A good feature to add to this already great game is Captains. Now before you start yelling and screaming of balance issues and how we don't need the features like those found in MOO2, sit and listen to this proposal.
The game mechanics already allows each ship to gain level. Now all that is needed is a superficial change to ships.
I propose a Captains list where there would be a list of Captains with their own background story and statistics. Each of this captain can be assigned to a Ship to command. These captains do not have bonus on them nor do they effect gameplay. All they do is (mechanically wise) is to gather data of how many battles that ship has won. If the ship is destroyed, the captain will "escape" and return to HeadQuarters (captain's list) where he can be assigned to a new ship. He will NOT add any experience to the new ship he's assigned to, but will continue to keep track of how many times he won or lose a battle, seperated by the different ships he's been assigned to.
Here's the thing, if the Captain is on the ship and that ship is destroyed, most of the time, he'll return to HQ. But there is a small chance (random) that he can die instead of escaping. If he dies, he will be sent into HQ memorial or Hall of Fame where he would be placed and unassignable.
The captains should be editable so we can all make our own Captains. I would love to assign one of these captains to my Shakara Class Battleship. It gives more immersive values to an already immersive game. And best of all, there is no balancing issues since the Captains don't give bonus or change stats.. it just keeps a record and adds a personal touch.
As Great God and Overlord of my Empire, I would wish to know who is behind the wheel of my Great and Powerful ship that is tearing through my enemies like a chain saw through veal. It would be a good feature also if they enemies have captains so if one of my ship is destroyed, I'd know the Enemy Captain responsible so i can plot my revenge of conquering his homeworld and enslaving its inhabitants hoping to get that particular Captain's love ones. But that's just me.
Now, what do you all think of the Captain Idea?
