P&W was always going to be a reboot of every game we have all played.
The trouble is Alex is lazy & has done a reboot, whilst he learnt.
BTW Alex you have done, what I would have done.
Now he has started a new game, so guys and girls, the tdlr is P&W is now a cash cow.
Once a business has a new improved outlet, they inevitably want you to slowly jump on board.
P&W was his Beta.
To work, these games need a decision over economic v war . For both lower & upper tier.
I actually think a good game needs a semi protected neutral (for interest, but also game mechanics. Different strokes for different folks)
P&W doesn't work, again it's a rehash, so it's come to the end game quicker, as everyone has been through the scenarios, literally endlessly.
My advice would be go for a yin/yang economic /war build for nations & after a certain size, your on that path.