Campaign
If this was added, it might even be possible to make a structured (single-map) campaign. Sandboxes are great, but the idea of a Dominions map that had a plot and storyline (rather than just a backstory) is quite intriguing. Age of Wonders and HoMM III are good examples...
On the other hand, a good campaign might require triggered events, which would probably be a lot of work to add (and esp. debug) compared to timed events.
Regardless - I agree with your suggestion. And even little touches like messages arriving, or pop-ups popping up:
"One of your soldiers, born in nearby Hillshire, refuses to go any further. 'The forest eats those who enter. I fear no man, but to enter the Vinewoods is folly.' His prompt execution teaches his fellows that all must fear their god above all else, but there are mutterings amongst the generals - and the forward scouts have yet to report back."
...can add a lot. Timed/triggered messages with enclosed items might also be interesting. On this end we can't really tell what's practical and what's not, but I do know that good campaigns on poor game engines can be much more fun than good game engines with bad/absent campaigns. X-Com versus Laser Squad Nemesis, Star Control II versus Freelancer, and Unreal Tournament 2004 versus Deus Ex (or even System Shock) all come to mind.
But just adding support for a good campaign does not make one appear out of nowhere...
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