i would rather see an eventual sequel than a new expansion
I'd actually rather see both.
In fact, they'd complement each other.
Sins: Diplomacy was, imho, a disappointment. It just lacked a certain spark to it. And I don't like how the pirates are capable of beating a fleet of six capitals and over 50 frigates. It's... ridiculous... and needs a fix.
While moving straight to Sins 2 is tempting, ultimately it is a bad idea for a very simple reason: the production of Sins 2 will cause people to buy Sins 1 Trinity. And since Trinity is broken atm, these newcomers will be frustrated by the brokenness of it and thus might not purchase Sins 2. Now if we had the reverse situation, where people buy Sins 1 and like it, then they'll probably buy Sins 2 as well.
This kinda justifies a new expansion financially.
As for what this new expansion would be about, I think it should basically be about the sequel, or at least the prep up to it. Build some buzz and anticipation for it.
Consider this as the opening cinematic, told from a Vasari's point of view: "Diplomacy has failed. The war has drawn on too long. Not only have the native TEC begun to retake territory away from our control, but so have the Advent. One by one... the beacons our ancestors left behind have begun to go silent faster than before... now only a few remain and will no doubt not last long... it seems our millenia long journey is at its end..." *sadface*
And that's pretty much the mindset behind this expansion. Desperation. Time is running out for everyone and they know it.
Yeah... the Desperation Expansion...
Everybody wants to end the war as quickly as possible and thus are pulling out all the stops. Star systems that were long considered to be too dangerous to colonize are now being opened to exploitation (this explains new planet/star types). New frigate types (I'd like a nice mid-level battle frigate, something between the basic early game frigates like the Disciple and the late game battle cruisers like the Crusader and, yes, something to help you take out those pirate bases, which I barely last two minutes in now), new base defense types (something built around supporting star bases), and new abilities for envoys. Building on the last two expansions is definitely a good idea.
If there is a new tech tree, it should be built around methods of war and diplomacy that are less than tasteful (and thus will cause consequences in faction relations). Basically a tech tree for bioweapons, plagues, economic/mind control, and straight up deadly nukes. Stuff the UN doesn't look too kindly on. The new stuff would be very late game stuff for the most part, as it is after all done in desperation (thus late game and late storyline) and the more familiar techs would feature planet bombing and the like. Would be nice to have a couple new techs for this very important frigate type. Seige units never get enough love. You could probably put the faction superweapon in this tree, too... maybe... in general some reorganization would be good. Military tech tree is... cluttered... imho...
The Vasari should get some interesting new techs related to them trying to make up for lost time and maybe attempt another migration (not that they'll succeed, but they'll try), which will come at the cost of their already small population (and insight anger in the local native populace). Obviously the TEC would get techs related to strip mining planets (at the cost of allegiance or population or culture) and possibly ones that show signs of their economic system becoming less free and more controlled. Perhaps techs to resist the spread of the Unity and Xeno influence at the cost of their own culture's spread (thought police, all that). The Advent might have techs related to how the Unity is beginning to become more inclined to enslaving converts, providing for what amounts to zombie workers. This new habit, born out of necessity, is showing signs of corrupting the Unity and its purpose. In general, the techs should be good for the player (but at a slight cost), but in-story they are bad. Very, very, very bad.
What already exists should be polished till it shines. This would actually be fairly simple, since the game is for the most already amazing looking. However, I for one don't particularly care for seeing a cave icon representing solar power facilities. Things like that should be given a nice work over so it looks less like a work in progress. Planets could also be a touch more diverse... I'm not talking about new planet types, but variation in pre-existing ones... a purely aesthetic request...
Regardless of the content of it, the expansion should be run on the whole idea that new sins are being committed and that everyone will suffer for them in Sins 2. Currently habited space will be nearly spent of resources, the conflict growing ever more deadlier, new opponents could easily emerge from outside known space or from within as traitors to preexisting factions, and whatever the Vasari are running from is about to make its grand appearance (that's definitely going to be a campaign related topic, though, absent in single player). All around, things are worse than before and the factions have no one to blame but themselves.
The franchise name and main theme is a damn good one, imho, and it is one that must be built on.
ANYWAY, when work on the sequel begins in earnest, interest in Sins 1 will be renewed and we'll see a jump in sales. What better way to take advantage of this than by having these newcomers play what amounts to a major cliffhanger ending for the storyline! If anything they'll at least be curious as to what happens next! Interest in Sins 2 would naturally increase even more and we'll see bigger sales because of it. Not massively bigger, but bigger nonetheless.
