I think that spawnpoints play a significant role in any game with players expecting to deploy thier troops in an orderly fashion. To elaborate...
In the old game, we had a Skyranger that had one opening in the rear, with a ramp. It was bad enough trying to get cover then, but now, we have no choice in the matter whatsoever.
My first encounter was an open deployment bay similar to a Huey, and none of the soldiers were inside of the craft. The Tamans had line of site from the moment the first turn began, and my men were not armed. I had no idea that trained solders acted in such a fashion. It was a slaughter.
I learned quickly to arm my soldiers in the Geoscape\Aircraft\Soldiers\Equip Soldiers screen, which I found only by accident.
Now, I know that the original game had many different screens to manipulate inventories, and research and such... But the bottom line is: Did you really have to make it so difficult for the new player?
Scarry! But then, Quake was a scarry game, too. 'Course, I never played it in the dark, on Halloween, either...
lol