Auran Developments News
- Thread starter Lance_Jago
- Start date
From the horse's mouth (not the other end, as many sunshine-blowers seem to want to quote):
Is there any part of "This involves a number of the Trainz team being re-employed by Auran Holdings" that doesn't make sense? To be re-employed, one has to be UN-EMPLOYED. Hence, when Auran developments went down, which Auran Games was a subsidiary of, it took Trainz with it. Auran Holdings, the parent company, re-hired some members of the Trainz team to enable continued development. In the short term, this is a good thing, as Lance says, because the forums, DLS, etc. will stay up and running (or up and down and up and running, as the case may be). What this will mean for Trainz and the Trainz community in the long run remains to be seen.
Well, that didn't take long. Seems that Lance wasn't one of those "re-employed", and he'll be out pounding the pavement looking for work come Christmas Day. Hope Ebeneezer Hilliam has a good night's sleep...
Is there any part of "This involves a number of the Trainz team being re-employed by Auran Holdings" that doesn't make sense? To be re-employed, one has to be UN-EMPLOYED. Hence, when Auran developments went down, which Auran Games was a subsidiary of, it took Trainz with it. Auran Holdings, the parent company, re-hired some members of the Trainz team to enable continued development. In the short term, this is a good thing, as Lance says, because the forums, DLS, etc. will stay up and running (or up and down and up and running, as the case may be). What this will mean for Trainz and the Trainz community in the long run remains to be seen.
Well, that didn't take long. Seems that Lance wasn't one of those "re-employed", and he'll be out pounding the pavement looking for work come Christmas Day. Hope Ebeneezer Hilliam has a good night's sleep...
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Thanks Magicland, at least someone has read the post properly.
As has been mentioned in Motorman's thread in the community section, Lance was not rehired, along with Rob and Alan also. However, there is still a small team left to keep going with TC3 so all is not lost, but it is certainly not a rosy picture by a very long way.
Lance is a very good personal friend, as is Rob, and I was devasted to hear how they have been treated, but when the company's back is against the wall, tough decisions have to be made I suppose. I still don't like it at all though.
While we can rant and rave all we like in these forums about the qualities of the software and the business models Auran has run under, a business is still a business, and we should just be thankful that unlike any other rail simulator on the market, we have been able to enjoy, rant, curse and play with numerous versions of the product in an environment actively fostered and supported by the developer.
Whether that will continue into the future remains to be seen, but whatever happens, I have been very, very appreciative of the time, patience and effort given by Lance, Rob and others to keep the Trainz series alive and only hope that they can quickly find new jobs with a company who will truly appreciate that dedication.
Here's to you gents!
Tony
As has been mentioned in Motorman's thread in the community section, Lance was not rehired, along with Rob and Alan also. However, there is still a small team left to keep going with TC3 so all is not lost, but it is certainly not a rosy picture by a very long way.
Lance is a very good personal friend, as is Rob, and I was devasted to hear how they have been treated, but when the company's back is against the wall, tough decisions have to be made I suppose. I still don't like it at all though.
While we can rant and rave all we like in these forums about the qualities of the software and the business models Auran has run under, a business is still a business, and we should just be thankful that unlike any other rail simulator on the market, we have been able to enjoy, rant, curse and play with numerous versions of the product in an environment actively fostered and supported by the developer.
Whether that will continue into the future remains to be seen, but whatever happens, I have been very, very appreciative of the time, patience and effort given by Lance, Rob and others to keep the Trainz series alive and only hope that they can quickly find new jobs with a company who will truly appreciate that dedication.
Here's to you gents!
Tony
Man, this is sad news 
Best of luck to Lance, Rob, and Alan. I hope they all find new jobs soon.
Good luck guys, and to anyone else who wasn't rehired by Auran.
Sad day indeed. But as has been said before, all we can do is look forward, and do our best to make Trainz as enjoyable as possible
Zec
Best of luck to Lance, Rob, and Alan. I hope they all find new jobs soon.
Good luck guys, and to anyone else who wasn't rehired by Auran.
Sad day indeed. But as has been said before, all we can do is look forward, and do our best to make Trainz as enjoyable as possible
Zec
Willem2
Trainzer Kuid 97008
part quote,
My sentiments exactly, I was only aware of Lance's position because I was talking to him this mornig, in my reply to Motorman's thread.
Still wishing every one the best for their future.
Bill.
Thankyou, Rob, Lance and Alan
To Rob, Lance and Alan,
I would like to add my best wishes to those already expressed.
I only had the opportunity to speek with you on only a few occasions. (Far to few).
Rob,
Thankyou for your kindness, generosity and interest in the projects that I have been involved with in connection with Trainz.
Alan and Lance,
As the public face of Trainz, it was always a pleasure to contact and speek with you on various matters. I will very much miss speeking with you.
Plus guy's, also missed will be your informative and interesting contributions too this forum.
All the best for the future guy's.
And I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy and prosperous 2008.
Alex ... aka ... Alex23
To Rob, Lance and Alan,
I would like to add my best wishes to those already expressed.
I only had the opportunity to speek with you on only a few occasions. (Far to few).
