White Wolf hires Zak Smith - Im out!

[Omegaphallic]

At some point you have to ask, how does it get THIS bad if it's fake? How do this many reputable and passionate people in an industry loathe one person if it's all false? Is it really some grand conspiracy against Zak? He can cause this much disrepair just by being hired, and at some point, when he is the common connector to all the chaos surrounding him, then it isn't the situations that are the problem - it's him. What makes it all worse is how OPP and its products are actually very inclusive and progressive, making this even harder to swallow coming from a hate-spewing bully like him.
Things are never cut-and-dry. He isn't stupid, and he knows how to harass indirectly.

If anyone is implying that these things didn't happen, and so, also implying that they think David Hill is lying about being harassed by a guy with a record like Zak's, I hope you really stop and think about that for a second. And I hope you also stop and think about what it would look like to see people in your own community insinuating that you made something like this up, and what it would be like to work for a company that hires someone who has personally and viciously harassed you.

I never said David Hill is lying, please don't suggest I did, there is clearly some bad blood there, especially on Zak's part, but I don't see Zak personally making death threats against David Hill or his family, was it one of Zak fans?

[The young man in the cafe]

General make direct orders to attack, do you have evidence of this behavior?

Look I read through all the links and found no evidence of transphobia, I did find some antagonism towards David Hill over Star Wars, for the record I agree with David Hill on how dull and one dimensional it is, although I think some of the background elements like the force, lightsabres, Yoda, and Princess Leia's bikini are iconic for good reason, wasted potential, and I think David Hill over reaches on connecting Star Wars to real wars, I think the Industrial Military Complex and big money had far more then George Lucas to do with that.

But I certainly don't agree with Zak Smith on his insult to David Hill's intelligence, I have found David Hill to be highly intelligent.

I think Zak should apologize and they should talk out their issues in a mature way.

I hope for a peaceful, respectful resolution to these issues.

The stars wars and real wars is kind of complex, because the US military has a history of funding pro-militarism movies.

[ErichZahn]

[MachineIV]

Thing is... Zak S has straight up threatened David's kids before, amoung other horrid things. David is well past the point where him forgiving Zak is possible.

Seriously, if David is your favorite writer, then maybe ask him about what is going on.

This is probably stupid. But whatever.

I want to clarify here, because I think it's important: He didn't threaten my children, that I'm aware of. The phone call that I received came from a cheap prepaid phone purchased in the city he lives, but millions do. The phone call directly referenced him, and things he's specifically obsessed with. Around that time, I received an email rerouted through the United Arab Emirates which featured a photo of my child's school and a number of very specific threats. I don't know who did that, but it referenced things he's said about me which were not true, and at the time, he lived some 20~ minutes from me.

I know every time he brings me up, because I tend to wake up to a stream of threats and very disturbing anonymous messages.

I don't know how much of this is done directly. I know he's told his fans to "destroy" people and "get at them" before. This is all well-documented - and I'm really, really tired of trying to validate my abuse. And, once it came out how his fans were threatening my kids, he put up a sarcastic, joking post to his fans telling them to stop threatening my children. I'll note, he told them to stop threatening my children. Which as far as I'm concerned is a direct admission that he endorses the attacks against me. Just not my kids.

For the past seven or so years, he's screenshotted and saved everything I say online, even things I've said in private groups, in spite of thorough blocks. I've had to aggressively block people suspected of being his sock puppets. At one time, a friend of mine being harassed by him actually had an associate who is a plagiarism expert identify a few of his sock puppet accounts who write exactly like him.

And right now, he's very, very obviously impersonating a member of the RPG community, a mod on RPG net. He's been impersonating this RPG net mod for over a year, constantly talking himself up. He's slipped up in a way that makes it painfully transparent (he first posted under the false account on Reddit, referencing Zak as "I" from the impersonating account. Then, almost immediately, he deleted the impersonating post. He reposted the exact same thing under his personal account. When called on it, he said it wasn't him and it didn't happen. When logs were shown, his story changed and now he's saying it isn't him, but someone that shares a computer with him, who has been impersonating this community figure for over a year to defend him and talk him up. And who writes with an almost laughably similar style to him.

As well, in his most recent game, he named a murderous trans vampire who asks people about social justice issues, and murders them if they answer insufficiently, after a noted trans RPG developer who his fans have hounded and harassed before. Why did they harass and hound her? Because during her last Kickstarter, she removed a stretch goal by someone who went on the limb defending his harassment campaigns.

