Ideas/Improvements for GM/Franchise Mode

[JBH3]

I really have been having some fun w/ this game, flaws N all.

I DID have to start over a new franchise w/ trades off, but roster control on, so that I don't see stupid and horrendously frequent CPU trades anymore and can make moves for teams myself...ones that make sense.

Anyways...I was thinking of ways to improve certain aspects of the off-the-field gameplay, such as the GM Goals and GM management aspects.

I feel they can do A LOT more w/ the GM goals. Like we should be able to have dialouge w/ our owner. Not actual dialouge but like text or more in depth "emails". Some kind of mini-game similar to NCAA FB's recruiting would be better.

We could get a chance to talk our owner out of any stupid/unreasonable goal like release Aaron Rowand from the Giants...If we are able to convince him then it increases our GM rating which helps us acquire high quality players.

W/ that said FA signings would/should be redone w/ a NBA 2K8 or NBA Live type of feature where a role, or something such as winning a championship, or the location of your ballclub is a deciding factor in that FA signing w/ you.

I know there are a lot of things that need to be done to this game for most out there, and again this was just something I was thinking about in reference to improving some of the off-the-field gameplay.

lets discuss...what are your ideas?

[TripleThreat1973]

Re: Ideas/Improvements for GM/Franchise Mode

My owner said that I should bring up a pitcher from AAA that was "tearing it up" and send down Clement who was struggling. I checked, the AAA pitcher had a 5.29 ERA and Clement has 7 relief wins (71 team games) and an ERA of 3.39.

I ignored the owner's suggestion.

Given 2k's inability to effectively incorporate such strategy into the game, I don't think I want them to tinker with it further.

I'm fine w/ simple team goals (MVP05) or simple GM Goals (2k8). If they try anything more complicated, they're more likely to screw it up.

[Trevytrev11]

Re: Ideas/Improvements for GM/Franchise Mode

First off, I think because you start your franchise at the very beginning of a season. there should be no player movement goals. Unless the team expects not to contend, why would you try to shop a player before the season starts regardless of whether or not they were just signed in real life. These goals should be saved until either a) it is obvious your team is out of contention or b) until the end of the 1st season.

I agree that more dialouge is needed on a daily or weekly basis. Maybe a weekly email to discuss where you stand, etc.

The goals in reality should be more general anyway. If you win, who cares if you have a 80+ power guy. The goals should always be to win X amount of games and keep payroll under X. If you have an overpaid player, but can keep everyone else cheap, who cares if you are winning.

I think there should be more short term goals that maybe give you small increases in revenue's or something: Win the next two series for an extra $100,000 or finish over .500 on this upcoming roadtrip. But even then, these are still somewhat realistic.


Other GM/Franchise related Idea's

1) Like real life, through out the season, you should be approached every now and then by players agents who want to re-sign extensions. This shouldn't always have to wait until the end of the seasson. As we have just seen this past month with guys like Braun and Kamir a lot of deals get done during the season.

And sometimes if you approach a player during the season, he should tell you to hold off until after the season.

I also agree that contracts should be structured similar to the NBA series, but also add incentive options. When the A's signed Frank Thomas a few years ago, there was $500K of guaranteed money and a few million in possible incentives for AB's, HR's, RBI's, games played, etc.

Also, it would be nice for the player/agent to let you know where he stands with other teams. Usually (I think) an agent will tell a team that he has an offer for from another team of X and if they can't beat that, he will sign with the other team. It would be nice to have this as part of the discussions.

2) Arbitration and Waivers are needed

3) 40-man roster in September

4) During negotiations, the players past season and their age need to be considered most for contract terms. A 25 year old how goes .300/30/110 is worth more than a 38 year old with the same numbers

5) Players need life-lines. Random unknown career paths should be set for players. This would help generate realistic stats and progression for players throughout their careers and also help during contract negotions.

5a) This would make good scouts valuable as they would be able to better project the potential a player has. An top scout would be able to tell the difference between a great player and an average player early on in their careers. A great scout would be right within say 5 or 10% where as a bad scout would be within 25-30%. This is a big difference.

6) Expansion Mode/Relocation mode/Create a team: Either create a new expansion team, relocate and existing team or create a new team to replace and exisitng team. They could create several generic parks that you could choose from and then update them with your teams colors and logo's.
-I find it odd that create a team was in baseball stars, but not in MLB 2K8.

7) Spring Training interactive mini-games used to inprove player ratings. BP for hitters, Bullpen sessions and long toss for pitchers, fielding for defense, etc.

8)

[JBH3]

Re: Ideas/Improvements for GM/Franchise Mode

Other GM/Franchise related Idea's

2) Arbitration and Waivers are needed

3) 40-man roster in September

6) Expansion Mode/Relocation mode/Create a team: Either create a new expansion team, relocate and existing team or create a new team to replace and exisitng team. They could create several generic parks that you could choose from and then update them with your teams colors and logo's.
-I find it odd that create a team was in baseball stars, but not in MLB 2K8.

7) Spring Training interactive mini-games used to improve player ratings. BP for hitters, Bullpen sessions and long toss for pitchers, fielding for defense, etc.

All of these are MUSTs for me. I definitely want to see these an upcoming baseball title. The other ideas were good, but if a game had this...man...I would cream in my pants!

[UNMLobo]

Re: Ideas/Improvements for GM/Franchise Mode

First off, I think because you start your franchise at the very beginning of a season. there should be no player movement goals.

This is a big one for me. For 2K7 and 2K8, it always seems like the owner wants me to move a player that is a key to the team in real life. I think I might be alright with a player movement request as an off-season goal perhaps.

I do think we would need to be careful with waivers and arbitration. I could see this game getting bogged down in player management rather than on the field stuff. If it is incorporated, there should be a way to automate it as well.

I would also like to be able to edit salaries in the roster file so that when I start a season, I have accurate contract lengths and amounts.