Player / Colonial AI Compromise: let player choose colonial nation missions

[Frederick III]

So, I'm actually very fond of the colonial nation mechanic. I like that your nation can effectively fight a war with another nation, but at the colonial level so it doesn't turn into a general European war. But, I'm aware that people are annoyed that they don't have more control over the colonial AI, and occasionally I find myself highly annoyed when my colonial nation does something like colonize in the wrong direction, or fight and gain native protectorates.

My idea is to allow the player to select the mission that the colonial AI pursues at any given point. So, for instance, take the existing set of missions, then create a bunch of new missions ("attack rival colonial nation," "colonize X", perhaps "choose Y idea group") and give the player a choice (maybe of three options, or maybe less constrained).

This would give the player a little bit more control over the CN, but have it remain very indirect control. It's not a perfect solution - CNs would undoubtedly continue to do stupid things - but it would let the player have some control over colonial AI priorities.

Thoughts?

 

[Korashy]

So, I'm actually very fond of the colonial nation mechanic. I like that your nation can effectively fight a war with another nation, but at the colonial level so it doesn't turn into a general European war. But, I'm aware that people are annoyed that they don't have more control over the colonial AI, and occasionally I find myself highly annoyed when my colonial nation does something like colonize in the wrong direction, or fight and gain native protectorates.

My idea is to allow the player to select the mission that the colonial AI pursues at any given point. So, for instance, take the existing set of missions, then create a bunch of new missions ("attack rival colonial nation," "colonize X", perhaps "choose Y idea group") and give the player a choice (maybe of three options, or maybe less constrained).

This would give the player a little bit more control over the CN, but have it remain very indirect control. It's not a perfect solution - CNs would undoubtedly continue to do stupid things - but it would let the player have some control over colonial AI priorities.

Thoughts?

If they simply added the system from HOI that marks certain provinces as interesting for the AI (used there to make AI forces capture that province) you could not only direct your vassals in war (instead of having to have 1k armies that they attach to) but you could also let the CN know what it should prioritize.

 

[Heliocon]

So, I'm actually very fond of the colonial nation mechanic. I like that your nation can effectively fight a war with another nation, but at the colonial level so it doesn't turn into a general European war. But, I'm aware that people are annoyed that they don't have more control over the colonial AI, and occasionally I find myself highly annoyed when my colonial nation does something like colonize in the wrong direction, or fight and gain native protectorates.

My idea is to allow the player to select the mission that the colonial AI pursues at any given point. So, for instance, take the existing set of missions, then create a bunch of new missions ("attack rival colonial nation," "colonize X", perhaps "choose Y idea group") and give the player a choice (maybe of three options, or maybe less constrained).

This would give the player a little bit more control over the CN, but have it remain very indirect control. It's not a perfect solution - CNs would undoubtedly continue to do stupid things - but it would let the player have some control over colonial AI priorities.

Thoughts?

I think this is a great idea and will more align the interests of your colonies with the interests of the motherland. Maybe also the ability to set your colonies rivals and such would also add to their disposition towards neighbors.