Ok guys, do not get to excited, you are all risking a heart attack there.
I'd like to clarify a few points.
1) We have established some contact. But it is still not a strong one. We don't know for sure they are really willing to discuss, or if it's not just a general comment "sure, if you want to give us plenty of money, we can discuss, but give the money first".
2) There are several possible business models that we could put in place to reach our goal, i.e. an expanded CivIII. I've send some probes toward 2k to know if they are opened to discussion to analyse the different models and negociate to find the best solution to everyone. We'll see how opened they are.
3) There is no need to require them to "release the source code immediately or we'll tell the world how nasty they are". However, you can support our effort by posting on their forum. I don't think you need to enter into details.
I think a simple "I like CivIII, but I think a few things are missing, so I would gladly pay for a new expansion (several expansions?" would be sufficient.
The goal is to show them that their is a real demand, with business behind, and so a possible source of profit for it. As I company, their goal is to make profit: they are more likely to discuss if they see CivIII is not dead.
4) I think we need to limit the direct contact with them, or to avoid multipling ideas going in every direction. Until we know more about what they are ready to do, we don't need to confuse them. So keep the support simple.
5) About the create company issue, two points:
a) If they think we will create a company, raise money, talk to their lawyers first, it will be without me.
I will not support going into such a venture without having some information beforehand. Like what type of business model are they ready to discuss... If we really need to buy the source what would be a rough estimate of the price... What is the state of the code? Is it well documented? etc.
When we have an understanding of what could be done, then I think we can look at the contractual part of it.
b) Just to make it clear: If I can get serious funding, I'd rather use it to develop SSS than to buy an existing game and expand it. That's why I'm trying to explore alternative business models with 2k. And depending on the answers, I'll decide later on the level of implication I'm ready to have. However, should I decide not to go further to pursue other course of actions, and someone wants to take over, I'll help during the transition phase.
. Now, try to grab the stone in my hand little grasshoper.
