Beginning of the END: Interview with Faramix Prez

[Rob F]

How did we get screwed? 

[Flack]

Oh well.

Anybody want a copy of CellZenith?

[GameDoctorKunkel]

How did we get screwed? 

They never paid for their advertising. Dehen is still in the industry, so he has no shame. Last I saw I believe he was listed as an "intern" at some company. That's appropriate, since he obviously has a lot to learn. He's still on Facebook or one of the infinite number of social networking sites I find myself in so he has no shame. That probably won't hurt him in the entertainment business, however.

He obviously wanted a rave review and I gave him a kind one. I stand by everything I said, but had I wanted to, I could certainly have been harsher, but that would have been unfair. It wasn't a bad product, especially for a first effort. I'm just sorry that the guy has no ethics. He is, quite literally, a write-off.

[PsychoChris]

Aaah...

One day Bill, I look forward to the day you can say that about me. Now I just have to figure out how to screw you guys over... while failing. It sucks when anyone goes under whether they had it coming or not. Even if a game sucks or is mild, it just inspire someone else to make one that tries to be that much better. Competition is what i think keep any industry strong (dur...). We all feel better if we have an "enemy" out there waiting to get us.

Like for example, the artist aleey layout of M-con this past weekend was set up kindah poorly. There was a row of artists that didn't get much traffic. Although I showed up early and claimed a good spot. I still felt bad for the other artists. If I am to crush them, it should be on a level playing field. So, I made sure to bring it up to the directors during the feedback sessions of the convention. If I really wanted to an a-hole, I would have just kept silent and let it be.

[Rob F]

That sucks.  Hopefully he'll get raped and killed and raped very soon.

[PsychoChris]

What?

That sucks.  Hopefully he'll get raped and killed and raped very soon.

He's going to develope a game that's a cross between GTA and Rapelay??

OH, I read that wrong...

But still... A Rape'em drive by shoot'em up... hmm now that I would play.

[mr gameface]

He's going to develope a game that's a cross between GTA and Rapelay??

Would it be called "Grand Theft Butthole"
Sorry...it was too easy.

[jay]

Would it be called "Grand Theft Butthole"

that was perfect!

But honestly, I don't know of ANY honorable business man that enters into a contract KNOWING they don't have the money to cover them.  "Prayer is not a business plan" (I forget who said that.)  They hoped that advertising here would drive enough business to not only pay US but all of their other debts as well.  And, the owners of Faramix got testy with me when Bill didn't come out and give the game a 9 or 10 rating.  (yet we don't compromise our ratings and I informed them of this upfront.)

Karma will come and kick Michael and his partners in the ass.  And then we will be able to sit back and laugh...

(imagine their next job interview or loan application where someone Googles their names and finds this posting!) 
 

[Rob F]

imagine their next job interview or loan application where someone Googles their names and finds this posting

Ouch.  Maybe you should do a write up about your experience, Jay.  I wonder what Jesse thinks of this; I know he was their PR guy for a time...

[mr gameface]

There's a movie coming out on DVD with Rob Schneider called "Big Stan".  He plays a finance guy whoe screws people out of money and gets setenced to jail.  He's so worried about getting "grand theft buttholed" while in prison that he gets Kung Fu's David Carridine to turn him into a lethal weapon.  Michael might want to pick up a copy and get a few tips.

imagine their next job interview or loan application where someone Googles their names and finds this posting!

Note: searching Michael and faramix brings this forum topic up 3rd from the top so I'm sure the interview will go splendidly well.

[Faramix Is A Scam]

To whom it may concern,

     I’m writing to you in regards to a company you’re affiliated with – Faramix Enterprise (http://www.faramix.com) .   I’ll be blunt - the company is running a scam.  I am, or rather was, one of the artists involved in the creation of their CellZenith game, and I have not been compensated for my work for that said project.  Michael Dehen, the co-owner of Faramix Enterprise, has admitted to me via an online chat that he blocked all contact with everyone involved in the project, and that he wasn’t planning on paying anyone involved.  Immediately after, he blocked me as well, and further emails I sent regarding payment have yet to be answered. The work I did for the game, most notably the cover art for 'CellZenith', some avatars, and various promotional pieces,  is still up on their official website as well, and in the game itself.  I was to be paid in November of last year.  It’s now March.

