Hello, I'm not entirely sure, even after reading readmes :>, whether this is the right place to discuss or not.
Anyway to thing, since it's 2011, and probably majority of people are operating with at least 3.x OpenGL hardware, I wonder if game should attempt to look more like it's cinematics (those from age where they appeared unbelievable, are nowdays pretty much doable in realtime).
I'd love to create a thread about missing effects that might once be added and those which would community not really like in game.
1) Volumetric effects (mainly light effects, but might be also fog)
Sorry for pitiful size, but this is taken from briefing animation in mission after capturing Tatanis.
This effect would be very helpful for replacing old sun effects that more or less just randomly blind player (even in nebula :S) while creating very spectacular effect at little HW expense.
2) Dynamic range
Taken from FS1 cinematic intro.
As you can see all the objects in the view truly appear to be affected by very bright planet they are orbiting, though there is also planet lighting applied and blur, it alone would give better impression of strong lighting in the scenes like planets.
3) Materializing effects
While FS1 effect is more complicated, FS2 effect is nearly doable with fixed pipeline functions with double render, it only needs blooming. Implementing this would not only allow having same quality for custom made content, but also sound would be matching image :d.
4) Shadows
I think this was hot topic in the past already, so don't dare to add more than honorable mention.
5) Motion Blur
Taken from FS2 cinematic intro, great effect for better game impression, though also quite a distraction. However objects appearing to be in motion would definitely add whole new life to dogfights.
6) Depth of Field
I don't particularly like this one, however taken from FS2 cinematic, it could definitely add something. Though this usually assumes player is always looking at centre of his screen, thus being OK in cinematics, but not great in game.
7) Lens effects
Nothing really new, there is already something like this, however it might use some improvements.
Now there are more things I haven't brought up ( like smoke effects ), I think it'd nice to share some thoughts and wishes and perhaps inspire self or others to even add some of those or deny them as unfitting game.
Hope that spellcheck helped :d.