Some comments about your comments:
Jasons - over half our work is about gaining new companies, customer and
business liaison, software and game development (we have done a lot of
that - you guys don't really get to see most of these bits and pieces). We
have a fair bit of contact with the other licensors - just having bought out
Australia's licence. Let's say that we have had a lot of wrangling over
licencing issues as well.
We need to learn about Limited (share holding) companies - which we're
presently investigating. (John's on that). As for in the direct line of
fire - we regularly are anyway. We're used to it. Some of the issues that
have been brought up are not possible for us to address, even if we did have
the program source code. BUT, there are lots that we could do.
Just a matter of prioritising items - I know there will be a lot of flak
though in that situation where a player might feel that we have not given
enough head to his own special problem with XX. (General policy here is to
investigate something seriously if there are 2 or more comments - with one
we will check in to it but with limited resources I have found that often it
is a matter for time to deal with).
Our aim would be to do a lot of advertising - we're doing some in various
magasines as it is, including various flyer drops as well - but probably
scaled up a factor of 5. Standing outside of Cinemas was a thought already
but I think the expenditure of effort/time/money for customers gained is
minimal there I am afraid. (Post cards were an option).
Increased web promotion was one of our ideas. We're presently in the
process of creating various packs and software aids for the game. The list
goes on.
Ben: Do you (or someone else) know about LLC? From a US and a UK
perspective would be best.
Chris: GSI might well chose this as a moment to bow out - licencing issues
with Tolkien are a big bugbear at present I would guess. We would still
have to pay licence royalties to Tolkien regardless. I have heard that the
percentage is considerably lower though.
Mark: We already bridge the Atlantic and other oceans. At present we have
some 170 players UK based, 150 European, and 420 Overseas. We have a mail
drop/enquiry operation in the US and Australia now. We've investigated
opening a business in the US before but it was very difficult (ie we could
not do it). [We wanted a place to have payments to be made into and cashed
there - for ease of player and us. Also a foot in the door so to speak.]
Advice welcome.
Laurence: Voting issues. We're not sure how we would want the game to be
controlled here. Often companies that float are at the beck and call of the
shareholders. We would obviously want to control the lion's share %51 I
guess (very green here so please excuse any miscomprehensions). I think
that we would be the people, with feedback from players such as yourself, on
ongoing development, new developments etc. One clear thing to me is the
game of 25 players is too big so a scenario would be very useful.
Chris: Uh!? Maybe we can chat again. Basically if we can get something
that is worth it for the players to invest then that is great for all
parties. Ie if the shareholders can get something from it as well as an
improved game, greater game security etc, then that would be the best
situation that I can imagine. We're investigating become a Limited company
at present.
To those that have offered funds - thanks for the thought. We'll be in
touch... 
It might that even if buying out GSI is not feasible, that
some form of capital investment at this present time might bring in the
rewards. As with many such endeavours it's a punt into the void. Hopefully
a vaguely sane punt...
Keep 'em coming.
Clint