Sins of a Solar Empire is often described as a 4XRTS game, or a game that tried to merge the action and tactics packed gameplay of a Real time strategy game with the deep, complex, empire wide strategy of a 4X turn based game. It's up to debate whether Sins succeeded in this goal, but I think all can agree that of the 4Xs of "explore, expand, exploit, and exterminate", Sins is much more focused on the exterminate than on the others. This mod seeks to give more depth to the other 3Xs of the game by adding additional game elements or refining the existing ones to reward players who give more strategic thought to the non-combat side of the game. Combat will still be the center point of the game, but players will find that the non-combat options available will be much more rewarding. Spying, exploring, sabotage, diplomacy, culture, and economic development have all been added or changed in innovative new ways. Regardless of what you think Sins is, this is the 4XRTS it should have been.
Because I find calling every faction in the game "Rebels" and "Loyalists" silly, and because it will become even more confusing later on, E4X will be renaming the factions. The TEC race has become the Traders, with the Loyalists becoming simply the TEC, while the Rebels have formed their own government as the "Human Trader State" (HTS). The Advent Rebels call themselves the "Ascended Advent", while the Loyalists have become unofficially known as the "Orthodox Advent". And the Vasari Rebels have organized as the "Vasari Independent Republic" (VIR), while the Loyalists faction name is based on the institution of leadership, the "Vasari Central Command" (VCC).
Love it!
Great idea honestly.