Harley can easily take care of the newbie situation behind the
scenes. They can give them a nation that easy to play, learn the
basics, meet experienced palyers, and have fun so they come back
again.
I don't ever go into a game with the idea of being the individual
winner, so my rankings would always suck. I would rather give my
extra reserves, towns, arties, etc. to the team so we have a better
chance to win. I usually go into a game with a specific challenge
that tests my ability. This could be forming a curse squad by turn 6,
building a mega challenger, team of super agents/ems, taking out a
certain nation by a certain turn. This is what makes the game
enjoyable for me, not gaining victory points. One game, in the old
days, I made Elrond into a dragon killer. I purposely posted camps in
the mountains to find recruitable DS dragons and I went and killed
many. I won't tell you how many I killed or how, but it was very
effective and I didn't die. Very profitable too...
The biggest problem I see is that people are ninnies and quit way too
early. Take 130 for example, the FP side is ready to drop on turn 3
because the Dun and Rhudar seem to be going DS. The biggest joke is
that most of them are playing two nations each also, NG/SG,
Arth/Card, Dwarves/Woodmen...It's turn 3 and nothing is decided by
far in Mordor and these blokes are ready to pack up and go home
crying. Harad and the Easterlings have not committed, and the
COrsairs have just been filled by a stand by. Granted, things in the
North aren't going perfect for them, but the game is far from over.
The game is decided mostly in Mordor, and they still hold Minas Ithil.
Little wonder why neutrals don't want to join their side when they
display this total lack of heart.
I get sick of hearing about how good people are at playing this game
and they quit when they lose one battle, get their best agent killed,
or don't get a neutral commited on their side early.
I would rather have Harley implement a system to keep people from
quitting too early. Maybe start a game and make people pay for the
1st ten turns up front. This way atleast people would be committed to
playing for ten turns rather than ruining the game by quitting on
turn 3. I would join this type of game, even if it was a random
allotment type game.
Anyway that's my 1 1/2 cents.
-NM