New to the forums!

Do I continue designing in secret seclusion or do I begin the process of sharing my projects with others?

It’s a question that I asked myself before actively contributing to the discussions.

If I choose to start sharing then my project(s) could benefit from additional input and fresh perspectives, I could help others with their projects, and only a glimmer of my own designs need be exposed – or nothing at all.

I think everyone here is so focused on helping each other out, and discussing interesting ideas, that the notion of ‘hide your hat’ protection doesn’t really crop up; although it’s an open forum so that doesn’t offer much of an indication about the people who might view the postings without making themselves known.

As to myself, I like the free flowing ideas and discussions. I would never lift an idea off another designer, because I have enough trouble happily hammering my own designs into shape without adding to their number.

Although, I might contribute a comment about a game which fires the little grey cells into action, leading to offshoot ideas. I think this is another great aspect of the forum in that thinking about other game ideas can lead to many a new idea.

You might be contributing to a game that revolves around bidding, which sparks an idea about alternative bidding systems or a new system. Then again, you could be discussing a game with a particular theme and find yourself contemplating the use of a variation in a different game with different mechanics.

This last one lead to one of my designs changing to a Ninja Aliens who are Time Dumped into a Renaissance setting where they have to fight off an army of Zombie Villagers theme – with pixel graphic artwork.

I think it’s a case of share whatever you’re comfortable sharing, contribute where you have something to add and foremost – have fun designing games.

I had to look at the Mad Scientist!rulebook. It says patent pending. Im curious what part of the game that would be for?

Also are you not afraid of trademark trouble since there seema to be a much older and more known game called Mad Scientist?

There are zillions of games on WWII Battle of the Bulge, or Alexander the Great, or battles in space. The topic is not nearly as important as YOUR personal skill as a designer. Even if someone steals your idea, they can never steal your creativity or the spin you would put on your subject.

...and if both YOUR game, and the person who stole your idea's game came out at the same time, the sales would go to the more creative designer.

Don't be afraid of someone stealing your ideas, only be afraid of running out of ideas.
Or WORSE, having great game ideas, but never finishing them.

Shoe, you need to find a better lawyer before one of your game is successful enough to get the attention of a bigger company.

Trademarks cover any name that is similar enough to be possible to confuse with your name. The fact that you are allowed to register a trademark by changing a letter or adding an exclamation mark is not the same as that it is ok. It is the job of the trademark owner's lawyers to find out about you having a too similar name and drag you to court when they notice. Otherwise try to register "Coca Cola!" next time and see how that works out. ;)

Patents only cover specific solutions and are easy to work around. Not much protection unless your game is very specific. The most well-known game patent is for Magic (the tapping mechanic) but even that has been successfully worked around by many game designers by slightly changing how it works. Good luck patenting an entire rulebook. I mean, patenting is easy, until someone else challenges it.

BGG lists Mad Scientist games and modules from 1986, 2005, 2009 and many more years. Looks like more than two games, but at least one that has had many expansions published over the years.