List of suggestions by Astax

Putting these up mostly so I can keep them together. I will edit this post, but feel free to comment below.

User interface/Display:

Game Clock:
Reason I would like game clock is simple, it helps me improve! It is difficult to pace yourself in Sins, because the game is so slow and laid back. But if I had a game clock (Much like the one on replays), I could tell how I am doing compared to previous games. Am I expanding fast enough? Am I teching at a good pace? When sohuld I have a trade network up and running? All these thigns are easier to figure out if there is an ingame clock! Of course, I will have to keep in mind what speed I am playing on, and what not. Obviously a fast game progresses 20% faster.

Resize the blackmarket shortcut.

It's pretty big. Too big I think.  Also there is some sort fo clickthrough exclusion area aroudn it that means you cant click objects behind it, even though they are not covered by the box.

ICO/Chat Interface:

Better Whisper Support:
This is probably coming already, but I would like to highlight areas that need help. First, "/r" for reply command needs to be added. This is a no brainer. Second, we need abiltiy to whisper to people who have names with spaces! It may be necassary to alter all such names, replacing spaces with "_". Also, we need ability to whisper to peopel in game! This one is pretty hard to implement probably, but it should be done, it coudl amke things infinately better!

Add /a for team chat in staging! Using /a will send message to only people who selected your team.

More Lobby Options:
We need abiltiy to filter joining/leaving spam. 

Ability to ignore users is also required!

Player list could also get a little buff, maybe allow your chosen player icons to display infront of your name! Along with your default color. This color should only affect the icon thou, not the name itself. Since names of friends are already colored different, I would like to keep that functionality.

Clan Support:
Nothing major at first, thou eventually a clan ladder would be nice. For now add some sort of identifier to the player to designate what clan they are in. Players often put the clan initials infront of their names, but something that handled this sort of thing automatically is preferable.  Maybe a clan icon? That would be nice.

Observer MODE!!!!:
Yes please! I need it We need it. Nothing is better than sitting around talking about the game, like you could play better than the person playing Backseat driving they call it.

Hosted Replays:
Ability to host replays, not jsut games, where only the host needs to have the replay!. That way we can watch without having to go through the pain of copying files after downloading/emailign them and so on.
Map Download/Saves Download:

We need ability to download maps and saves automatically.  Also autosaves from minidump games shoudl not be deleted!  That way u can continue a game from autosave once u get a minidump.
Game Flavor Changes:

Farfetched Homeworld Change:
I call it Farfetched because it is. The game has been out a while and changing the factions homeworld types might be impractical, but I will post this anyay. I think Advent Homeworld should be Desert. As for Vasari, Volcanic would do! There are issues to be resolved, mainly the fact some planets get more Logistic slots, but that could be changed by making each faction have different maximum for planetary development levels. For example Advent would have 1 less Logistic Capacity development level for Deserts, but one more Civilian Infrastructure. Vasari would get two extra Civilian Infrastructure levels for Volcanic and one more Logistic Capacity. Other tweaks would be considered of course, like starting colonization techs, and the amount of militias at different planets.

Different Militia:
Yes for practical reasons, most Local Militia would still be TEC. But some otehr militia should be available. Like a Deep Range Vasari Survey Team, or perhaps an Advent Crusade, or Missionaries. Also a space monster would be great! It would be like a capital ship (Lot of hp and special abilities).

EDIT: I updated it, red stuff is stuff that is in now but wasn't when I wrote this.  I also moved it to Multiplayer forum. Just ignore the None MP suggestions