I'm not going to write a thesis - short version is, it is NOT NG, it's NG+.

The Veteran background cannot be picked until the game has already been completed. Further, it's not just a random lore thing, it does give a VERY significant advantage to a runner (iirc about 30-50 AP, which can be distributed to any skill you want).

Whilst I congratulate the runner on their time, and am fully aware that I sound like a spurned lover (since yes, it was my time that got bumped) - Veteran in my view has no place being a valid NG choice.

If the category was "any%", sure, I'd cop it and move on. But the fact that it has been very specifically marked as "any% NG" broils me a little.