There are many ways to customize TW2002. The two main tools that are freely available to a sysop (if he/she registers TW) are Bigbang and Tedit. Of course you can create your own custom Trade Wars modifcation programs (which is what I do), but not everyone has the skills or the time to learn the skills. Bigbang and Tedit can be used by everyone. Bigbang is great for initial setup, and extermely powerfull, however Tedit allows for far more control, though at a far greater cost in time. I usually use both - they complement each other. Theme can play an important part of a game too - if you can get your players to buy into it. This isn't as easy as it sounds, Trade Wars players tend to be an egotistical lot. And then there's the "insane" games. We ran a couple on The Clock Works and on Through the Looking Glass, some of which were more successfull than others.