Any tips from sim and watch Franchise players?

[Kalkano]

I've done lots of sim and watch Franchise play in football and hockey games. But, for some reason, I just can't get into the same modes in baseball games. I don't think I've ever made it more than 3-4 seasons, whereas I usually get 20+ seasons out of football and hockey.

I think part of it is that baseball games take quite a bit longer to watch. I use to keep hitting X between pitches, to speed it up, but now I'm afraid I'll miss some of the cool new presentations. I love the presentation, but it almost makes it take as long as a real game...

Another part of it, is that we have 3 teams in baseball (AA, AAA, and MLB), and I do feel the need to closely follow all of my teams and players. This is a double-edged sword, since I would actually prefer to also have single-A teams, but it just makes it take longer to do it all.

Then, there's the time it takes to set all of your rosters/lineups/rotations every year. This got MUCH better last year, as I felt a little more comfortable letting the CPU handle that (with the improved lineup logic). It may not always be what I want, but it feels close enough to justify the drastic reduction in setup time.

I think another part is that there is no salary cap. I understand that MLB won't allow the option, because they don't want people to start clamoring for it more in real life, but I just hate playing without a level field. I don't want to see the same teams in the playoffs, every year. I don't want to see the highest paid players always going to the same few teams.

Yet another thing that adds to the time it takes, is setting up Sounds of the Show. Again, this is a double-edged sword. I absolutely love the feature, but it takes a huge amount of time to set up, and then add songs every time you get a new player (at any level).

Part of it may also be that I just don't feel as engaged in the basic functionality of franchise mode. Maybe this year's changes will freshen things up a bit. I know scouting and drafting have been worked on quite a bit. Hopefully trading and free agency have at least seen some touch-ups.




So, what I want to know is, from people who play similarly, what do you do to minimize setup time, and maximize enjoyment of this mode in The Show?

[ballaholic04]

Re: Any tips from sim and watch Franchise players?

I can't really help you but I have a question. Do you ever play the game? o.O

[Kalkano]

Re: Any tips from sim and watch Franchise players?

Yes. Sometimes I play Road to the Show, and sometimes I play franchise as the whole team.

[bronxbombers21325]

Re: Any tips from sim and watch Franchise players?

I know it is one of those, to each his own, type things. But I just can't wrap my finger around dropping 60 bucks on a baseball game, and never playing the games. Just doesn't make sense to me.

[slickkill77]

Re: Any tips from sim and watch Franchise players?

The people that do this are probably the same type of people that enjoy playing stat based baseball games. They probably enjoy RPG's too. Nothing wrong with that. Everyone has their own taste

[johnriii]

Re: Any tips from sim and watch Franchise players?

some folks just enjoy to coach, GM, CPU VS CPU, or whatever you call it. I've done this since the days of the ps1, even though I enjoy "playing" the games as well every once in a while. I'm an old Strat-o-matic guy, literally from back in the day (I graduated high school in 82, do the math). It's really cool to see if the game itself can simulate real life, not what I've seen with friends of mine when they have guys leading the league in homers with 85 homers, and the 2nd place guy has 81. that's not realistic. but again, to each his own. I prefer to sit back and enjoy the moves i made in the pre season, or pre game, etc. BTW, I HOPE the show doesn't screw this up and not allow CPU VS CPU this year...

[Braves Fan]

Re: Any tips from sim and watch Franchise players?

I think the posts in this thread illustrate why MOM keeps getting ignored, people look down on people that use this mode and we are still in the extreme minority. I enjoy the mode because ratings take over the game instead of my ability as a gamer. I also enjoying watching the game from a TV broadcast perspective. Basically some people enjoy games as a player and some enjoy it more as a coach/GM. I tend to lean towards the latter. Remember the game NFL Head Coach? I was excited for that game because I enjoy that aspect of it but the game never took off like I had hoped. So I like to take games such as MLB the Show and use coach and MOM. It's more fun than most people realize. I think most people have the idea that it's boring but it's not, I'm on the edge of my seat wondering what will happen next and if the moves I make will pan out. I get a great thrill from putting one of my bench players in and watching him go 3-4 with a homerun.

As far as what I do to speed up the process? I really don't worry about it. I simulate some but for the most part I'll play things out. I don't play minor league games or spring training, those are simulated and I make my personal decisions based on statistical analysis. One good thing about MOM mode is you can leave the game running and do something else if you want. You don't have to focus on each and every pitch. I usually will do this until I get later in the game and have to start managing more.

