What would you like to see added to the next FOF?

[aquatix]

This may have been done before, but I am curious what everyone else would like to see added. Here is what I'd like:

1. Personally, I'd like an option to put the backup QB in if a game gets out of hand. It seems however much I lower the starters time, my backup never gets in and gets any experience.

2. Be able to see your roster several years in advance.

What would everyone else like to see?

[yabanci]

Fix it so you can watch multiplayer play-by-play from within the program the same way you can watch a single player game.

Show the rookie pool earlier in the year, and give the prospective rookies a stat line and maybe end of year awards.

[FBPro]

More customization and the ability to edit and create w/ ease.

[amdaily]

Detailed player personalities.

[MizzouRah]

Coaches who have distinctive styles. Seeing a guy like Martz go to say, the Steelers and turn them into a passing, offensive minded team.

Anything else that can 'immerse' us into the game more. A 2d style view of the game being played would be neat. Don't think that's Jim's style though.

Todd

[Joe]

I'd like to see the # of teams in a league change. Perhaps options of starting with a 16, 20, 24, or 32 team league. As well as expansion.

[Blackadar]

We've covered this many times before, but here it goes...

1. I'd like to see a lot more done with the draft. From pre-draft rankings to mock drafts, to workout times, etc., I think this is the one area where we could get the most bang for the buck. There's just a lot of potential here.

2. Make it easier to conduct the MP offseason. It's very difficult and cumbersome to conduct the FA period and draft.

3. Make height and weight count for something.

4. Move to a CM-type points system instead of the bars (personal preference).

5. Continued AI tweaking.

There are some other ideas as well in some previous threads.

[cthomer5000]

2. Make it easier to conduct the MP offseason. It's very difficult and cumbersome to conduct the FA period and draft.

You really think so? I don't see how much could be changed there without radically changing the game as it is.

[Blackadar]

You really think so? I don't see how much could be changed there without radically changing the game as it is.

Yes, yes it is. It's been the #1 problem in both of the leagues I've been in (IMHO). It either takes forever or everyone has to send in e-mail lists.

I'd like to see things like built-in draft lists, timers or MP only features that help coordinate the draft and keep it rolling.

[Bad-example]

I would like to see TCY added to FOF to make one product. Then Jim could release a new FOF/TCY combo every year or two and allow him to work on other sports as well.

[Dutch]

Fix it so you can watch multiplayer play-by-play from within the program the same way you can watch a single player game.

Show the rookie pool earlier in the year, and give the prospective rookies a stat line and maybe end of year awards.

On #1 - YES! A must for the fun factor.

On #2 - Sure! Gives us something to think about and talk about during the year....especially the also-rans.

[TredWel]

I'd like to see things like built-in draft lists, timers or MP only features that help coordinate the draft and keep it rolling.
Do other leagues find this a problem? As any member of the eNFL can tell you, the online draft application I built allows the entire draft to be done with every team making their selections in under a week.

Maybe I should look into packaging this thing up for other leagues.

[duckman]

Do other leagues find this a problem? As any member of the eNFL can tell you, the online draft application I built allows the entire draft to be done with every team making their selections in under a week.

Maybe I should look into packaging this thing up for other leagues.
Yes you should, you stingy bastard. ;)

[JeeberD]

Maybe I should look into packaging this thing up for other leagues.

Word! Sharing is a good thing... :)

[Flasch186]

Sold, i dont know how your program works but after my eperience Ill take any help i can get or im going to have to go to a live draft done on 3 different days, cuz it simply swallows up too much of my time. Could you email and explain the program?

Flasch186 AT yahoo.com

thanks in advance

[Darkiller]

1. I'd like to see a lot more done with the draft. From pre-draft rankings to mock drafts, to workout times, etc., I think this is the one area where we could get the most bang for the buck. There's just a lot of potential here.

.
Totally agree.

