I was thinking of an interesting variation to the ancient ruins that I wouldn't mind seeing...
Derelicts (Space hulks,abandoned ships/stations, odd techie bits of space debris, etc...).
They would be seeded like Ancient Ruins, but would be in open space instead of on a plante's surface. You would probably have to have a particular tech to salvage/detect them, but if you salvage them you would get either a unique/regular tech advance (only working device on board the debris, or something), or you would be able to get another ship or station (but with a tech or two that you wouldn't have) with the option to fleet/use it, or analyze it for the unique/new technology.
It would put an (IMO) interesting spin on the whole "colonize planet with Ancient Ruins, get tech" situation.
Just an idea.....but one that I particularly like...
[ May 12, 2003, 10:07: Message edited by: Xaren Hypr ]