Hello again, everyone.

I would like to make an announcement concerning my relationship with Valley Games Inc. I hope you will excuse my somewhat wordy approach.

When I first envisioned what would eventually become Valley Games, I wanted several things. I wanted a company that could resurrect games thought to be lost-in-time. In fact, I used to keep a "big list" of the games that I would want to print, if given the opportunity.

But perhaps most importantly, I wanted a company that allowed members of the boardgaming community (including Boardgamegeek) the chance to participate in the production of these games with the promise of a fair reward for their time and money in addition to the red carpet treatment that should be afforded to these customers and friends.

As you can imagine, I was thrilled when I located business partners who, despite their unfamiliarity with Euro Games, were able to share in that vision. I gladly shared not only my boardgame knowledge, but also my business plan for the new company, and my "big list".

I regret that over the past several months, I have encountered what I will term "substantial philosophical differences" with my fellow Valley Games ownership group in regards to the operation of the company. In the face of the earliest issues, I (perhaps foolishly) felt that the differences could be repaired or would improve. Unfortunately, the most recent weeks have proven that hope to be unfounded. It is in this light that I have elected to step aside from Valley Games, in order to allow the company to continue on the path that the majority ownership wishes it to.

I wish Valley Games the best of luck in whatever direction it elects to go.

On a personal level, it has been a difficult decision to walk away from "my baby"... the company that I stayed up many nights thinking about. I have shared in the successes and disappointments of Valley Games, and I have tried my very best. I hope I have been able to provide you, my BGG friends, with information and help that has been useful to you, and if not, then I sincerely apologize.

For now, I will return to just being Kevin, the Boardgamegeek user. The love of boardgames still burns bright within me however, and I may find a way to resurrect that dream that I had a few years ago, albeit under a different banner.

Thank you all for your kind words and support these past few years.



Until further notice, I can be reached here on Boardgamegeek through regular messaging means, or at my new email address "originalotrex@gmail.com"

Questions for Valley Games can be directed to "info@valleygames.ca"

Sorry to hear things didn't work out for you. Glad you'll still be around, though!

I will be sorry to see your positive influence gone from a company that needs it. Best of luck on your future ventures!

Jesse

Will they still print the games they announced?

As far as I know, yes.

I've been in that position, more than once. It is better to recognise and resolve those situations early than let them lie fallow and potentially festering. I appreciate the enthusiastic interest you brought to Container, one of the better games published in recent years.

Hey Kevin,

Over several years on BGG, I can certainly say that you bring passion to everything you do. Your passion for Valley and for reprinting some old lost games is very much appreciated -- I got my copy of the Hannibal reprint for xmas finally!

I wish you all the best!

Robin

Woah. Way to air the dirty laundry in public Kevin. I think you deserve some praise for doing that, the road that lead you here must have been rough.

I can't imagine you think much of me, Kevin. At best I hope you've forgotten who I was as gone into lurk mode for some time. But I used to give you all sorts of crap as the voice of Valley Games here.

I found Valley Games unpleasant to deal with from the first (any only) product I bought from them. The constantly seemed to go in a direction I thought that was against the consumers best interest. They are on my list of companies I do not do business with.

Now that being said, Kevin, I always thought you were a pretty swell guy. Indeed, a great guy, even. The whole time I was giving you crap I found it interesting to contrast how good a guy you seemed to be with what I felt about Valley Games.

So, best of luck. I hope this move is making you happier. You deserve it.

If you are ever in Edmonton drop me a line.

It saddens me to hear that such a good influence has been lost. I've always been impressed by the attention you gave to your customers. Best of luck to you.

Does that include Schnäppchen Jagd?

To echo apotheos, you were pretty stand up when the best of mud got slung against VG. I am still interested in some of their games if they ever get around to them. But if you made up the good influence in the company, I am not so sure I will like what's left.

There are companies and there are people.

Very rarely do their desires mesh.

Sorry for your loss.

Sorry Kevin, I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors.

I GMed Kevin that exact same question earlier this week with no response.

I was completely thrilled with my new edition of Titan. The preorder did not go quite so smoothly; perhaps in part due to the conflict you mentioned. I think it's very appropriate and professional for you to explain why you're leaving the company, especially in the polite manner which you have.

I wish you the best of luck in your new endeavours, and hope that VG contiues its success.

Thank you.

Yes, as far as I know, Schnappchen Jagd is still a go.

Scott, I'm sorry I did not yet get to you. I have not had a great deal of time with my BGG mail in the last week.

No biggie Kevin. It wasnt a slam as much as it was letting someone else on here know they weren't the only one asking the question.

Best of luck with your new direction!

Wow! I didn't see this coming at all! You've always been a pleasure to talk to and deal with on business and a personal level.

I've been told that partnerships are like marriages but only 1 in 10 actually work out. I'm on my 4th partnership now - all the others dissolved poorly.

If your in Burlington give me a shout - you have my cell - we'll play some boardgames and shoot the heck for a bit.

All the best Kevin.

Kevin,

I've been an avid enthusiast about VG, and especially remained so because of the manner you conducted yourself by here on BGG. I have concerns about what kind of company they will become.

Good luck and success on your future endeavors.

And as was pointed out above, Container is awesome.

- Steve

Good luck, Kevin-the-Boardgamegeek-user.

Well Kevin, I'm saddened by this news. It was a pleasure to meet you when working with Valley Games. I also think your way of communicating via BGG was excellent, so that will be missed too.

I know VG has a few changes planned and I can see why that, along with some other things most people here are probably unaware of, have led you to this decision. I'm confident that, while you don't agree with some things that where going on, all members involved wanted to do what they thought is right for the company. Too bad those things didn't always line up.

I wish you the best and hope you may find an other way to stay involved in the business, your taste and understanding of games is excellent.

I also wish the other VG members the best, as this company has brought me lots of games I love (I still think Container was the best 2007 game!). Not having you around will probably be a bit of a handicap on some points, but they are good problem solvers that, in the end, get things done, so I'm hopeful for the future.

I have been not paying any attention to VG over the past while, and their site seems laden with apologies for unexplained transgressions. Is there a convenient tl;dr; that would bring me up to speed on whats been going on in their neck of the woods?

I'm sorry things didn't work out for you. I've had the same experience, walking away from a game company as well. Take things one day at a time and just remember that you aren't apart of the company, no matter how much you want to help out. Let them figure things out and lend advice if they ask for it. Be yourself and things will be fine.

Edit: Sorry to tack this on, but I'm still having problems with my Titan order, still haven't gotten it. Who should I e-mail at the moment?

Kevin the only guy at Valley that seemed to give a crap about there customers. I will never ever preorder from valley again. I will probably still by some of there stuff but AFTER its on the shelves.

I can assure you that the other members do give a crap bout their customers. Kevin was the guy that did the communication with most of the outside world, but that doesn't mean the other guys don't care.