Wow, just read the majority of the thread here.
Love the game. Playing the BETA4.....
At the moment I am a little dissappointed witht he 2D nature of tactical combat.
It would be good to be able to choose what point to jump in at and to slingshot. Perhaps this should be a realism option in the menu.
Enable complex gravity well :-
a) enables building structures anywhere on a sphere of the current build circles.

Enables ability to jump to a point of your choosing on the edge of the gravity well
c) Enables 3D formations to protect against attacks from any point of the sphere
d) Enables a more complex 3D movement system
e) Enables orbiting of objects around planet
f) Enables appropriate weapons unlimited range.
f) enables visability of upper and lower gravity well limits. Z axis limits
Enable Slingshot :-
a) Enables tactical slingshot and more apparent gravity effects on ships
MODS (things that are probably easily modded in):
a) Phase lanes to anywhere from anywhere
This would be awesome! It would allow many more tactics to be used, for instance if you have a large fleet, you split if before jumping to arrive at the north, south and middle poles, while a feint is carried out on left X axis.
The point of difference for space combat always needs to be gravity and 3D tactics.
Whatever game does grand strategy with 3D space gravity first....... well... instant classic just like homeworld. I think the gamers are being underestimated if this is not thought to be understood.
Due to the vastness of space it is understandable that the gravity wells are all that people want to fight in. And it is good that a few other different space-scapes have been provided in between.
One of the reasons I do not play Star Wars Empire at War is the dodgy space combat. It looked good but felt like I was playing command and conquer or supreme commander. Homeworld made me feel like I was in the vastness of 3D space.
How easy is it to include the modes suggested, even if you think it will be for a select few. I believe if modders can achieve the above, it will be the primary version of the game played multiplayer....
Oh and personally, in homeworld. Myself and friend use 3D a lot. Its a bit like having a submarine sim without being able to dive. And a lot of effort in portraying space combat for nought.