FOF7 - Game Planning

[Grim.Reaper]

Hello,

I know this version didn't appear to change much in game planning (or it did and I just missed it), but I have always had a tough time with this aspect of the game so thought might be helpful to open a thread anyway.

I prefer to have much simpler game planning control then what is in the game since it can be pretty overwhelming to set all the situational options and how all the formations are used. Just too much for me to maintain, however, I want to have some say in the overall game plan.

At this point, I think my only option really is to use the recommend option for everything and let the computer handle it. With that said, how well does the computer make good recommendations based on your coaching staff and player abilities? If I have a stud QB and WRs, will they recommend a passing heavy offense? If I have good offensive line and RB, will it be heavy run? If I have average of both, will it be a balanced offense?

Just looking for suggestions to maximize my enjoyment since this is the part of the game that trips me up every time.

And if changes have been made in FOF7, would love to hear about them.

[LastWhiteSoxFanStanding]

I have the same question plus defensive side of things. Do you keep the same gameplan throughout the year or do you have a gameplan against a running team saved , another gameplan against a passing team saved and do you just use whichever based on your opponent? Is the AI smart enough so I can hit the recommend button on defense and it'll know I'm facing a running team and adjust accordingly.

[Ben E Lou]

The "Recommend" settings are improved significantly in this version. Most notably new in this version is that on offense, the formation usage screens take personnel into account now, and that was not the case in previous versions. The most obvious result of this is that very good receiving tight ends but up significantly better receiving numbers on AI-run and rexed game plans than in the past, simply because they're on the field in passing situations *far* more than in the past.

And yes, to answer your questions, it'll pass more if you have better QB/WR, and it'll run more if you have better RB/O-Line. A new option in this version--and one that sounds like it would be perfect for you--in this version is the "Recommend Entire Game Plan" button. That way you could have Rex do everything, and then maybe go in and tweak just pass distances and run directions, or first down running/passing.

[Grim.Reaper]

Originally Posted by Ben E Lou

The "Recommend" settings are improved significantly in this version. Most notably new in this version is that on offense, the formation usage screens take personnel into account now, and that was not the case in previous versions. The most obvious result of this is that very good receiving tight ends but up significantly better receiving numbers on AI-run and rexed game plans than in the past, simply because they're on the field in passing situations *far* more than in the past.

And yes, to answer your questions, it'll pass more if you have better QB/WR, and it'll run more if you have better RB/O-Line. A new option in this version--and one that sounds like it would be perfect for you--in this version is the "Recommend Entire Game Plan" button. That way you could have Rex do everything, and then maybe go in and tweak just pass distances and run directions, or first down running/passing.

Thank you...that sounds very promising.....another quick question.

Would you hit the recommend button prior to each week's game? I am assuming so since I would imagine the game plan also takes into account your opponent's strengths and weakness? For example, if I am playing against Denver with Manning, my team would likely want to use more of a ball control offense to keep him off the field, do you think the recommendations are taking things like this into consideration? Or is that too much?

[Ben E Lou]

I'd have to look to see if that's changed in the version, but in the past, it appeared that the offensive recommendations only took *your* offensive talent into account, not the other offense. Your *defensive* recommendations against Manning would be much more pass-focused, though.

As far as whether to hit the button every week, that depends on whether you want to tweak it yourself. If you want to do so, then you'll want to hit it each week and then tweak. If not, just turn on the setting to let the coach always handle your game plan and leave it at that.

[Grim.Reaper]

Originally Posted by Ben E Lou

I'd have to look to see if that's changed in the version, but in the past, it appeared that the offensive recommendations only took *your* offensive talent into account, not the other offense. Your *defensive* recommendations against Manning would be much more pass-focused, though.

As far as whether to hit the button every week, that depends on whether you want to tweak it yourself. If you want to do so, then you'll want to hit it each week and then tweak. If not, just turn on the setting to let the coach always handle your game plan and leave it at that.

