... Hi, Guys.
... I gave Gimil the go-ahead with this map revamp for a few reasons.
1: I got more than a few PMs over the years (has it been years? Maybe about a year and a half), people moaning at me about map mistakes.
2: Gimil seems a competent artist. When I made the thing there were only a handful of maps available. Compared to the Middle East map we had back then, mine was a work of art. But now a lot of people have come to CC and there's a lot of talent available, so I figured, why not spruce it up?
3: Gimil agreed to maintain borders and boundaries, which means actual play will not be affected.
4: I really wanted to do it myself, but I just don't have the time.
It's funny. I slapped that map together using any old map I could dig up on the internet for sampling (place names, regions, etc..). I didn't give much thought to playability and balance then. Just dumb luck it turned out OK. I'm very happy enough folks like it enough to talk about the thing here.
... Anyway, that's the scoop. Sure, I'm a bit nostalgic about the thing, too (but I have the original Photoshop files anyway, so I can see it any time I want! )
...