[jimbob]

For special components I can see this as being valuable... only they can make them. But then, how do we make the neutral (computer) player smart enough to actually trade with anyone else? Plus, there is no way of upgrading a few of the components on a ship... so we would have to content ourselves with buying ships with special components but crummy shields (for example). The crummy shields could never be upgraded without losing the special component... er, unless it was built into the hull!?

With facilities it would be easier, just drop some troops on the planet. Of course if you damage the facilities during pre-ground combat bombardment you've made yourself a problem. But otherwise, the special facilities are not going to help you at all.

So, would it actually be possible to do any of this without hard-code changes?

-jimbob