I have hit an impass

Not much has happened on this front lately.

I am having trouble with what I consider to be the center of the game. What is it the player is doing while they play? Are they building something? is it enough to just collect stocks? maybe for Acquire but this game has to have stuff for the player to manipulate in some way. Something for them to build. Some theme.

I am very confident that if I had this the rest would fall into place. but until then I am stuck.