Ok, not posted before but need to suggest a couple cool simple things case not thought of. Case they have, sorry! Also sorry if wrong place or off topic.

1) like the idea of being able to destroy a planets space based shipyard. Like the idea of being able to defend it like a starbase and have it fight along side all ships in orbit that always act like a fleet (if player wishes, need a toggle). Should also be able to construct an underground shipyard and launch vessels from there too, but they take 2times as long to build. Requires a quadrant on the planet called "Secret Shipyard" and can have both shipyards going same time.

2) like the idea of wormholes created at beginning being random teleportation and the wormholes are permanent throughout game.

3) want to be able to build stargates that require an X and a Y that are permanently linked. takes say 5 constructors or so to build each side. Or, could say each race can operate up to 5 total gates and can go to any of them. have to destroy one to build another once hit 5.

4) ships should have a size adjustment in combat. size 3 = no adjustment, size 2,4
= +/-15%, 1,5 = -/+30%. Accounts for size of target and maneuverability. Makes use of tiny more inviting. Need to decrease size of engines a bit more for tinier ships to inrease use as scouts. Now, its all the industrial hull.

5) why not have a ship healer module? takes up lots of space so ship must move slowly and have no defense.

6) Why not a planet destroyer platform? takes 10 constructors and can only move at speed of 2. can turn a planet into a zero but takes 3 turns to setup weapon once in orbit. cannot be shielded or have weapons.

7) why not have mass missles miss more often but more damage. Mass drivers balanced and lasers hit almost always but less damage?

8) this is the big one. really need to increase effect of things like alignment such that other races like you more or hate you more. way too boring regarding their attitudes. good vs evil should always start off at wary. good always gets a 10% defense bonus and evil always a 10% attack bonus. neutral nothing. MOST IMPORTANTLY, a civ's attitude toward you should be reflected in trading. an evil race that hates you should really jack up the prices!

All these things add strategy without overtaxing the AI too much? Would really be nice...