In 5 years DF will be greatly expanded and it will be a very detailed simulation of a fantasy world where you can be just anybody - a soldier, a slave, a merchant, a king. I really hope that the game will give the player a real ability to plan his setup in adv mode just like what Toady wants to do with the Fort mode - to set his background, initial possessions, family and relations etc. So that if I want to I can be a respected merchant from a powerful guild or a runaway slave with nothing but my clothes on.
There are many examples how it can be done - URW already has different scenarios that affect the setting, initial items and the world around you. You can choose to be a fisherman, a runaway slave or a boy whose father was just killed by a bear, which is still around, waiting to kill you! Ultima Ratio Regum is toying with different political, economical and social systems, bringing a huge variety to the world in so many perspectives.
So far the fort mode was my favourite but I believe that in the future adv mode we will be able to run forts and states from the perspective of their kings and this will be great fun. Imagine playing as a king, commanding your armies, making new laws that change your land, condemning people to death, surviving assassination attempts... just wonderful!