posted by Hurst2112

Oh, is TPF gonna be freeware now?

TPF, TDCB and CAD will not be freeware. They won't be available at all, in any form.

[Swaggs]

Originally Posted by sovereignstar

Define solid.

Creating and maintaining a company (that put out a few very good products) for several years is something to be proud of.

[Hurst2112]

Originally Posted by Farrah Whitworth-Rahn

TPF, TDCB and CAD will not be freeware. They won't be available at all, in any form.

nothin like protecting your legacy.



seriously, that's a strange theory. why wouldn't you offer those to fans of ANY text games?

[Farrah Whitworth-Rahn]

I'm only really closing the company so I can get one of the cool new user titles.

[Farrah Whitworth-Rahn]

Originally Posted by Hurst2112

nothin like protecting your legacy.



seriously, that's a strange theory. why wouldn't you offer those to fans of ANY text games?

Would really love to, especially as freeware. But can't. Can't really give anymore details than that, I'm sorry.

[WrongWay]

Originally Posted by Hurst2112

Bah,

Reminds me of those local appliance store commercials.

"GOING OUT OF BUSINESS! EVERYTHING MUST GO!"

(2 weeks later)

"WE WERE ABLE TO SELL ENOUGH TO STAY OPEN! WE ARE CELEBRATING WITH A RE-GRAND OPENING SALE!!!"

My favorite is when the stores says "We don't have that in stock, but we can order it for you".


Also, what is up with the 30 days of customer support?

[Young Drachma]

Originally Posted by Swaggs

Creating and maintaining a company (that put out a few very good products) for several years is something to be proud of.

I agree with this, no doubt.

[Farrah Whitworth-Rahn]

Originally Posted by WrongWay

Also, what is up with the 30 days of customer support?

I didn't think it was appropriate to stop offering tech support for people who purchased the games in December.
Thirty days is plenty of time to get folks up and running.

Most of the issues on trouble tickets lately have been licensing issues anyway.

[Hurst2112]

Originally Posted by Farrah Whitworth-Rahn

Would really love to, especially as freeware. But can't. Can't really give anymore details than that, I'm sorry.

im sorry too. 400 is going be known for coming up short with a football sim. that's a pretty shitty legacy (ala Sierra Studios).

[Draft Dodger]

Originally Posted by Farrah Whitworth-Rahn

Not unexpected, I'm sure.

Here's the link to the announcement. And for the linky/clicky challenged:

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I'm limited in what I can discuss, but if anyone has questions I'll happily answer whatever I can.

what are you wearing right now?

[SirFozzie]

at least all the troubles will be over and done when that happens Farrah. The world may never know what caused the .400 Implosion above and beyong what we already know, but, hell, maybe it's better that way. Can't have been fun, the last two years or so.

Besides, we can now change your title to "The She-Rahn" officially.. or Mrs. Grey Dog?

[WrongWay]

OK, I thought the 30 days was an indication of when your Message Boards were comming down.

[Farrah Whitworth-Rahn]

Originally Posted by Hurst2112

im sorry too. 400 is going be known for coming up short with a football sim. that's a pretty shitty legacy (ala Sierra Studios).

That's unfortunate, but not innacurate, don't you think? But I doubt that would change regardless if the games were still available or not.

[Farrah Whitworth-Rahn]

Originally Posted by Draft Dodger

what are you wearing right now?

Yoga pants and tank, jacket, tennies and a ponytail.

And spit up from Baby Rahn's dinner.

[Draft Dodger]

Originally Posted by Farrah Whitworth-Rahn

Yoga pants and tank, jacket, tennies and a ponytail.

And spit up from Baby Rahn's dinner.

it's workable.

[SackAttack]

Hey, She-Rahn, just a note - you might want to fix the Coaching A Dynasty blurb, or the price. They're conflicting. :-p

[Farrah Whitworth-Rahn]

Originally Posted by SirFozzie

at least all the troubles will be over and done when that happens Farrah. The world may never know what caused the .400 Implosion above and beyong what we already know, but, hell, maybe it's better that way. Can't have been fun, the last two years or so.

Besides, we can now change your title to "The She-Rahn" officially.. or Mrs. Grey Dog?

I'm not going to comment any further on what happened with the split up and termination. I signed an agreement. I will honor it because I gave my word. But I will say this about the past 2 years - I've learned much about human nature, greed, stupid ass lawyers (none of our FOFC lawyers fit that bill) and how you're only as good as your word. Those lessons were worth every penny.

