Irregular Wars - colonial small actions mk. 2?

The experiences gained this year during the writing and production of Song of Shadows and Dust have left me with a hankering to create a heavily revised version or, more accurately, a successor game for Irregular Wars: Conflict at the World's End.

Other than improved writing and production quality generally (and the option of ordering a hard copy of the rules) I am currently thinking about a number of rules revisions which I suspect will streamline the game.

In the first instance, I feel like the new game would benefit from being more focused - probably on the Americas, with twenty-odd army lists for that theatre but with an appendix discussing how to apply the rules to other theatres and periods, perhaps with several examples - hoplites, Elizabethan Ireland, the 1804 Castle Hill convict rebellion, something like that. Keep in mind that all lists from the original game would be 100% compatible with the new version.

The number of phases in the turn sequence might well be reduced and the use and number of chance cards expanded and emphasised; blackpowder weapons might well become more user friendly. I'm also tempted to introduce an optional point system for more traditional players who don't like the unpredictable recruitment system

If any of the fine wargamers out there have thoughts (am I mad or do you endorse the proposal?) or would like to be involved in any potential playtesting, I'd really love it if you dropped me a line!

... And with that said, I'd like to wish you all a happy, productive and profitable new year. May all your dice rolls be sixes - unless you are giving orders in Hail Caesar - and may your wives and loved ones continue to indulge your hobbies.