Carcassonne Central expansion: reboot!

[CKorfmann]

The only reason they are grouped in this way is because of theme. A whole Medieval Expansion is just far too unbalanced... there are too many 'cccc' tiles included.

Well, I understand what you're saying, but I'm not sure I'd call it unbalanced.  People do have the option of choosing which ones they want to play with and aren't required to use them all.  You mentioned before that the Stocks could be reduced to two tiles.  I think I agree that two would be enough.  I still think some good substitutions might be one each of Scott's LotM tiles and probably the Archery Tournament for one of the Gallows.  But, that would be six new rule sets and going in the wrong direction.  

Any money that the site or community members make as a collective will be put back into improving or running the site. Carcassonne for me is fun, not work.

I hope it stays that way for you.  If it's costing you any $ personally, I wouldn't be offended if you asked for dues from authors or something like that.

[Whaleyland]

I have rights to the name "Carcassonne Central" through prior use, but it is not legally trademarked.  CC is not a legal entity, only a web site run as if it were a non-profit.  Although we will in the future, you'll notice there aren't many ads on this site (right now just the banner on the home page). Any money that the site or community members make as a collective will be put back into improving or running the site. Carcassonne for me is fun, not work.

As it should be. I think that as long as Jay has other means of distribution, which he surely will since we are only some few dozen fans, he will utilize them. If it would cost more money or take more time than necessary to distribute our own expansion, I think it would be better to work out an agreement with a web store than sell it ourselves. We can get some free promotional versions to distribute, but let's try to avoid making this a taxable website/store because that just makes things work.

[CKorfmann]

Rather than making the Mods do all the work, I started a new thread for artistic portion of this discussion.  It's in the Collective (moved to General).

[Scott]

As much as I like some of the expansions that are being nominated, I think a collection of mini-expansions is not the way to go. It either needs to be two 6-tile expansions on a 12-tile sheet, or one highly unified expansion consisting of 12, 24, or 36 tiles. I think Seasons would be putting our best foot forward.

[meepleater]

I just read al of this, and I feel very excited by the prospect...

Not to push myself forward, but wells is very simple and true to the original game....

And I agree, the medieval expansion has too many CCCC tiles. I haven't had time to look over seasons yet so I can't comment on it...

[meepleater]

Suddenly, this poll: http://www.carcassonnecentral.com/forum/index.php?topic=726.0 bcomes very relevant...

[CKorfmann]

Well, since there has been no conversation in the past few days, perhaps it's the appropriate time to send Jay the next round of questions.  What do you think Whaley?

[Whaleyland]

I'm going to hold off for a few more days then email him. Probably early next week or late this weekend. That way Jay gets a little time to respond.

[CKorfmann]

I'm just curious if the end of August time line is something that Jay asked for, or if it's something we settled on.  Forgive me if this is answered somewhere in the depths of this post.  I didn't have time to look for it.  I don't have a problem with August, but I was wondering if Jay mentioned when he would be making his next trip to Germany.  I think we should be sure to reconcile our schedule with his so whichever expansion we choose doesn't sit on his self for a few months until he goes over there. 

I was also kind of thinking that at the rate people are voting, another week or two should be plenty of time to call it.  There have been 19 voters and I doubt there are more than 20 or so regular posters on this site.  Just thinking out loud... 

[CKorfmann]

I'm going to hold off for a few more days then email him. Probably early next week or late this weekend. That way Jay gets a little time to respond.

So, maybe I'm a little over anxious, but did you get to send of those questions to Jay yet?

[Whaleyland]

Wow, you are anxious. No, I haven't send them to Jay yet. I probably should, though. I think I said I'd send them so he'd have them today. Sorry, it was a very busy weekend. I'll try to send them later today.

[CKorfmann]

Well, it's not like you have anything important to do like a thesis or anything! 

[Whaleyland]

Well, it's not like you have anything important to do like a thesis or anything! 

I sent him the questions. No more belly-aching... hmmm, wonder if Meeples can have belly aches?

[CKorfmann]

You're a gentleman and a scholar... I think mayors have belly aches. 

[Whaleyland]

Yay, more answers to questions! Jay is really on the ball this time around. I wonder if he is getting excited. Maybe he feels let down by the past three expansions too. The answer to question 3 is the only one that surprises me, although question four is also a rather strange response. It's like he questions our creativity! Who knows, either way, here are his replies to our questions:

1) How does the author or authors of any expansion legally transfer the expansion idea to Rio Grande Games and/or Hans im Glück?

We will only accept and publish it if we are granted full rights - of course, the authors will be mentioned
on the game rules and/box as decided by Hans im Glück. A simple document assigning all rights should be sufficient.

2) Will there be any legal complications over the fact that the expansion has been created and distributed via our website in the years/months prior to release?

I do not think so.

3) Can a new expansion include new wooden pieces?

I would expect it to.

4) Can a new expansion include or be mostly composed of cards?

If you mean tiles, I would think that would be too little. If you really mean cards, I cannot imagine a card expansion.

5) How exactly would distribution of the expansion work? Would it be distributed in a box (small for a mini-expansion or big for a large expansion) or would it distributed more like the Games Quarterly expansion (unpunched in a bag)?

It would be distributed in a box as we normally do.

6) Is there a convenient deadline we should set for submission of the expansion? Such as sometime before Spielfest?

No

7) Would Rio Grande Games consider a second expansion from Carcassonne Central if the first such expansion is a success?

Yes, but I cannot speak for HiG.