i was just thinking how to make this game a little different. and it hit me. Resources.
i don't really know if this can be implemented but here is the idea.
we have the classic map (or any map)
and we have resources scattered around it. these resources can be randomized for each game or they can be in fixed positions.
they are gold iron and wood (or any other 3 depending on the them of the map (strontium titanium and plutonium for a space map) ). and they provide important bonuses. 3 gold 15 troops 3 iron 10 troops and 3 wood 5 troops.
you might say the bonuses are too big but here is the catch:
each player has a capital city wich he choses at the start. and in order for the resources to be gathered the teritory must be linked to the capital. like a supply line. in a decent size map (40 teritories) there should be 3 gold 6 iron and 9 wood. or at least somewhere around 40% of the total number of territories.
lets' take the idea a little bit further. these resources can be added to any type of game just for spicing things with extra armies or they can be used for a whole new type of game. Resource Mogul. where the objective is to get hold of all the resource territories.
you'll say it's damn hard and basicaly holding all territories and linking them to the capital means you'll have to conquer the whole world.
not exactly, for this game type a new feature is introduced. the Economic Branche. which acts as a second capital or a gathering point. you get this by holding and linking 3 resource fields of the same type for 3 turns. and you get to chose where to build this Economic Branche just like you chose the capital. there will only be 3 EB allowed in the whole game and if you lose one you won't be able to rebuild it so chose wisely.
edit// just one more thing. in this Resource Mogul game type the resources don't give bonuses. they're just the objective.
with the capital there are 2 options: if it gets conquered you build it again elsewhere next turn (or after 3 turns) OR you can't rebuild it but you can conquer it back. in the second option if the enemy conquers your capital he can use it as his own Economic Branche.
More could be developed on this subject but let's see if you like the idea first. please vote.