Game Immersion?

[dunkie23]

I have had this game for quite awhile, but never really get into it because of all of the intricacies, and it can easily get overwhelming quickly.

To slowly immerse myself in this game, I have decided to give myself the role of the defensive coordinator. I will personally handle the defensive depth chart, scout upcoming offenses and plan a very rudimentary game plan, and sometimes will actually call plays within the game. I let the AI control everything else.

Is this a good way to get more involved with the game and learn things slowly, or does anyone have have other suggetions?

I was wondering if anyone else takes on this kind of role with the game, and what other people have done to overcome the learning curve with FOF.

[gstelmack]

I would just take your time. Maybe start being just GM, and let the AI handle depth charts and gameplanning. Then start doing depth charts, while letting the AI gameplan. Then worry about gameplanning. Basically turn all the AI options to "yes", then turn them one at a time to "no" as you get used to things.

But the meat of the game is in building your roster, so start figuring out contracts and the draft first.

[MJ4H]

We should do another group think.

[RomaGoth]

I am kind of in the same position. I bought this game over a year ago, and have never finished my first season. Good advice though, I will also give the GM portion of it a shot. I absolutely love drafting and contract stuff in sports games.

[Epi_862]

I think you really should just set the automations on, and play GM. It's easier, and you'll learn the basics quickly.

I bet there are also a few of us, that know how to gameplan and stuff, but choose not to. I for one, dont think the gameplanning is really that much fun. All the precentages and micro-managing turns me off of it. Playing just GM is still great fun though.

[Ben E Lou]

For me, the best way to get into the game and into my team and players is to write up a dynasty report.

[JetsIn06]

Originally Posted by Ben E Lou

For me, the best way to get into the game and into my team and players is to write up a dynasty report.

+1

[mbarry55]

I ONLY do GM-stuff. Thats why youre given the role of hiring coaches... to do the gameplanning stuff. The better coaches you get, the better gameplans. I don't set depth charts, gameplans, any of that. I stick to the personnell decisions.

[MizzouRah]

Originally Posted by mbarry55

I ONLY do GM-stuff. Thats why youre given the role of hiring coaches... to do the gameplanning stuff. The better coaches you get, the better gameplans. I don't set depth charts, gameplans, any of that. I stick to the personnell decisions.

+1

[Raiders Army]

I think Jim did an excellent job allowing a player to control what he wants to control and the AI does a very reasonably good job for the tasks that you don't want to do.

That being said, I think the only real way to get immersed in the game is to play multiple seasons. If you're starting off with fictional rosters, it'll take you a while to get immersed in your dynasty. If you have real-life rosters, I think it's a lot easier. In either case, it'll take a while so give it a chance.

[beargrowlz]

I'm another that will urge you to take the time to watch the games in solevision and then write a dynasty report. When you watch the games and then write about them, you really have no choice but to become immersed in your team and its players.

It really takes single player enjoyment to another level.



Cheers,
-Bear

[Izulde]

I also support the dynasty writing approach.

[cubboyroy1826]

I will agree with everyone here. First off just playing the game as GM help because for me it was not so overwhelming. Writing a dynasty may make things move slower but it will definitely help you get more attached to your players as well as keeping more of an eye on what is happening in the rest of the league.

[MrDNA]

How much time does it take for you guys to write a dynasty? I just can't imagine freeing up that chunk of time... wish I could, though.

[Firefly]

I beg your pardon, guys, but WTF is writing a dynasty?

Anyhow, I think your approach is very interesting, dunkie, and I've more or less done something similar in the past. Then again, you can't get away with not drafting and signing FAs. Draft a kid, watch him grow as a player, maybe get some honors, that builds a certain attachement... er, immersion.

[Izulde]

Originally Posted by MrDNA

How much time does it take for you guys to write a dynasty? I just can't imagine freeing up that chunk of time... wish I could, though.

Depends on the type of dynasty I'm writing and what part of the season I'm at in the game.

Like a lot of my TCY and FOF dynasties tend to be very quick writeups because they're simmed, note the highlights and move on. Like, say, 15-20 minutes?

DDS:PB is quick for the simming and highlight writing, but I find myself much more involved with the team and the league, so I'll spend more time writing the stories that catch my eye. I also recap the trades each month. On average it's about 30-45 minutes a post.

