Also Lunar Leeper? Like Motherload in that you have to return to base to refuel between excursions. Farther and farther excursions to get (mine? collect?) better and better resources. Loses Motherload’s live-with-the-changes-you-made pleasure.

Ideas:

• upgrade to level an area for landing
• upgrade to drop a refueling way station
• carrying more fuel = heavier, need more thrust?
• more thrust = burn more fuel?
• upgrade to prevent tipping over (automatic stabilizer rockets?)

Perverse Idea

UI test pilot. Controls to pilot become increasingly complex/obtuse as committee “improves” it. Might not be fun but might get you noticed.