Worth Colonizing?

[lemonsquid]

Is it worth colonizing the New World as a country such as Italy that has no intentions of gaining territory in the trade regions such as the English Channel, Lubeck, Champagne, Bordeaux, or Sevilla? Just looking at the trade map screen, no trade appears to flow in the direction of Venice/Genoa where I aim to be the only power. It would seem the only option is to go East. If this is the case, it is too bad trade is so static, and not modified as the game runs. So for example if Columbus sailed for Genoa and found the new world, and Genoa was the first to establish colonies, shouldnt the trade be headed straight for the trade region Genoa is present in! And then as other nations took part new trade regions would be activated for the trade flow, and some flows of trade lost as powers fall, and new routes get established.

 

[xueyang]

If you can't control at least one of the end node, I don't think it's worthy to colonize. All the Trade value will no doubt go to the powerhouse ie France/Spain/GB. If you spent your time and effort colonizing and then you don't have the most benefit, it's probably best if Italy could go to East and have the whole Venice route.

 

[Immortal88]

I don't think it would make much sense, once you have four provinces in a colonial region (see region map mode) an independent colony forms. They pay you some tariffs but the main thing is that they transfer trade power over to you, but if you have no control of end-nodes in Sevilla/Bordeaux/English Channel then all this money ends up practically worse than nowhere. Instead of transferring trade you could collect trade directly from say the Caribbeans but since you're in a worse location to colonize than Norway/England/France/Portugal/Spain you're probably late to the party. I say take over the Venice trade node and invest in other more useful ideas, I highly doubt it'll ever be worth it for you to go Exploration/Expansion ideas considering opportunity costs of other ideas better suited to your circumastances.

 

[Wildcat_PL]

As an Italian country the best option is to expand east : egypt -> gulf of aden -> india -> mallaca -> philipines/china

much more money to be gained there then in new world, no colonial nations and trade companies for extra merchants. Its a way better strategy.