But overall I think a mistake people make is worrying about playing a lot of games and getting through multiple seasons instead of enjoying the process.

[johnriii]

Re: Any tips from sim and watch Franchise players?

I think the posts in this thread illustrate why MOM keeps getting ignored, people look down on people that use this mode and we are still in the extreme minority. I enjoy the mode because ratings take over the game instead of my ability as a gamer. I also enjoying watching the game from a TV broadcast perspective. Basically some people enjoy games as a player and some enjoy it more as a coach/GM. I tend to lean towards the latter. Remember the game NFL Head Coach? I was excited for that game because I enjoy that aspect of it but the game never took off like I had hoped. So I like to take games such as MLB the Show and use coach and MOM. It's more fun than most people realize. I think most people have the idea that it's boring but it's not, I'm on the edge of my seat wondering what will happen next and if the moves I make will pan out. I get a great thrill from putting one of my bench players in and watching him go 3-4 with a homerun.

As far as what I do to speed up the process? I really don't worry about it. I simulate some but for the most part I'll play things out. I don't play minor league games or spring training, those are simulated and I make my personal decisions based on statistical analysis. One good thing about MOM mode is you can leave the game running and do something else if you want. You don't have to focus on each and every pitch. I usually will do this until I get later in the game and have to start managing more.

But overall I think a mistake people make is worrying about playing a lot of games and getting through multiple seasons instead of enjoying the process.

Yes NFL head coach was such a huge disappointment for us "coaches". as far as the show, I actually start games, leave the room and come back to see what's going on. i don't sit there pitch for pitch every game, but I do enjoy being able to try and get video games to play as close to real life as possible, knowing that I had a big part in the "nuts and bolts" of those results. it also gives you the opportunity to "fantasize" about what could be...I actually create other players to carry on the legacy of their dads. i.e. I created a Frank Thomas offspring, who was also HUGE, but I had him playing first base for the Cubs. hopefully, the create a player mode will be better this year, I'm thinking of creating a Sammy Sosa Jr, without the steroids!!

[bronxbombers21325]

Re: Any tips from sim and watch Franchise players?

I wasn't criticizing, or putting anyone down. I just went back and reread my post and realized it might have came across that way. I apologize if I offended anyone. Like I said, just something I didn't understand/ But again, to each his/her own

[TonyMoraco]

Re: Any tips from sim and watch Franchise players?

Kalkano, you should try and sim your games using the "Sportcaster" option...you can manage the game (to an extend) and it doesn't take a lot of time...it's the option I use when I'm in GM/Manager Mode in my franchise.

Hope it Works for you.

[johnriii]

Re: Any tips from sim and watch Franchise players?

I wasn't criticizing, or putting anyone down. I just went back and reread my post and realized it might have came across that way. I apologize if I offended anyone. Like I said, just something I didn't understand/ But again, to each his/her own

no problem, my friend. any opportunity to "explain" ourselves is usually taken. I know it's weird, but hey, it takes all kinds, right?

[jripper09]

Re: Any tips from sim and watch Franchise players?

yea im like john as well ill star games while im playing online poker tournaments its fun to see how my players are doing and what changes i have to make from game to game. the graphics and atmosphere in the games are getting better and better. cant wait for 13 hope they have the cpu pickoff thing fixed so i can play MOM games again.

[yougo1000]

Re: Any tips from sim and watch Franchise players?

I have 2 franchises one where I play every game and another where I play every game but sim to the 9th inning and on. I get extremely realistic results from the ninth inning one.

[Kalkano]

Re: Any tips from sim and watch Franchise players?

I don't do Manage Only Mode. You could probably think of my playstyle as "GM Only Mode". I scout, draft, sign free agents, send players up/down, set lineups/rotations, and watch a few games. I know there are others here that do the same, but I don't remember anyone's screen name.

