So six seasons may seem like a lot, and it is (probably the furthest I've ever gotten into a franchise), but I've had this one since day one of the next-gen release, and haven't looked back. I play 1 out of every 10 games, with a new starting pitcher every time. I take care of all GM duties, and I base most of my in-house decisions on how players are playing because of some things that I've noticed. Anyway, here are my thoughts on getting deep into a franchise, and just franchise mode in general:
- Six years in and about 50% of all teams have at least one or two "aces" with 90 ratings or above. About 25% (especially ones with large budgets) of teams have either 4 or 5 starting pitchers above 90, usually with one at 99.
- With that being said, there has been a statistical trend toward lower team ERA's. Which is fine, as that seems to be where the game is headed IRL right now, anyway.
- Most players seem to reach an arbitrary age, and their skills fall off of a cliff. Not every player, but most. I've seen players from from 95's to in the 60's in just a year or two. Not a huge deal on the surface, but it happens a lot.
- No players seem to have that kind of skill increase, either. Again, this is fine because ratings become a little inflated a few years in, anyway. But if you're looking for a Mike Trout emergence kind of thing, it's probably going to take a few years.
- Some players seem to have it, and others don't. Now this could be small sample size talking, but I've looked into this carefully. I have a pitcher who has floated between an 80-85 rating for the last four years. His combined ERA is 3.23. Good, right? I have have another pitcher who has been between a 90-95 in that same time span. His ERA? 5.07. The same goes with hitters, but to a lesser degree. Usually (since hitters have a wider sample size to work with), things even out.
- My absolute FAVORITE thing about franchise mode is the dynamic potential of prospects. It's a little wonky sometimes, but it usually leads to things being a lot more interesting.
- Free Agency seems hit or miss. Guys are asking for the right contracts, but they usually end up settling with the home team for MUCH less than they could have gotten elsewhere.
- Franchise desperately needs a trade finder, and some sort of counter offer system for the CPU.
- Speaking of trading, the logic is still pretty terrible. Relief Pitchers are way too overvalued. I've seen top fifty prospects (sometimes more than one) go for closers with bloated contracts. This is rare IRL, and even the best relievers (Soria, for example), only command a teams 3rd or 4th best prospect.
- Conversely, you can sometimes offer three top prospects for an elite player, and the CPU will deny it. Then, they'll turn around and trade that same player for a low rated relief pitcher.
Anyway, just some thoughts. The game is really great, and I think they've perfected the current core gameplay and franchise is fun. It may behoove SCEA to throw us a curveball or two next year just to change things up, but the game is just as fun as ever, IMO.
- Six years in and about 50% of all teams have at least one or two "aces" with 90 ratings or above. About 25% (especially ones with large budgets) of teams have either 4 or 5 starting pitchers above 90, usually with one at 99.
- With that being said, there has been a statistical trend toward lower team ERA's. Which is fine, as that seems to be where the game is headed IRL right now, anyway.
- Most players seem to reach an arbitrary age, and their skills fall off of a cliff. Not every player, but most. I've seen players from from 95's to in the 60's in just a year or two. Not a huge deal on the surface, but it happens a lot.
- No players seem to have that kind of skill increase, either. Again, this is fine because ratings become a little inflated a few years in, anyway. But if you're looking for a Mike Trout emergence kind of thing, it's probably going to take a few years.
- Some players seem to have it, and others don't. Now this could be small sample size talking, but I've looked into this carefully. I have a pitcher who has floated between an 80-85 rating for the last four years. His combined ERA is 3.23. Good, right? I have have another pitcher who has been between a 90-95 in that same time span. His ERA? 5.07. The same goes with hitters, but to a lesser degree. Usually (since hitters have a wider sample size to work with), things even out.
- My absolute FAVORITE thing about franchise mode is the dynamic potential of prospects. It's a little wonky sometimes, but it usually leads to things being a lot more interesting.
- Free Agency seems hit or miss. Guys are asking for the right contracts, but they usually end up settling with the home team for MUCH less than they could have gotten elsewhere.
- Franchise desperately needs a trade finder, and some sort of counter offer system for the CPU.
- Speaking of trading, the logic is still pretty terrible. Relief Pitchers are way too overvalued. I've seen top fifty prospects (sometimes more than one) go for closers with bloated contracts. This is rare IRL, and even the best relievers (Soria, for example), only command a teams 3rd or 4th best prospect.
- Conversely, you can sometimes offer three top prospects for an elite player, and the CPU will deny it. Then, they'll turn around and trade that same player for a low rated relief pitcher.
Anyway, just some thoughts. The game is really great, and I think they've perfected the current core gameplay and franchise is fun. It may behoove SCEA to throw us a curveball or two next year just to change things up, but the game is just as fun as ever, IMO.
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