"Save Humanity. Turn a profit. Preferably Both." makes me wonder if there might be an alternate victory mechanic available to emphasize the Save Humanity part. At game begin you're presented with 3 contracts to pick 1 or 3 of. Each contract has a Goal (such as ship 500 water and 200 food or maybe 200 electronics) and contract value (such as 200,000). The idea is nearby colonies on mars, space stations, maybe earth itself is in need of specific supplies to grow, avoid threats, or recover from accidents.
Throughout the game players would the opportunity to meet your contract's goal. You do not collect the money immediately, only in the end game. Unfulfilled contracts would instead be a penalty. End game could be triggered either by a time limit or maybe a certain number of contracts completed. Or a combo, someone completes 5 contracts then 2 minute end game is triggered. Total contract award values + total cash on hand - penalties = final $ amounts and winners.
During the game you may also bid on new random contracts. Contract specifics would be secret, but how many contracts a player has is public. Perhaps a maximum number of uncompleted contracts.
The benefits of this game mode: All players would be in the game through until the end and the winning player has a little bit more mystery due to the secret contract values. It might be possible for a somewhat weaker company in terms of HQ level / plots to come from behind and win due to careful management of contracts. Also could generate some interesting planning opportunities with contracts that might required end game resources like Electronics or Chemicals and encourage players to develop to them earlier or buy them low. A careful balance between fulfilling contracts (long term) and managing your cash flow (short term) would be the key to winning.
Don't think it'd be a mode that would replace the current game (which is definitely really fun) but just another option.
