Active observe mode

[IoannesBarbarus]

Sometimes I like to switch to observe mode after my first character dies, in order to see if my carefully brought‑up son succeeds and that sort of thing. (Then, play as his heir and try to fix the mess he’s made, like a one‑player succession game.) But I usually have to piece together what happens after the fact, when I notice borders shifting months later, etc. This is a feature request (for EMF, I suppose), unless another mod has done this and I haven’t seen it. An observe mode in which the “No Character” player receives notifications for things. In particular, he’s allowed to mark other characters as special interest, and is considered local to all the interesting things happening on the map that are region‑limited, like the activation of Crusades. Does this exist? If not, is anyone else interested in such a function?

Also… I think I remember Paradox advertising an improved observer mode for the Charlemagne patch (or DLC). Was that just vaporware? Has it been mentioned since?

 

[cybrxkhan]

So far as I know I don't think any of that is possible, sadly.

As for improved observer mode, I think that was just for multiplayer where you can now spectate or something.

 

[Anonymous01]

I was going to suggest you try playing multiplayer by yourself for the enhanced observer mode. But then I realized that since the console is disabled in multiplayer, I don't know how you'd activate observer mode.

If you figure it out, let us know how it goes.

 

[zijistark]

I think he'd need two copies of CKII registered to Steam to play multiplayer with himself (he'd join the game as a spectator, no console needed). Somebody correct me if I'm wrong.

But, yes, cybrxkhan is exactly right. There is no way to forward any kind of events/notifications or whatever to a character in observe mode. Best we could do for you is put your character into a landless title, then give your heir your titles, and allow you to become whatever character is currently ruling when you are ready to return. However, you're still going to get random events (though far fewer), and they will pause the game. Kinda kills the point.

It just so happens that I really like to play these types of succession games too (especially if I mod my ruler's AI tendencies into place for while I'm gone), and I've probably ranted to the HIP team's group chat about the lack of spectator features / moddability a dozen times.

 

[IoannesBarbarus]

But, yes, cybrxkhan is exactly right. There is no way to forward any kind of events/notifications or whatever to a character in observe mode. Best we could do for you is put your character into a landless title, then give your heir your titles, and allow you to become whatever character is currently ruling when you are ready to return. However, you're still going to get random events (though far fewer), and they will pause the game. Kinda kills the point.

It just so happens that I really like to play these types of succession games too (especially if I mod my ruler's AI tendencies into place for while I'm gone), and I've probably ranted to the HIP team's group chat about the lack of spectator features / moddability a dozen times.

Well, for what I have in mind, pausing the game is the whole point, or at least it’s no object. Active observer mode wouldn’t be for leaving on at speed 5 while you watch a movie, like I imagine most people use observe mode. But becoming a landless character would totally work, if I understand you right. I never thought of that. The console can already handle switching characters, so it’s just a matter of having the right character to pick. Would “play 606060” break anything?

I’m also curious what you mean by “mod my ruler's AI tendencies into place for while I'm gone.”

 

[zijistark]

Well, for what I have in mind, pausing the game is the whole point, or at least it’s no object. Active observer mode wouldn’t be for leaving on at speed 5 while you watch a movie, like I imagine most people use observe mode. But becoming a landless character would totally work, if I understand you right. I never thought of that. The console can already handle switching characters, so it’s just a matter of having the right character to pick. Would “play 606060” break anything?

Yes, I understand that part. But you don't want to pause the game because you got a random event about roosters. Or potentially die (though I'm assuming you'd need to become an immortal character). Or whatever. There are tons of random events flying around. You want to be able to see the 'Interesting Character' notifications and perhaps custom notifications of worth.

Playing 606060 is the right idea, but don't ever do that. We rely on Isis actually doing the things she's supposed to be doing with precise timing-- not being taken over by a human.

I’m also curious what you mean by “mod my ruler's AI tendencies into place for while I'm gone.”

Script stuff that will have my heir continue to follow his father's ambitions (or whatever the hell I feel like) such as going to war, target selection, forcing marriage policy for my grandsons in a divine blood game, etc.

 

[cybrxkhan]

I’m also curious what you mean by “mod my ruler's AI tendencies into place for while I'm gone.”

He wants the CKII AI to gain sentience.