I initially wrote this as a comment, but I thought I had some really good ideas, some of which could easily be implemented in later patches and/or expansion packs. So it was geared towards something about espionage at first, but I kinda went off topic slightly haha : ) I'm just wondering about any feedback people might have on these ideas. Whether or not they'd add to the game or not. I should also note that for micro management on some of those things, should be able to be selected to have happen or not. The smuggling idea should really be only an evil ability, espionage thing should have a governor thing to automate it. But people should be able to totally choose their level of micromanagement. Anyways, read on! : )


It would make sense that you could continue to secure techs and information, because once you have paid the amount to get spies in, they are in. There should be an upkeep cost.
I also agree there should be counterespionage that you should be able to implement.
If you're at war with someone, the risk of your spy being found should be high, so depending on the training (techs or something) that you spy has, and the amount of money you spend on upkeep and espionage, it lowers the amount of getting caught.
It should implement the random event screens, where you have choices to make.
If your spy is in a friendly civ, than risk factor of them being caught is low, unless they are at war, etc.
Espionage technology, or training for spies or whatever, should effect that if they are caught, their chances of them killing themselves, escaping, getting tortured (only an EVIL civ would do that.... right? ) and telling it was your civ, being sloppy and leaving evidence that its your civ, or there is a mole, etc.
But there a numerous amount of changes that could be done.
It opens up a whole seperate topic in itself.
I mean, even youre diplomatic options arent as diverse as they could be. For example, when an enemy builds a starbase in your territory, you should be able to demand its ownership, expect a weekly payment, demand its demantlement, etc. for example.
With an Allied civ, you should be able to combine resources to develop a tech that both of you dont have, at have the time, but at the cost of some money, and abit longer time to get the tech you 're currently researching.
Like there is a shipyard, there should be other screens options within your city, such as drug manufacturing, or stolen goods, and smuggling them to other planets or civs. Paying off freighters from other civs to take a load of drugs or something with them to get to your men.
There should be civilian ships, even if theyre tiny. So you could smuggle weapons or drugs on that.
Such as smuggling weapons to two people you have peace treaties with, but those two are at war with eachother, but you want to remain anonymous.
When enemies or even your own cvilians ships are flying in your territory, you should be able to detain them, and search them, with an array of options to choose from.
There should be a "police space" button, such as guard or sentry to click, so the ship automatically searches out ships that arent of your military in your space.
There should be "mysterious anomolies" where you have different ways of approaching it, ala' star trek.
such as energy anomolies or something, that could generate massive power if the right things are done selected and the ship has the right modules, or else it could be destroyed or crippled.
There should be minor MINOR races that dont have hyperdrive that are only on one planet that you can choose to study, communicate with you, enslave, ignore, ask to join to your civ etc.
there should be a mini mission button or thing to check either at the start of a new game or within the game at any time, which brings up missions for your flagship. Ex. Investigate Orion III, the Meigorian (minor MINOR civ) have sent out an urgent distress call. Please investigate immediately. You have like, X amount of weeks to get there in orbit, to find out. it could be a civil war and you are friends with them, they need evacuation because their planet is dying, etc etc.
Or one of your ships could randomly be selected to have something happen to it, anything, it stops sending messages to high command, etc etc, and you have to investigate, or deliver medical supplies to our ally the Whoever.
Meet the IKC Icarus ship of the Whoever civ to transport their diplomat to our homeworld for extended trade negotiations (you could ask about that in the diplomacy screen, but only those who LOVE you accept, and it opens up a more complicated and diverse trade functions. it could allow for more money for you, newer products which improve happiness, i dunno lol. if youre a deceptively evil civ you could use this to gain better access to smuggling your drugs, weapons, etc)

Thanks for the feedback! Cheers!