Thanks Ben....looks like I am much closer to pulling the trigger on this game today

[therockfrog]

One thing that using the recommended settings does is put on a more even playing field with the a.i., in theory. Meaning, you make the personnel decisions like a gm but let the Ai guys do the game plans. Like a GM mode to see how well you can draft, trade, stuff like that... since I'm sure all the other teams use the same kind of Ai for game planning......then you can also play in GM and manager mode to tweak all the game plans, offensive, defensive stuff like the head coach to see if you can do better than the a.i....i have two games going now, one where I just run the GM stuff and one where I micromanage everything... they are both fun, pick your poison!

[flounder]

I've never been one to game plan very much, but the film room feature is making me delve into it more.

[corbes]

I am enjoying the gameplanning more in this version. It feels more to me like getting the right players onto the field than like an overwhelming numbers game.

[Noop]

I wish there was an option to let the coach only game plan the defense and not the offense. I feel like my offensive game planning is fine to get the results I want but I would love for the coach to handle the defensive stuff because I am not sure how to utilize my defensive talent.

[Sebmono]

Originally Posted by Ben E Lou

I'd have to look to see if that's changed in the version, but in the past, it appeared that the offensive recommendations only took *your* offensive talent into account, not the other offense. Your *defensive* recommendations against Manning would be much more pass-focused, though.

As far as whether to hit the button every week, that depends on whether you want to tweak it yourself. If you want to do so, then you'll want to hit it each week and then tweak. If not, just turn on the setting to let the coach always handle your game plan and leave it at that.

Do you think these gameplan files you created way back when would still work as expected with the new version or would they need updating?
FOFC OFFENSIVE GAME PLAN LIBRARY - Front Office Football Central

I loved having those available and putting them to work since I'm not that capable of a gameplanner myself but appreciated tailoring a distinct playstyle to my team and roster.

[LastWhiteSoxFanStanding]

My offense had been underperforming the past couple of seasons despite above average talent everywhere on offense. I had fiddled with everything but the formation screen. Finally, I made sure to have a 3, or 4 wr set in almost all situations and my offensive performance exploded the second half of the year. Went from scoring about 20 points a game to 30. Still got knocked out in the first round of the playoffs but I am feeling much better about my prospects for the upcoming season.

So in short, if you are having issues on offense don't forget to look at the formation screen which can have a massive effect on offensive output.

[claystone]

I have not had a chance to dive into the new version but this has been an issue with me with the old version.

1. Does the AI when hitting "Rex" take into account the QB's formation knowledge?

In the old version "Rex" will always display the same formations for your QB even if he didn't know that formation. I'm hoping with this new version if i hit "Rex" it will ONLY display formations my QB knows.

[djsatu]

Originally Posted by LastWhiteSoxFanStanding

My offense had been underperforming the past couple of seasons despite above average talent everywhere on offense. I had fiddled with everything but the formation screen. Finally, I made sure to have a 3, or 4 wr set in almost all situations and my offensive performance exploded the second half of the year. Went from scoring about 20 points a game to 30. Still got knocked out in the first round of the playoffs but I am feeling much better about my prospects for the upcoming season.

So in short, if you are having issues on offense don't forget to look at the formation screen which can have a massive effect on offensive output.

I may have to look into my WR sets because I have 5 great wideouts right now, with not much to show in a few years simmed. Started out great, but my last 2 seasons have been a step back in production etc. This game definately makes you adjust and think about how to utilize every single person on the field. Love it!

[flounder]

Originally Posted by claystone

I have not had a chance to dive into the new version but this has been an issue with me with the old version.

1. Does the AI when hitting "Rex" take into account the QB's formation knowledge?

In the old version "Rex" will always display the same formations for your QB even if he didn't know that formation. I'm hoping with this new version if i hit "Rex" it will ONLY display formations my QB knows.

It still doesn't take that into account as far as I can tell.

[Ben E Lou]

That idea comes under "be careful what you wish for" afaic. There are two reasons I'm glad Jim has *not* done this:

1. There's no gain from it that I can see. If he zeroed out formations that the QB didn't know, the actual distribution of formations used would end up being virtually the same as it is with them not zeroed out and the plays being redistributed as they are.

2. If the starting QB gets injured, then you could really get screwed with familiars. If you had a backup QB who knew mostly different formations than your starter, and the starter got hurt early, the backup could walk into a situation where he'd be limited to a small number of his known formations, because most of the ones that he knows would be zeroed out.