WotC Deconstruction:
Preface: I thought WotC2 went as well as could be expected, but I think there is room for improvment.
The Pitch: I'd like the opportunity to have my concept reviewed. For instance, something batted about for a while now: "Alternate Win Game Condition". If scoped correctly, concept submissions could go well (better than previously). I'd suggest the following ground rules:
Concepts can be either:
a one or two icon combo (such as:
or
)
a one (possibly two) liner such as: "Weapon of Mass-Destruction" or "a 20th Century incursion"
Then presented to the community for vote (voting discussed below)
Decision 2: Card Type
I hope we all agree that the card type decision was the most painful in WotC2. I'd like to see this selected either as a part of The Pitch, or immediately following.
Decision 3: Affiliation (if needed)
After Card Type, if Personnel or Ship is selected, an Affiliation should be voted upon. (if not already selected)
Decision 4: Focus The Pitch into a Concept
Now comes the paragraph ideas for the card. How does the card fit into Trek? One rule here would be: NO GAME MECHANICS. You could allude to them (such as: A Future Enterprise visits the Past) but no specific language (such as: A
U.S.S. Enterprise visits
)
Decision 5: Turn Concept in Game Mechanics
Icon modifiers, skills, game text. The kicker here would be to get each idea costed by the powers that be BEFORE finally submitted, though this may not be possible. We submit the game mechanics, you cost out the card, then we vote on the pairing.
Decision 6: The Title
It should be fairly obvious what the card will be by this point, but maybe not. Regardless, there should still be room for debate on the Title.
Decision 7: The Art
Art drives Title? Title drives Art? These two could be swapped based on the development of 1 though 5.
Decision 8: The Lore
And finally: the quip
Now as far as voting, I would recommend a little more clarification of the obvious: lobbying can change the outcome of the vote. your vote is not set into stone until the voting period has expired. This will help to swing votes toward the most popular two choices, where the most popular will win. Knowing this up front will help ease ruffled feathers. I do not agree with "run-offs". The ability to change your vote negates the need for a runoff.