Short question: Will there be prisoners? I assume there will be crime, right? How will this be handeled? And can I take nobles of other colonies prisoner and use as hostage? That would be awesome.
The last time I checked, CE wasn't supposed to be a "social" retardation akin to the new Sim City game, so I don't think you'll even encounter other colonies similar to your own.
Well similar play as multiplayer option IS already confirmed. Also there are cultist settlements and I would guess native inhabitants. So my questions still stand.