Draft preview and rankings are #1 on my list.
#2 would be : media interaction (when will we have it ? ala CM).
#3 would be : minor leagues incorporation (such as NFL Europe) to be able to send 4-6 players every year and have them develop faster than they normally would if they had remained bench-warmers on my roster.

[MIJB#19]

I think I have only 2 issues:

1. Get rid of the "Must have 3 QBs active" and turn it into an advice thing or something. If I want to put 2 or just 1 QB active, I want to be able to do so. This also should be with other positions. Too often, this asks for you to sign a QB or C as a 2-week backup and to make space you have to cut a promising 5th DE you wanted to put into the mix next year or when injuries haunt your DL.

2. Contract negotiations are too hard. Players are asking for backloaded deals, while most cap situations ask for more balanced contracts. This way they never get the money they are promised and over the lenght of their career they will be paid less money. (If it turns out that real football players are too stupid to see that, I will withdraw the case)

[Cringer]

I could go for a better looking HTML generation. Or someone can just make me something that does what I want it to..... :D

[Francis_Cole]

How do you make a great game even better?
Much as MIJB#19 says I want proper roster rules, no made up rules. I understand why some of the rules have been put in place because some users may get in a terrible mess if they are allowed any roster, but it would be nice for an option to have the exact rules. If I want to hae a roster with only 2 qb's and 3 cb's then thats fine, theres no rules saying I can't.
Also, I would players (who are possible young and not too good) should resign with a team which has just cut them, instead of the same old message "unwilling to sign with you" (because you've just cut them).. you have players in the nfl who are cut one week by an NFL team, resigned the next week because the teams #3 qb is now injured, and then when the #3 qb recovers the youngster gets cut again. Usually to resign in a few months at the end of the season for training camp.

Also proper contract rules, like for instance it is possible to shorten the contract of a player (Instead you get the message that is is not allowed).. Though it can be done if you increase the guarenteed money of a player.

Fran

[Raiders Army]

Mix TCY and FOF together.

Have a PSPN type "website" or newspaper.

[cthomer5000]

I would like to see TCY added to FOF to make one product. Then Jim could release a new FOF/TCY combo every year or two and allow him to work on other sports as well.

This has been suggested like 50 times by 50 different people. Doesn't anyone see what a terrible business decision this would be?

It would eliminate a product for Solecismic, as well as toss together two versions of football that people aren't always interested in. There are many fans who are only fans of one version of the sport.

[cthomer5000]

I think I have only 2 issues:

1. Get rid of the "Must have 3 QBs active" and turn it into an advice thing or something. If I want to put 2 or just 1 QB active, I want to be able to do so. This also should be with other positions. Too often, this asks for you to sign a QB or C as a 2-week backup and to make space you have to cut a promising 5th DE you wanted to put into the mix next year or when injuries haunt your DL.
I think the defense of this "must have 3 active QBs" is that there are really only 45 active players in the NFL, with the 46th being the emergency QB (and a lot of special rules apply to the use of the 3rd QB in a game).

So it's not like we're losing an active player. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but i'm pretty sure this is the case.

[3ric]

Better transaction of TCY draft classes, with statistical productivity and the current ability influencing to a greater extent how well the player rates in FOF, rather than on future potential (as appears to be the case right now).

[Bee]

I think most of the stuff I'd like has been mentioned (media interaction, improved draft, etc). I'd also add computer trade offers during the draft.

[Raiders Army]

I think the defense of this "must have 3 active QBs" is that there are really only 45 active players in the NFL, with the 46th being the emergency QB (and a lot of special rules apply to the use of the 3rd QB in a game).

So it's not like we're losing an active player. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but i'm pretty sure this is the case.

I second your opinion.

[Chief Rum]

I want to pick the cheerleaders. With pics. And also select their uniform. And be able to set up policies for the cheerleading squad that gives bonuses for giving "perks" to management.

CR

[Easy Mac]

Little Circles on the field that represent the players that run around in a somewhat realistic manner, much like CM. Preferably I'd like for the cornerbacks to run away from the ballk whenever it gets near.

