No, I did not read all 13 pages of this thread, so please feel free to cut me down and tell me how all of this has already been said 100 times.
Considering there are only 500 each of most of those games in existence minus however many have been lost over the decades (in English), I think an unofficial second print would be great. Run them on a press. Make them indistinguishable except for a clear and unmoveable "SECOND PRINT" notation on the disc and in the instructions.
According to Steve Garwood, the rarest ones (500 or less) are Might & Magic 3, Godzilla, Super Air Zonk, Bonk 3 CD, Dynastic Hero, Cotton, and Beyond Shadowgate. (I imagine Exile II and Dungeon Explorer II follow close behind ... but then Ex2 might be tricky because of the sleeve)
Pick one title. Do between 300-500 copies. Sell them at a slight profit to cover other expenses that might occur. (Also the excess cash could be used to fund the second game while the first one is still selling.) No one gets paid except for people who provide graphic design, programming, and other services (English translation and manual perhaps for SFZ). All the excess money stays in an account for the next project, etc.
My credit decent and available. If you guys are serious about that sort of thing, I'd be willing to bank roll a decent sum up front.
I like the idea of starting with an English project version of Space Fantasy Zone or a reprint of Dynastic. Might and Magic 3 and Shadowgate might be a tad more expensive because of the enclosed map/posters and larger jewel cases.
Another thing, I doubt NEC or Hudson or even Konami is going to notice or even care about 300+ copies of a 20 year old obsolete medium. And if they do ... the worst they can do is issue a cease and desist and confiscate existing stock and remaining finances. I'm willing to take the chance.
Ok, so go ahead and tear my post to shreds.
