So, in a nutshell, what's wrong with Franchise Mode?

[ChiTownKid]

Just the facts, please. No complaining or insulting.

I want to start a franchise, and I'd like a comprehensive list of the problems before I begin, so I know what to expect, or what I can do to work around the problems.

Thanks in advance, guys.

[Bellsprout]

Re: So, in a nutshell, what's wrong with Franchise Mode?

It's stale. It's been generally the same for a very long time now.

And I think we're all to the point where we'd like to not have to have a certain amount of tackles on our roster or some arbitrary position threshold like there is now. And we're to the point where we'd really like to not have to cut people to fit draft picks on the roster before the preseason even starts.

[ChiTownKid]

Re: So, in a nutshell, what's wrong with Franchise Mode?

I get that it's stale. I've read that a lot. But what's wrong with it? What's broken? And are there any known workarounds for what's wrong?

[PlatooN]

Re: So, in a nutshell, what's wrong with Franchise Mode?

dude, you will find 100's if not 1000's of threads regarding whats wrong with franchise mode dating back to M08. It's been the same since then with the exception of a face lift to the main screen last year.

[ChiTownKid]

Re: So, in a nutshell, what's wrong with Franchise Mode?

dude, you will find 100's if not 1000's of threads regarding whats wrong with franchise mode dating back to M08.

yeh, I know. But I don't want to read 100's if not 1000's of threads.

I'm hoping some kind soul will come in here and list the most glaring issues.

[mems1224]

Re: So, in a nutshell, what's wrong with Franchise Mode?

its just really bland. its nothing like it was last gen when there was tons of stuff to do. no more news paper stories, not more preseason position battles, not player roles, etc..

its just basic stuff. play games. edit your depth chart. there is always room in the salary cap so thats not even challenging. you have to have a certain number of players at each position. it hasn't been touched in like 4 years. if you've plaayed any franchise mode over the last few years its the exact same thing.

[alifeincomplete]

Re: So, in a nutshell, what's wrong with Franchise Mode?

Here's two:

- Injured Reserve doesn't function as it should. There is no benefit of putting someone on IR in this game because it doesn't open up a free slot.

- Draft import from NCAA '11. It randomizes almost everything; you can end up with white players becoming black in the process of transferring the rosters.

[LiquorLogic]

Re: So, in a nutshell, what's wrong with Franchise Mode?

Just the facts, please. No complaining or insulting.

I want to start a franchise, and I'd like a comprehensive list of the problems before I begin, so I know what to expect, or what I can do to work around the problems.

Thanks in advance, guys.

It's boring, that's what's wrong with it. Here are some specifics for you: The IR feature doesn't work;if you put a player on IR it doesn't free up a roster spot; you'll have to cut someone else to make room for his replacement;you'll lose two players when one goes down with a season ending injury. There is no restricted free agency period; why they took it out, I don't know. There's also a glitch where if you change your team's defensive scheme to a 3-4, every team in the league will run a 3-4. There's a workaround, but you have to go in individually,somehow, and change each team's scheme.

As for the experience as a whole, even without the problems, franchise mode is essentially 16 play now games with a post-season, which is a shame considering that this is the sixth iteration.

[RajonRondo]

Re: So, in a nutshell, what's wrong with Franchise Mode?

Progression is terrible...
The Draft classes are to godly...I mean, having a avg of 5 guys per draft with a rating of 87-90 is just stupid.
The imported draft classes are to weak...
No improvements...pretty much been the same the last few years.

cant wait for NFL 2k12

[canes21]

Re: So, in a nutshell, what's wrong with Franchise Mode?

Progression is terrible...
The Draft classes are to godly...I mean, having a avg of 5 guys per draft with a rating of 87-90 is just stupid.
The imported draft classes are to weak...
No improvements...pretty much been the same the last few years.

cant wait for NFL 2k12

2k can't make an NFL game next year....

[JohnnyNutman]

Re: So, in a nutshell, what's wrong with Franchise Mode?

it lacks the overall depth that it should have.

brief examples:
- progression (it would be nice to track a players progression throughout his career as well)
- sim stats (they have improved this on offense, but it needs constant refining)
- player personalities affecting team play (ala T.O.)
- better roster control (not been forced to have 10 OL; been able to create custom packages for ur team)
- realistic roster requirements (larger off season max player limit; 53 player active list w/ 45 man game day roster).
- realistic free agency period
- in depth draft scouting (i do admit that even the current system has still evolved over last gen).

[adembroski]

Re: So, in a nutshell, what's wrong with Franchise Mode?

"What's wrong with it?"

There aren't a lot of technical answers to that. Two years ago, or last year after the last patch, there were serious technical issues, but those have been cleared up for the most part. Sim engine works ok, CPU doesn't make the same stupid decisions its made in the past in the draft and free agency. Progression is functional.

A better question is, "What's right with it?"

Again, really nothing. It's 16 games, a post season, free agency, draft, progression, all that. Once again, it's perfectly functional. But that's all it is. Manage spread sheets, point A, point B, rinse, repeat. Coming from the same group of individuals who produced NFL Head Coach 09's amazingly in-depth and immersive career mode, it's a huge disappointment.

There are bugs, of course, but nothing unforgivable if the mode were deep and entertaining. Its not, so the bugs are just annoyances that get in the way of getting any enjoyment out of it.

Imported draft classes aren't as bad as they're made out to be by a lot of people, but it does over-nerf a couple of positions, which is annoying. If QB weren't one of those positions, it wouldn't be quite as big a deal.

As others have said, IR doesn't work right. It opens up the cap space the player takes up, but not the roster slot.

I think what bothers a lot of people is that they're not really asking for NFL Head Coach 09, they're asking for a working IR and good NCAA imports and a bit of out-of-game presentation (newspaper headlines like NCAA has would be something, at least). In the grand scheme of things, these aren't huge requests.

[Meast21Forever]

Re: So, in a nutshell, what's wrong with Franchise Mode?

biggest nutshell i've ever seen.

[blklightning]

Re: So, in a nutshell, what's wrong with Franchise Mode?

simply put - it's boring.

edit:

and you should be happy to know that ian cummings agreed with me via twitter. so madden '12 may finally bring a true franchise mode to next gen.

[Xpider]

Re: So, in a nutshell, what's wrong with Franchise Mode?

1. No holdouts.
2. mid-level player contracts are ridiculously expensive
3. Lack of injuries for player-controlled team.
4. ATROCIOUSLY written draft classes.
5. Progression
6. No restricted FA.
7. Broken IR
8. All teams, unless controlled by a player, is defaulted to a 4-3 def during simulation, and a 300 DE who's supposed to play in a 3-4 can get close to 20 sacks a year, which leads to...
9. Badly generated stats
10. Need to add in option to hire/fire GM, and coaches should have a lot more influence on players.
11. Way too easy to make money, they should make it harder for players to keep a team together.
12. Poorly written AI.

I could go on and on.