Drunk Denver fans that throw snowballs and batteries at the player, Browns fans with beer bottles, and a "Create-your-own-Coors-commercial" feature.

Opportunites for players to commit murders (accidental or not) and for them to either avoid conviction or be convicted but be slapped on the wrist. Then they become stars after tehy avoid jail time. Then they have a relapse for drunk driving and avoid jailtime.

Allow us to follow their lives after football as they murder more people. Perhaps keep accurate statistics of kills, supposed kills, or missed kills.

Let us play as a player. We can choose to do drugs, steroids, use masking agents, shave our heads, move to Asia, rap, whatever we want.

[Blackadar]

This has been suggested like 50 times by 50 different people. Doesn't anyone see what a terrible business decision this would be?

It would eliminate a product for Solecismic, as well as toss together two versions of football that people aren't always interested in. There are many fans who are only fans of one version of the sport.

Right on, cthomer. These need to stay two different products.

[Ben E Lou]

Right on, cthomer. These need to stay two different products.Amen.

[Honolulu Blue]

I want to pick the cheerleaders. With pics. And also select their uniform. And be able to set up policies for the cheerleading squad that gives bonuses for giving "perks" to management.

I'm blowing my NDA wide open, but that happens to be a feature of Jim's new game: Front Office Football: The XFL Year :D

[Blackadar]

I'm blowing my NDA wide open, but that happens to be a feature of Jim's new game: Front Office Football: The XFL Year :D

I know that's in jest, but a FOF-type simulator on a minor football league that has to compete with the NFL has its appeal.

[MIJB#19]

I think the defense of this "must have 3 active QBs" is that there are really only 45 active players in the NFL, with the 46th being the emergency QB (and a lot of special rules apply to the use of the 3rd QB in a game).

So it's not like we're losing an active player. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but i'm pretty sure this is the case.My point goes beyond the 2 or 3 QBs issue, I also dislike having to have 2 Cs active, 3 RBs, 4 CBs, etc...

[Surtt]

These are more annoying then anything else.

1. Have the "lock player in position" work during the season.
It would be nice to be able to develop players with out having micro-managing injuries.

2. Do not automatically change the defense.
I like playing the 3-4, but every year the team is automatically switch back to 4-3,
my SILB and WILB are changed to MLBs,
and my NTs are changed to LDT or RDTs.

3. Do something with signing rookies. I don't know what. Just something.

[cthomer5000]

My point goes beyond the 2 or 3 QBs issue, I also dislike having to have 2 Cs active, 3 RBs, 4 CBs, etc...
From what I've gathered, those artifical limits have to be in place to keep us from taking further advantage of the AI. Also, it maintains some semblance of realism.

(I can only imagine what the Syracuse roster would look like with no roster requirements).

[cthomer5000]

These are more annoying then anything else.

1. Have the "lock player in position" work during the season.
It would be nice to be able to develop players with out having micro-managing injuries.

2. Do not automatically change the defense.
I like playing the 3-4, but every year the team is automatically switch back to 4-3,
my SILB and WILB are changed to MLBs,
and my NTs are changed to LDT or RDTs.

3. Do something with signing rookies. I don't know what. Just something.1. This works fine.
2. You must be leaving the "allow scout to reset depth charts" option on. That would result in problems #1 and #2 that you're listing.
3. Do what? I think it's fine as-is, and since contracts are basically slotted in real life anyway, don't see what the big deal is here.

[Franklinnoble]

1. League customization and expansion
2. Player editing "on the fly" a la OOTP6
3. Practice squads

And my really wacky, never in my lifetime suggestion:

4. Multiple leagues. The ability to run the NFL, AFL, and NFL Europe simultaneously, with player moves between leagues at set times during the season, perhaps even the ability to assign certain players to certain NFL teams, a la NFL Europe.

[Darkiller]

yes for Practice squads.
Would love to see that.

[MIJB#19]

From what I've gathered, those artifical limits have to be in place to keep us from taking further advantage of the AI. Also, it maintains some semblance of realism.

