[klausD]

dirk.
this is an absolutely awsome idea. As you mentioned it would require a much larger universe and more players. And especially a much larger and more expensive tech tree.
its up to MM to develope the tools for the GMs which allows them to initiate such a game.

Additional features I suggest for such games:
1. races can evolve during the game -with experience points given by the GMs because of good active role-play, good strategy, intel or whatever.

2. GMs should be able to create events, races, single and multiple units and much more to keep the game interesting and to create a kind of storyline. This should be a very powerful tool only for GMs.

bye
Klaus