Just brainstorming some ideas for things to make exploration and system claiming more important/viable:
One thing I love about the Civilization games is resource management. The thrill of finding the PERFECT place to found a city in is awesome. It can be the difference in a small science/gold producing city, and a capital filled with Wonders. In Starmade... not so much. Long as you've got some asteroid rings and a couple of planets, you're good. About the only things you might actually...
Exploration/System Bonuses and Actual Empire Building
One thing I love about the Civilization games is resource management. The thrill of finding the PERFECT place to found a city in is awesome. It can be the difference in a small science/gold producing city, and a capital filled with Wonders. In Starmade... not so much. Long as you've got some asteroid rings and a couple of planets, you're good. About the only things you might actually...
Exploration/System Bonuses and Actual Empire Building