You misunderstood. I would make Power play a mainly PvE with optional PvP like the BGS.hmmmmmm I kind of hope the opposite. IF FD are still keen to make PP open only I think it needs to be 100% removed from the BGS and be its own separate entitiy, otherwise FD will be making large parts of the BGS Open only which I cant support.
as for OP I too am worried at FDs logic of only developing features if they are used a lot...... because it is a chicken and egg problem. IF a feature is half baked then players are less likely to use it, which then means less likely to be developed.
IF OOPP is officially off the table then sure, build it into the game.... however at the same time this happens i would like to hear an official confirmation that PP would be staying mode agnostic so as to stop the panic which would be inevitable should that happen. equally CQC could have parts of it put into the game (keep what we have now but add to it)
I would keep the basic mechanics of it with the way it works but have them more tied into the BGS factions.
Some factions should aligned to certain powers and if that faction is in power then they get rewarded by making it easier to keep that power in place. If a faction that is aligned to a different Major faction gets in power then it automatically goes into turmoil. Powers that are empire alligned cannot enter a system that is run by a rival major faction or independent factions. Powers should also have more profound effects on the systems. Archone Dellaine for example would change all systems under his control into anarchies. Denton Prateus could make all systems under his control High Security.
Undermining should be done via the mission system with rival alligned factions. It has the opportunity to make the Bubble into a real diverse place with loads going on. That is what I hoped it would be in the beginning. It could add real depth to the game world.