Galaxy Map Editor

Idea/Ultimate Goals:

Add a custom galaxy map editor, either in-game or as a separate software. Before introducing any modding, map editing feature is a MUST.  Much easier and faster to implement, than full-scale modding tools. I will be happy even with an xml based text editor with primitive graphic representation of the map.

General thoughts on the Current System:

Random map generation provides a decent level of replayability, yet, a player made map with carefully designed star systems, distances between them, neutral nodes, quests, events and so on - that galaxy will look more consistent and polished. I bet there are people who would become dedicated map makers, like me .

Approach Proposal:

I guess, I should describe what features should a map editor have at the very least. Some things may sound tricky or messed up, because I don't know how galaxy data is managed/stored (a complex weighted graph?! )

There are 2 main categories the editor operates: galaxy editing and map scenario editing.

Galaxy editing includes:

¤ System editing:

• choose system type (neutral node, star system, wormhole) and appearance from the list of available ones, if neutral node - let FIDSI be customizable;
• choose planets count and their corresponding stats - FIDSI, size etc.;
• allow to predefine anomalies and resources, moreover, let those be mixed with random ones, the proportion is set by map designer [only predefined, mixed, only random];
• Note: after designing a system it is put into available systems list (palette), so that we can copy/paste/edit it, each system is unique to prevent instantiation failures.

¤ Starmap editing:

• put/move system on the grid manually;
• put system on the grid relatively to an existing system by setting distance and direction, allow to choose whether it is connected with a string or not;
• edit systems connections, while showing actual distances on strings;
• an ability to replace system with another one, two similar systems will be renamed, new one will be added to palette;
• an ability to generate a random map (duh ), also, add an option to generate a map of dummy systems so that we have only to fill them with content;
• an option to pin/unpin system on the map;
• [optional, too tricky] an ability to create a field on the map, which is always randomly generated each new game, while "constant" systems remain as they are in any game.

Map scenario editing includes:

• adding/editing quests, their content and triggers, add a "Win game" reward;
• adding/editing events, their content and triggers;
• possibility to predefine already researched techs, planet/system upgrades, AI/player owned systems, including minor factions, current politics situation (diplomacy and senates), AI/player owned fleets, their configuration and status - that all, a current state of the map, as I could have missed something ;
• a possibility to link maps into a campaign, so that after finishing a map you are suggested to continue to the next map, allow to link win/lose to different maps;
• [optional] well, this is more of a straight modding, but allow us to change research costs on a particular map to balance the pace and prevent broken builds.

Last but not least, on game creation screen allow us to disable map scenarios and play with general rules, like in random galaxy game, if those are not hardcoded. There also should be a "Use standard rules" tick in editor, too.

So many stories to be told that way, I already see myriads of campaigns for each race, not mentioning tons of multiplayer maps. So many options

And while I've seen in the roadmap "Global storyline", player made content always extends the life of a game.