Let's say, for example, that something the Itani government does pisses me off. I then proceed to go on a killing spree of Itani players (friendly fire should be *on*), and maybe bring a datadisc of top-secret plans to Serco space. Shouldn't I then be considered a Serco player, friendly to them and kill-on-sight to Itani players? I don't know if this is already planned (it seems like the current reputation system would allow it), but it'd certainly kick arse if it were. Also, what about ship colors? Would the color of my ship change from blue to red once I switched? Or will nation colors be gone (except maybe from military craft), with custom paint jobs instead?

Here's what would happen:

You would dock in Sector 12, we'd confiscate the data disc, pile you into an EC-88 without engines, tow you to Sector 8 and launch you at the nearest Itani patrol. Nobody trusts a traitor further than is prudent to their own interests. You'd be better served to go Neutral and try to sell it on the black market.

Blah, I think you misunderstood. I don't mean that a traitor should be trusted or whatever, I mean that they should be able to *be* a traitor. It could go for different roles, too. For example, a spy gets Serco forces to hack into the Itani database for him and change him to an Itani. After a period of recon, he grabs a disc on the latest Itani ship design, blows up the shipyard, and switches back to Serco. Besides, that was just an example. Changing to NT works as one, too...

You should just be able to go neutral or join a faction, if you wish to leave this should be possible, although indeed. Who does trust a traitor, you must earn there trust. It is very uncommercial when one must start over again to see how it is on the other side. Maybe peaple should start off neutral and later join a faction. Very noob friendly, and at least the faction have to attract players to them.

So i sympatise with Pyro.

Oooh, I like LuniX's idea. Start everyone off on NT (but somewhere like the capital, nice and heavily guarded), and let them pick where they want to go (if they want to go anywhere) once they get a bit of experience...

I managed to get an Itani char completely hated by itani (no KOS so far tough), nothing happened :(

I don't think it's in this version to change nations Sheean.

A capitol where te neutrals are! Sweet! Like coscuscant, something very big. Right in the middle of the war of the Itani vs Serco. Will you get involved or spend your life trading, exploring or pirating? Why would you? Maybe some serco blasted you down while trading and now you want to join the Itani. Or the Itani refuses trading so many times it's time to teach them a lesson! Or not the life of a trader or explorer sounds peacefull yet exiting...

Much more commercial, i like it.

Exactly! Right now, I'm thinking of the Neutral Territories as being something like the old Italian city-states. There'd be price wars, controlling of trade routes, and that sort of thing... It wouldn't be a formal war or anything, but there could be border skirmishes over attempted incursions or the like...