Which Year Had Best Franchise Mode?

[djflock]

Re: Which Year Had Best Franchise Mode?

This is it. If they wanted to go leaps and bounds, there are SO many great things that could be added, but if we're going year-over-year in comparison, '24 is easily the best.

I spent wayyyyy too many years being able to absolutely game/cheat the draft through excessive scouting, and while it's only 1 day out of a season (Plus the signings), it's definitely game-changing when it comes to the mode as a whole. I switched to auto-scouting, and the fact that with that feature on, the drafting just seems so much more realistic. I tried manual in a little test-franchise that I started with, but kept missing the scouting days. I'm sure that if you were to manually scout, things would be easier, but going full auto on it makes me feel more like a GM.

I've said it on other threads, but for what it's worth, and as horrible a series as NHL has become, they still do really well on putting together a reasonably deep franchise mode (Though it still has many warts!). I wish the minors were as deep as they are in that game (They essentially auto-generate stats for leagues that aren't part of the actual franchise mode).

Simply growing the roster size would be game-changing for this mode, especially with the right roster. I understand the difficulties with this, especially when it comes to how it affects the trade engine (Though it still sucks...), but, I will forever dream of an OOTP/Show collab, because it would kill! Unfortunately I also understand that the number of people that would rather grind for cards and stubs is significantly higher that those of us who want to do a many-season franchise. It sucks, but it is what it is.

Imagine adding an International free agency period/budget? Going full-on A ball?

But yes, short story long, '24 is easily the most in-depth franchise mode that this series has had, even though it could be much better.

@Jcar-Nice to see you back!

I share the excitement with you in the things you suggest for franchise. But with this franchise engine, I'd be happy for them to just fix roster logic, bullpen logic, lineup logic, progression/regression before they start just adding new "features".

I feel like 2k did this too where there are some just broken simple/core things but they get push on the back burner for the addition of new "shiny features".

[jcar0725]

Re: Which Year Had Best Franchise Mode?

Another Festivus miracle! I didnt expect to see you back until around January. Figured we wouldnt have you here for this Festivus.

Dude I needed to get some sense of normalcy back, so its damn good to be here with y'all.

[tessl]

Re: Which Year Had Best Franchise Mode?

I mean, the meat and potatoes of Franchise has been the same for a while now with some improvements every year. So I would argue that the most recent version is going to have the best Franchise Mode.

If you sim a lot that makes sense. I'm in August 2025 in MLBTS23 and I've simmed 5 games - played over 400 from start to finish in manage mode. I'm not inclined to throw away the franchise and start over.

One other thing is bugs tend to work their way into the game every year.