When looking at the Upcoming page, it would seem that FFG is more and more producing mini-expansions: a new character for Tannhäuser, 40 cards for a LCG, a new plane type for Wings of War or a new adventure for Runebound.
On one hand, this can be very nice: small expansions allow you to renew your gaming experience for a small amount of money. They make nice small presents to ask of people who wouldn't be able to afford a big boardgame or expansion. Also, mini expansions allow you to pick and choose: you can buy exactly those things you like, and leave the ones you don't want on the shelves.
However, often it seems that the smaller an expansion is, the less value for money it offers. For example, Tannhäuser costs $69,95 and comes with the board and ten characters (including the sheets and the tokens for those characters). Operation Novgorod costs $59,95 for five characters (seven miniatures, though) and a board. The mini-expansions are $11,95 for a single character. Are mini-expansions just a marketing strategy to sell less for more? If so, FFG are of course in their right to use it: I'm still buying it, so it seems I'm willing to pay the price.On the long run, though, such marketing strategies don't improve the standing of a company in my eyes.
Now, I haven't yet decided on how I feel about the mini expansions: are they a nice approach to expansions, or just a way to milk it as much as possible?