Having a selection of ships to pilot would be cool, but how about unlockable ships which can be found on specific factions only? The location of factions would be randomly generated, and through certain events, where you land in some of their colonized planets, the player would be able to purchase some of their ship types.

Also, by assigning species' hostility, type (think of the city states in Sid Meier's Civilization V, eg: Military, Traders) and strength and having the border of each species be displayed in the control mode with a colored highlight, the entire game would go on a whole new level of awesomeness (not saying that it isn't awesome now; I would piss my pants playing this game right now). Also, things like their advancement in technology- whether they are similar to current Earth or just reached industrialization, or maybe way ahead in the future- could be displayed when hovering above their planet. Through this, the economy thing can be more diverse, as the technological advancement of certain species can differ the needs of the planet (less developed species will be willing to buy technological advanced gadget for higher price, while technologically advanced species will need more of everyday needs and energy, since they need those stuff more than the common gadgets). Also, diplomatic things such as alliance, NAPs, Puppet or Dominion, Sphere of influence could be fun (think Victoria II).


These suggestions would be a huge insert in the game, and may not be possible. But if this makes it, this game will be one of a kind, a game that will last decades. Although this game is already just so damn awesome.