Creating Draft Files

[Scruff]

I asked FOF support if I could purchase FOF 2004 to get the draft file creation tool and this was the response I got:

"At this time, we don't have a solution. In future releases of the college game, we will include a draft file tool. FOF 2004 is no longer available. Some people might have put together a third-party solution, you could check Front Office Football Central (link on our community page)."

Does any '3rd party solution' exist? Thanks for any help.

[Nogram]

I would also be interested in this. I also don't have 2004, but was going to buy it in the next few days for this purpose.

Thanks,

Nogram

[yabanci]

make your .csv file and then email it to anybody with FOF2004 to make the conversion.



if you need it, here's the file format:

This generator requires a raw draft file in the form of a comma-separated text file. Most spreadsheets support exporting data in this form. Or, if a spreadsheet isn't available, you can create the file yourself.

When importing the data, the game can handle up to 1,000 draft-eligible players in a draft file. If you have less than the minimum number of players at any position, the game will create mediocre players to fill the void at the beginning of a career.

To use a draft file, import it into Front Office Football immediately before the free agency period. Make sure players average about 21-22 years old when entering the Front Office Football draft, or mass early retirements could follow.

Data in a comma-delimited text file (.csv) appears in the following form, with every value separated by a comma:

Johnson,Reginald,8,76,299,1982,45,375,375,

The file should NOT have a header row. Imported values begin with the very first line of the player file. If you find you need a row with header information in your spreadsheet, simply delete it before you save the information in .csv form.

The spreadsheet should be set up with one player on each row, using the following format.

With the exception of the first and last name columns, you should only use numbers in each field.

Column A: Last Name.

Column B: First Name.

Column C: Position Number. From 1-16. Use the Position List button to view the list of position numbers. These are different from the position numbers used with the player file.

Column D: Height, in inches. A player who is six feet tall is 72 inches tall.

Column E: Weight, in pounds.

Column F: Year of Birth.

Column G: College Attended. Use the College List button to view the list of colleges.

Columns H - AV: Player Ratings.

Ratings in each category are on a 375-625 basis. These ratings are not exact. When a new career begins, Front Office Football uses the ratings in the draft file only as a general guideline. Internal ratings are on a 0-1000 scale, and are partially determined by random chance. This adds to the replay value of the game, as you can not count on a player being a superstar or a dud in each new career.

There is an option, when starting a new game of Front Office Football, to be more exact when importing ratings. What this does is greatly lessen the variability of the ratings selected for individual categories. A "550" in a rating will always be better than a "500". Without that option selected, the "500" could be better than the "550" in some random instances.

Here's a list of the frequency Overall Player Ratings are assigned in the default data file:

600-625 - Rare Superstar - 0.3%
575-599 - Superstar - 1.4%
550-574 - Near Superstar - 1.8%
525-549 - Elite Starter - 1.7%
500-524 - Excellent Starter - 3.5%
475-499 - Very Good-Plus Starter - 4.3%
450-474 - Very Good Starter - 6.0%
425-449 - Good Starter - 16.2%
400-424 - Replacement-Level Starter (decent backup) - 27.2%
375-399 - Roster Filler - 37.6%

Keep in mind that a draft file should have more roster filler than the default data file. Out of 945 potential draftees, only 224 actually become drafted, and even fewer end up making solid contributions. So the above percentages should only apply to the best 200 or so rookies.

Use 375 for players who really shouldn't have ratings at that position. For instance, defensive tackles should receive 375 for the Avoid Interception rating.

All players are rated for all categories, though these ratings are ignored if not relevant to the player's position.

Column H: Completing Screen Passes.
Column I: Completing Short Passes.
Column J: Completing Medium Passes.
Column K: Completing Long Passes.
Column L: Completing Very Long Passes.
Column M: Completing Third-Down Passes - ability to convert those pressure-packed third- and fourth-down throws.
Column N: Scramble Frequency - desire to abandon the pass and scramble downfield. Unlike most categories, this rating is not assigned on a logarithmic curve.
Column O: Avoid Interceptions - ability to avoid throwing interceptions.
Column P: Passing Accuracy - ability to connect with receivers in full stride, maximizing their ability to gain yardage after the catch.
Column Q: Passing Timing - ability to connect with receivers who deviate from the planned play.
Column R: For future use.
Column S: Breakaway Speed - ability to break free for a long gain.
Column T: Running Power Inside - ability to break through the line for yardage inside.
Column U: Third-Down Running - ability to gain yardage in third- and fourth-down and short situations.
Column V: Hole Recognition - ability to make the most of running paths forged by the offensive line.
Column W: Running Elusiveness - the ability to avoid getting caught behind the line of scrimmage.
Column X: Receiving Hands - ability to catch a thrown ball.
Column Y: Getting Downfield - ability to gain yardage after the catch.
Column Z: Route-Running - ability to shoulder the load as a receiver. Receivers with high ratings in this category can be the target of more frequent pass attempts.
Column AA: Third-Down Receiving - ability to make catches in clutch third- and fourth-down situations.
Column AB: Courage over the Middle - ability to hang in there on routes planned across the middle of the field.
Column AC: Big-Play Receiving - ability to catch long and very-long passes.
Column AD: Punt Returning - ability to return punts.
Column AE: Kickoff Returning - ability to return kickoffs.
Column AF: Avoid Fumbles - ability to avoid fumbling the football.
Column AG: Punt Distance.
Column AH: Punt Hang Time.
Column AI: Directional Punting - ability to kick the ball inside the opponents' 20-yard line.
Column AJ: Kickoff Distance.
Column AK: Kickoff Hang Time.
Column AL: Field Goal Accuracy.
Column AM: Field Goal Distance.
Column AN: Run Block Rating for Offensive Linemen.
Column AO: Pass Block Ratings for Offensive Linemen.
Column AP: Run defense - ability to stop the run.
Column AQ: Pass Rush Rating.
Column AR: Man-to-Man Pass Defense.
Column AS: Zone Pass Defense.
Column AT: Pass Intercepting
Column AU: Special Teams Play.
Column AV: Endurance.

