OS community: How can we improve Franchise Mode?

[BillPeener]

EDIT: If you're new to this thread, my favorite solution is in post 70: http://www.operationsports.com/forum...3&postcount=70

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What options do we have for making Franchise Mode a higher priority for the developers?

From what I've been reading, the developers don't put Franchise Mode high on their priority list because market research puts more value into arcade / online modes. I don't know what percentage of Show customers use Franchise mode, but I have to think it's a significant number. 20%? 40?

Here are the options I can think of:

1. We speak up as effectively as we can, perhaps putting a petition together or even a petition group that periodically messages the developers with our wish list.

2. We strike gold and find an investor who can pay Sony to contract out the Franchise Mode to a team of rogue developers.

3. We convince Sony to work with OOTP, perhaps contracting with them to run Franchise mode.

4. We design our own game from the ground up.

5. We continue as we are, deflated and defeated, believing Franchise mode is a lost cause.

I'm new to the Show community, so I don't know how developer interaction works. Do our OS posts have any affect on development, or are we just preaching to the choir? Based on what I've seen, it seems like the developers are active in the community or are at least reading these posts.

Presuming developers read this, I hope we can come to a reasonable decision. The issues I and many others have with the Franchise Mode can be fixed in a small amount of time. Most of my issues are menu-related - the trade system, roster issues, player development, and so on. Gameplay itself doesn't bother me so much - the developers have a good grasp on that. I just know that if they let me and 5 other amateurs take over the Franchise Mode, we'd make it so much better than what we're bound to get next year, or even in 2020.

Maybe I'm totally misguided here. Maybe the devs really do have Franchise Mode high on their priority list? Either way, it's frustrating to see how in-depth OOTP is, while the Show - which is by far my favorite baseball game ever - has one of the most archaic, crude, and odd Franchise modes I've ever seen. It's weird how we can read player Twitter posts, but we can't offer them contract extensions in-season? What?

The Franchise Mode gamers don't need to hear the negatives - you already know what needs improving. So, what are we going to do about it? Are we going to sit on our hands, or is there some tangible, significant action we can take as a group to let SCEA know how much Franchise Mode means to us?

[jada855]

Re: OS community: How can we improve Franchise Mode?

BillPeener,

Some interesting points you have here. I like where your head is at. Let's see where this goes!

[CaseIH]

Re: OS community: How can we improve Franchise Mode?

I dont know if I would go as far s to say Franchise mode isnt a priority with them. I think MLBTS is still the 1 sports game, where the majority of their fan base is Franchise players, but of course some of them do go online to play as well.

Would I like to see improvements to the Franchise mode, yes, as in a better Spring Training logic for teams, and just have it be more like it is IRL, with player invites, and better CPU manager Logic during that time. Along with more Spring Ball Parks, its ridiculous there is only 1 for each league for ST, especially when the old console had more.

You made a lot of very good points, and yes Franchise mode does need to be improved upon, and added too. But its not like they havent done anything to it over the past few years either.

I would prefer them not to even put time into the gimic modes, as in DD, and such, but unfortunately this is where our sports video games have come too, gimic modes, which by the way, make the game company money, because kids will actually spend money to buy thos stub things, or whatever they are called. So I get why games seem to be focusing on this stuff, because it makes them money, and they are a business after all.

Personally Im getting to the point where my buying baseball and basketball video games every single yr are close to done with. I figure why by a game each and every yr, when the mode I play isnt a main focus any longer. Its just what gaming has come to now day. Im not mad about really, why wouldnt they focus on gimic stuff, that brings them in extra cash, thats just good business. Unfortunately that good business on their end, does hurt what I play, but it is what it is.

[BillPeener]

Re: OS community: How can we improve Franchise Mode?

I dont know if I would go as far s to say Franchise mode isnt a priority with them. I think MLBTS is still the 1 sports game, where the majority of their fan base is Franchise players, but of course some of them do go online to play as well.

You made a lot of very good points, and yes Franchise mode does need to be improved upon, and added too. But its not like they havent done anything to it over the past few years either.

Just so I'm clear, I intentionally worded my post to say "higher priority" - I'm sure Franchise mode is already one of their priorities. They certainly haven't ignored it, but I'm interested in finding out how we can make it an even higher priority.

I would prefer them not to even put time into the gimic modes, as in DD, and such, but unfortunately this is where our sports video games have come too, gimic modes, which by the way, make the game company money, because kids will actually spend money to buy thos stub things, or whatever they are called. So I get why games seem to be focusing on this stuff, because it makes them money, and they are a business after all.

Exactly. So, is there any way we Franchise guys can convince SCEA that it's in their business interests to make Franchise mode a higher priority? That's the crux of my post. What can we do to make a real impact in this area?

Personally Im getting to the point where my buying baseball and basketball video games every single yr are close to done with. I figure why by a game each and every yr, when the mode I play isnt a main focus any longer. Its just what gaming has come to now day. Im not mad about really, why wouldnt they focus on gimic stuff, that brings them in extra cash, thats just good business. Unfortunately that good business on their end, does hurt what I play, but it is what it is.

