[NTJedi]

If they play the game for 90mins... it should be enough to hook them. The game usually has a one hour learning curve from people I've hooked with it. The extra 30mins is the time for them to obtain units, magic_sites and commanders which they grow attached to.
The hardest part is finding people who will play a game to the bitter end. I find lots of people who will just quit... which is the same as having your game character do suicide. No honorable death and glory with that.

Personally if I'm losing I prefer to have my last breath spitting into the eye of my enemy.