[Jmenschenfresser]

First off, I would consider making a mod which makes planets very hard to kill and even harder to take over. This will stop casual destruction as it might take a full sized fleet just to glass one small colony...or several fully loaded troop transports to do the same. Here player's targets will get smaller. Instead of conquering systems, you'll just worry about a planet at a time.

The real problem here with role play is that it is difficult to actualize a goal which is playable.

For instance, in the history game, I am having a problem coming up with a story line that a) goes along with my race, and b) can involve something in the actual game...other than just me writing about it.

What can you do in SE4 but conquer the universe? Peace for so many years is quite boring. A % larger than the 2nd place player could be worked in, but then again, that could kill the role play once someone nearly hits the goal, and the rest gang up on him.

Only real thing you can do is just be constantly creative. My grand plan, if I ever get the cohones to start, is a role play mod. In this mod, under the advanced traits, you would pick a certain type of empire to play....say religious, or rebel or pirate or trade empire or psychotic monster men from beyond the alpha quadrant...you get the drift. In any case, whatever empire you pick, only gives you certain techs, certain strengths and certain weaknesses. The mod wouldn't put you down a certain path per se, but it would limit you from veering from what you are as a race.

Anyway, that is my dream mod for roleplay. we'll see. Trick is to make it just as fun to play a vast trade empire as it would to play a small pirate confederation.