Official Statement From Ariane Designs, Concerning The Statement from McPhat

[signmanbob]

Although this statement was emailed to me to post on McPhat Studio's forum, I am posting it here since I want to respect the wishes of McPhat Studios by not posting anything that is related to Ariane Designs on their forum and posting it on Ariane's forum would only be exposing the statement to Ariane's customers since it is a private support forum.
McPhat's statements about the breakdown in the Ariane/McPhat relationship are open for anyone to read and Ariane's response should also be open for everyone to review.
I am a good customer and a fan of the products of both of these companies. I feel that McPhat's statements are unnecessarily harsh toward Ariane Designs and that it was poor judgement to put a statement like that on a forum that is open to the public, but since it has been done, Ariane should have the same opportunity....


-----------------------------------Moving Beyond McPhat - Ariane's Perspective

- Yes its over McPhat -
As many of you may noticed, all McPhat work was removed rather suddenly, from the AIRLINE Section of the Ariane website. The packs were removed after the McPhat contract came to an end due to one series of heated emails. Despite posts on the McPhat site claiming that Ariane "did not live up to their contractual (financial) agreements for an already longer period of time" Ariane cannot see how this is true since McPhat was both paid in full and final settlement was made, despite their multiple breaches of contract.

However, what McPhat did not say on their site was that they were paid both for work that they never supplied and that they never finished the work they promised.

Ariane at all times remained professional with the relationship even though McPhat never honoured a 30 day right to remedy to discuss points. "McPhat tried to force Ariane to not only release the names and locations of its affiliate partners but to also try to force Ariane to release its customer database for their use. Ariane feels that it was this refusal to do so that lead to McPhat's reason to look for a termination excuse. "We always knew that they were going to set up shop and use our database to promote their shop. Such a ploy was underhanded, against data protection and not acceptable" said Robert Hale.

Despite McPhat's totally untrue claim that "it took an e-mail, in which we explained to Ariane that they left us no choice but to report them to the authorities for unlawful selling of McPhat owned intellectual property" this was actually not the case at all. McPhat admit that they unfairly cc'd the email to the editorial staff of both AVSIM and Flightsim.com which Ariane views as unethical but should give customers an indication of the sort of characters that Ariane has had to deal with. (McPhat should be reminded that the so-called 'intellectual property' in its textures legally remains with Ariane).

Ariane added: "Writing to as many people as McPhat did was an obvious ploy by McPhat in order to damage Ariane's reputation. Something Ariane customers will know we have had to grow thick-skinned about and about which we have grown used to ignoring, over time. Such an act of defamation says less about Klaverweide's reputation for being the "professional" he claims to be. But rather than argue with such muddy arrogance, we simply removed the files." said MD Neville Rolt.

Despite a project in which McPhat claim: "2 Texture Artists worked full time for more than 8 months, a mere 8 months into the sales cycle" such a statement totally contradicts the standard of work which was gradually declining in quality and accuracy (the eagle eyed among our customers have noted reg numbers that do not exist, wrong logo colours out of place, inaccurate colour ranges and the many wrong-sized flags, logos and postioning covering hundreds of files. This was the tip of the iceberg of a catalog of sub-standard, snagging issues and problems. One customer has written to Ariane saying that not one of the liveries was right. Ariane is now looking at each and every one of its textures that McPhat painted.

Another claim that McPhat made was "Mister Robert Hale of Ariane said about us (and I quote) :

"You are the most professional people I have come across next to the likes of Boeing."

Mr Klaveweide did not say that the reason for the comment was with reference to only one particular email but Mr Hale states that Mr Klaverweide abused the quote out of context. "This totally contradicts their claimed professionalism and seeks to cover the errors and lack of quality on their work and replaces it with clear reasons to not trust them" said Robert Hale. "I think it more ironic that Mr Klaveweide stated: "I'd like to think we are allowed to make mistakes, but that we also have to learn from the mistakes we make."

Mr Hale commented: "Mr Klaverweide will know that contracts allow for little errors where customers interests are concerned and he may possibly learn from such a statement especially if all of McPhat's customers suddenly start checking McPhat's UHDT releases for reg no, flag, logo and font, positioning and a multiplicity of other errors. While their work may look 'pretty' on the surface and on screen shots, it is the fine details that may contain hidden issues, many of which we found in their work."

Mr Klaverweide's final comment, possibly the only truth in their entire press release, is a comment that many people have grown to become familiar with in their understanding of Ariane's work.

"It's a shame though, cause their 737-800 is true piece of art." (sic)

Precisely Mr K. We hope that will be the final word in the matter.

Ariane's own art studios have said that they will replace the airlines over time leading toward the Christmas period. Ariane is also now accepting applications from texture artists who have offered to work with Ariane on new projects. Thus the airline work will grow as before.

Ariane's new HD Series will represent all of the cutting edge technology and fine detailing that Ariane's customers have always expected from the leading edge in flight simulation.

We apologise to our customers for any delay while the airlines are replaced. We are certain the results will be well worth the wait.