(I can only imagine what the Syracuse roster would look like with no roster requirements).Darn it, I think I missed that explanation completly.
I'd then wish there was a better way to do that, but I bet there isn't.
Plus, the Syracuse example ain't that good, they're just one win ahead of last season's IHOF doormat. :rolleyes:

[cthomer5000]

yes for Practice squads.
Would love to see that.Yes, and some thoughts on how to run it:


You can have 0-8 players on it, all 4 years of experience or under.
When you move one of the players to your roster, they must remain on the 53 man roster for the remainder of the season (cannot release them).
You can sign a player off another teams practice squad, but doing so means the player must remain active (on your 46 man roster) for the remainder of the season (cannot release or deactivate them, only play them or IR them if injured).
The obvious positive would be allowing the players to receive the benefit of any mentors on the team, possibly have their ratings go up a little as the season wears on, and have impacts on team cohesion/chemistry.

[Surtt]

2. You must be leaving the "allow scout to reset depth charts" option on. That would result in problems #1 and #2 that you're listing.


Yes, I do have "allow scout to reset depth charts" option on.
I like to spend most of my time in the off season and just sim through the season.

If I try this with the setting turned off, ever two weeks or so I get a player (no name or position) is too injured to play error.
I have to figure out who it is, substitute for him, write down how long he will be out, and then sim until I can bring him back in.
In the mean time someone else will get injured. All of this so I can start one or two players I really want to develop.
What I am asking for: is to let me lock in a player and let the "scouts" handle the routine injuries.
I guess I want to have my cake and eat it too.

As far as the "allow scout to reset depth charts" setting changing me from 3-4 to 4-3, It never occurred to me, the switch occurs during training camp.
I will have to experiment. Thanks for the info.

[sovereignstar]

What I am asking for: is to let me lock in a player and let the "scouts" handle the routine injuries.
Like many people do, you're misinterpreting what the lock button does. It's only purpose is to lock that player in the depth chart so they remain at that position after you hit the "Scout Recommend" button on the very same screen.

[Bad-example]

This has been suggested like 50 times by 50 different people. Doesn't anyone see what a terrible business decision this would be?

It would eliminate a product for Solecismic, as well as toss together two versions of football that people aren't always interested in. There are many fans who are only fans of one version of the sport.

This isn't the first time you have claimed that making TCY and FOF into a single product is a bad idea. Some people prefer TCY, some prefer FOF. Why not combine them into a game that would satisfy both sets of customers? Jim would actaully make MORE money doing it this way as a combo game would certainly sell better than either game would on its own.

Jim averages one release per year. If he were releasing both TCY and FOF every year, I could see your point. But Jim already has more game ideas than time to bring them to fruition. Bringing FOF and TCY together has no downside IMO.

[sovereignstar]

Do other leagues find this a problem? As any member of the eNFL can tell you, the online draft application I built allows the entire draft to be done with every team making their selections in under a week.

Maybe I should look into packaging this thing up for other leagues.
This would be great, TredWel. I wouldn't mind throwing down money for this as well (for either of the leagues I'm in).

[amdaily]

Like many people do, you're misinterpreting what the lock button does. It's only purpose is to lock that player in the depth chart so they remain at that position after you hit the "Scout Recommend" button on the very same screen.
People have been debating this feature since the demo came out. Both options should be included in the next patch/full release for those of us who want to start a green rookie over a adequate veteran and play with "Scout Recommend" turned on as to avoid micro managing for injuries.

[Surtt]

Like many people do, you're misinterpreting what the lock button does. It's only purpose is to lock that player in the depth chart so they remain at that position after you hit the "Scout Recommend" button on the very same screen.


I know that is what it does.
My wish is that it would extend into the season.

[cthomer5000]

Why not combine them into a game that would satisfy both sets of customers? Jim would actaully make MORE money doing it this way as a combo game would certainly sell better than either game would on its own.
How will it make more money? If you raise the price, you're going to lose customers.

