Code Avarice issues formal apology to Gabe Newell, Valve, and gamers

Travis Pfenning, developer of Paranautical Activity and co-owner of the Code Avarice studio, has issued a formal apology to Valve and its co-founder Gabe Newell, as well as to you.

I am the other Dev of Paranautical Activity and co owner of the Code Avarice studio. Most don’t know that I exist. I have been recently affected by my now (ex) partners lack of civil control and inability to understand that words have consequences. I do not condone what he said. I do not believe he was in anyway justified or entitled to represent our company in this way. I extend my hand to all of you in hopes that you can understand, that to err is human. We have all done it, at one time or another. This is not to say that what Mike said is acceptable. It most certainly is not.

Since this has happened, I have been forced to realize how fragile my love for this business has become. With success comes hate in my experience, and I have never succumbed to such behavior. This was a real threat to my livelihood and ability to take care of my family. It makes me realize that because of what he said, many of you might hold this against me as I was his partner and now am the sole owner of Code Avarice. I should probably dissolve this company and re invent myself in some other guise. I am not going to do that. I am a strong individual and admit my short comings. This will not be treated any differently than anything I have ever been a part of.

For those who haven't been keeping up with this whole debacle, Paranautical Activity's co-developer Mike Maulbeck, who became dissatisifed with Steam's service and handling of his game, went on a giant Twitter tirade in which he threatened Valve and its co-founder Gabe Newell. Paranautical Activity was immediately pulled from the distribution platform and Maulbeck (and Code Avarice) soon learned the consequences of his actions.

In an attempt to right the situation, Maulbeck sold his half of the company to Travis, gave up his rights to Code Avarice as a company, and all of its intellectual properties. He won't receive any money from the sales of Paranautical Activity either. But will that be enough to persuade Valve to put the game back on Steam?

Travis certainly made his case, asking for support and promised change in the way the company will conduct business.

I ask for support from those who really knew us as people. To stick with us if you really like the games we make. In the future. There will be a Code Avarice twitter account and no longer will game related things be dealt with on a personal account. Nor will we be part of any drama and negative trolling on any of these accounts. I need positive in my life now. Although I do enjoy a good trolling.

Regardless of all that has happened. Regardless that I am not the individual who misrepresented my beliefs and my business practices, and the views of my company. I am asking for legitimate forgiveness for me and my own. I ask you have empathy for two people who should have just stayed out of the spot light. Who should have known that saying things like this has very real life consequences.

In closing, I want to thank those who do support us. I want to thank Valve for the original opportunity to be a legitimate force in gaming. I also can not stress to Gabe how sorry I am for this situation. This is not how I do business. Hopefully Valve and Gabe will except our apology. This is not a ruse to get back on the platform. This is a serious apology for poor behavior.

Do you think Valve should allow Paranautical Activity back on to Steam?