Ariane Designs

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

I hope that this will help clarify this situation and bring the perspective of both sides of an issue for flight sim enthusiasts who felt confused and a bit left out by the breakdown in this relationship.

I also thank FlightSim World for providing such a great forum for keeping all flight simmers up-to-date on issues like this.

Thank you,

Bob

[Bman.]

Interesting. Thanks for the news.

Also interesting is that I don't know anyone who flies and Ariane Design plane. The only thing that I have heard about their planes is that they are nicely done but expensive and their piracy measures are archaic.

Bman.

EDIT - I just read your other thread... new activation process. That's good.

This post has been edited by Bman.: Nov 21 2009, 09:09 PM

[signmanbob]

Hi Bman,
I am helping Ariane beta the new 737-700X2 (really it is almost a release version) and the new activation process is so easy it's really pathetic. Literally, a "caveman" can do it, yet it still serves the purpose for them.
I sent in the activation request just before I posted here and I just got the activation email. I'll be trying it out shortly.

Ariane has not "authorized" me to post this official reply statement here, but I feel they should have the same platform or soapbox that McPhat has taken for themselves.
I love both companies and wish they could mend their differences, but if they can't, I don't want to see anyone take an unfair opportunity to slander the other because they are angry that they still have the footprint on their butt.

Bob

P.S.
If you are curious to know more about Ariane's FSX 737X2 aircraft you can go to the Avsim.com website and look under "reviews" for the great and really detailed review "Ariane 737-900erX2" that has been written by Alan Bradbery, one of Avsim's premier reviewers.

This post has been edited by signmanbob: Nov 21 2009, 09:37 PM

[Mr. Schutte]

Thanks for the news here. The 737-700 that you are beta testing, please tell me they now support AIRAC updates. Does it have a 2d? Is it actually going to be worth the price this time? I purchased the B738x2 and have not flown it since initial start up. Also purchased the BBJ for FS9, that wasn't too bad.

[spitfir3]

what.

hahahaha "Ariane added" ... "said MD Neville Rolt." nice....... oh and also, why does anyone care? It's a bit odd they decided that we must know "who said what" etc.. one would think it was an argument between school children. Slightly ironic about the "reg numbers that do not exist, wrong logo colours out of place, inaccurate colour ranges and the many wrong-sized flags, logos and postioning covering hundreds of files" oh wait, did you forget about the typo in an FMC page which has been in the FSX 737 since the first release of the 900ER x1? LOL.

[signmanbob]

Thanks for the news here. The 737-700 that you are beta testing, please tell me they now support AIRAC updates. Does it have a 2d? Is it actually going to be worth the price this time? I purchased the B738x2 and have not flown it since initial start up. Also purchased the BBJ for FS9, that wasn't too bad.

Before the holidays Ariane will release it's NavData Manager. This should be a very powerful utility for building customizable nav data, SIDs and STARs for all of Ariane's aircraft.

Will the -700X2 be worth the price? I like them and feel they are worth the price. Obviously, I have all of them. Being "worth the price" is subjective. You may feel paying $100 for a ticket to see a certain musician you like is well worth the price, and I wouldn't go see the show if they were paying me.
I think the best thing for anybody is to read Alan Bradbery's review of the Ariane 737-900erX2 on the review section of the Avsim.com website and make a decision for yourself. He gives a very unbias opinion. I have to tell you though, that after making the review, Alan went and purchased another Ariane Boeing.

If you like to fly with a 2d cockpit, you won't like the Ariane Boeings. I always fly with the VC and TrackIR. It's my addiction, so I thrive on beautiful and fully functional VCs. 2d doesn't mean anything to me because I never use them.
Ariane uses a 2d popup for the FMS and that is all. The VC is so easy to navigate in with TrackIR that I can't see missing a 2d cockpit.
Ariane has focused on VC cockpit for years and now many of the new aircraft products for FSX are following in their tracks.

I really wish they would make a BBJ for FSX, but they're afraid they would loose the sweet FPS that they are getting with the X2s if they add that detailed cabin.

....... oh and also, why does anyone care? It's a bit odd they decided that we must know

Ariane had nothing to do with the decision to post this here. They sent it to me to post on the McPhat forum in order to answer the "official" statement by McPhat.
McPhat will not allow any mention of Ariane on their forum (even though they still advertise their Ariane paints on their website), so I decided to post this here because it is a popular forum that I check and I'm on frequently.
Ariane don't even know that I posted it here. I felt it would inform those who are interested. If your not interested, just overlook it and act like it never happened.

[nick-wilkinson]

It's all 'he said she said' to me.. both groups need to get over it and move on.

The public really has no idea what really happened as both companies will tell their sides, and I guarantee both sides are going to be exaggerated to some extent...

[signmanbob]

There was no need for McPhat to post a statement like they did on their forum in the first place. It would have been enough just to say "It didn't work out" and leave it at that. Ariane would not have felt any need to make an answering statement.
There were a lot of people buying the Ariane/McPhat Airline Packages that didn't understand why Ariane pulled them all of a sudden when they were expecting more to be available.

