Strategy First's Richard Therrien has been quite active lately in the forum of one of the biggest Jagged Alliance fansites, <A target=_blank href=http://www.ja-galaxy-forum.com/>Bear's Pit[/url]. Here's what he has to say about what is essential for a Jagged Alliance game:

• All elements are important. I always found that you are judged on the weakest link which often ends up being the element that some thought as unimportant or less necessary.
  
• The straightforwardness of the interface.
• The quality of the graphics, animations and sounds for a more immersive experience.
  
  In the case more specific to JA:
  
• The tactical turn based system.
• The characters' psychological profile and their interactive abilities (between themselves and between them and the player).
• The game's role playing elements and characters' way of growing with experience.
• The wit and humor.
• The economical model as well as the rate of progression.
• The environment and story line, the twists and turns.
  
  I am sure you guys will add to this list as there are many more details than the broad lines listed above. In any case, if something must go in the game, it has to be done as good as can be, otherwise it will be subject to criticism and drag down the whole gaming experience.
  
  That is where the balancing act comes in. You must manage your resources so that all these aspects are taken care of properly and avoid overkilling on one side while not giving the proper polish on the other.

You can find more of his posts <a target=_blank href=http://www.ja-galaxy-forum.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_profile;u=00003920>here[/url].