Branch Offices should prove benefits for host.

[Slynx]

My experience is that it's a waste of resources to try and build branches as criminal syndicate.

in multiplayer it's a cheap way to scout enemy's build and design your ships to counter it (also it can give you an idea if you'll even have a chance against him). after all your branch office will be there for at least a year.
as for the normal use of offices - try to target planets which already have big population and crime (and if they have a deal with a lord it's even better). ecumenopolices are the best targets.

 

[BarbeQ]

Maybe Criminal Syndicates could use some ways of masking there operations. And the planet owner can only close down a branch, if he has successfully "unmasked" it. How this could be put into interesting game mechanics I have no idea so (yet).

 

[Slynx]

And the planet owner can only close down a branch, if he has successfully "unmasked" it. How this could be put into interesting game mechanics I have no idea so (yet).

I wish there was a way to choose not to close It at all..... would be very helpful.

oh, and another use of branch offices: you can establish them as a non aggression pact with that empire (cuz while your offices are there you can't declare war). but the moment they decide to close them all - you DoW them and eradicate

 

[JNF]

Another point to consider is that Megacorps get a 50 % increase in sprawl which seemingly balances the "free stuff" they get from Branch Offices. If anything they need to re balance the mechanics for crime syndicates instead.

 

[Zenopath]

Look, obviously the mega corp needs to get the lion's share of profits or its not worth the investment costs, not to mention the 2 points of sprawl. I am just of the opinion that there needs to be incentive on the part of the host empire other than possibly a couple of jobs. As much as I like clerks, getting 2 clerk jobs added to my capital isn't going to make me want to accept a commerce deal from any mega corp in a multiplayer game. I would pretty much be handing them a possibly game winning advantage to them. In the end, there can only be one winner, and today's friend could well be tomorrow's enemy. So if an AI or human player is a mega corp, I see no reason to enter into commerce pact with them.