The Takeaway From EA College Football 25

[PhlliesPhan6]

Re: The Takeaway From EA College Football 25

Actual Madden and NBA 2K allow you to control every team as well. Madden still has a bunch of issues due to the programming insistence of tying sim results to playbook.

However, NBA 2k is much more meticulous when it comes to what can be controlled in 30 team control. I just don't understand why so many MLB The Show fans keep saying that this is the best sports title on the market (im not specifically talking about you). Maybe they are considering the game as a whole because NBA 2Ks online modes are a cesspool of predatory MTX. However, I think I'm talking to offline franchise players here, and The Show just has a way to go to catch up to NBA 2K.

Yes, you can set all of the lineups and rotations for each team, but when you sim games and look at box scores, you'll see the lineup changed. The biggest problem with the game is its antiquated rating system that's horribly weighted and produces odd results in the case of some players.

I enjoy the game because I'm a baseball fan, ot be cause the game is great...in my opinion. I find it entertaining, infuriating, enjoyable, and annoying all at the same time. All and all it is missing so much or not delivering on what it's trying to do and some of the issues have been around forever.

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The lineups only change when a player needs a rest or has bad stats in certain situations. So in that case it's not so unrealistic. I'd say 90% of the sim games have the proper lineups.

And I love NBA 2k's MyNBA mode but I actually wish the computer rested players when they were tired. You usually end up with way too many guys that play all 82 games. Unless you set injuries very high, you could have some lower bench guys and 2 way players that don't play any games.

[Fiddy]

Re: The Takeaway From EA College Football 25

The lineups only change when a player needs a rest or has bad stats in certain situations. So in that case it's not so unrealistic. I'd say 90% of the sim games have the proper lineups.

And I love NBA 2k's MyNBA mode but I actually wish the computer rested players when they were tired. You usually end up with way too many guys that play all 82 games. Unless you set injuries very high, you could have some lower bench guys and 2 way players that don't play any games.

I've always wanted a fatigue slider or even turn off and on fatigue. I'd favor unrealistic stats, games played etc. if that meant we could get lineups to stick without jumping through hoops.

[PhlliesPhan6]

Re: The Takeaway From EA College Football 25

I've always wanted a fatigue slider or even turn off and on fatigue. I'd favor unrealistic stats, games played etc. if that meant we could get lineups to stick without jumping through hoops.

IMO, I would just like to see fatigued dialed down a little bit. I actually wouldn't want lineups to stick 100% of the time because that means bench players would never get starts. However, it is kind of annoying when a player who plays every day in real life (as long as they are healthy) needs a rest on the 4th game of a 6 game stretch.

[JSK1979]

Re: The Takeaway From EA College Football 25

Probably because in their opinion it is.

You know what, that is fair. No argument with that.

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[JSK1979]

Re: The Takeaway From EA College Football 25

The lineups only change when a player needs a rest or has bad stats in certain situations. So in that case it's not so unrealistic. I'd say 90% of the sim games have the proper lineups.

And I love NBA 2k's MyNBA mode but I actually wish the computer rested players when they were tired. You usually end up with way too many guys that play all 82 games. Unless you set injuries very high, you could have some lower bench guys and 2 way players that don't play any games.

I understand why the lineup changes happen. However, I don't like the logic used behind it. Personally, I think this game doesn't replicate baseball very well when you sim games. I do like and enjoy the game (even though it may sound like I don't). I use a fictional roster so that I feel a less aggro about the game, not doing the thing "I" think it should. With that being said, let's take the cases of Ronald Acuna Jr. and George Springer.

These guys have been in the league for many years. Acuna is out for the year, and Springer is having a horrible year (.221BA .669OPS). Even with those horrendous numbers, he's still batting leadoff for the Jay's. Acuna has hit leadoff almost his entire career. Doesn't matter to this game. They took the time years ago to make sure that STL had the pitcher spot hut 8th because that was the managers strategy (I believe it was Tony LaRussa), but they can't find a way to allow us to lock players in certain spots in the lineup. I'm talking about an actual option. Click a button on, say, a manager's strategy screen (I guess they'd have to make manager's matter outside of arbitrary stat boost or decreases). I just shake my head when I'm a week into the season and see Acuna hitting 3rd or anywhere other than leadoff. If he's in the lineup, he shouldn't be anywhere else.

I do agree with your assessment of NBA 2K with the number of people who play 82 games. I do 30 team control, and I tinker a lot. I like to see a few two-way guys get some run. Or a 2nd round pick that was a 1st round talent that fell for no reason play. I will force injuries, make up suspension scenarios, say players need time away (i.e., Andrew Wiggins) or just randomly take a guy out of other teams' lineups for a couple of games or for a back to back to ensure there are fewer 82 game players. Is it a lot of work, yes. It's time-consuming but I don't mind it. I know it's easier to manage up to 15 roster spots than it is to manage 93 without a doubt. I think the number of guys playing 82 games in 2K is akin to SP in The Show having ERAs north of 6 and having 30 plus starts. Neither should happen, but it's the pain of the programming of the game.

