In the gameplay videos from Gamescom and EGX and basically eveything immidiately after the Lumeris reveal, it was shown that there is an animation when you colonize planets. However in the Early Access videos I have seen so far this feature is absent. I suspect the reason for this is because the devs are trying to implement animations for each possible planet type. I could be wrong though, which is why I have made this thread. This will be a feature in the final game correct? Because it is an amazing thing to see.

That's what I'm wondering about myself, seeing how there is artwork for each planet type.

I guess you are about right. I can't imagine they do an animation just for the Gamescom and PAX show. (Well a lot of publisher and devs do fake segments for their game. Ahem, Colonial Marines... ) But I don't think Amplitude is faking here. Why should they show an animation which they will scrap? Would be easier to show no animation. I guess they have to implement every planet type and that's the reason the animations aren't in there yet.