What I like and what im looking forward to in SC, is the immersion factor, which can be achieved through high definition graphics plus insane ammount of freedom for the gameplay in an open universe with good trading, socializing and exploring. Great fighting and combat mechanics will hopefully be there aswell, though i really dislike if (and that) people have to reduce the game (and games in general) to that.
What people expect and what has been promised, is a Space-Sim, not a Space-Shooter .. and thats what i want ... a life-in space-game with 2nd-life components. And this is also the big challenge for the game ... fuck 24/7 PvP/PvE combat grinding for angry killer-kids.
If this game can manage to deliver the broad experiance for a sci-fi community with more interrests than simple space-shooters, then it will change gaming, if not, LordBerenger is possibly right and we are possibly better off with SWBF4