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[JSK1979]

Re: The Takeaway From EA College Football 25

I've always wanted a fatigue slider or even turn off and on fatigue. I'd favor unrealistic stats, games played etc. if that meant we could get lineups to stick without jumping through hoops.

The already unrealistic stats is a huge problem for me, but I understand where you're coming from.

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[KGIY94]

Re: The Takeaway From EA College Football 25

MLBTS has by far the worst franchise mode of any major sports game. For all the crap that Madden devs get for not devoting enough resources to their mode, The Show's is arguably worse.

Players progression is somehow less dynamic than it was 10 years ago, regression is still too extreme and uniform, training doesn't even work for several attributes (velocity and stamina attributes are locked), coach attributes have no effect, salaries are capped out at $30M, scouting for the draft is practically meaningless after the first round, and the league just doesn't replenish talent (all games are bad at this to be fair).

These are all things I believe have gotten WORSE in the last decade. What new things have they added? There have been some very minor changes to scouting, the top prospect lists, they've given us some stats but have taken away other stats.

[KGIY94]

Re: The Takeaway From EA College Football 25

Different strokes for different folks.
My franchise mode ranking:
NBA2k - #1
MLBTS - #2
There is no #3, we're going to reserve it for CFB in the interim.
Madden - #4

And I say that liking baseball and football better than basketball.

Granted, they could go nowhere but up after the "Connected" debacle, but at least Madden devs have tried adding stuff to franchise in recent years. The storylines, the progression system, the scouting, the training camp drills (I know they're worse versions of the PS2 era drills), etc. I don't think many of these additions are great, but they're at least trying.

What has SDS done besides changing the Free Agency and Scouting menus in the last decade? Why do they leave several crucial features, like training and player progression broken for so many years? I just want SOME effort. Remember the glory days of this franchise when they stomped MLB 2K to death? I practically bought a PS3 so I could finally play The Show!

[Fiddy]

Re: The Takeaway From EA College Football 25

Different strokes for different folks.
My franchise mode ranking:
NBA2k - #1
MLBTS - #2
There is no #3, we're going to reserve it for CFB in the interim.
Madden - #4

And I say that liking baseball and football better than basketball.

This about where I'm at and I haven't played NBA 2K in 2 years.

NHL's Franchise mode gets slept on, it's actually pretty decent.

For me..

1) NBA 2K
2) MLB
3) NHL/CFB25
4) Madden
5) WWE 2K (I have a blast with Universe Mode when "Player Locked")

I'm also coming around to not having to play full games and not feel as if "my season isn't legit". Don't care anymore, not enough time to enjoy all the games. Quick sim innings, Play Offense Only, etc. Love these features in all the games.

[PhlliesPhan6]

Re: The Takeaway From EA College Football 25

Different strokes for different folks.
My franchise mode ranking:
NBA2k - #1
MLBTS - #2
There is no #3, we're going to reserve it for CFB in the interim.
Madden - #4

And I say that liking baseball and football better than basketball.

I agree. Baseball will always be my #1 sport and I love MLB The Show. But I actually only started getting into the NBA more recently, and it's pretty much because I randomly bought NBA 2K a few years ago and had a blast playing MyNBA.

[Funkycorm]

Re: The Takeaway From EA College Football 25

MLBTS has by far the worst franchise mode of any major sports game. For all the crap that Madden devs get for not devoting enough resources to their mode, The Show's is arguably worse.

Players progression is somehow less dynamic than it was 10 years ago, regression is still too extreme and uniform, training doesn't even work for several attributes (velocity and stamina attributes are locked), coach attributes have no effect, salaries are capped out at $30M, scouting for the draft is practically meaningless after the first round, and the league just doesn't replenish talent (all games are bad at this to be fair).

These are all things I believe have gotten WORSE in the last decade. What new things have they added? There have been some very minor changes to scouting, the top prospect lists, they've given us some stats but have taken away other stats.

A couple of things here.

MLB does not have the worst franchise mode. That belongs to FIFA.

MLB doesn't have the best one either. That belongs to NBA 2k. Their era mode alone trumps everything else.

I think that NBA and Madden actually do a fairly good job of replenishing talent. Madden has solid generated draft classes. NBA 2k with fictional classes (shameless plug) keep the talent pool replenished. I will say that with both of these, that we can edit draft classes and that does help. Madden doesn't really need edited classes but it is needed in 2k.

