1. > That's one way I'm making this sci-fi w/light fantasy project different. The setting is going to be very expansive. Of course, different stories will focus on certain systems and sectors, but there is no definite galaxy or star system that is the entire project "world", if you will. The scope expands to all of existence. Even to multiple universes and dimensions.

2. > I haven't worked that out yet. I guess your idea is okay. Though there was a species of greats who had wormhole and teleportation ship travel.

3a. > The government in the primary area we're focusing on is the ISAF (Intergalactic State of Allied Forces). They govern space travel somewhat, but only in systems they control. Since they are a young alliance, they haven't the time to overreach like the American government and outlaw everything. So yes, one of the major ails they have to deal with is, in fact, crime. The galactic police force doesn't seem to have it under control.

3b. > The star system we're going to be in first isn't the Milky Way, though humans do exist. Timeline-wise, Earth isn't discovered until much later.

4. > What makes us different is the scope, and the way we're going. One of the major devices used is the Precursor Race. Long ago, the Starborn had a society that spanned the universe. Their society collapsed, and they fled their homes. Over time, they disappeared. They died out. Few mixed with other species. Their memories and teachings soon became legend. The timeline itself is expansive. It starts from the beginning of the Omniverse and goes from there. Humans are in Star Story, but timeline-wise, depending on the specific story we want to write/play/develop, the milky way doesn't exist until much later. Unless you were wanting to skip ahead to the part in the timeline that it does exist, and go from there.

4a. > What else makes this different is the focus on politics. Like in Game of Thrones, people plan shit. You don't just throw ships at each other, and these politics and sneaky workings will be seen here.

4b. > Because the scope is so big, we have many conflicts to explore. The readers/consumers won't get just one plot or specfic point in the timeline. They'll get a few.

4c. > Violence. Sci-fi's been kind of sterilised. I'm fixing that. Laser guns will actually do visible damage. People get FUCKED UP in Star Story.

Ah, there are more ways that this'll be different, but I don't want to overwhelm you. That's all for now.