Has anyone noticed a trend with generic names?

[catcatch22]

Quote: Originally Posted by baa7

Your theory doesn't explain why there are only half a dozen generic punters, or half a dozen kickers in the game. There should be a variation of hundreds of different names/players as punters/kickers, for example. I should never see a repeat of the same two players/names in any position, when I create 8 custom teams. No, what happened here is VC took the lazy shortcut route, as they did with all the offline features. They simply created a half dozen players in each position and left it at that, rather than spend the time developing an engine that would randomly generate generic players.

I guess they did that to avoid having fake names match real names in the nfl by accident, like jeremy shockey for instance is a name that can be created with the database.

[baa7]

Quote: Originally Posted by catcatch22

I guess they did that to avoid having fake names match real names in the nfl by accident, like jeremy shockey for instance is a name that can be created with the database.

So you're saying they're trying to avoid generic HB's or K's randomly being named Jeremy Shockey, yet you can create a TE with the name Jeremy Shockey and take him online?

Does that make sense? Does that sound like they had their thinking caps on when they came up with this system?

Again, what's going on here is VC took the easy route, just as they did with the preset teams and other offline features. They created a static, limited number of preset generic players in each position, and then called it a wrap. They may have run out of time; they may have done it because they were being lazy; they may have done it because they had no real interest in developing the game for offline play. Regardless, this generic player system they created is one of the weakest feaures in a video sports game in years. As someone else mentioned, it's horrible.

[baa7]

Quote: Originally Posted by catcatch22

I guess they did that to avoid having fake names match real names in the nfl by accident, like jeremy shockey for instance is a name that can be created with the database.

I'll point out another, related discrepancy that also makes no sense. I can't edit the names or unis my preset CPU teams to look like NFL teams, for the purpose of playing offline in the privacy of my living room.

Yet I can create the Denver Rustlers, edit their unis to make them look like the Broncos, and go online with them for all the world to see. Not to mention I can create 11 NFL players who play with the Broncos, and put them on my online team.

You see now how the issue here with generic players has nothing to do with trying to avoid having fake names match real names in the NFL.

[GMonroy]

Quote: Originally Posted by baa7

I'll point out another, related discrepancy that also makes no sense. I can't edit the names or unis my preset CPU teams to look like NFL teams, for the purpose of playing offline in the privacy of my living room. Yet I can create the Denver Rustlers, edit their unis to make them look like the Broncos, and go online with them for all the world to see. Not to mention I can create 11 NFL players who play with the Broncos, and put them on my online team. You see now how the issue here with generic players has nothing to do with trying to avoid having fake names match real names in the NFL.

I hear ya but just what world will see this? =P

[baa7]

Quote: Originally Posted by GMonroy

I hear ya but just what world will see this? =P

Now c'mon... people playing a faux-NFL league online, with NFL copy-cat unis and players? Who is NOT going to be in the position to see and monitor this? EA Sports? The NFL?

This is EXACTLY what VC was saying they were trying to avoid: gamers copying the NFL. And they used that as an excuse to limit the customization in the game.

[dacks]

Quote: Originally Posted by baa7

So you're saying they're trying to avoid generic HB's or K's randomly being named Jeremy Shockey, yet you can create a TE with the name Jeremy Shockey and take him online? Does that make sense? Does that sound like they had their thinking caps on when they came up with this system? Again, what's going on here is VC took the easy route, just as they did with the preset teams and other offline features. They created a static, limited number of preset generic players in each position, and then called it a wrap. They may have run out of time; they may have done it because they were being lazy; they may have done it because they had no real interest in developing the game for offline play. Regardless, this generic player system they created is one of the weakest feaures in a video sports game in years. As someone else mentioned, it's horrible.

Do you ever have anything positive to say?
A couple things, first i was noticing player positions with coinciding names with real former NFL player counterparts. That was odd. Second, they perhaps did mess up on the generics somewhat for user teams but during season mode i believe each of the 24 teams has different generic players.

[catcatch22]

The only gripe I have with the generics is the duplicate uniform numbers and why they keep changing if I am only making a minor adjustment. That is unacceptable. Everything else is ok considering everything. If they didn't change I can then honestly figure out my team and what they are good at over time.

[bkfount]

Quote: Originally Posted by kevinpars

I think that there is a real practical reason for this: they used existing last names so that they would not have to re-record the announcers saying the new names. They already had a database of the announcers using most of the NFL players from a few years back, so rather than reinvent the wheel, they just used this database. Imagine what we could see if 2K actually put some real development time into a new version of this game. I am enjoying it a lot as it is but if it got a full year of development time it could be a very special game.

well it's possible. They reused lots of commentary, and some legends don't even have their names said and are referred to by their number. They seemingly cut corners on presentation in other areas, so I don't doubt it here.

As for the generics, my only real issue is they vanish when you touch up your team.