Holy Crap -- GMT was DDoS'd.

GMT just sent out an email indicating that their web site was the intended target of a Distributed Denial of Service attack. This was an attack directed at them specifically, not another company riding on the same server. Truly a strange choice.

They're indicating there was no breach of data, but that they'll likely be down for 3 to 10 days as they find a new ISP to host their site.

S.

I really don't get what would make GMT a target. They're pretty much the pinnacle of awesome customer service in my mind. They're also pretty generous in donating and discounting games to reach their audience.

Maybe somebody's mad about the utter dearth of eastfront WWII wargames.

Maybe the hacker thought they were hitting the site that controls Greenwhich Mean Time.

I know there is some hate about Gene running the place and being a sexual offender and all... could be that had something to do with it?

Blackbeard reprint, surely.

I suspect it was Occupy Wendy's.

Gary Sax wrote: I know there is some hate about Gene running the place and being a sexual offender and all... could be that had something to do with it?

Wait, what?

Stonecutter wrote:

Gary Sax wrote: I know there is some hate about Gene running the place and being a sexual offender and all... could be that had something to do with it?

Wait, what?

He was convicted & did a few years for lewd conduct with a 14-15 year old in his home.

On September 13, 2002 the Hanford (California) Sentinel reported:

"Eldon Gene Billingsley, 42, of Hanford, was sentenced to three years in
state prison Monday after being charged with touching a young girl
inappropriately in January at his home. This is the maximum term, District
Attorney's officials said, for molestation of a child of 14 to 15 years
old." (Sentencing 09-09-02; Department 2; Case #02-4216)

This thread is totally tripping me out.

Whoa. How is that I have been a wargamer this long without knowing this garbage?

wadenels wrote:

Stonecutter wrote:

Gary Sax wrote: I know there is some hate about Gene running the place and being a sexual offender and all... could be that had something to do with it?

Wait, what?

He was convicted & did a few years for lewd conduct with a 14-15 year old in his home.

On September 13, 2002 the Hanford (California) Sentinel reported:

"Eldon Gene Billingsley, 42, of Hanford, was sentenced to three years in
state prison Monday after being charged with touching a young girl
inappropriately in January at his home. This is the maximum term, District
Attorney's officials said, for molestation of a child of 14 to 15 years
old." (Sentencing 09-09-02; Department 2; Case #02-4216)

I should probably state that I don't think his actions reflect on GMT as a company. There's some history there, sure, and there's even value in the discussion of why he's still affiliated with GMT.

But I still think that GMT is an example of how to do right, as a company, for the company's target market as a whole. My position is that I like how GMT conducts their business, which is all I really expect from a company. In an ideal world GMT will outlast it's current staff and continue to be a shining example of how to support your audience and celebrate your niche.

ICK. Still Ick

wadenels wrote:

Stonecutter wrote:

Gary Sax wrote: I know there is some hate about Gene running the place and being a sexual offender and all... could be that had something to do with it?

Wait, what?

He was convicted & did a few years for lewd conduct with a 14-15 year old in his home.

On September 13, 2002 the Hanford (California) Sentinel reported:

"Eldon Gene Billingsley, 42, of Hanford, was sentenced to three years in
state prison Monday after being charged with touching a young girl
inappropriately in January at his home. This is the maximum term, District
Attorney's officials said, for molestation of a child of 14 to 15 years
old." (Sentencing 09-09-02; Department 2; Case #02-4216)

I can't help but combine all the facts in this case: that GMT games' founder was a sex offender, that the site went down due to "denial of service" and that their most famous title is Twilight Struggle.

Whoa.

Did you blokes know that DragonCon's founder is a TWO TIME kiddie diddler?
crimevictimsmediareport.com/?p=4363

A lot of perverts in the game industry. Maybe some of them get into games to be around children. In any event, I'm not in favor of capital punishment, but sex offenders are high on my list of people that should be shot, cheaply, through the eye socket. Something about knowing it's coming, and the last thing they'll see is a look of disgust and disdain.

There was some drama a few years ago over one of GMT's competitors trying to edit the GMT Wikipedia page to prominently display Gene's criminal history. Which is lame, but apparently when Gene was convicted, the company promised to sever all ties with him. Then he got out of the big house and is back.

I think that if he paid the price via doing time, then that is all society should ask of him. The idea of permanent ostracism is too much, especially if he hasn't had any issues since. But the company blatantly lying as transparent PR move is not ok.

I guess I came to terms with it and I buy GMT games as I don't consider them reflective of investing money in this one guy, even if he is a (the?) prominent figure. But I would understand if someone else decided differently.

I'm just kind of trying to figure out why the DDoS would happen, I'm grasping at straws.