So while playing the beta, it's pretty easy to notice that the new Altarian leader, Akari Malara, is blue.
The (possibly temporary) description says that "...the Altarians look exactly like humans." Clearly this is no longer the case.
I'd personally Like a new Altarian leader, one that looks more like their leaders in Galactic Civilizations 1 and 2 to keep in step with the previous games.
As far as Akari Malara is concerned, why not add a new blue skinned civilization for her to be the leader of? She does look really cool and I'd love to see many more factions in this edition, and if possible, by the time all the future expansions come out I'd like to see all the ones from the previous games as well as new ones. (nudge> nudge> wink* wink*)
PS: I also noticed that the Iridium Corporation uses an upside-down recoloured Torian symbol and they also somewhat resemble the Korx in concept. I hope that doesn't mean that the Torians and Korx aren't going to show up. They were my favourite and forth favourite races, respectively.