If you work for a game or software company, please feel free to steal my ideas, I just want to see it done.
Now that computer to computer communication in the home is ubiquitous. I often thought that if there was a standard for computer game interaction, that any manufacturer could use it would lead to a great game.
Let’s say you buy the 2020 edition of Civilization. You launch a bomber strike against your opponent. It would instantly collect that information for you and your buddies to fly a flight sim (possibly by a completely different company). Your 5 buddies could pilot other bombers, run the gun positions or fly escort fighters.
Launch a tank offensive? In a different game you can then command a platoon of tanks, which interacts with yet another game which you’re running a single tank and a first person shooter on the other side which is trying to ambush your tanks with RPGs.
I’d think you could give away mini games (like running the ball turret on a B-17) for free, charge for anything more elaborate.
Of course you’ll constantly be complaining to your friend as to why he put more economic units towards another friend who happens to love naval simulations rather than your tanks…