For those who don’t already know, Misdirected Mark Productions is a member of a three-part collective called “GEM” which also includes the gaming and GM advice blog Gnome Stew and the publishing company Encoded Designs. The three organizations operate separately from each other and have separate leadership teams, but they share many personnel in common and collaborate often.
In response to public unspecified allegations made January 20th against Chris Sniezak (show host at Misdirected Mark Productions, staff writer at Gnome Stew, and partner at Encoded Designs) of having caused harm in the RPG community, the GEM leadership* have been meeting and have collectively decided on the following courses of action in good faith:
- The services of a third-party arbiter must be engaged in order to determine the nature of these allegations, investigate them, and determine an appropriate course of action for GEM leadership.
- Effective immediately, Chris Sniezak has been suspended from contributing to, collaborating on, or receiving compensation from GEM productions or projects.
It is very important for us to note that Chris’ suspension is not a punitive step. Chris has been informed of the decision, has been fully cooperative, and has agreed to the terms of the suspension in order to foster a resolution. GEM is currently taking no official position on the allegations, pending the independent investigation to follow. The suspension is being enacted out of an abundance of caution and will last at least as long as it takes GEM leadership to secure a third-party arbiter. Once secured, the arbiter will take control of when the suspension is lifted. The process of engaging a third party is already underway.
Regarding Misdirected Mark Productions, Chris’ suspension impacts the Misdirected Mark podcast, the Down with D&D podcast, and the actual play live stream The FM Gamers. In the immediate term, there will be no Down with D&D episode released today, there will be no Misdirected Mark episode released tomorrow, and there will be no Misdirected Mark live stream tomorrow night. Any further impact will be disclosed as we work it out. MMP leadership is working with the remaining members of each individual show to see how they wish to proceed and how we can best support them.
Misdirected Mark Productions is also suspending any new advertising business at least until an arbiter is engaged, and after that as recommended by the arbiter.
The leadership of Gnome Stew, Encoded Designs, and Misdirected Mark Productions feel that allegations brought against any of our colleagues should be treated with all due seriousness, and it is our position that this is the most fair way to proceed at this time in the interest of GEM, any injured parties, and Chris himself. We thank all of you for your patience and understanding, and you have our commitment to keep you all informed of the progress being made and any change in circumstances which will further affect our network shows.
Lastly, we must acknowledge that we may be considered too biased to bring information to directly. Once a third party is put in place to oversee this process, they will be able to receive additional information and communications independently of any leadership (or anyone at all) associated with any GEM organization. When such a means of communication becomes available, we will post about it. Until that time, anyone is still welcome (as before) to contact MMP leadership directly at contact@misdirectedmark.com, which reaches Rob and Senda as the network heads.
Thank you all once again for your understanding.
* GEM leadership in this case refers to Rob Abrazado (co-head MMP), John Arcadian (co-head Gnome Stew, partner Encoded Designs), Senda Linaugh (co-head MMP), Angela Murray (co-head Gnome Stew), and Phil Vecchione (partner Encoded Designs).