If you don't raise the price, you're losing a purchase (someone who would have bought both games now buys one). Do you really think that people who don't buy TCY or FOF would all of the sudden jump on this if they were inegrated? That doesn't make too much sense to me.

Beyond the economics, I think it would make for an incredibly awkward game to play.

I also don't think college and pro football has nearly the overlap of diehard fans that you must believe it does.

[Troll]

drop the coach's avoid injury rating, at all costs!

[Bee]

I also don't think college and pro football has nearly the overlap of diehard fans that you must believe it does.

I think that's his point, right now college fans buy TCY, pro fans buy FOF, the overlap buys both. Under his assumption, all of them (or at least a significant majority) would buy a combined game. Since the combined game would come out annually as opposed to what Jim does now (basically alternating every year), his annual sales would be greater than they are now.

I have no idea if that's how the market would respond, but I believe that's what his theory is.

[Bad-example]

How will it make more money? If you raise the price, you're going to lose customers.

If you don't raise the price, you're losing a purchase (someone who would have bought both games now buys one). Do you really think that people who don't buy TCY or FOF would all of the sudden jump on this if they were inegrated? That doesn't make too much sense to me.

Beyond the economics, I think it would make for an incredibly awkward game to play.

I also don't think college and pro football has nearly the overlap of diehard fans that you must believe it does.

If you don't like FOF but love TCY, you would be able to play the college game and then track your favorite players in the pros.

If you don't like TCY but love FOF, you would be able to play the pro game while tracking prospects during their whole college career before drafting them.

A combo game would attract the most customers in one fell swoop. Most of the FOF fans would buy it. Most of the TCY fans would buy it. Pro fans and college fans would be served by a single release resulting in more sales overall.
The increased sales should negate any reason to increase the price.

As far as it being awkward, I think Jim is talented enough to pull it off.

And again, I think this would allow Jim a better opportunity to start releasing other sports sims.

[Bee]

The biggest negative I see with a combined game would be it would slow the progress of the games from version to version. Since there are enough differences in the college and pro games, I think he'd have to have two different "engines" running within the combined game. With a combined game, making changes with one would often require changes in the other. That could make the differences from year to year be even less than what we see now (and this is one of the bigger complaints about the FOF series).

[Bad-example]

That's a fair point, Bee. But what if Jim made his new combo FOF game a bi-annual release? It would give him a larger window to upgrade the game and allow him to release new sims in the off years.

[Karim]

Cutomizable league sizes...

[jamesUMD]

I have been a rallying cry in the past and wish that I could dig up those threads.

My top 5
1. Exspansion-I miss the good old days where you could create a team's name and history from scratch, do the exspansion draft, be guaranteed the 1st pick of the draft and spend as lavishly as you wanted in the free agent market. It definitely was the 1 thing I miss the most.
2. I 2nd that coaches need to lose their avoid injury rating. What player in his right mind would go play for a coach with a poor avoid injury rating.
3. Ability to customize coaches and scouts to make the real life front office tandems/coaching staffs, a must for real team/player leagues in my opinion. Way too many teams in the NFL are identified by their coach's identity.
4. Piggy-backed on #3, and mentioned previously. Each coach should have a tendency or package they run whether it be west coast, vertical passing, smash mouth or whatever. The play, blitz, etc, etc percentages should adjust according to the coach style.
5. Players have hidden rating regarding types of systems they can play. Some are able to move from West Coast to Vertical passing without their scores changing. Others are only successful in certain types of offenses. That way when you sign a career bu qb for your west coast offense and he flourishes ala Rich Gannon it could mean that his skill set translate to what that offense needs (another example-Priest Holmes). On the flip side you have someone like Keyshawn Johnson who seems to only flourish in Bill Parcell's type offenses which explains the drop between Keyshawns scores from f0f2001 and fof2004. Just my thoughts!

