I have some ideas for more interesting conventional games, conventional versions of weapons would be one, conventional research labs and an intermediary engine technology too, as well as an option to change how fast research is accumulated.
An option to change factory production, research, fuel production, shipyard production, population growth, mining production etc as a percentage during game start and also for each race when it's created, allowing for more flexibility. You could essentially keep the game bogged down at low tech levels for a long time. Another option would be to have a list of disabled technologies.
Whenever I start a conventional game I spend a long time setting up starting research and systems, usually including always adding the base required tech for lasers, missiles, microwaves, sensors etc and having a configuration that I could load with settings I use frequently would be nice.
Even an option to numerically alter the games combat mechanics would be nice. Similar to the production percentages, a global multiplier to engine power output, sensor power, fuel consumption etc.
I've gone off on a bit of a tangent, but many of these things I might be able to change myself if I can find a way of tinkering with the database.