Honestly, if Franchise mode is relatively unchanged next year, I won't purchase '18. '17 was the first opening day release of a baseball game for me since 2005. I bought '16 used in January and enjoyed it so much that I went out and got '17. I enjoy playing the game, but I'm a Franchise guy, so if it's going to continue being this bad, then SCEA is losing my $60. I'm guessing I'm in a vast minority, and SCEA won't care if they lose my money. And I hate taking that route because I'd rather buy the game than not.

[MrArlingtonBeach]

Re: OS community: How can we improve Franchise Mode?

I think MLBTS is still the 1 sports game, where the majority of their fan base is Franchise players, but of course some of them do go online to play as well.

I don't think this is entirely accurate - someone can correct me if I am wrong, however.

I thought I remember seeing that the most popular modes in The Show are RTTS and DD, according to SDS data. Franchise generally isn't played all that much in relation to those other modes. Hence the reasons those areas of the game get much of the attention - not to mention the extra money-making potential DD has.

[BillPeener]

Re: OS community: How can we improve Franchise Mode?

I don't think this is entirely accurate - someone can correct me if I am wrong, however.

I thought I remember seeing that the most popular modes in The Show are RTTS and DD, according to SDS data. Franchise generally isn't played all that much in relation to those other modes. Hence the reasons those areas of the game get much of the attention - not to mention the extra money-making potential DD has.

And if Franchise mode is really that unpopular, then I can't blame the devs for adjusting their priorities accordingly. But man, I would kill to have the opportunity to work on the Franchise system. If only I could pick #3 and convince SCEA to contract out their Franchise mode to OOTP, now all of a sudden the pressure is taken off them, and they can focus more on what their customers really want. I would gladly take up the job of merging the two engines.

Combining OOTP with the Show is the ultimate fantasy.

[dalger21]

Re: OS community: How can we improve Franchise Mode?

I don't think this is entirely accurate - someone can correct me if I am wrong, however.

I thought I remember seeing that the most popular modes in The Show are RTTS and DD, according to SDS data. Franchise generally isn't played all that much in relation to those other modes. Hence the reasons those areas of the game get much of the attention - not to mention the extra money-making potential DD has.

Don't quote me on this but I think I remember someone mentioning at one time (either on stream or here on the forums) that the most popular (or most played) mode was RttS. That may have changed with the advent of DD, BR and Conquest but I think I remember someone saying that at one time.

[Hockey13Playa]

Re: OS community: How can we improve Franchise Mode?

I play both OOTP and MLB The Show. I wish they could marry and have offspring. That would be the PERFECT baseball game. Thats what sucks... sometimes I want to actually play the game... so the show, other times I like to just watch and manage/GM and customize and use my imagination... so OOTP.

I wish we could take a lot of the OOTP features and management aspects and put them into the show. A guy can dream...

[MrArlingtonBeach]

Re: OS community: How can we improve Franchise Mode?

Yep, that's the info I remember as well.

Don't get me wrong, I want Franchise mode to be updated and enhanced just as much as anyone. I really think the only way for it to be pushed up the priority list is to have more people play more of it.

[sdatkins]

Re: OS community: How can we improve Franchise Mode?

I would agree that RTTS is the most popular, due to the quick pace of the game etc. for those younger players who don't want to spend 45 minutes- 1 hr on a game, also for people with families it could be useful.

That being said I am 95% a franchise player. I think the budgets need some sort of overhaul. I think it is way too easy to make money and increase your budget every year. You don't see teams in the actual MLB with a 75 million budget one year and then go spend 130 million the next year hardly ever.

A big one that people have asked for, for years is relocation/expansion. Being able to build your own stadium and team would be awesome. I remember MVP baseball had it about 10 years ago, so it can be done. I probably wouldn't use it but I think a lot of people would love it.

Morale was a cool addition last year, but it would be pretty cool to either act as the manager or GM and be able to interact with the players, motivate them, or try to sway them to come back to your team with something other than just money and years.

Those are the big one's that come to my mind right now. I am sure more will come to me as I play.

[BillPeener]

Re: OS community: How can we improve Franchise Mode?

I play both OOTP and MLB The Show. I wish they could marry and have offspring. That would be the PERFECT baseball game. Thats what sucks... sometimes I want to actually play the game... so the show, other times I like to just watch and manage/GM and customize and use my imagination... so OOTP.

I wish we could take a lot of the OOTP features and management aspects and put them into the show. A guy can dream...

As a compromise, how cool would it be if we could export our OOTP franchise into the Show, play a game, then export it back to OOTP to manage the out-of-game stuff.

That's theoretically feasible, though it would take a lot of code to get working. Still, I'd be OK with that. Plus, the games would still be separate, so neither side has to compromise on profits. Heck, it might create more Show customers out of OOTP, and vice versa.

