I don't like how constructions are currently done.
Its going into micro management, and hopefully it will be the first step towards a more complex game (yes, this is good).
Lets have an unlimited amount of space to build upon instead of just 150 constructions because its
easier to "get". Hell, you could even go as far as renting space on other planets. Each building has several factors, for example: upkeep, space, capacity, efficiency, construction time. You could have silos, small, medium or large. Light, medium, heavy factories - again, small medium or large. You could choose to build them underground, protecting them from SKs, you could choose to have extra security, preventing covert ops.
There are so many external factors that aren't included right now that we should be taking advantage of.
Lets take a look at say, your choice of light factories:
Code:
CT CC UK AR BE
Small light factory 2 500 1 3 90
Medium light factory 6 3000 6 6 80
Heavy light factory 12 24000 60 24 70
CT = Construction time; CC = Construction cost; UK = Upkeep; AR = Area occupied; BE = Basic efficiency.
We can now apply things such as racial bonuses for example:
* Terran, having stronger armour, may use better construction techniques and upkeep is reduced by 90% and armor is higher.
* Cathaar, being the clever guys they are, to have +10% efficiency on each building.
* ETC...
The table above was just a small possiblilty of the factors that can be applied.
Finally, there are a few other things I can think of while I'm on the subject:
Allow constructions to be either demolished for salvage, or a similar sized construction to be altered for a different purpose (e.g. turn a refinery into a factory).
Silos may only carry a certain amount of resources. Factories may only produce a certain number of ships at any one time (a great way to balance the stockpiling tactic). Buildings can be turned off to save power, or increase efficiency in another. Buildings require power.
Now I'm sure you're thinking "great, sim city", but quite honestly the game is so mind numbingly boring and is a case of who you know (unless you are a really good xp-whore).
Seriously finally, I realise there will be many replies regarding "lower ranked planets won't be able to afford the upkeep" etc, well that's just something that we'll have to adapt the rest of the game to, and produce a proper
tutorial (not manual)
Thanks!
P.S. Its probably best if we get a reply from PaTeam before much discussion goes into this as I remember a similar thread a while back that resulted in some great ideas and no response from the developers.
Is this feasible? Can you be bothered? Will it happen?