Factions will handle large scale movements, objectives, and threat assessment. They will also handle quest generation for player interaction.
Armadas will take orders from Factions, and handle medium scale movement of ships within their command. They will issue direct orders to ships within their fleet to complete objectives. These objectives may or may not directly relate to the wishes on the faction (AKA: An armada might need fuel more then the Faction needs that ship blown up!). An Armada could be comprised of as little as one ship.
Ship AI will attempt to keep close to its armada and fulfill the most basic of objectives. Things like Move, Attack, Repair, Harvest (etc).
How should the AI be handled?
Suggestion:
Group the AI in 3 categories.
Factions will handle large scale movements, objectives, and threat assessment. They will also handle quest generation for player interaction.
Armadas will take orders from Factions, and handle medium scale movement of ships within their command. They will issue direct orders to ships within their fleet to complete objectives. These objectives may or may not directly relate to the wishes on the faction (AKA: An armada might need fuel more then the Faction needs that ship blown up!). An Armada could be comprised of as little as one ship.
Ship AI will attempt to keep close to its armada and fulfill the most basic of objectives. Things like Move, Attack, Repair, Harvest (etc).