One feature that I feel is sorely needed in GC II is the ability to lay claim to planets.

This becomes especially evident with the new planet types introduced in DA, where you have to research tech before colonizing various types of planets. The 'Colony rush" puts undue stress on your economy in the early game just so you can get a decent number of planets. The other thing that seems to happen, is that other powers will colonize planets in your space because they can. Players (and AI) should be given the ability to lay claim to a planet, while not actually colonizing it, thus preventing someone else from grabbing it. To be fair one should only be able to claim planets that are inside their cultural borders. Other civilizations should still be able to colonize said planets, but would be considered an act of war.

Also Minor races should at the very least colonize the other planets present in their solar systems, it would be foolish for any civilization to allow a foreign power to annex planets in their home system. I would also like to see the ability to allow minor races to be come your protectorate, as they are very useful as trade partners. Every game I have played, other Races seem to want to conquer all the minor races even when their planets are deep within your territory.

I really hope that a system that addresses these things can be included in a patch or the upcoming expansion.

-Karl