Quick thought: Can you rename a civ and change its attributes in game? For instance, say Egypt collapses. The code looks for a civ that dies, renames it, changes heads and uus and citylist, then pops it into the spot required.
I'm not a coder (lordy lord you know that) so I have no idea if it is possible, but it does sound plausible.
-As to colonies, I would suggest that they are gimped to size 4-5, with the option to build an improvement (semi-expensive) that can turn them into a city. Otherwise, twould be tres annoying to have your super rich sugar colony turn into a crummy city.
-Colonies again, how about resource based improvements to further expand the plantation idea, EX: sugar mill, req sugar cane in city radius, produces 1 sugar (+1 health or happy), sugar is also req for small wonder brewery, produces 2 rum resource.
-Is there a way to add 'trading posts' similar to the colonies of c3? If we are talking mobile cities, I have a feeling there would be some way to super-gimp the city thing into allowing them. Harbor &/or Airport construction possibilities in them would be a plus
-Do you already have access to the SDK?
-From what I have seen, air units need some serious pumps in terms of intercept likelihood. Carrier to City air combat needs pumping
-Some sort of military base placeable in allied territory would be handy. Combo fort/airbase or fort/navybase would be quite sveet. I do love the current ability to station troops in allied cities. Almost wet my pants with joy when I figured out it was possible.
-Bring back the navy system we made in rocx! SoL, Frig frig, and Transport
-Gunner's idea of stopping transports after a drop is brilliant! If land units get no moves, transports shouldn't either.
-Add in the ability to buy/sell soldiers. I was real bummed when I found out I couldn't be an international arms dealer. (not a real suggestion, but it might convince the ai to not be so trooper greedy)
-I love you Rhye
Are you waiting for Warlords to come out to do the design work, or will you just rework for warlords?
...bugger, that was supposed to be just one quick thought.