I know the developers were looking for more ideas to put into NPC's so I'll give some input. What if the colonies had AI, and could gather materials and slowly build up more houses and buildings around the planet. Then they could offer goods based off of what type of planet it is and what materials they had to mine. I realize that this would be a huge effort to code, but just throwing this idea out there. NPC's could also have hunger and die of starvation if their farm isn't well stocked or a harsh winter comes, and you could visit and donate food to them for prizes.