Column AW: Home Town. Use the City List button to view the list of city numbers. Use 0 if you don't have this information. This will place the player's home town as outside of the United States.

Column AX: Intelligence Rating. From 0-100.

Column AY: Volatility Rating. From 0-100. This determines the likelihood that a player will suddenly get a lot better, or a lot worse. Players with a high volatility rating are much more likely to have sudden and drastic changes in ability.

Generally, players from small colleges and players with very high college ratings should have higher volatility ratings.

Column AZ: Injury Propensity. From 0-10. This helps determine the likelihood of injury. A player who has never been injured in the past should have a very low propensity, from 0-2. Only a player who has been injured frequently or is very fragile should have a rating of more than 5.

Columns BA-BE: College Statistics. These are from the player's last season in college, and relate to the player's primary position. These are only available with drafts imported from The College Years (or created with this file tool). Front Office Football does not generate statistics for drafts created from within the game.

Column BA: Statistic 1.
Column BB: Statistic 2.
Column BC: Statistic 3.
Column BD: Statistic 4.
Column BE: Statistic 5.

Quarterbacks: 1 = Pass Attempts, 2 = Completions, 3 = Passing Yards, 4 = Passing Touchdowns, 5 = Passes Intercepted.
Running Backs: 1 = Rushing Attempts, 2 = Rushing Yards, 3 = Rushing Touchdowns, 4 = Receptions, 5 = Receiving Yards.
Receivers: 1 = Receptions, 2 = Receiving Yards, 3 = Receiving Touchdowns, 4 = Times Targetted.
Offensive Linemen: 1 = Key Blocks, 2 = Sacks Allowed, 3 = Key Block Opportunities.
Defensive Players: 1 = Tackles, 2 = Assists, 3 = Sacks (x 10, so 2.5 sacks would be 25), 4 = Interceptions, 5 = Passes Defensed.
Kickers: 1 = Field Goals Made, 2 = Field Goals Attempted, 3 = Longest Field Goal, 4 = Points after Touchdown, 5 = Points After Touchdown Attempted.
Punters: 1 = Punts, 2 = Punting Yards, 3 = Punts Inside the 20.

Position List

Use the following numbers for player positions (Column C) in the draft file. When importing into Front Office Football, players will randomly be assigned more exact positions. In almost all cases, making a switch after the amateur draft is very easily done without penalty.

1 - Quarterback
2 - Running Back
3 - Fullback
4 - Tight End
5 - Wide Receiver
6 - Center
7 - Guard
8 - Tackle
9 - Punter
10 - Kicker
11 - Defensive End
12 - Defensive Tackle
13 - Inside Linebacker
14 - Outside Linebacker
15 - Cornerback
16 - Safety

The college and city numbers are the same as in the FOF2007 player file creator.

[stuntman641]

is there any way you (yabanci) could make like 50 random draft files so we could use the editor to fine tune later on?

i am asking for a zip/rar whatever with about 50 or so draft files in saf format.

thanks to whoever can provide this service.

[yabanci]

You can make as many random draft files in csv format as you want with this utility and use a spreadsheet to fine tune if you want.

If you don't have the FOF2004 draft file generator, I or someone else can do the conversions form csv to faf for you.


edited to add: If the years suit your needs, the maker of the utility already has 20 pre-generated generic draft files (2004-2023) uploaded in either csv or faf format. (note: I haven't tried these files so I can't vouch for how well they will work, though I assume they are good.)

[stuntman641]

so if i only have fof 2k7 there is no way to convert csv to faf?

[Scruff]

As far as I know that is correct. BTW, thanks a ton for that post yabancci - major, major help!

[Scruff]

This is my first post here in over a year. I'm starting to get back into this game. Figured I'd send a message out to see if you'd still be able to convert draft files for me yabanci. Thanks either way and thanks again for your draft file creation explanation above.

After over a year away from this game, I'm trying to get my bearings straight on it again . . .

[sovereignstar]

Not sure if yabanci is still around, but he hasn't logged in as 'yabanci' in half a year...

I'd be willing to help though and I'm sure plenty of others would as well.

[Scruff]

That's great, thanks!!

[Erik Holland]

does anyone have FOF2004 for download? or just the csv->faf converter?

anyone?