So this thread just hit the sixth page and I only got through about the third so please bear with me if I'm repeating stuff.
Anyway I've been playing like non-stop since I got the game on the 5th. So, not that I really have any hope of any of these suggestions making their way into the game but here are some observations, suggestions and ideas I had while playing (right? Do the devs really follow threads like this? Maybe if we set up "A List" like the community for Civilization 3 did. Basically a coherent list of suggestions, ideas, upgrades across the board instead of sprawling chatter between fans).

Gameplay
1) Alternate Victory Conditions: Okay, so I didn't beta test this game and just gathered bits of info from previews and news highlights and from what I gathered SoaSE was plugged as being one of the first (the first?) Real Time 4X game. It even says so in the manual. Now, 4X games have traditionally been Turn Based (Civ series, MoO, Gal Civ, Space Empires, Lords of Magic, the list goes on for 4X games.) And a major part of 4X games is winning the game several ways. As it stands SoaSE is ALL combat. Sure there is culture and some token diplomacy but it all circles back to the main and only victory condition: complete conquest of the galaxy map. Which isn't bad in its own right but this is where I personally feel the game needs some clearing up. If its a conquest combat game then we need a LOT more tactical and strategic actions. But if SoaSE is truly to be a 4X game then a player should be able to win other than through sheer conquest. Technology victory, diplomatic victory, culture victory (I guess this is technically in there? I'm still a little confused on how culture really works though), super-project victory... I could go on and on and would probably require an expansion or a complete sequel to incorporate. What I'm getting at is that a player should have several paths to victory and defending your empire should not equal defending only your warship manufacturing capabilities.

2) Better Combat: I understand that the previous paragraph was all about how the game should have alternatives to conquest. But conquest currently is the name of the game. And unfortunately combat is pretty... basic. Big masses of frigates floating in place like Red Coats lined up for a volley. Click and select them all and make them fire all on one target and kill it as fast as possible and move onto the next. Sure theres some tricks if you micro-manage like a fiend during a battle.. fighters take out the Long Range ships.... light Carriers to the edge of the wells...
Anything would be helpful to get some spice into the game. Formations. Better yet, formations that DO something; unit-to-unit engagements instead of mass fire at one target till its destroyed then move to next target; more anomalies, logistic and tactical buildings to interact with... the list goes on.

3) Unique Unuts per Team: Along with believing that SoaSE was going to be a 4X game, I also was lead to believe that the three teams were going to play vastly different from one another. As in like Humans/Orcs/Undead/Elves ala Warcraft 3 different or something. Instead I find that each team has the same ship types and the differences are who has better shields, better armor or hull strength and what special abilities might get attached to what ships. Again though, the scope of this suggestion would require a SoaSE 2 most likely. But the idea is that each team would really be UNIQUE. Maybe the Vassari could have a frigate that acts as a light frigate but can also convert to a planet siege mode. The advent might have a ship that projects psychic brainwashing to convert other teams ships to the Unity ala the Monks from Age of Empires. Sure every team is going to need its basic scout and cheap first unit but so much could have been done to really give each team its own spin.


Its getting late. I have like a page an a half of notes on lined paper full of ideas and suggestions I've taken while playing but I'll have to leave you with this for now and come back and edit tomorrow.

Hmm.. well thats not fare. I didn't see the dates. For some reason this thread stayed near the top if the forum for me though... so I thought it was relevant.

Oh well. I'll have to formulate my suggestions for some later mega patch (if there ever is one) some other time.

Thanks for pointing this out though Schod.