Why Twelve is the Magic Number

[catcatch22]

I have never liked EA football games, infact I hate all EA football games. I just hate they way they play compared to Visual Concepts.

However the idea of a dynasty online is brilliant. That alone might make this a warranted purchase for me.

Unfortunately from what I have heard and read the style with which the game plays is still the same brand of "EA" football.

I will download the demo and give it a try to see if I can live with it, but the idea of online dynasties without having to play a human opponent is fascinating.

[Skyboxer]

Nice article. I think 12 (even though we are only doing 8 which like) is a good number and the max probably for a league with longevity.
There have been tons more positive than negative on the threads and most of the negatives aren't anything major. From what I've seen this should be agreat palying game. There are a couple small issues but nothing that will keep me away from this game.

[VWarrior]

I agree, twelve is a very nice "sweet spot". If you're league is over-saturated with humans and the vast majority aren't hardcore, then what you end up with is an increased likelihood of people dropping out as they lost interest with the game, and more (frequently) challenging match-up time constraints when you're scheduled to play someone.

On the other hand, if you have too few, its almost like, "what the point?!?".

The article makes a very good point that 12 is the magic number because it is the number that allows a league to fill up any major conference if the league so chooses so it is always possible to play a 100% human conference schedule.

I personally absolutely love the idea of humans scattered across conferences. I think its necessary to have a good balance of human and CPU opponents so you don't always have to schedule an appointment to play your scheduled opponent. And man, personally, its so exciting thinking about the idea of post-season human bowl matchups as you represent your conference against the SEC, Pac-10, etc, or scheduling home-and-home OOC games with somebody from another conference.

And while on this issue, the only real gripe that comes to mind about this (and EA, I hope you consider this for next year) is the fact that you cannot watch two other humans face off. I would love to watch two other people face off in a big game, especially during Bowl season when i'd cheer on any Big Ten team...including the only time the Wolverine in me could ever allow me to root for ODogg's Bucks.

I understand bandwidth concerns come into play with spectators, but if can work, I hope you guys (EA) look into this for 2010.