How 'bout it?   Being able to play as the pirates!  They could have thier own economic system based on ties to the black market. Maybe you have limited logistics but your frigates are BADASS.  Maybe you get a limited number of cap ships but like frigates they're real battlewagons.  There could be unique military techs that focus on hit and run,  escaping a bad situation, and bumrushing your enemy with everything ya got tactics.  Another Idea is that you would have to clear out x number of gravity wells before you can start to colonize.   

That's the most I have for Ideas so far....    But let me know what you think...

@soulspark - got a lot on my plate as is with Distant Stars (that has possibilities though) so currently I am going to have to turn you down. Maybe someone else can do something with it.

Heck, you can even learn to mod the game yourself and figure it out. A lot of us would be glad to help. There are even some nice tutorials by myfist0 that you can use.

@ Ryat  -   Seems like ZombieRus5 is already taking the ball and running with it.  Checked out his link and saw the light.

That kind of stuff is far beyond what I was thinking.  Can't wait to see his mod finished! 

No No No and NOOOOO !!!!

While the idea seems fun to me, the idea would ruin the game because the player would be free to do whatever he wants ! Oh you just gave me a million credit ? I'm going to attack you, not the target you want me to ! Their entire economy would be based of players or / and own and it would be a mess ! If a player controls it, why do we need to give them money? What is the purpose of helping a player that will come destroy your planets and colonize them? What about their tech tree? They would be able to travel directly with huge armies since the begining of the game, if yes it would be way too powerful, if no, what's the purpose?

Their purpose is that they are neutral, they don't attack unless the bet begins on players.

Also, their role is to "harrass" players, if a player control them, it won't be harrassment but he will clearly come to kick your *** ! It would not be fun anymore !

I don't think a player would be neutral enough while controlling them !

have you looked at this ? - https://forums.sinsofasolarempire.com/369301

Agreed, it was a good concept but it didn't get nearly far enough to be playable.

If the fanbase cries about the possibility of pirates getting an iconic cruiser launched at the highest threat levels, they'll certainly balk at pirates getting a starbase.  Not to mention a starbase is supposed to be the cutting edge of military technology.  Their space rock is their equivalent, a fully fortified asteroid surrounded by guns.