My typical season is:

1) Sign free agents
2) Set rosters (time consuming, but seeing numbers for stats may speed up my decision making process)
3) Set random Sounds of the Show for all new players (at all levels...time consuming)
4) Set lineups/rotations (time consuming, but much improved, lately)
5) Every couple weeks (throughout the entire season), update scouting assignments
6) Watch Opening Day for all 3 teams (AA, AAA, MLB) (1 - 1.5 hours each)
7) Simulate 2 months
8) Draft somewhere around here
9) Check each team's record, and all player's stats
10) Decide if anyone needs to be sent up/down
11) Decide if any batting orders need to be tweaked
12) Check the trading block for anyone I might be interested in
13) If I trade anyone, edit rosters/lineups/rotations again
14) Simulate 1 month
15) Repeat steps 9-14, until the regular seasons are almost over
16) If the last game of the season has major playoff implications for one of my teams, watch it (1 - 1.5 hours each)
17) Simulate playoffs, until one of my teams is one game from elimination, or one game from winning the championship
17-a) If one of my teams is one game from elimination, watch all games in the series until they are eliminated, or come back to win the series
17-b) If one of my teams is one game from winning the championship, watch all games until they win, or lose the whole thing
18) Restart process for the next season

There's just a LOT of stuff to do every year, and it takes a REALLY long time to get through a single season, even though I'm simulating most of it.

I just thought of another thing that impedes my enjoyment. Since we can't trade draft picks in baseball, I'm always at the bottom of the barrel in the drafts. I never have a chance at drafting high, because my team always does well. Basically, I'm forced to be a Yankess-type team. In other sports, I trade my way up the draft, so I can get some prized prospects. I really prefer that to signing high-priced free agents.

It may seem cheap and easy, to have a great, winning team, and also be able to draft top talent, but I get a lot of enjoyment out of that playstyle. I can then start to lock up my own draft picks, long-term, instead of going all-out Yankess style on the free agent market.

Basically, the draft is almost useless to me, and I hate that.

[johnriii]

Re: Any tips from sim and watch Franchise players?

I don't do Manage Only Mode. You could probably think of my playstyle as "GM Only Mode". I scout, draft, sign free agents, send players up/down, set lineups/rotations, and watch a few games. I know there are others here that do the same, but I don't remember anyone's screen name.

My typical season is:

1) Sign free agents
2) Set rosters (time consuming, but seeing numbers for stats may speed up my decision making process)
3) Set random Sounds of the Show for all new players (at all levels...time consuming)
4) Set lineups/rotations (time consuming, but much improved, lately)
5) Every couple weeks (throughout the entire season), update scouting assignments
6) Watch Opening Day for all 3 teams (AA, AAA, MLB) (1 - 1.5 hours each)
7) Simulate 2 months
8) Draft somewhere around here
9) Check each team's record, and all player's stats
10) Decide if anyone needs to be sent up/down
11) Decide if any batting orders need to be tweaked
12) Check the trading block for anyone I might be interested in
13) If I trade anyone, edit rosters/lineups/rotations again
14) Simulate 1 month
15) Repeat steps 9-14, until the regular seasons are almost over
16) If the last game of the season has major playoff implications for one of my teams, watch it (1 - 1.5 hours each)
17) Simulate playoffs, until one of my teams is one game from elimination, or one game from winning the championship
17-a) If one of my teams is one game from elimination, watch all games in the series until they are eliminated, or come back to win the series
17-b) If one of my teams is one game from winning the championship, watch all games until they win, or lose the whole thing
18) Restart process for the next season

There's just a LOT of stuff to do every year, and it takes a REALLY long time to get through a single season, even though I'm simulating most of it.

I just thought of another thing that impedes my enjoyment. Since we can't trade draft picks in baseball, I'm always at the bottom of the barrel in the drafts. I never have a chance at drafting high, because my team always does well. Basically, I'm forced to be a Yankess-type team. In other sports, I trade my way up the draft, so I can get some prized prospects. I really prefer that to signing high-priced free agents.

It may seem cheap and easy, to have a great, winning team, and also be able to draft top talent, but I get a lot of enjoyment out of that playstyle. I can then start to lock up my own draft picks, long-term, instead of going all-out Yankess style on the free agent market.

Basically, the draft is almost useless to me, and I hate that.

wow, that DOES make for a long season. I usually take control of my favorite team create ONE slightly above average player, scan for free agents that I might like, then start the season. I always sim through spring training, but I watch just about every season game. needless to say, I've reached the playoffs only once doing it this way, so I'm thinking I will sim maybe every other game till the all star break, then go back to my standard practice. can't wait for the new game to come out...