Taking Game Design Suggestions From Fans

TheBuzzSaw · 2011-07-10T00:12:07

The common practice among game developers seems to entail avoiding suggestion threads/discussions/emails due to the potential for legal backlash over ownership of those ideas. Makes sense. So, here is what I was thinking. What if, in my forum, I created a room specifically for suggestions, and only members of an "Idea Squad" forum group could post there? My thought is that if I screen members initially and have them agree to relinquish ownership of all their suggestions, I can safely browse that idea room for pressing issues or new features. Perhaps, members outside the group can read the suggestions and vote them up/down. Registering in forums often involves agreeing to a big Terms of Use. I can't imagine a similar ToS for the group being any less legally binding (users would have to apply and be manually approved). Thoughts on this? Any glaring problems here still?