I can think of one thing, that would help the player a lot. Advisors! Military, Production, Intel/Research, Diplomacy, etc. Ok, maybe the true powergamers and GalCiv champions won't need advice but the casual gamer / newbie would help them a lot. Imagine if you got a message from your advisor after giving build orders for a ship on planet B, Sire, our planet C has better facilities and can produce that in 2 weeks whereas this backwater farm planet will take 110 weeks.
Also like in other games, production advisor has a list of planets and what they are working on.
Diplomacy advisor maintains stats on relations with other races, which can help the player judge where he/she stands with others. IE are the Altarians mad at us now we signed a trade deal with the Drengin ?
Research Advisor, when you mouse over or select a tech on tech screen can give advice on how that benefits you. Can ask what to research next, and shows which places are producing how many lightbulbs/ RPs...
War/Military advisor...
Keeps track of everything military and how much is spent to maintain it. Advises which things are obsolete and can send them to get upgrades or to the scrapyards. Also suggests we conquer a race we don't like or is 'Ripe for an invasion'.
Of course, these advisors should be 'mod-able' change their faces or what not. Also, l would like to see a Stardock mod where we get the Dev Team as advisors! Woohoo!