Rob,
Thankyou for your kindness, generosity and interest in the projects that I have been involved with in connection with Trainz.
Alan and Lance,
As the public face of Trainz, it was always a pleasure to contact and speek with you on various matters. I will very much miss speeking with you.
Plus guy's, also missed will be your informative and interesting contributions too this forum.
All the best for the future guy's.
And I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy and prosperous 2008.
Alex ... aka ... Alex23
It's very sad to see people who have been so helpful and supportive of the Trainz community losing their livelihoods...especially at Christmas time. At the risk of sounding cliched, whenever something has fallen apart for me, it ended by opening new possibilities. So hang tuff and good luck mates!
Fred
Fred
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It's tough to be at the bottom or middle of a reorganization. My company recently reorganized, and I was fortunate enough to come through it with a position. Many were not so lucky. Some were luckier than I and were promoted from the depths of the flow chart to the heights of middle management, with no obvious qualifications.
You just can't second guess big business....you would like to believe the decisions are based on fair reasoning, but mostly they are based on money, money, money. Even then it often doesn't make sense to those outside the boardroom.
It doesn't matter what any of us thought of Rob, Lance and Alan when some big shot's Ouija board picked their names.
My hopes for those that suddenly find themselves unemployed, I don't think there are many circumstances quite as stressful.
Ed
You just can't second guess big business....you would like to believe the decisions are based on fair reasoning, but mostly they are based on money, money, money. Even then it often doesn't make sense to those outside the boardroom.
It doesn't matter what any of us thought of Rob, Lance and Alan when some big shot's Ouija board picked their names.
My hopes for those that suddenly find themselves unemployed, I don't think there are many circumstances quite as stressful.
Ed
amigacooke
Well-known member
My sympathies to Lance and Alan.
Hmmm does this mean that the Helpdesk is helpless?
Hmmm does this mean that the Helpdesk is helpless?
amigacooke
Well-known member
I had no idea, so many Trainz users were also bankruptcy attorneys
I agree, it's surprising the number of people who have expertise in all sorts of fields.
Wessex_Electric_Nutter
New member
Lo_Poly, I agree with you, totally. We shouldn't butt in, unless it directly affects us and how we will be able to continue to develop content in the future.
The other thing is that the community, which I thought would club together and help Auran, seems to be drifting apart from each other (from my perspective). Yes, I know, Auran released a game they thought would be the best thing since sliced bread, then ended up being the opposite, but this sort of thing is a risky business.
You also want to get the game out during the time of year that you would make the most money... guess what time of year that is guys?
So yes, Auran didn't make the best decision, they thought they had it nailed, but were too far away, yes they have a deadicated team they had to downsize, but in the end, they have to claw back what they got and try to keep the company afloat for as long as possible. (And sales of games ain't going to quite cut it for some time yet.)
Now, if we are really are dedicated to see Trainz (And I think Tony Hillian(Sp?) is going to hate me for this) and Fury continue, or just even one of them, I think donations are the best way. If we all paid a small amount, like $15 each, multiplied by 150,000 or so (rough estimate), then Auran on that amount could continue their developments, sort their high and low priority debts and even rehire some of the faces we know for a month. And if I am honest, this is what I think the community should be doing. Besides, Auran created the program.....!
Those are my thoughts.
Well, this is a bad situation, for sure. I don't think that any amount of grinding and gnashing of teeth is going to help. Furthermore, I don't think Auran has a lot to say in the matter. It looks like its up to the administrators and creditors at this point. I am not a lawyer, least of all an Australian one, so I haven't the slightest notion of where this is going. I do know, however, that, as contentious as we can be at times, the Trainz community has a strong common interest in the continueing development of this sim. Personally, I'm still having fun with Trainz and don't intend to stop now. Heck, I just got my copy of the Gmax Bible in the mail today!
Fred
Fred
amigacooke
Well-known member
Auran are not a charity and have never really acted like one, so I will not be making a donation. However, I am very interested in TC3 which I will happily buy.
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Hi, While I don't often post here, I do look to see what is going on in The Main Trainz forums from time to time.
I'm saddend to read of Auran's bad fortunes with FURY, and of the loss of 3 well resepected members of the "Trainz Team" Rob, Lance, Alan, I wish them the best, and hope they find new jobs quickly.
I also wish the other Auranites who have lost their jobs the best, and that they too quickly find new jobs :wave:
Why is it that a lot of companies always seem to fail just before chistmas :'(
Best Wishes to all now Ex-Auranites,
Wayne.
I'm saddend to read of Auran's bad fortunes with FURY, and of the loss of 3 well resepected members of the "Trainz Team" Rob, Lance, Alan, I wish them the best, and hope they find new jobs quickly.
I also wish the other Auranites who have lost their jobs the best, and that they too quickly find new jobs :wave:
Why is it that a lot of companies always seem to fail just before chistmas :'(
Best Wishes to all now Ex-Auranites,
Wayne.
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johnwhelan
Well-known member
You are talking $2,225,000 here realistically Trainz could probably be purchased out right for that sort of money at the moment which would give us stability, and control.
Cheerio John