     I will pursue legal action against Faramix Enterprise, and I urge you to conduct some investigation in regards to the said company.   This company is running a scam and I will do whatever I can to inform everyone involved in what they have done.  Myself and many others have put a lot of effort into this project, and it’s disgusting to see a company profiting off of our hard work while failing to pay us.

Thank for your time.

[mr gameface]

I'm sorry to hear that you have not been compensated for your hard work and creativity.  I personally know how that feels.  Here's hoping he won't get away with it.  I'm sure i speak for everyone at J2Games in saying you have our support and sympathy.  Good luck.

[GameDoctorKunkel]

To whom it may concern,

     I’m writing to you in regards to a company you’re affiliated with – Faramix Enterprise (http://www.faramix.com) .   I’ll be blunt - the company is running a scam.  I am, or rather was, one of the artists involved in the creation of their CellZenith game, and I have not been compensated for my work for that said project.  Michael Dehen, the co-owner of Faramix Enterprise, has admitted to me via an online chat that he blocked all contact with everyone involved in the project, and that he wasn’t planning on paying anyone involved.  Immediately after, he blocked me as well, and further emails I sent regarding payment have yet to be answered. The work I did for the game, most notably the cover art for 'CellZenith', some avatars, and various promotional pieces,  is still up on their official website as well, and in the game itself.  I was to be paid in November of last year.  It’s now March.

     I will pursue legal action against Faramix Enterprise, and I urge you to conduct some investigation in regards to the said company.   This company is running a scam and I will do whatever I can to inform everyone involved in what they have done.  Myself and many others have put a lot of effort into this project, and it’s disgusting to see a company profiting off of our hard work while failing to pay us.

Thank for your time.

As you can see if you read the entire thread, you are, at least, in good company. If nothing else of a non-damning nature can be said of Michael -- and how much good, after all, can you speak of a man who apparently hired creative people and made good-sized marketing deals based on his HOPE of earning sufficient income to share some of it with the people he owed it to -- he certainly took advantage of quality people.

In these dire economic times we have seen what happens when people, corporations and institutions simply shrug off their debts. If you're taking legal action, best of luck but even if you win a case, with people of low character, the key word becomes "collection." Nonetheless, it doesn't seem right that he can continue to maintain a site and sell his game, given the way he treated J2 and the way you claim he treated you.

I'm curious, though. I don't see your name anywhere on the post. I assume you at least received credit for the game box so you should always include your name unless you fear Michael, for some reason. You also refer to us (J2) as being "affiliated" with Faramix. If getting ripped off on a contract ad deal constitutes "affiliation", then yeah. But I get the feeling you didn't actually read the thread.

I would very much appreciate anybody who worked for or with Faramix and feels they were cheated by Michael Dehen posting your experience on this thread. Posting on it will always take it back to the top of the posts listed on the Welcome page and anybody who Googles Faramix is going to locate this thread pretty quickly.

[jay]

I didn't realize you guys got to this so quickly.  I just heard form this gentleman and was sending Bill and message on it when I noticed already several postings on the topic.

I won't bother to repeat what has already been said.  Michael Dehen will get payback the next job he goes to work at and the hiring manager Googles his name to ind this thread written by unrelated parties who have all been screwed.

Or hey, feel free to Google his name yourself - you can very quickly find the name of the company he is currently "interning" with and they LOVE receiving calls about him.  Just ask for his manager...

[GameDoctorKunkel]

  Believe it or not, Dehen is actually denying the fact that he ripped anybody off. For his quotes and the name of the artist who posted here and apparently also sent posts of a similar nature to several sites, check out a CYA story on the Dehen Affair at http://www.gamersdailynews.com/story-10123-Faramix-Scam-Accusations-Supported.html -- and again I urge anyone else who was ripped off by this character to post the particulars with your name right here.