This new victory system sounds excellent. However, I haven't played the game in a while and I can't help but wonder. Is there a sandbox mode, where there is no victory condition and you can just mill around doing whatever you like without the pressure of trying to win looming over you? And if not, are there any plans to introduce such a mode?
No stupid or snarky answers please.

We have discussed a sandbox mode before, which would entail turning off the final victory "governor" condition.

In this mode, renown would still be central to the gamplay, since new tech tiers are unlocked by a player's renown rank (ie: so you can't upgrade your fort to level 2 until you are a Commander, rank 3 requires Commodore, etc). The fort rank gates all other upgrades, including the shipwright for purchasing new, more powerful ships.

So to answer your question... maybe? It's not in the immediate scope for development, but if there is enough interest in such a mode, it's definitley a possiblility closer to release.

Yes! We need sandbox mode, without victory conditions! It would be very good!

Need sandbox mode!

Sandbox!