Firstly, to what extent can you name things? I remember reading that capital ships can be named, but what of planets, space stations and the like?
Naming isn't in Beta 4, so only the devs know...
How long do hulks last after a battle, and what ship classes leave debris?
From what we've been told, debris is one of the things thats coming in release -- I think capitols leave a little bit of debris behind, but that may just be part of the "kaboom" animation.
Is there any kind of anomilies or special object within star systems, like abandoned freighters that can be looted, or asteroids with a few things hidden on them, akin to the relics in gal civ 2.
Pretty much no.
Do planet's textures change upon being bombarded from orbit, i.e. mushroom clouds, scorched regions, etc.
No, but there are some
really dramatic nuclear explosions during the bombing process.
Are there different types of planets, like ones that require more research to colonize, or completely unusable ones
Yes. Volcanics give lots of fleet points (since fleet points are being redone, this is something that would have to change...), ice gives crystal, deserts have lots of logistics slots, terrans have lots of population, asteroids are sub-par planetoids, and there are various nuetral bodies like gas giants, asteroid belts, plasma storms, and magnetic storms which can't be colonized.
And finally, does anyone else find that the counter to release going temporarily to zero when the site loads is really sadistic?
Roflcopter!
No.
