I've never seen this elusive revised map that you want everyone to look at. I've never played on it because it doesn't exist here, and no one has hosted it anywhere else. So from that standpoint since no one has played on your revised map that you say corrects these problems, in reality it's never been play tested by anyone, least of all you.

Call me dumb and ignorant all you want, Tom. What you're missing is that I have first hand experience deep into the end games on this map, and I know it far better than you do. That may mess your hair up a bit to consider, but it's a fact. Perhaps you should actually PLAY a game and see where the concern comes from before declaring others ignorant and dumb. But then again your real whine here comes because we're not using the silly voting rules that allow mediocre players to "win" games in a freak show popularity contest. What VDip has discovered is that the WW4 map actually works better when played out under normal victory conditions regardless of what your intent for the map was meant to be. If you want to refine your map and play with your rules, run the game your way. Find someone to write the code for your new map, or host a game yourself.

I'm not going to stop saying that more sea zones or sea lanes or adjustments to the present map are a good idea. I think that they are a great idea, and I have extensive experience playing on the map. I know what I'm talking about, whereas you're just in uber-defensive mode because you think that we're challenging your manhood by suggesting some changes to the map for improved playability. Adding spaces is an option, just as looking a high seas type rule would be, or opening the polar regions to travel of some kind. There are many things that would enhance the playability of the map with respect to sea territories. The fact that you do not want to do it does not make it impossible. And no one is demanding or even asking that you do anything here. But if you want you name on the map so badly, you would be well served to collaborate with the potential evolution of the variant. And maybe play testing will prove you right. I doubt it since having fewer tactical stalemate lines is a good thing. The real art of the game is building diplomatic stalemate lines, and guess who does that Tommy Boy? The players. That's who the game is about.

Stalemate lines as you're defining them are for losers, and people who want to force the game to be over in the midgame. Designing maps to make them easier to establish is a bad practice, and produces far less enjoyable games. If you actually played the map, you would understand what's going on. Of course if there is some other golden child map that resolves all of these problems, please point it out. I am skeptical because your understanding of the problem as a whole is clearly not taking, as evidenced by your staunch defense of the easily constructed stalemate lines an vehement opposition to additional seas maneuverability. Furthermore the last time you made revisions to a world map (not this variant), it was a complete disaster with several unplayable nation positions when put into play, which is why play testing and experimenting is important. That's what is being discussed here, Tom. Looking at possible changes based on the feedback of those with experience playing the map. You keep telling me to consult with David Cohen for his opinion. If I was playing on Dave's maps, I would consult him and offer opinions and suggestions. I don't recall seeing Dave in an WW4 game, so I wouldn't seek his opinion on that, but I have it on the high seas concept, which I concur with and advocate as a great idea. I think that his 901 Known World Map is a great variant, and I don't have any suggestions for map redesign on it. That doesn't mean I think WW4 is trash. It's great fun too, but it's far more complex, and has seen far less play testing. One thing I do know is that Dave solicits an incorporates feedback from players into his designs. So maybe it's you that should consult with him a little on how to receive feedback, and how to grow some thick skin.