[gottimd]

Player Cards, that display like a Topps card or something. Also, have a paragraph or synopsis of the players attributes and scout synopsis like some other sim games (ie, "this guy has the chance to be a star player, keep him on the roster....."). I am sure this has already been said but I figured I would say it again like the expansion point.

Also, rule changes? Not sure how to incorporate into the game but every once in awhile there are issues that all owners must vote on, from instant replay to the approval of moving of teams to certain cities, etc.

The newspaper idea of the weeks activity like TV sports football from ages ago was great.

Ability to put players "on the block", and receive trade offers. But this would make player unhappy. I know the shop player option is available but this would be nice to have.

Have players demand trades in emails, like "Player X feels as though his potential is not being used in your current system, and is unhappy with his playing style and would like to be traded immediately".

Show weekly College Reports of upcoming rookies during season so you can see the crop coming in and who maybe able to fill some holes.

Ability to elect a player from your team to Hall of Fame.

Indicate in play by play when a record has been broken, either team or individual record.

Pregame and Postgame text analysis, like a pre or post game show you see on TV. Keys to Victory, Important Matchups, Players to Watch.

Playoff Chase/Scenarios. Show what teams in contention need to happen to get into the post season.

[SackAttack]

Somebody mentioned being able to see your roster several years in advance, to which I add (perhaps needlessly), the ability to see your cap situation years in advance, as well.

[stkelly52]

I think the defense of this "must have 3 active QBs" is that there are really only 45 active players in the NFL, with the 46th being the emergency QB (and a lot of special rules apply to the use of the 3rd QB in a game).

So it's not like we're losing an active player. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but i'm pretty sure this is the case.
The problem with this though is that there have been many times when my QB is out for one week with the flu. In that situation a team would NEVER sign a new 3rd string QB, but in FOF you have to.

I think that this could be rectified if players could learn a second position. So instead of changing thier position you can teach them a new one during the preseason. That way if you need a new backup, you can just let someone play thier secondary position.

[PSUColonel]

The problem with this though is that there have been many times when my QB is out for one week with the flu. In that situation a team would NEVER sign a new 3rd string QB, but in FOF you have to.

I think that this could be rectified if players could learn a second position. So instead of changing thier position you can teach them a new one during the preseason. That way if you need a new backup, you can just let someone play thier secondary position.

That's reduculous. Just add a practice squad. That would easily solve the problem.

[stkelly52]

That's reduculous. Just add a practice squad. That would easily solve the problem.
I don't see how it is ridiculous. It is realistic because that is what teams really do. And practice squads would not help in the situation I listed above because you would pull your QB (assuming that you had one) off of the practice squad and then because you can't cut them (assuming you follow the real practice squad rules) and you are left with 4 QBs on your roster.

[Bee]

That's a fair point, Bee. But what if Jim made his new combo FOF game a bi-annual release? It would give him a larger window to upgrade the game and allow him to release new sims in the off years.

I think at that point he would lose the advantage of increased sales and also stretch out his income to once every 2 years. Generally not something I'd want to risk, one bad release could mean beans every day for 4 years. :D

I think it could be a good move, but it also could be a risky one.

[Northwood_DK]

This is my list of things i would like to see in FOF2005.

· Advanced player cards
I would like to get all relevant player info on the player card. When and for how long was he injured. When did he win the GMVP or player of the week award? What kind of record have he set and when did he renegotiate his contract.

· Possibility to add player pictures.
I still find it easier to get a feel for the game when I can put a picture to the name. I would think the way it works in CM could work well in FOF.

· Media interaction
News articles, e-mails, quote from TV shows. I know its more or less just eye-candy but it still ads to the feeling.

· Different cities / different names
I would like to see an easy in-game solution for players having different city names/logos for their different MP league-teams. I know 3Eric have shown us how to work around it, but lets get it in to the game.

· More depth in the draft.
Instead of just getting the draft file when the new season start I would like to follow the colleague players raise and falls during their season.

