me and my friend were rambling about the game and the topic was, would there be a long term motivation to play this game when it had a Great Campaign mode similar to Total war or Hearts of Iron series...
Map
The map would be seperated into grids which you could see if you open the big map or something... these grids would still be passivly active(example:if you built a factory there which produces 50 iron in 10 minutes it would just add 50 iron every time the statistics get updated) if you would move on the edge of a map it would transfer you into the new grid, because im so hooked by this idea i made this post of course
and this little concept map.
click it for full version
Beginning
The start would be pretty much like the normal thing BUT, here are no aliens! you are a normal human and try to gain influence by helping out settlements with for example Supplies or defending it from bandits or helping its faction for the war effort(some quest which tells you to destroy the closest enemy stuff...*This idea comes from a mod called Antistasi in Arma 3 look it up!*) At this point youre pretty much like a mercenary, some people might join you because you helped thier settlement and you could recruit them as soldiers or what ever there might be.
Becomming a Faction
Eventually when you helped out a neutral settlement alot, they offer you to become thier leader. Now you will become a faction, you could choose your name and color maybe. Conquer territory, and have full controle over the man power of the settlement. Also you will now be noticed by the other factions and be able to communicate with them, make trades and other stuff...
Armies
You could create and customize a layout of an army like: How many Men does this army have? How many tanks,trucks, and other vehicles? May it resupply its self automaticly or only with permission? (Hearts of Iron Armies...) i belive this part would be horrificly difficult to programm but there could go alot of detail into this, so the army might operates its self on its own(only sending troops which are equiped for example) of course YOU still give the major orders to the army...
Good use of Polution system?
Maybe Settlements could dislike Polution just like aliens...(derp) and if they become very unhappy they might start a rebellion
You won
What now? you own the whole planet and there is nothing left to do... well maybe you could go into space and jump on another planet?
SUMMARY
i belive this would be awsome to play and you would have countless hours to invest into it, and hey multiplayer of course right? please post your thoughts about this!