Nomads, pirates, mercenaries, independent space bases, and organic trade routes are on my wish list for a "living" galaxy.

I am all for adding more more depth to the game. However when it comes to games like Distant Worlds I felt like it was completely overboard on the micromanagement to the point that you had to setup so much "automated" stuff it felt like the game was playing it self. So if you liked sitting back and watching a galaxy sim then it could be fun.

I however prefer a strategy game, like chess, where I am in control of the pieces and not hoping they choose to do what is best for your empire. The sad truth is that AI sucks and it often fails to do what you want or need. Games that often allow such detail often forget that those in charge can set down very specific rules of dos and donts that those under them follow. Where as such detail in how things get automated are rarely left often to the player. It's usually just a check list of which governor/automation type you want.

Given the previous GC games I doubt they will do anything like DW when it comes to private sector running around doing things all on their own. I can see more event types, perhaps more planet differences, new space objects, and etc.

For those peaked an interest in Distant Worlds be prepared to drop a lot of cash. I hear the game improved with the expansions, of which there are 3, but they are still asking full price on a 3 year old game and full price on all the expansions which are nearly as much as the full game. It's well over $100 for lastest version and no demo.

Another game that has a living feel to it is SoaSE: freighters travel between trading posts once they are built, while cities and bustling civilians gradually appear on colonized planets.  

I would also like to see a return to the original Gal Civ (and MOOII) galaxy map, where "hyperdrive" was between star systems, and the systems had their own separate screen showing the planets and asteroids surrounding the star.  Star systems have virtually no importance in Gal Civ II, as habitable planets are sprinkled randomly around the map.  Returning to the star system maps emphasizes the vastness of space, improving the atmosphere of the game.   

Sigh.  Why does every game have to be a role playing game?  Isn't there anyone else who just wants a competitive turn based strategy game?  I hate feeling so alone in this world.

Works for me

I like this idea. Also depending on what race, you could have means to speed up the process of "converting" conquered planets to being of your race. Whether that be assimilation, faster breeding, or just plain genocide. 

It's incredible.  Screenshots mean nothing, it's not a game about graphics.  It's easily the best space strategy game I've played.  Kind of like Europa Universalis in space.  

One of the great things about DW is it's customization.  You can set it up so that you control every aspect of everything, which is really impossible, all the way to complete automation, and every degree in between.  I automate quite a bit, but have my advisers tell me about the situation and make suggestions, and let me make a decision before they do anything.

If Gal Civ 3 has half the life that DW has I will be happy. If it has none, then Gal Civ 3 will be hard to play as DW has spoiled me. BTW DW is almost always on sale during xmas.

There was? LOL, well I'm a dictator so I don't listen for my punny little slaves . Unless of course they try something, in which case it's good to have army near by 

Heh, that's more or less my feelings as well.  Distant Worlds spoiled me, but I'll still be happy if GC3 has even a fraction of the atmosphere DW does.   

If your slaves are punning, I'm amazed you haven't put them to death already.   

I try my best, but those multiply like sheep   . 

I've been playing GalCiv II again and I think the secret to bringing GalCiv III's universe to life could be the Galactic News Network.  In GalCiv 2, you got the full GNN treatment with a tech breakthrough, and a simple GNN report at the start of every turn.  I would love to see the GNN become much more active in the game, with it being used to report on all sorts of events in detail, with lots of video.  I am reminded of the old sub game Seawolf that had its own TV news network that would report on the player's action in the war, complete with video clips of the player sinking ships, etc.  Something similar in GalCiv III could be fun, especially if it covered major events in the galaxy by all players.

An expansion of the GNN would be awesome. Especially if they are as hilarious as the research complete screens. 

I'd love to see GalCiv3 have features like Crusader Kings2 or Knights of Honor.

It would make it more alive, deeper, and fun.. As the OP says - not just map points to cap.