I agree with fasces. Further, very little changes in maps and/or rules are usually unsuccessful.
ClassicVS (7 Players) - 147 games ('cause it's usually played with only 2-3-4 players )
Classic map - Fog of War (7 Players) - 78 games
7 Islands (7 Players) - 24 games
Crowded (11 Players) - 23 games (in spite of the 4 more players needed)
Economic (7 Players) - 22 games
- Classic (7 Players) - 21 games -
Classic, but build anywhere (7 Players) - 20 games
1897 (7 Players) - 18 games
Classic with a custom start (7 Players) - 16 games
1880 (7 Players) - 12 games
Classic - GreyPress (7 Players) - 10 games
USA (8 Players) - 9 games
Octopus (7 Players) - 6 games
Classic, with fleet in Rome (7 Players) - 3 games
Milan Diplomacy (7 Players) - 3 games
NoNeutrals (7 Players) - 3 games
PilotClassic v0.1 (7 Players) - 1 game played on this server (I can't find it!)
As you can see, the bigger are the changes in map/rules, the more the variant is played and successful.
Variants that claimed to better arrange Italy/Austria (Milan, fleet Rome) are basically ignored.
And I guess that, alas, when the "new map excitement" will be gone, even Pilot (2 games running, 3 starting (maybe)) will be forgotten.
I've never felt the need to give a try on Milan, F-Rome or Pilot and I think I'll never feel it for a Classic Map, or any other successful Map, to which only some minor changes has been added.
I'm afraid that many players here feel the way I do. Or so it looks by the stats.
So butter, frankly, I suggest you to save your efforts for some of the great ideas you usually have.