I have a conquer the universe idea:

Since there are factions already in place, why not have you get enough experience to become a faction leader??? In some way earn enough money, or fight enough, or even get enough of a reputation ( I like this one the best - work on a point system etc. ) to get a faction. Then have the game provide you with a zone of control ( doesn't seem too hard to put in place since other factions are there with zones already - maybe have you take control of a faction in place etc ) - some ideas to incorporate are protection of your base, trade lanes etc for defensive purposes, maybe even some diplomacy issues. Offensively, I think there could be interesting ideas of taking over another faction ( destroy/disable a certain base or basess, assassinate thier leader ( maybe even have sub-class leaders that if you kill enough of will take them over ( ie, uber dudes with high powered fighters, kill enough fighters/freighers ) - I see this gaining/loss scenario built in by random ( and possibly coded ) encounters that you go through. Based on these you win or lose ground ( I guess like a branching tree idea, since I don't see how a persistent world point system would work, but there are geniuses out there who might have a better idea ). I could see these popping up like single player missions after a certain amount of freelancing. This is just a rough idea, and I wanted to see what you think?