One thing that I think would be cool to implement in SEIV or SEV would be the ability to create unique facilities for which the player provides the description and which have no game effect. This would be entirely for role-playing and personal edification purposes.
For example, in one of my games I play a race known as the Exiles of Kor. They worship Kor. It would be cool if I could start a giant monolithic construction on one of my worlds, call it "The Great Temple of Kor" give it a cost (say 50Kt Min) and just build it.
It would have ZERO game effect, other than to take up a facility slot, but it would have potentially LOTS of role-playing effect. My bitter enemies could try to sabotage it, I could be forced to keep fleets there to defend it, etc...
Another player recently wanted to role play and international casino empire, well, they could do this in part by building a "casino complex" which, again, has no game effect, but has lots of role playing effect. It could be the destination of regular trading vessels, etc...
if I ever survive the Klackons in my other game, I can tell ou I'd devote a lot of resources to building a giant memorial to the billions they killed on Earth...
There are plenty of options. This sort of "role playing project" works to great effect in other games I am familiar with (see
http://www.throneworld.com/lords/index.jsp).
Now, those of you out there who are scoffing that "but why would anyone spend resources without any benefit? It's stupid!" may scoff away. But I can tell you that this free-form ability to role play can lend itself to a more satisfying role playing environment on many occasions.
Thanks,
Alarik