Well, here is another angle of designing campaigns. In my view, they don't always have to be "brilliant" in design, or tantalizing. Sometimes there are other purposes to the campaigns one designs, and I think we need to acknowledge the validity of those.
To be specific, a few weeks ago, I was still having a bad time with the 2nd Scn. First Punic War. And Peter designed a campaign for me that would give me practice fighting Cats on an island with my Scout ships and Triremes. He sent it to me and it was so much fun - and gave me lots of practice.
So sometimes campaigns can be geared toward instruction and practice. And they are helpful.
So Phoenix, take heart. Design something. It can take many paths. Different purposes. All are creative. AND should be well received by this group here. Give it a whirl.
And Peter, you showed me that campaigns can really have an individual purpose. And I thank you for the ones you sent to me.
As far as the David campaigns that you all think are so great. My honest opinion is that the designer did not play by the "rules." Like that mess with the man guarding the tree. OK. We finally solved it, but in my way of thinking, it was outside the rules of the ballgame. (Nice puzzle, yes, if that is what these campaigns are supposed to be. Mystery. Puzzle to be solved. Or good straight forward play. I go for the latter. )Sara