Hello,
I am going to remind everyone that I am providing written records and other forms of evidence that, if not proving, at least support my claims. Colton says a lot of things; maybe it’s time to answer the listed questions, provide the requested evidence, or provide some evidence that supports his claims.
Not sure why you decided to be his representative/legal guardian, but it’s honestly starting to look like I have to go through a whole organisation to get any kind of answers. I also think that we/you could leave a grown man to speak for himself.
And again, there are two separate issues mentioned:
(1) the payment dispute (my personal issue) and
(2) misuse of grant funds (which should concern the whole DAO).
I want to clarify several factual inaccuracies in Colton’s statement and provide my perspective:
“McKennedy briefly helped with AceTCG as a volunteer.” – This statement is false.
I was helping with Infinite Garden after Colton told me he had started working on the project, and I was working on AceTCG since its inception. The timeframe spans approximately 1.5 years. Would also argue that all of us were working voluntarily since no money was involved when the project started.
“AceTCG was brought into an incubator, but no real funding was ever closed for the project.” – I’m not sure what this statement means. Need further clarification.
Was AceTCG brought into an incubator by Gitcoin? Around 12–13k were donations from the community. If the project did not receive the funding, then where did that money go?
Also, Colton states in the first audio file at 2:00 - 2:15 that the money was used for company bills.
“AceTCG was in a legal ownership dispute as the incubator experience didn’t materialize as promised.” – This statement is false.
There was never an ownership dispute. I did not care if Colton wanted to be the face of the project or if I was working for him. There is a credit and payment dispute, not an ownership dispute.
“All IP and content from AceTCG was open-sourced and now the project can be used by anyone.” – I partially agree.
I would add that the project was canceled, not open-sourced. The Twitter profile and some website information were removed as well.
“Colton is working on a new, but similar card game (named Memethology).” – This statement is true.
After canceling the project, he renamed it and is still doing a similar thing.
“McKennedy’s contributions were so far removed from anything that matters that his continued outreach is just a waste of time.” – This statement is false.
I refer you to all the evidence listed above and will also provide a new audio file - Conley audio 2 (recorded after one of the work sessions).
I would also argue that fighting for fair credit, compensation, and basic workers’ rights is not a waste of time.
Unaddressed issues:
Failed to address prior talks about collaboration
Failed to address deleted evidence
Failed to address conversations with stewards (adding here that this would be a way to gain disproportionate influence, which is part of the definition of a sybil attack)
Failed to address any numbers connected to the project
Failed to address the unreleased videos
etc.
Did not provide:
Exact dates of the Citizens Rounds
A list of projects that applied to the Citizens Rounds
Results of the Citizens Rounds (winners, amounts)
Wallet address the grant money was transferred to (to check later transactions and cross-reference them)
Amount Colton funneled back to Gitcoin (Tx hash)
Response to TL;DR:
“Colton confirms there were no agreements for equity or compensation.” This statement is misleading.
While there weren’t written contracts for equity or compensation, there were verbal agreements.
“The project produced no meaningful profit.” This statement is false.
The profits from the decks sold online are listed above.
Decks were also sold at live events.
Cost of deck production was probably between $10 and $50 per deck (depending on quantity that was ordered).
Decks were sold at 0.1 ETH per deck.
ETH price February 2024 fluctuated roughly between USD $3,100 and $3,300 (may use another month if needed - rough time estimate)
Revenue per deck: $301.614 (0.1 ETH) – $50 = $251.614 profit per deck
Markup percentage: (251.614 Ă· 50) Ă— 100 = 503.23%
The project sold out twice before being canceled.
Also posting this here
“AceTCG has dissolved, and all cards were open-sourced to the community.”
AceTCG has dissolved — that part is true.
However, data was deleted from the webpage and the Twitter/X account was deleted as well.
Response to longer perspective:
The intensity is honestly being kept to a minimum, but rather than focusing on that, you should take a look at the arguments and the evidence I provided.
So in your opinion, working on and helping with a project for around a year and a half does not deserve recognition or compensation?
I provided the answer in the Telegram post. I can also expand on this topic and argue why Gitcoin as an organisation should care.