I think the idea that I can "talk out my issues in a mature way" is actually a thing I can do here. My issue is that he stalks me. He saves everything I say online. His fans threaten me and my family. I have tried for the better part of a decade to get him to leave me the fuck alone, but he absolutely under no circumstances will not. This isn't some thing where I can sit down with a cup of tea and meet him half way. And it's not just about me. He's abused a number of figures in the RPG community. He's currently impersonating someone who banned him on a role playing game forum. Let that sink in for a second. FOR OVER A YEAR, HE'S IMPERSONATED SOMEONE WHO BANNED HIM ON A PRETENDY FUN TIME GAME FORUM. This is not some rational disagreement. He's a stalker. He's an abuser. I'm not going to kindly ask him to pretty please stop abusing me and everyone else he's abusing. Because I have before. It didn't work. It won't work.

[loomer]

Thanks for giving your full account, David. I know even sitting down to try and write about that shit can be hard to get up the energy for.

[Stupid Loserman]

David, I just want you to know since it's convenient here, my heart's with you and Filamena on this. These have been a very stressful couple of days for me and I'm not anywhere near the center of this mess like you are. I can't imagine how it's been for you to go through this shit.

[MachineIV]

David, I just want you to know since it's convenient here, my heart's with you and Filamena on this. These have been a very stressful couple of days for me and I'm not anywhere near the center of this mess like you are. I can't imagine how it's been for you to go through this shit.

Thank you.

Honestly? It's not THAT stressful. I've grown to get used to it. The threats. The hack attempts. The libel. People incessantly trying to find excuses for it, and trying to diminish the effect it's hard on my life and his role in it. It's the new normal. I deal with it. It's just fucking exhausting.

I've gotten to a point where I'm just done trying to explain and validate it all. But, I love all of you. And I figure a direct take is probably better than a bunch of argument and speculation.

[RomulusGloriosus]

Thank you David for sharing the full story. I've heard bits and pieces about this guy's abuse for the past seven years (or so) but never seen it written out fully. Much support to you and your family during this time and we'll do whatever we can to help dealing with this guy.

[Omegaphallic]

This is probably stupid. But whatever.

I want to clarify here, because I think it's important: He didn't threaten my children, that I'm aware of. The phone call that I received came from a cheap prepaid phone purchased in the city he lives, but millions do. The phone call directly referenced him, and things he's specifically obsessed with. Around that time, I received an email rerouted through the United Arab Emirates which featured a photo of my child's school and a number of very specific threats. I don't know who did that, but it referenced things he's said about me which were not true, and at the time, he lived some 20~ minutes from me.

I know every time he brings me up, because I tend to wake up to a stream of threats and very disturbing anonymous messages.

I don't know how much of this is done directly. I know he's told his fans to "destroy" people and "get at them" before. This is all well-documented - and I'm really, really tired of trying to validate my abuse. And, once it came out how his fans were threatening my kids, he put up a sarcastic, joking post to his fans telling them to stop threatening my children. I'll note, he told them to stop threatening my children. Which as far as I'm concerned is a direct admission that he endorses the attacks against me. Just not my kids.

For the past seven or so years, he's screenshotted and saved everything I say online, even things I've said in private groups, in spite of thorough blocks. I've had to aggressively block people suspected of being his sock puppets. At one time, a friend of mine being harassed by him actually had an associate who is a plagiarism expert identify a few of his sock puppet accounts who write exactly like him.

And right now, he's very, very obviously impersonating a member of the RPG community, a mod on RPG net. He's been impersonating this RPG net mod for over a year, constantly talking himself up. He's slipped up in a way that makes it painfully transparent (he first posted under the false account on Reddit, referencing Zak as "I" from the impersonating account. Then, almost immediately, he deleted the impersonating post. He reposted the exact same thing under his personal account. When called on it, he said it wasn't him and it didn't happen. When logs were shown, his story changed and now he's saying it isn't him, but someone that shares a computer with him, who has been impersonating this community figure for over a year to defend him and talk him up. And who writes with an almost laughably similar style to him.

As well, in his most recent game, he named a murderous trans vampire who asks people about social justice issues, and murders them if they answer insufficiently, after a noted trans RPG developer who his fans have hounded and harassed before. Why did they harass and hound her? Because during her last Kickstarter, she removed a stretch goal by someone who went on the limb defending his harassment campaigns.

I think the idea that I can "talk out my issues in a mature way" is actually a thing I can do here. My issue is that he stalks me. He saves everything I say online. His fans threaten me and my family. I have tried for the better part of a decade to get him to leave me the fuck alone, but he absolutely under no circumstances will not. This isn't some thing where I can sit down with a cup of tea and meet him half way. And it's not just about me. He's abused a number of figures in the RPG community. He's currently impersonating someone who banned him on a role playing game forum. Let that sink in for a second. FOR OVER A YEAR, HE'S IMPERSONATED SOMEONE WHO BANNED HIM ON A PRETENDY FUN TIME GAME FORUM. This is not some rational disagreement. He's a stalker. He's an abuser. I'm not going to kindly ask him to pretty please stop abusing me and everyone else he's abusing. Because I have before. It didn't work. It won't work.

