I don't have the game yet (It will be here tomorrow) so I have been dreaming about it. I was thinking that a great way to expand replayability would be to extend the metaverse. Here is the idea:
On the metaverse have SD create a model of the galaxy (or something similar) say 1000x1000 parsecs or so. Next divide it up between all of the civs with a generous portion that is unclaimed.
Each week SD can create specific points in the galaxy that you can click on to download a saved game for that part of space. Here are some possible win senarios:
1. First person to submit a victory for that saved game.
2. Highest individual score.
3. Highest combined race score.
4. First military/tech/cultural victory.
5. etc.
At the end of the week SD records all of the wins for each saved game and adjusts the overall galaxy to reflect the outcomes of each battle. This will create a dynamic universe where we as players can pick a faction and collectively try to take over the galaxy. This could possibly be expanded beyond the original races to include empires.
I am sure that this would take a bit (ok a lot) of programming, but I think that this could help extend the life of this game because it would allow us to basically play one big game against each other. This would also allow for some really cool custom events on a galactic scale:
"Due to unstable Yor research in the Sirius system a black hole has formed sucking in all star systems in a 5 lightyear radius."
"A series of unfortunate time-travel accidents the Canopus system has reverted by to pristine jurassic conditions. All sentient life has been destroyed, but the planets are now a complete utopia."
"Unhappy with the current federation a faction of humans have split off and formed their own society. They inhabit only two star systems currently, but are growing rapidly their name is [insert empire name here]."
The galaxy could then be changed to reflect these events. A player wouldn't have to declare any particular allegiance (only in the case of empires). You could play as Yor one game, and Humans the next. I think that it would be cool....
Any other ideas or thoughts on this?