That has me thinking... what would be more complicated, take more time, and cost more money:

1. Merge OOTP and Show into one game (most complicated, most time, most money)
2. Create OOTP-to-Show export feature (complicated, lots of time, some money)
3. SCEA develops its own OOTP-lite Franchise mode for the Show (complicated, tons of time, tons of money)

There's no easy option, but based on what I've seen, I trust the OOTP developers to do Franchise better than SCEA. So, maybe we're better off finding a way to convince the teams to make an export / import feature.

[Hockey13Playa]

Re: OS community: How can we improve Franchise Mode?

As a compromise, how cool would it be if we could export our OOTP franchise into the Show, play a game, then export it back to OOTP to manage the out-of-game stuff.

That's theoretically feasible, though it would take a lot of code to get working. Still, I'd be OK with that. Plus, the games would still be separate, so neither side has to compromise on profits. Heck, it might create more Show customers out of OOTP, and vice versa.

That has me thinking... what would be more complicated, take more time, and cost more money:

1. Merge OOTP and Show into one game (most complicated, most time, most money)
2. Create OOTP-to-Show export feature (complicated, lots of time, some money)
3. SCEA develops its own OOTP-lite Franchise mode for the Show (complicated, tons of time, tons of money)

There's no easy option, but based on what I've seen, I trust the OOTP developers to do Franchise better than SCEA. So, maybe we're better off finding a way to convince the teams to make an export / import feature.

While a neat idea and actually a cool concept... people want results and in 2017 nobody likes waiting... so my question is if something like that came to fruition how long would it take to import/export after each game? Seems like it would create a slowdown in the process of enjoying "OOTP- The Show". I don't know how you'd make it work but it would have to be something that would be able to be done quickly honestly.

And FYI - I dont want this to come across as being a jerk, because its a super cool idea. Just wanted to make it clear

[BillPeener]

Re: OS community: How can we improve Franchise Mode?

While a neat idea and actually a cool concept... people want results and in 2017 nobody likes waiting... so my question is if something like that came to fruition how long would it take to import/export after each game? Seems like it would create a slowdown in the process of enjoying "OOTP- The Show". I don't know how you'd make it work but it would have to be something that would be able to be done quickly honestly.

And FYI - I dont want this to come across as being a jerk, because its a super cool idea. Just wanted to make it clear

Hey, thanks. It didn't come across that way to me. The time to export / import depends on the method. Since OOTP is for computer, they'd have to create a way to export the save file to your Playstation. There's several ways to do it. The OOTP developers could work with SCEA to make an API that allows you to quickly jump into the Show from OOTP. Click export, then it'll make the file available in your Playstation account, which can be accessed in the Show. Using that method, it would take gamers maybe a minute to do the transfer. To import back to OOTP, the Show would have to send the file back somewhere.

I'm not familiar with how the Show handles files. I'm guessing they wouldn't want you uploading a franchise file from a USB drive, so it'd have to be more streamlined. There could be a cloud server that saves your OOTP franchise and can be accessed in the Show at the same time. That would mostly depend on your internet speed, which shouldn't take more than a few seconds. It would also require someone or some company to manage the server. Maybe SCEA could use one of theirs. They could use shared hosting and store a bunch of peoples' franchise files on one server.

[OtherMoon2]

Re: OS community: How can we improve Franchise Mode?

I think what is most frustrating for me is the start-up and backend aspects of the franchise mode. Excuse me if/when I sound ignorant -- I am a software guy, not hardware, but I do not understand how it can take more than a few minutes to completely activate an online franchise, and the same amount of time to sim through a series of CPU games.

I understand that baseball has larger teams: MLB, AAA, AA, etc, and that there are 30 teams with 162 games to play (depending on league length), but even still, it is 2017 and it should not take this long to forward through a season. With that said, I am a software person, not hardware so I do not know where the issue lies.

An franchise mode needs drama, and that is what NBA2k and Madden do very well, they create drama and a world around the game -- something SCEA fails to do.

Its a beautiful game to play, and the in game adjustments you can make to visuals, difficulty, and style of play is phenomenal. The issue is not that the amount hardcore sports games is declining, its that we are becoming the minority as gaming becomes more popular. Plus, what makes more money -- OL Franchise or Diamond Dynasty? Follow the money trail.

[Caulfield]

Re: OS community: How can we improve Franchise Mode?

What options do we have for making Franchise Mode a higher priority



5. We continue as we are, deflated and defeated, believing Franchise mode is a lost cause.

I'm new to the Show community, so I don't know how developer interaction works. Do our OS posts have any affect on development, or are we just preaching to the choir? Based on what I've seen, it seems like the developers are active in the community or are at least reading these posts.

I too wish the Show was as in-depth as OOTP, but I wonder if the playstation could even handle the amount of detail OOTP can get from 1) being on a pc and 2) not being limited by a disc.
I kind of believe some of us will wind up subscribing to a modified version of your option 5:

5. We continue as we are, hopeful and optimistic, believing one day Franchise mode will reach its full potential, slowly but surely.