Holy fuck, it sounds like you've collected solid evidence against David, I just thought he was abrasive like Amazing Atheist with some asshole fans.

Damn, pictures of your kids school, that's some stalker ass shit going on.

I apologize, but I hope you understand my skeptism, I've seen innocent people ruined over unproven allegations over twitter, but it sounds like you have a solid case against Zak.

Also I am new to this particular issue between you and Zak, all this is new to me, although I do reme

I hope the police intervene, stalking is fucked up.

And I have the utmost respect for you and your intelligence, and your talent, your and your teams approach to Changeling Clarity is inspired, your approach to Darklings background moved me to tears, and your Cruac styles are really cool and flavorful. You have an excellent ability to handle the subtles of personal horror.


I not really familiar with Zak, although I do remember seeing something about D&D pornstars a few years ago, and being disappointed that it wasn't as titillating as I hoped, I didn't make the connection right away.

Hopefully the Harassment will stop now that Zak has a lot to lose himself if he keeps it up, his new job.

I don't why he was hired, if they wanted an artist whose good at drawing tits (and other assorted nudity and none nudity stuff), I have people I can recommend, talented artists in the BDSM comic community who would excel at horror art!

[Omegaphallic]

Thank you.

Honestly? It's not THAT stressful. I've grown to get used to it. The threats. The hack attempts. The libel. People incessantly trying to find excuses for it, and trying to diminish the effect it's hard on my life and his role in it. It's the new normal. I deal with it. It's just fucking exhausting.

I've gotten to a point where I'm just done trying to explain and validate it all. But, I love all of you. And I figure a direct take is probably better than a bunch of argument and speculation.

I thank you for that.

[MachineIV]

Holy fuck, it sounds like you've collected solid evidence against David, I just thought he was abrasive like Amazing Atheist with some asshole fans.

Damn, pictures of your kids school, that's some stalker ass shit going on.

I apologize, but I hope you understand my skeptism, I've seen innocent people ruined over unproven allegations over twitter, but it sounds like you have a solid case against Zak.

Also I am new to this particular issue between you and Zak, all this is new to me, although I do reme

I hope the police intervene, stalking is fucked up.

And I have the utmost respect for you and your intelligence, and your talent, your and your teams approach to Changeling Clarity is inspired, your approach to Darklings background moved me to tears, and your Cruac styles are really cool and flavorful. You have an excellent ability to handle the subtles of personal horror.


I not really familiar with Zak, although I do remember seeing something about D&D pornstars a few years ago, and being disappointed that it wasn't as titillating as I hoped, I didn't make the connection right away.

Hopefully the Harassment will stop now that Zak has a lot to lose himself if he keeps it up, his new job.

I don't why he was hired, if they wanted an artist whose good at drawing tits (and other assorted nudity and none nudity stuff), I have people I can recommend, talented artists in the BDSM comic community who would excel at horror art!

The police have been involved.

The police are laughable at best with online harassment. I don't know if you've seen, but the FBI demonstrated that even with confessions, police don't tend to prosecute.

http://uk.businessinsider.com/gamerg...17-2?r=US&IR=T

What did the police tell me? "We can't be there 24/7, and they clearly know where you live. Maybe you should consider moving?"

I did. The harassment continued.

I left the country. At least now I know it can't be direct. I don't have to worry about stalkers photographing my children's schools.

[Fat Larry]

I'm most certainly not a fan of David Hill, mostly for his political views and agendas, but I'll say these two things:

1. He's a damn good writer.

2. In absolutely no fucking way does he deserve any of this. It's really not too late for White Wolf to do something to right this. I'm not exactly sure what. But I know and believe they can.

[loomer]

I'm most certainly not a fan of David Hill, mostly for his political views and agendas, but I'll say these two things:

1. He's a damn good writer.

2. In absolutely no fucking way does he deserve any of this. It's really not too late for White Wolf to do something to right this. I'm not exactly sure what. But I know and believe they can.

If you want them to right it, tell them. Boycott, and make it clear why you're boycotting.

[Fat Larry]

If you want them to right it, tell them. Boycott, and make it clear why you're boycotting.

Already did. : )

Emailed White Wolf and told them I would never purchase another product as long as Zakk Smith is involved with it. I would've asked for a Steam refund, but a) it was too late to do so and b) The writer of Mage is a woman, the writing is pretty damn good, and I'd like to show my support for that at he very least.

[loomer]

Already did. : )

Emailed White Wolf and told them I would never purchase another product as long as Zakk Smith is involved with it. I would've asked for a Steam refund, but a) it was too late to do so and b) The writer of Mage is a woman, the writing is pretty damn good, and I'd like to show my support for that at he very least.

Good man! I don't know if it'll work, but if enough of us make noise and the sales drop it might just.