I'm going to let you kids decide what to change my title to - but it won't be Ms. Grey Dog. I have my own things going on and won't be with those guys.

[Hurst2112]

Originally Posted by Farrah Whitworth-Rahn

That's unfortunate, but not innacurate, don't you think? But I doubt that would change regardless if the games were still available or not.

no, but as an ignorant consumer (the irony here is that I never purchased a 400 product) I would have good things to say if the games were available after the company went under.

It's based on the theory that the company is looking out for it's fans, or fans of the genre. One last hurrah and 'thank you' to text sim fans.

"I never bought one of their games, but hell, 400 released their stuff as freeware. that was a classy thing to do"

[Farrah Whitworth-Rahn]

Originally Posted by WrongWay

OK, I thought the 30 days was an indication of when your Message Boards were comming down.

It is. With no products offered, there is no need to pay server expenses to keep them up.

[Farrah Whitworth-Rahn]

Originally Posted by SackAttack

Hey, She-Rahn, just a note - you might want to fix the Coaching A Dynasty blurb, or the price. They're conflicting. :-p

Thanks. I'll do so right now.

Edit - fixed.

[Farrah Whitworth-Rahn]

Originally Posted by Hurst2112

no, but as an ignorant consumer (the irony here is that I never purchased a 400 product) I would have good things to say if the games were available after the company went under.

It's based on the theory that the company is looking out for it's fans, or fans of the genre. One last hurrah and 'thank you' to text sim fans.

"I never bought one of their games, but hell, 400 released their stuff as freeware. that was a classy thing to do"

You make an excellent point. And I agree. I would really love to. Really.

But I can't.

[Draft Dodger]

Originally Posted by Hurst2112

no, but as an ignorant consumer (the irony here is that I never purchased a 400 product) I would have good things to say if the games were available after the company went under.

It's based on the theory that the company is looking out for it's fans, or fans of the genre. One last hurrah and 'thank you' to text sim fans.

"I never bought one of their games, but hell, 400 released their stuff as freeware. that was a classy thing to do"

I'd like to nominate you for Worst Job at Reading Between the Lines for 2005.
they can't release it as freeware.

[Hurst2112]

dola:

(im speaking as a person in the music business)

there are great songs that people write. songs that will never be heard by the masses. all that hard work, gone forever.

what about the efforts of all the people involved with the game that are not going to be available. Where is the legacy for them? Those people who had a vision and invested passionate efforts into your games, only to see them disappear into nothingness. Where is their legacy?

perhaps my problem is looking at it as an artist and not a businessman. that is my problem in the engineering world.

[Farrah Whitworth-Rahn]

Originally Posted by Hurst2112

dola:

(im speaking as a person in the music business)

there are great songs that people write. songs that will never be heard by the masses. all that hard work, gone forever.

what about the efforts of all the people involved with the game that are not going to be available. Where is the legacy for them? Those people who had a vision and invested passionate efforts into your games, only to see them disappear into nothingness. Where is their legacy?

perhaps my problem is looking at it as an artist and not a businessman. that is my problem in the engineering world.

Lawyers.
Agreement.
Penalties upon violation.
Can't.

[Hurst2112]

Originally Posted by Draft Dodger

I'd like to nominate you for Worst Job at Reading Between the Lines for 2005.
they can't release it as freeware.

dude, chill out. really, chill the hell out. I don't wanna send in my nomination for '2005's worst wanker'.

i understand that. doesn't mean i can't voice my damn opinion on it.

[Draft Dodger]

Originally Posted by Hurst2112

dola:

I'd also like to throw your name out there for Worst Dola.

[Antmeister]

Originally Posted by Hurst2112

no, but as an ignorant consumer (the irony here is that I never purchased a 400 product) I would have good things to say if the games were available after the company went under.

It's based on the theory that the company is looking out for it's fans, or fans of the genre. One last hurrah and 'thank you' to text sim fans.

"I never bought one of their games, but hell, 400 released their stuff as freeware. that was a classy thing to do"

The only problem is that you are assuming that both parties could agree to this (Joe Stallings vs. The Rahns). Since both seemed to have a chunk of the company, they both had to agree to certain terms for this to reconcile. So there could be a vast array of reasons why they can't let this go as freeware and something that she is not allowed to talk about based on what she agreed to.

[Cap Ologist]

Just curious (and not trying to restart the firestorm), but what happens to EULA's once a company calls it quits?

[Hurst2112]

Originally Posted by Farrah Whitworth-Rahn

Lawyers.
Agreement.
Penalties upon violation.
Can't.

ill drop it farrah. you got my point and that was all i was hoping for. no 'bad will' towards you and yours.

