I used to expect the government systems can have more funs: more options, more combinations, more limits in "governing" the state. And the Power Balance of military, law, and finance can shape the so call characteristics of civilizations rather than the fix ones.
I used to expect the Non-government organizations can play more and important roles in the "free market" such as private police station, Mercenary, private hospitals, private universities, private banks. Without players investment, low tax rates. And them can cross all sates and form the capita empires beyond borders of states, powerful than the religions, because a government can step into the "unhealthy financial habits" like heavy debts and uncontrolled welfares. The "oversea assets" can access any resources wanted without warfare.
I used to expect the international events like F1, world cup, Olympics, financial crisis, international conferences, etc.
I used to expect the United Nations can be more powerful and execute some military tasks to be a real peace keeper. And its goals should be more.
I used to expect the so called "Judge made laws" can play important roles in some civilizations. And Laws production - both Ius and Lex - should occupy player more time because they also present the culture difference like languages. religions and types of entertainments.
I used to expect to rivers can be more useful and let ships cross. Canals, should be allowed to build.
I used to expect the "government budgeting" and "National project" can replace the unit "worker". I just do not like to manage every single of units.
I used to expect the "military advisor" can help to build army units which including different kinds of units. And the place of building unit does not matter at all, the place of units to be placed does matter. e.g. a fleet may include many different kinds of warships in classes and versions and ages, and this fleet is placed in a zone far from their nearest motherland. Thus, the expenses of maintaining and using this fleet should be different from the other fleet.
The uniform, equipment, structure, size, and training level can be adjusted, the expenses can be separated into the maintaining and using expenses. And the "budgeting" can limit and supporting the military power as one of the triangle powers mentioned above.
An army of fleet unit can only occupy one hex, but as the culture influence does, its effective zones or areas should not be limited into one hex or its attacking ranges. I used to expect the "patrol" function of the army unit. Its adjustable "patrol zone" can let one army unit to defense a large areas lands/seas/air zones which we have to product many units to achieve in the past.
I believe the air transports is an optional to transport land forces to the battle zone in time. And paratrooper should always be an option. The Supply Line, must be introduced into a game like civilization because its the strategic level thing. Battle zone or front line should be not the main focus, or at least not the only one. By cutting the line, it should reduce enemy unit's power without direct engagement. Of course, the areas supply line passes will not be a straight line but it is hardly be a secret to enemies.
Finally, there should be an options to empower one or more lived generals player produced to carry out the war. As the unlimited wars will be bored to anyone at last when you play one hundred times. Was is not everything in this game. It should not be.
I used to expect to create the unique government system, laws, musics, sports, arts, companies and new religions. Because they are more interesting than buildings. Because they are the major parts of civilizations.
Why this brave new world has no crimes, drugs, and sex problems? Don't they at the civilization level? Can't we build Las Vegas? Can't we produce drugs for trading. just like British did to China in 1840? Can't we build a Gotham City and read Batman's news? How about AIDS? How about the 300 gays and the bisexual acts? (Suetonius tells us that Caesar was called "the man of all women and the woman of all men")
Is it possible the mod supporting the other races civilization such elf, drow, dragon, orc, etc?
