(If I understood this correctly) Stardock just said on the stream that one could design galaxies in their star patterns. They said they could generate the Stardock logo on a galaxy map. So you could set up your multiple galaxies situation as suggested. They did demonstrate a spiral type galaxy.

That was the inspiration - though without the "me designing" part...  The only other thing that would be cool would to incorporate "inter-galactic" technologies so that you have to research in order to cross the void.  It wouldn't be exactly the same thing as range - though maybe it would enable range to be applied to that area whereas it would not be initially.

This could lead to a GC online or someone with a powerful server where there are multiple players per galaxy and multiple galaxies per universe.

And add to the tech tree so twords the end of researching one learns how to cross from one galaxy to another.

On a smaller scale maybe simply have there be a single habitable planet on the map (in one of the corners) that is defined as being "in the next galaxy".  You would have to research the necessary technology AND be able to build a sufficiently advanced and large fleet and then send it over there.  Alpha Centuari victory on a slightly larger scale.  For all those people that don't want to ascend but still show off their technological and product prowess.

You'd probably need enough military also deal with the defensive fleets and starbases (though you'd likely have you own there as well) that would block your way.

Shut your mouth. No more great single-player franchises turned into crappy MMOs!

I think this sounds great from team vs team gameplay perspective!

It doesn't even need to be two galaxies! If the map is large enough then you can pretend it's two arms of the spiral galaxy. Why stop there, we can move on to having maps similar to Civilization. Come to think about it, GalCiv2 had custom maps that catered to team play.