At first, I must thank the authors for such a beatiful creation
As usually, the simpler the better.
And this game can be used as a battle field. Work out an API for getting information about the Universe and for dispatching commands (obviously, only two are necessary: "send" and "seed a tree"). At the beginning of play load one ore more DLLs with AIs. Et voula!
At first, you'll be free of inventing AIs - a mob of fans will do this for you
At second, a lot of competitions can be held by your environment.
