Okay, since it seems like this will be reopened soon, I thought we could have a short discussion on a few new rules that we could implement to improve the playability of this NES. A few suggestions I would like comments on, and please, I welcome any comments plus more proposals as well!
1a. Metropolises. This will give you the option to "upgrade" your cities so that they produce +2c instead of just +1. I want to emphasize this as an option for most smaller nations who dont have much in the way of expanding militarily anymore. Thats why I want to develop some system that is tied to your current size. So I'm thinking, in order to upgrade one city, it costs your turn's income, or maybe half of your turn's income. This of course is just the cost, the money doesn't have to be just your income (loans from wealthier countries could help with this....).
1b. I'm also going to throw out this idea: while small countries may find it easy to upgrade their cities, larger countries can increase their income, outside of expansion, by investing in neutral countries and even smaller superpowers. Im thinking this is how it could work, and I'll use Russia just as an example: Russia want's to do something about this income they are getting that they dont want to spend on military, so they invest it into the economy of Latvia. They spend 10c on upgrading Latvia's city (or creating a new city?) and for 12 turns they recieve 1c a turn. That way its cheaper for Russia to do this then to upgrade their own cities, they tie Latvia's economy to their own, but also its a risk cus Latvia could just refuse to send the money, or another power could intervene.
2. The expanding of the remaining major neutral countries to play a more interactive roles. I'm thinking I will create small stats for the remaining major neutral countries (examples: Canada, Kazakhstan, Afghanistan, Congo, Thailand, Venezuela, etc) that will list their army size. That way we can actually have these major alliances and treaties that are springing up have some effect. This means that these nations will have the option to send expeditionary forces, fight each other, and fight you (invasion including).
3. Civil unrest in conquered territories. Not sure where I want to go with this, but maybe something like rebellions will temporarily cut income frmo the cities it affects, you have to send troops in, invest in rebuilding the country, occupation/police forces, etc. In other words, you have to start minding your conquered territories. Perhaps I will add another military type "police forces" that you can invest in to serves as your occupying forces in these territories.
4. Infrastructure upgrades, such as trains, that will let you move armies faster.
5. Paying more attention to governments. There should be pros/cons of being democracies, autocracies, and commie governments. Any ideas on a fair and balanced way to do this?
6. A financial aspect to the game. Currency, resources (oil?), central banks (playing bigger role then just those who lend you the money) etc. I haven't though much about this, but think its worth discussing. This could include creating economic blocks of trading, etc.