mrbass
03-12-2009, 10:02 PM
Basically Reiner Knizia wiki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reiner_Knizia) is a German board game designer and probably the most famous in world of board games.
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/article/3207172
Reiner Knizia is looking to see if anyone, publisher or individual, with a track record is interested in programming any of his back catalogue that is suitable for the iPhone to sell through the Apple Store. This would be on the basis of a distribution of the proceeds, after Apple's cut.
Bottom line is that it takes three things - a game design (which Reiner has lots of), software and a distribution channel. I'm pretty sure Reiner's open to offers on any platform that make sense. Obviously it needs to at least potentially offer enough sales for it to be worth the programmer's time - and in some cases not to tie up one of Reiner's crown jewel properties (a few of which may be spoken for, but most aren't). What the percentage split between the various parties would be, and other commercial details, are absolutely, definitely, something I have no part in the discussion of. Anything that gets to that point of discussion will be with me out of the loop.
I have most of his boardgames...very strategic. For those not familiar with his games you still might be able to port them. Lemme just tell you some of my favorite ones post links to some online play so you can quickly get an idea.
RA see game info here (http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/12) currently #24 boardgame on bgg. Great auction one and each game due to the tile draw and you need to adjust your strategy on the fly). I'd love to play this 2 player or 3 player wifi or heck even internet. There exists a PC (unofficial port) that has an AI of this. To me not all that fun.
Lord of the Rings Confrontation see bgg (http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/18833) and here (http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/3201) is a spin on Stratego but way better. Deluxe version is also out. Great 2 player game.
Amun-Re a see bgg (http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/5404) Knizia title (turned based) I used to be champion at Tikal on that website. (completed game screenshot (http://www.spielbyweb.com/game.php?games_id=63283)) play online here (http://www.spielbyweb.com/).
Lost Cities see bgg (http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/50) would be probably the easiest to port and probably one of the all time high sellers if you get to port it. I play it on my ds and own the card game too. Very simple 2 player game. I play it on my DS which I have version there. You can play online here (http://www.flexgames.com/). Battle Line is similar see bgg (http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/760)
Tigris & Euphrates kinda hardcore game but with panning around it might work. play online here. (http://www.gametableonline.com/)
Tigris & Euphrates (http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/42)
Samurai this is one of my all time favorites by far. I have an overview on my site here (http://mrbass.org/boardgames/samurai) and bgg (http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/3). Also I use to play a lot of it online here (http://www.mabiweb.com/).
Taj Mahal see bgg (http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/475) another hardcore one like Tigris & Euphrates. Play online here
(http://hilinski.net/games/online)
Modern Art see bgg (http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/118) is awesome but personally don't think it would work too well on iphone.
Ingenious see bgg (http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/9674) I'm sure this would be a huge hit. Use to play it online but taken down since official PC version is out.
Hollywood Blockbuster see bgg (http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/904) parody names due to movie, actors theme to avoid copyright but still a fun auction game which I have.
Medici wow this auction game I love btw my sister is one in photo (http://images.boardgamegeek.com/images/pic112311_mt.jpg) holding Medici boardgame see bgg (http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/904).
Anyway I think those are some of his main staple games although he has hundreds. Personally I think you need to be a huge publisher or an extremely talented developer with a few hit titles to be considered. My opinion the ones with the most mass appeal and huge sellers would be in this order
1) Lost Cities (easy rules to learn, quick play, against AI is semi decent too).
2) Ingenious easy too but not would require some panning to see whole board.
3) Samurai (actually this might be best seller with Lost Cities since AI is fun to play too...I have pc and mac version and of course couple copies of boardgame too). Extremely strategic.
4) LOTR Confrontation...guessing it'd be successful but not sure if Reiner would have to renegotiate licensing rights or not so I'm don't have my hopes up.
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/article/3207172
Reiner Knizia is looking to see if anyone, publisher or individual, with a track record is interested in programming any of his back catalogue that is suitable for the iPhone to sell through the Apple Store. This would be on the basis of a distribution of the proceeds, after Apple's cut.
Bottom line is that it takes three things - a game design (which Reiner has lots of), software and a distribution channel. I'm pretty sure Reiner's open to offers on any platform that make sense. Obviously it needs to at least potentially offer enough sales for it to be worth the programmer's time - and in some cases not to tie up one of Reiner's crown jewel properties (a few of which may be spoken for, but most aren't). What the percentage split between the various parties would be, and other commercial details, are absolutely, definitely, something I have no part in the discussion of. Anything that gets to that point of discussion will be with me out of the loop.
I have most of his boardgames...very strategic. For those not familiar with his games you still might be able to port them. Lemme just tell you some of my favorite ones post links to some online play so you can quickly get an idea.
RA see game info here (http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/12) currently #24 boardgame on bgg. Great auction one and each game due to the tile draw and you need to adjust your strategy on the fly). I'd love to play this 2 player or 3 player wifi or heck even internet. There exists a PC (unofficial port) that has an AI of this. To me not all that fun.
Lord of the Rings Confrontation see bgg (http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/18833) and here (http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/3201) is a spin on Stratego but way better. Deluxe version is also out. Great 2 player game.
Amun-Re a see bgg (http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/5404) Knizia title (turned based) I used to be champion at Tikal on that website. (completed game screenshot (http://www.spielbyweb.com/game.php?games_id=63283)) play online here (http://www.spielbyweb.com/).
Lost Cities see bgg (http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/50) would be probably the easiest to port and probably one of the all time high sellers if you get to port it. I play it on my ds and own the card game too. Very simple 2 player game. I play it on my DS which I have version there. You can play online here (http://www.flexgames.com/). Battle Line is similar see bgg (http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/760)
Tigris & Euphrates kinda hardcore game but with panning around it might work. play online here. (http://www.gametableonline.com/)
Tigris & Euphrates (http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/42)
Samurai this is one of my all time favorites by far. I have an overview on my site here (http://mrbass.org/boardgames/samurai) and bgg (http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/3). Also I use to play a lot of it online here (http://www.mabiweb.com/).
Taj Mahal see bgg (http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/475) another hardcore one like Tigris & Euphrates. Play online here
(http://hilinski.net/games/online)
Modern Art see bgg (http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/118) is awesome but personally don't think it would work too well on iphone.
Ingenious see bgg (http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/9674) I'm sure this would be a huge hit. Use to play it online but taken down since official PC version is out.
Hollywood Blockbuster see bgg (http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/904) parody names due to movie, actors theme to avoid copyright but still a fun auction game which I have.
Medici wow this auction game I love btw my sister is one in photo (http://images.boardgamegeek.com/images/pic112311_mt.jpg) holding Medici boardgame see bgg (http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/904).
Anyway I think those are some of his main staple games although he has hundreds. Personally I think you need to be a huge publisher or an extremely talented developer with a few hit titles to be considered. My opinion the ones with the most mass appeal and huge sellers would be in this order
1) Lost Cities (easy rules to learn, quick play, against AI is semi decent too).
2) Ingenious easy too but not would require some panning to see whole board.
3) Samurai (actually this might be best seller with Lost Cities since AI is fun to play too...I have pc and mac version and of course couple copies of boardgame too). Extremely strategic.
4) LOTR Confrontation...guessing it'd be successful but not sure if Reiner would have to renegotiate licensing rights or not so I'm don't have my hopes up.