On Gitcoin 2.0:
Regarding the trading card game:
If you are talking about the card game I made for Gitcoin (where Colton and his brother were paid playtesters), it was not sold. It was used as a free promotional gift promoting Gitcoin and its projects.
If you are talking about the later card games:
Colton split from Gitcoin after (maybe even a bit before) receiving funding. (I will double-check, but I think Colton not being at Gitcoin anymore was one of the reasons given for why Gitcoin can’t help with the situation.)
Regarding the “attitude of entitlement” and the rest of the paragraph:
Are you saying that there are multiple similar, ongoing, unaddressed issues from the past?
Maybe the DAO should try to address and resolve them before trying to move forward.
I’m sure addressing internal conflicts, payment disputes, and corruption would help Gitcoin. I’m not sure if it’s an industry standard, but changing the name or slapping a new number on something doesn’t actually help. Would probably be good to fix the foundation before you do more building.
About earning and resources:
Yes, I know. Once Gitcoin started struggling, I was underreporting my work hours. Before that, I used my own resources to fund prizes at Gitcoin events (Memepalooza), and I was also working quite a few hours unpaid on the quadratic funding card game you wanted and later forgot about. Can list a few more things so hopefully I’ll be excluded from the “entitled” pile next time.
That being said, I don’t want any money from Gitcoin or for you to “pay for Colton’s sins.” I want Colton to pay what he owes, and I believe the DAO owes transparency.
Regarding sending messages:
I contacted a steward I knew when the situation was unfolding.
Then I was talking to Gitcoin’s in-house lawyer seeking advice on the situation. (Here, I would also like to apologise to this person for mentioning this last time; it wasn’t really thought through. I partially understand why you could not help, but it was frustrating because it felt like progress could have been made if the conversation continued.)
After this, I addressed it publicly.
Then I talked to you and other higher-ups at Gitcoin at about the same time.
I also know I posted memes in Gitcoin’s meme channel.
Later I didn’t mention it for a few months because I was dealing with more important things.
Now it got mentioned in two Telegram channels, both times after Colton (and possible collaboration between him and Gitcoin) was mentioned - if i am not mistaken.
If I forgot anything, let me know.
Regarding my case:
Referring you to the picture “compensation” in the evidence folder and to the new audio file (Conley audio 2).
The project was canceled in response to the credit and payment issue.
Regarding hiring an attorney:
As I’m sure you know, because I’ve said it multiple times, I cannot afford one (feels like that’s why this keeps being suggested).
I’m sure you know there are a bunch of hurdles with trying to sue someone in the US (especially in the crypto space) if you’re from Europe - I’m still proceeding with it and also finding other legal ways to deal with it.
I was told that lawyers might be reluctant to take this one since there were only verbal agreements.
Consequently, I am investigating by myself at the moment, so the info requested from the DAO would be of great help (hopefully no lawyer will be needed here; most of it used to be publicly available information).
Regarding the therapist:
Is this a subtle way to insult someone?
Would you consider going to therapy to face personal issues a good or a bad thing?
Would my arguments and the provided evidence be any less valid if I was going to therapy?
Since therapy got mentioned, maybe everyone observing this situation should get familiar with terms like: stonewalling, whitewashing, DARVO (useful both in professional and private life).
Regarding the next paragraph:
Is stating that I was uncredited and unpaid after working with your friend a harassing message?
Is asking for help or support in the community you were a part of something irrational?
I also know that writing anything vulgar or something that could vaguely be considered inappropriate would give people another excuse to shut down the conversation.
“we will exercise our rights to defend ourselves, vigorously if necessary” - don’t threaten me with a good time.
Maybe defend yourself normally for a start and just answer the questions and provide the requested data.
What I would ask at this point is: what do you need from me, or what do I need to do, for you to ask Colton to answer the questions listed above and provide the requested data?
To protect my own best interests I will record what’s written here and on Telegram just in case it gets deleted (a lot of time and energy went into gathering the evidence and preparing arguments).
And I take no pleasure in doing this, but if I am banned for speaking up, I will just continue to bring attention to the situation on social media and continue trying to get legal representation.
If I forgot to address anything, please let me know.
Hope everyone has a nice day.