Well, I'm a new user but I'll just write down my thoughts on this topic, as I've dealed with the topic before.
Currently a (indie-)space-sim will have additional problems because of SC (takes the mmo place), EVE (takes the excel place) and other games like Limited Theory (only SP, Dev currently missing), Eliteangerous (mostly SP, I don't like it) etc.
But there is indeed enough place for an FL-like game: It has a SP with Story. Most of the other games use generated content or sandbox gaming. This delivers easy and infinite content, which is nice, but maybe not what everyone wants. So a space sim with:
- A Story (not only backstory but ingame story)
- A limited size: not too big or in MP there'll be many empty systems, not too small or trading/exploration will be boring
- Also: a limited player-size: maybe around 200? Not making it an MMO, but a game where you can meet and interact with others
- RP-based: this may scare some gamers, but also often creates a "loyal core-gamer group", which is needed to get a game alive and keep it alive
is definitly something which could be enjoyable (and could be monetized).
- Maybe more low-poly like FL [or a bit above^^] (more polys -> more time/money needed)
However, this type of game leads to another problem: developing it. A single dev can maybe create a sandbox game with procedural content, but hand-shaping a whole sector, building assets etc etc - nobody has the budget nor the time to do this alone, so a team for this is needed, with some core-developers but also with asset-creators, story-writers and mappers. A possible idea was it to make in the way of discovery: you've fixed developers and "independet" helpers, delivering assets/story/etc.
This is a summary of my thoughts on this, I've written a longer article on this for myself, it is, however, only in german.. I've thought about this subject, because: (1) I love space sim games^^ (2) I love multiplayer games where players matter (not your standard mmo), (3) I've a unity pro license and too much time on my hands -- maybe somebody is interested in helping me
No point creating Freelancer-re, because, as it was already stated, Microsoft would snipe it.
With use of KickStarter, there is an option to create own game, with no direct ties to Freelancer, but which would follow general concept. SC is a nice example.
Discover has a lot of nice ship models, both fighers and capital ships. This could be shown in some kind of pro-mo trailer for game. Like this one. Fighter dogfights, epic capital ship battles. Expeditions to unknown and uncharted star system. Mystery, interest...all thouse feelings, which would make people want to try this game.
Then, scripting and story. This gona be difficult, because, there should be "Not like Freelancer" but also " Like Freelancer" in same time. For example... players would start from planet Earth, and it's nothing like planet Manhattan in Freelancer. Earth is something like an old quiet place, which low traffic activity, located pretty far from anything major, but even there, in our good old Solar system, you can still find some mystery. And then, just follow general like Freelancer style- space is dangerouse, deal with it.
So, generaly, if there would be complete idea concept, some example models, like cap ships and snubs, trailers, and interesting story line, there might be solid chances to create game which would not be Freelancer 2, but could be something even better.