· Draft utility
Add a draft list utility like the one made by Tredwel and VIP97. Tredwel and VIP97 have made a great job but I would prefer to have it build in to the game.

· In game voting in MP
I would like to see an in-game vote ballot to be sent with the last export of the season by each player. Let the players vote for GM of the year, Rookie of the year. Give the comis the option to decide witch awards to be selected by the AI and what to put on the ballot.

[Honolulu Blue]

The problem with this though is that there have been many times when my QB is out for one week with the flu. In that situation a team would NEVER sign a new 3rd string QB, but in FOF you have to.

No you don't. In older versions you would have been forced to do that, but with FOF2004 you can just leave him on the roster even though he can't - and won't - play.

[gottimd]

Also being able to add Cash into the Trade Options, not just draft picks would be nice. (ex. Player x and 1 rd draft pick and $750K for Player Y)

Not sure of this since I haven't played often lately, but have coaches inducted to the hall of fame as well. Is this already done in 5.0d?

Logos would be nice, upload created ones.

Trade offers in season.

[JeeberD]

Logos would be nice, upload created ones.

Trade offers in season.

The first one is already possible, and I believe the second does happen...

[gottimd]

Yes, you can overwrite logos, but those are like 1 by 1 pixel. I mean like a decent sized helmet, and team logo that appears in the Endzone and Midfields of the screen whomever is the home team.

Trade offers happen in season in Single Play?

[JeeberD]

Trade offers happen in season in Single Play?

I believe so, but it's been a while since I played a single player game. Don't forget that the trade deadline is pretty early on in the season...

[Rhone Ranger]

My suggestions:

1. Have the AI try harder to resign its key players. There's too much talent floating around every year in FA and it's too easy to sign up good players.

2. In FA, the AI should try harder to seek out "value" players rather than always looking to sign the best player at any cost. In addition to having too much talent to choose from (see suggestion #1) it's also too easy to scan down the list of free agents and find a few guys who have decent skills but are asking for considerably less money than everyone else. And yet the AI largely ignores these players. I snap them up and make very good teams from them, and I'd like to see the AI be more aggressive in signing these "value" players.

3. The AI should be less predictable. I know this is hard to program in general, so I suggest this: give each AI team a sort of AI personality. This can all be kept internal (i.e. not displayed to the player) but some teams should like going after big name high-priced players, while others are stingy in free agency. Some should have high player turnover while others really try to keep their players around. Some teams grab players at the beginning of FA, while others prefer to wait around and pick up what's left at a lower price. I know the current AI tries to balance all of these things now, but the problem is that it uses the same personality for every team. It's as if one guy owns 31 teams in the NFL and runs them all the same way, and you own the 32nd, the only one that's different. I'm sure the current game AI has internal thresholds and numerical values to guide its decisions. So just tweak these numbers a little differently for each team and immediately the AI - as a collective group - will now be more varied and less predictable, and that would help the immersive quality of the game.

4. Make the minimum position requirements (3 QB, 4 CB, etc.) optional. They're really annoying and I don't think they're particularly realistic. And if the only rationale is to keep players from abusing the AI, then I promise I can accept the horrible guilt I'll feel when I optionally click off this rule. :)

5. Make the team chemistry NOT tied to a player's birth date. This makes it too predictable, and screws things up at the beginning of a career if you play with "real" NFL players (since their birth dates don't change). It would be much more interesting if you couldn't really tell whether a player would get along with your team until some time after you've signed him (i.e. whatever you base the chemistry on, keep that data internal). Or perhaps there could be a simple, short list of personality types that could cause a red flag, like "showboat" or "maverick" or whatever, where most players would just be "normal" but the special types could cause interesting conflicts or positive bonds.

6. If memory serves, in a recent patch a change was made where you can't cut players from your team? (Sorry if I have that wrong). I recall not liking that change very much. Please change it back to the old way.


Is there any word on when the next version of FOF is likely to be out? Is Jim even working on one?

[Dutch]

All we know at this point is that Jim is working on....something.