I think MLB has improved their regression. But progression is something that needs addressed. The draft class prospects require editing afterwards to help with the talent pool as the game does have a harder time keeping talent elite in the Show.

I also believe the max is $35m for contracts. I feel like SDS updated it because of some of the bigger contracts recently.

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I would say franchise wise, I would rank this:

1. NBA 2k: Like I said above, era mode puts this at 1 for me.
2. NHL: Their franchise mode is surprisingly deep. Though I do wish we could edit player ratings.
3. MLB: They do a good job of implementing most of the roster rules. Rule 5, arbitration, etc.
4. Madden: If it weren't for the franchise corruption bug and the 3-4 bug last year, this feels like a tie with MLB in my enjoyment aspect.
5. WWE 2k: Universe Mode is fun but not that great.
6. FIFA: Nope. Sorry. My opinion it is the worst.


EA CFB is too soon to rank and will take a full cycle to fairly place it. It won't dethrone NBA but will fit in the top 3 likely.

These rankings are personal opinion and reflect only my opinion.

[Heisman]

Re: The Takeaway From EA College Football 25

A couple of things here.

MLB does not have the worst franchise mode. That belongs to FIFA.

MLB doesn't have the best one either. That belongs to NBA 2k. Their era mode alone trumps everything else.

I think that NBA and Madden actually do a fairly good job of replenishing talent. Madden has solid generated draft classes. NBA 2k with fictional classes (shameless plug) keep the talent pool replenished. I will say that with both of these, that we can edit draft classes and that does help. Madden doesn't really need edited classes but it is needed in 2k.

I think MLB has improved their regression. But progression is something that needs addressed. The draft class prospects require editing afterwards to help with the talent pool as the game does have a harder time keeping talent elite in the Show.

I also believe the max is $35m for contracts. I feel like SDS updated it because of some of the bigger contracts recently.

---

I would say franchise wise, I would rank this:

1. NBA 2k: Like I said above, era mode puts this at 1 for me.
2. NHL: Their franchise mode is surprisingly deep. Though I do wish we could edit player ratings.
3. MLB: They do a good job of implementing most of the roster rules. Rule 5, arbitration, etc.
4. Madden: If it weren't for the franchise corruption bug and the 3-4 bug last year, this feels like a tie with MLB in my enjoyment aspect.
5. WWE 2k: Universe Mode is fun but not that great.
6. FIFA: Nope. Sorry. My opinion it is the worst.


EA CFB is too soon to rank and will take a full cycle to fairly place it. It won't dethrone NBA but will fit in the top 3 likely.

These rankings are personal opinion and reflect only my opinion.

I agree except I would put UFC last instead of FIFA. Universe mode is badly needed in that game. An owner mode is needed as well though in FIFA.

[NYJin2011tm]

Re: The Takeaway From EA College Football 25

This about where I'm at and I haven't played NBA 2K in 2 years.

NHL's Franchise mode gets slept on, it's actually pretty decent.

For me..

1) NBA 2K
2) MLB
3) NHL/CFB25
4) Madden
5) WWE 2K (I have a blast with Universe Mode when "Player Locked")

I'm also coming around to not having to play full games and not feel as if "my season isn't legit". Don't care anymore, not enough time to enjoy all the games. Quick sim innings, Play Offense Only, etc. Love these features in all the games.

I'm starting to think this too. With 10 hour trial with EA Play playing Madden 25 I've been doing Play the Moments. I'm actually having fun with it. Just don't have the time I used to.

[LowerWolf]

Re: The Takeaway From EA College Football 25

I know it's cool to talk about how much sports games suck these days, but I'm pretty happy right now.

I love MLB 24 and NBA 2K24. Haven't even started my dynasty yet, but I'm enjoying just playing play now games of CF25. Only a matter of time until I get fully sucked into a dynasty. And if they'll fix the CPU run/pass ratios and tighten up defense a bit, I can see myself playing Madden 25 a good bit too.

[countryboy]

Re: The Takeaway From EA College Football 25

I've played the 10 hour trial (great thing by the way from EA) of both college and Madden and both are good games. I still don't know that I'll play them though (I'll buy eventually for my collection ), as right now NCAA has an issue with custom conferences and scheduling. And Madden was solid, but I find myself not enjoying EA football games like I did back on the PS2 days (Madden 2005 still my favorite) or the PS3 (NCAA
14 and Madden 25 last bought to play)

EA football just seems to be in a hurry. That's not a bad thing per se and again I think both games play well on the field, but I simply just don't enjoy them like I used to. Maybe once the kinks are worked out on NCAA I'll try to play through a season in dynasty and see what happens, but until then, I'll continue to spend 98% of my gaming time playing thru my 2026 season in MLB The Show.