Would be fantastic fun to see these 'new' factions arise and engage the Big Four in official factional warfare. It would add a whole new layer of politics. Love it.

Basically, allow an alliance that gets large enough, in fleet size (EVE-side) and planet-size (DUST-side) to become a faction. They would have to maintain a certain power base to continue to have this 'faction' status (and whatever new mechanics might come along with it), but as long as they had the power, great.

Of course, it's understandable that it might be extremely difficult to do and that there might be only enough space in the galaxy for a handful of these, but still. Downside I see is NPC factions and high-sec becoming dangerous or player Factions getting pwned by one of the Big Four and crying it's unfair, the Devs cheated, blah, blah, blah. Of course, if you declare war on one of the Big Four, I guess you better be committed and ready to lose.

This ruling an empire in New Eden would require you to quit your day job (if you have it), drop out from school or leave your spouse, girl/boy friend and kids. Unless you play EVE/DUST along with your whole familly or VERY close and trusted friends. Kind of familly bussines style. If you are really good you can buy EVE game time with ISK in the form of PLEX. DUST plays 43. But you have to have $Gé¼-Ñ-ú etc. to provide for your physical bodies and juice for your computers, TVs, PS3s. Sure. You can steal from other people to achieve that but it still demand some time outside of New Eden.

It is almost 24/7 type of effort if the empire becomes large enough. This time spent in game is a limiting factor of how large a player empire can be.

An empire will last for as long as it's ruller can put her/his heart in it. How long do you think it can be? A year? A month? A week? With all the members who need to be given orders and coordinated? It stops to be just a game at this level.

It becomes your life...