Replay value and balance had precedence over historical accuracy in NWO. A truly historical setup on this level of abstraction is doomed to lead to one-dimensional gameplay. The map is an hommage to the charms of the Larry Harris A&A game mechanics, not a history simulator.
options
means
variation
means
high replay value
means
increasing depth of strategical challenge within the community
means
unlimited challenge and fun
Too many games today leave the player with the disappointing discovery, that while seemingly full of choices, the game boils down to one simple optimal approach.
In NWO, there is a multitude of interconnected hotspots, each with a fine balance of its own. There is no optimal trajectory solving the game for you. If you let your concentration slip in one theater of war for a turn only, if your opponent anticipates your subconscious wishes better then you do his, he will exploit that and win. Still, the map allows for a relatively intuitive gameplay for beginners.
A hidden plus of NWO is that it inherently attracts a pleasant and mature selection of skilled players.
Thx to Veq for the post and call me me shameless ; )
ErnieBommel (retired)