[Antmeister]

Originally Posted by Cap Ologist

Just curious (and not trying to restart the firestorm), but what happens to EULA's once a company calls it quits?

lol

[Hurst2112]

Originally Posted by Draft Dodger

I'd also like to throw your name out there for Worst Dola.

yeah?!?!? 2 things...

1)can't really cocentrate when me and the mrs are havin tom and jerrys. brandy is flowin'

2) bite me!!!!

[Farrah Whitworth-Rahn]

Originally Posted by Cap Ologist

Just curious (and not trying to restart the firestorm), but what happens to EULA's once a company calls it quits?

In this specific instance, I (FWR not Arlie) retain the physical possession of all gold masters and exclusive ownership of the code for TPF, TDCB and CAD. No one can use it without my permission.

As far as the game EULA's - if you modify the game and sell it for profit, you assume any liabilities attached to the game. As well as you'll have one pissed off She-Rahn coming at you with the full power of her legal counsel to shut you down so fast you won't know what hit you.

[Farrah Whitworth-Rahn]

Originally Posted by Hurst2112

ill drop it farrah. you got my point and that was all i was hoping for. no 'bad will' towards you and yours.

None taken at all.

[Joe Canadian]

Farrah it was a pleasure working for you guys back a few years ago... I'm glad you guys have finally been able to put this to bed!!

[Antmeister]

Well Farrah, at least you got that crap out of your life. It must of sucked having to deal with that for 2 years. I am happy to see that life has moved on for you guys and that it hasn't diminished the passion for Arlie to stop coding games. If you go in another direction, then I wish you well and hope that it is something that you are passionate about as well. Good luck to you guys.....because you are creating it.

[Draft Dodger]

Originally Posted by Hurst2112

yeah?!?!? 2 things...

1)can't really cocentrate when me and the mrs are havin tom and jerrys. brandy is flowin'

2) bite me!!!!

did you get stuck with Tom or Jerry this time?

[Hurst2112]

is it safe to say that SOMEBODY will own the rights to the games? 1 party or will several parties own percentages of the items? If you can comment. This is just a curiosity thing.

[Farrah Whitworth-Rahn]

Originally Posted by Hurst2112

is it safe to say that SOMEBODY will own the rights to the games? 1 party or will several parties own percentages of the items? If you can comment. This is just a curiosity thing.

In general, it depends on how parties involve wish to devide the game. Some businesses prefer to look at a whole product, others divide games up in to pieces.

I'm not going to get any more specific about this situation other than to say I retain the rights to the code.

[Hurst2112]

Originally Posted by Draft Dodger

did you get stuck with Tom or Jerry this time?

fuck dude...you get me heated and then you post some shit that makes me laugh. Play fair.

[GoldenEagle]

Joe Stallings is a douchebag.

[Hurst2112]

Originally Posted by GoldenEagle

Joe Stallings is a douchebag.

finally, somebody takin the heat off of my posts.

[Farrah Whitworth-Rahn]

Originally Posted by Antmeister71

Well Farrah, at least you got that crap out of your life. It must of sucked having to deal with that for 2 years. I am happy to see that life has moved on for you guys and that it hasn't diminished the passion for Arlie to stop coding games.

It did suck, that's for sure. But now that it's over, I'm trying to look back at the positives and make sure I appreciate the lessons I learned.

And it did almost kill Arlie's passion for making games. There was a period of time where he really had to soul search to make sure he wanted to do this again. There was also a point during all of it where I wondered if our marriage would survive. Making games for a living was his dream, and we were in the middle of this mess. I wasn't budging on certain issues, and he wanted to give away the farm to get things done. I think we came out of it stronger than ever, but for a while I was very worried.

And to make things worse, I got myself knocked up during the whole thing. Ugh. Try having a conference call with three attorneys trying to keep your lunch down and dealing with whether or not the proper word is "will" or "shall" for section 3 of the agreement.

[Hurst2112]

Originally Posted by Farrah Whitworth-Rahn

And to make things worse, I got myself knocked up during the whole thing. Ugh.

don't blame youself for enjoying sex. you will end up hating your kids.

[Draft Dodger]

Originally Posted by Hurst2112

fuck dude...you get me heated and then you post some shit that makes me laugh. Play fair.

must be something about Red Wings fans. Other than HB, they're all pretty easy to rile up.

[Hurst2112]

Originally Posted by Draft Dodger

must be something about Red Wings fans. Other than HB, they're all pretty easy to rile up.

we all have drinking problems