I've traveled in some remote places but when I get far enough away from urban areas, I also have had a lot fewer road choices (and nothing approaching a bike path). For example - in Canada the Dempster Highway is somewhat remote but it is also tough to get lost there. Similarly the Dalton Highway, the road across Siberia and roads around Australia. It is a little different if you get into unsealed routes e.g. outback Australia. Most all these are more remote than the lower 48 US states covered by Adventure Cycling.

I like paper maps, but the choices I make for those remote locations is to use *offline maps* such as those done by Open Street Map. I don't need turn by turn directions (in the remote areas you mention there is often only one route and not much in way of turns) but offline maps do come in handy in town crossings/intersections particularly outside US/Canada/Australia/Western Europe - e.g. I've used in Russia, India, Central America and Southeast Asia. The power draw in this usage is minimal since my phone goes on for a quick map check and then goes off again. In addition in some developing countries, I've been surprised at how much of a major route has cell service (done in place of land lines built out). For example, crossing South America and Africa I didn't have service everywhere but more places than I expected.

All of this coming back to Adventure Cycling. Yes, technology has changed and their maps portion of their business has also changed. Looking over their financial statements that is only one of three major parts. The other two are their tours and their membership/advocacy efforts.