One thing I always enjoyed about some strategy games was a hands off mode. where you can just let the AI's fight. Space Empires 4 allows your to create you own 'ai' empires (modding). They even have ai deathmatch competitions...
http://www.shrapnelcommunity.com/threads/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=295019&page=4&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1
Looks like alot of fun, and may allow for variety and more challenges to players.