[El_Mexicano]

Oh Poo stop complaining. This sounds like a bad episode of Judge Judy or some other daytime court show.

Both companies are acting like 13 year olds in a fight over nothing, as NW put it, a He said/She said argument. Honestly, both products combined create a great product, that will sell, so honestly, I don't know why they still fight, and can't settle this ridiculous argument.

Again, as NW said, we don't know what actually happened as both companies will exaggerate (Just like the buffoons on those moronic TV shows) to try and make themselves look like they did no wrong.

Frankly I don't give a crap. I don't run FSX, and Ariane's stuff is way overpriced for my liking anyway. But there is a market out there of people who have money, and computers to boot that can run this sort of stuff.

[-Brandon-]

Lol i came to this thread expecting them to try to justify the 750 pound fsx plane.

[JAI777W]

Ariane added: "Writing to as many people as McPhat did was an obvious ploy by McPhat in order to damage Ariane's reputation.
Bob

What reputation? They don't have one, or do you mean this one : http://www.avsim.com/pages/0902/pt_again.html

Let's be honest with each other here Signmanbob : Arianes reputation is bad and has been bad for the past 10 years. I tend to believe McPhat here (http://www.avsim.com/pages/1109/McPhat/mcphat.htm)

Bob Hale, Bobbo, Signmanbob ??? You guys are still a bunch of crooks. The amount of stories from people who got conned over the years by you guys have reached epic numbers. I wonder how you can still root for your precious Ariane.

[Greeney]

Airane sucks, plain and simple I have no respect towards the company. The thought of value doesn't even cross their minds does it?

[signmanbob]

Airane sucks, plain and simple I have no respect towards the company. The thought of value doesn't even cross their minds does it?

You also have never purchased any of their products, I'm sure.

Thanks for the news here. The 737-700 that you are beta testing, please tell me they now support AIRAC updates.

Ha, ha . I just asked someone who has seen the finished NavData Manager from Ariane Designs and asked them if it looked good. This was his answer:

"And yes, I've seen the NDM.. Oh my god. It's going to be good."

[El_Mexicano]

Not when they cost over 120 dollars USD each, No, I do not believe I will be purchasing any.


(And that 1200 Dollar one If you blow 1200 dollars on a plane for a desktop Flight Simulator, you are the biggest idiot on the planet, seconded only by Sarah Palin.)

This post has been edited by Da_KGB: Nov 22 2009, 11:52 AM

[Jeremy_Clarkson]

Both companies sound like they are being run by children.

[JAI777W]

You also have never purchased any of their products, I'm sure.

I always wonder how it is you know so much about Ariane Mister Signmanbob/Bob Hale/Bobbo/Peter Tishma/Neville Rolt. Especially as you still claim 'just to like Ariane's products' and by no means you're on Ariane's payroll.

How do you know he never purchased any of their products? Do you have access to their e-commerce system?

You sir, are as fishy and dodgy as Ariane and (their childish press release), which makes me wonder......

[signmanbob]

You also have never purchased any of their products, I'm sure.

I always wonder how it is you know so much about Ariane Mister Signmanbob/Bob Hale/Bobbo/Peter Tishma/Neville Rolt. Especially as you still claim 'just to like Ariane's products' and by no means you're on Ariane's payroll.

How do you know he never purchased any of their products? Do you have access to their e-commerce system?

You sir, are as fishy and dodgy as Ariane and (their childish press release), which makes me wonder......

Talk about childish.
I know he's never purchased an Ariane FSX product because if he had he would love them as much as I do...dah
Me work for Ariane? That's almost funny. What would they do with a signmaker?

[El_Mexicano]

I like how you disregard half the posts in this topic.

Including the ones about the 1200 dollar plane.

[signmanbob]

Not when they cost over 120 dollars USD each, No, I do not believe I will be purchasing any.


(And that 1200 Dollar one If you blow 1200 dollars on a plane for a desktop Flight Simulator, you are the biggest idiot on the planet, seconded only by Sarah Palin.)

No, I agree with you about Sarah Palin.

[Greeney]

You also have never purchased any of their products, I'm sure.

I always wonder how it is you know so much about Ariane Mister Signmanbob/Bob Hale/Bobbo/Peter Tishma/Neville Rolt. Especially as you still claim 'just to like Ariane's products' and by no means you're on Ariane's payroll.

How do you know he never purchased any of their products? Do you have access to their e-commerce system?

You sir, are as fishy and dodgy as Ariane and (their childish press release), which makes me wonder......

Talk about childish.
I know he's never purchased an Ariane FSX product because if he had he would love them as much as I do...dah
Me work for Ariane? That's almost funny. What would they do with a signmaker?

... Thats wrong actually, but lets keep assuming JG doesn't know anything. It's clearly worked for you through the thread. There are better products on the market for a more reasonable price. I'm not averse to paying for quality in fact I would rather help developers of a hard working product out even if they charge more but Airaine has no basis for their price or service, the company is a joke clearly run by children.