All,
Yes that's correct. I need to issue an end-of game statement for this game. Well, I suck at end-of-game statements, but here goes anyways.
1. The game was very interesting for the first few turns, when the point system was relevant. Very much negotiation going on, as well as nailbiting as to whether or not the orders as given would pass. Given the many interactions that could occur my focus was mainly on the northern part of the islands,, trying to work out whether to work with Takeda or Hojo. In the end I decided to go with Hojo, mainly because it seemed that an alliance of us two could practically divide the land, me going along the northern coast and he along the southern.

2. In the end we invited Asakura (that turn-coat!) into the alliance, in order to get rid of Oda. He was in a very bad position at that point in time. Why did that not work out? I think partly because he distrusted me, although I had done nothing to earn that distrust this game. In the end he turned on us and started working with the Mori/Chosokabe alliance instead. Well, it did work out good for him in the end, so I can't really blame him. I still think you would have been better off working with us though Garry!

3. The abandonments in mid game. This really hurt me. At a point in time when we were about to break-through the lines my ally disappeared on me for two turns, which kind of left me with no real options. I needed the breakthrough in the central land in order to advance in the north, and without my ally's help I had no way of getting to it. Meanwhile the Chosokabe abandonment did not hurt that alliance as much.

4. End-game. A few turns ago I made overtures to both Asakura and Mori to try to turn on Chosokabe. I don't know if I was unconvincing, but I really thought that the time was right to turn on Chosokabe at that point in time, but in the end they were unwilling. At that point in time I think I'd proven that to advance in the north was impossible. Too bad that Bruce's small mistake had opened up the south, leaving the path open for advancement there. Given that I'd already worked over Mori and Asakura a few turns ago I saw no option but to accept the surrender.

Bruce: Your small mistake certainly made the end game possible, but it was not the only mistake made in the game, so don't feel too sorry for yourself.
/Fredrik