The CK dynasties take the longest, both in terms of playing and writing, which is also why they have the biggest gaps in updates. Here, the CK related updates can literally take hours, because I'll play that long and write as I go. The story posts vary wildly in time it takes to write.

So I guess the abbreviated answer is... it depends.

[Izulde]

Originally Posted by Firefly

I beg your pardon, guys, but WTF is writing a dynasty?

Anyhow, I think your approach is very interesting, dunkie, and I've more or less done something similar in the past. Then again, you can't get away with not drafting and signing FAs. Draft a kid, watch him grow as a player, maybe get some honors, that builds a certain attachement... er, immersion.

Check the Dynasties forum.

They're essentially stories written about your game.

[Firefly]

Oh, ok. I'll do that.

I always though the Dynasties forum was about some sort of MP leagues with weird rules, that's why I never checked it out.

[perez24]

I've never really taken a lot of time to watch Solevision so I'll try that, but I always found calling plays at various times in the game, e.g. last couple of minutes of 1st half and then final half of the 4th quarter, made me feel more immersed.

[mattlanta]

I just view the games that are important (first game of the year, rivalry games, playoffs) by setting up the game where you can call plays, but when it actually starts, I uncheck the 'Call Team Plays' option on the bottom, so I can watch it "live" instead of watching the Solevision after I already know who won.

[dunkie23]

Thank you for all of the ideas.

I'm trying to just focus on the personnel aspect of the game. Which has helped, but I guess I get a little impatient not being able to see my work have an impact right away. I also miss the more hands on aspect in season, but I'll get back to that after a little practice.

I've started to write up a couple of Dynasties, one in TCY (thanks to Bear Growlz's awesome write up -- great stuff), and one in FOF. This really does bring a new dimension to the game. Almost like an accountability factor, and you certainly get to know the strengths and weaknesses of your team in a much deeper way. It also brings a bit of a process to the game as well, which I've had a hard time with before.

[RomaGoth]

I actually called the plays in my first game of the season, and won 36-7. Of course, it could be that Pittsburgh is just overpowered compared to the Houston Texans.....

[perez24]

I play SP and play out the interesting parts of the game, i.e. ends of halves and maybe more if it's close. To me it's all the fun of Solevision w/o knowing who won.

Another thing that got me hooked back is that I drafted a FB with high 3rd Down Running and decent Hole Recognition. Now, whenever it's 3rd and short I stop the sim and select a FB running play. It works about 60-70% of the time. It's a little thing, but I find that I'm now spending time "watching" the game while it's being played which then allows me to see who is making the big tackle or KRB.

[jdavidbakr]

Originally Posted by perez24

I play SP and play out the interesting parts of the game, i.e. ends of halves and maybe more if it's close. To me it's all the fun of Solevision w/o knowing who won.

You do know that you can hide the results in the options panel so you can watch the Solevision without knowing who won?

[beargrowlz]

I've started to write up a couple of Dynasties, one in TCY (thanks to Bear Growlz's awesome write up -- great stuff)

Wow, that's a blast from the past.

Never did finish that one - may have to see if I can transfer the files over to this machine and finish that up. I really had lots of fun with that.



Cheers,
-Bear

[Subby]

The best way to get immersed is to grow a Freddy Mercury mustache and put on some gold hotpants and belt out some Ethel Merman.

What? Oh. Game immersion.

Ask Kodos.

[perez24]

Originally Posted by jdavidbakr

You do know that you can hide the results in the options panel so you can watch the Solevision without knowing who won?

Clearly I didn't...thanks.

[Kodos]

Originally Posted by Subby

The best way to get immersed is to grow a Freddy Mercury mustache and put on some gold hotpants and belt out some Ethel Merman.

What? Oh. Game immersion.

Ask Kodos.

Easy. Just toss the computer in the pool.

[RomaGoth]

Originally Posted by Subby

The best way to get immersed is to grow a Freddy Mercury mustache and put on some gold hotpants and belt out some Ethel Merman.

What? Oh. Game immersion.

Ask Kodos.

Much easier to get a clip-on mustache. Less hair in the sink.