03-04-2021, 11:55 AM
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#12
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Hall Of Fame
OVR: 41
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Tennessee
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Re: The key to having a fun long lashing franchise?
Personally, the only way I can stay interested in any sports game is to for it to be a constant challenge. Game 100 needs to demand the same focus that game 1 did. If I ever hit a point where I can coast and see success, I'll instantly lose interest.
I am not one that is against house rules, I've used plenty over the years, but if I am spending more time limiting myself than actually playing, then I'll also lose interest.
I also will lose interest if the game loses any semblance of being grounded for the sake of a challenge. If I have to give the CPU unrealistic abilities just to have a chance, I'll lose interest.
Taking all of that into account, I craft my own sliders that attempt to make every game a challenge. I limit myself to doing only what the CPU can do. I don't hot route since they don't route, I don't try and make every play a juke highlight reel since the CPU only uses special moves occasionally. I try and stay away from or limit plays that I know work too well.
I sim all practices so that my team does not receive any development advantage over the CPU. I never try to fleece anyone with any trade. I keep my trade counts realistic. I don't go into year 1 and make 12 trades to revamp my roster. I don't go and sign offer every best free agent on day 1, though I think the free agency aspect has gotten better for the CPU. It still needs more work, but it is better and the CPU actually makes an effort to go after stars so you can't hog them.
I also do not play the game too much. I usually only ever play one game at a time. Right now I have no choice due to time constraints, thanks tax season, but when I have the time to play multiple games, I don't do it. I've personally learned that I actually stay engaged more when I force myself to wait to play my next game. It sort of creates the excitement I get in the real season when I anticipate the next game the second the last game in a week is over. When MNF ends, the wait for the TNF or Sunday games is something that builds anticipation and excitement. Limiting myself to one game per session actually builds that in my franchise to an extent.
It gives me time to reflect on my games, I'll spend extra time after an advance reading all of the news pieces. I go through the standings, look at the draft class, look at stat leaders, injuries around the league, etc. I take in all of the league info after my game and it is basically my own weekly recap show minus there being an actual show. This makes my seasons last a bit longer.
I remember as a kid I could do 2 seasons in a week if I wanted, maybe more. Now I'm taking 2 or 3 weeks just to get through a regular season and that actually allows me to appreciate my franchise more. It feels like an actual drawn out season.
As a kid, I'd start a year 2-4 and fly through the year. In a week or two I'd be through enough seasons to where I'm a top team and fighting for a SB. It never felt like a long process to build the team.
Now it may take me 3 months to get through 3 seasons before I even reach the playoffs. It makes the process of building the team and eventually finding success more rewarding and feel like an actual drawn out grind.
I enjoy spending 3 months to get through 3 seasons, taking in all info around the league, making each it's own special occasion, and building a team up much more than I enjoyed playing 3 games in one night and getting in multiple seasons in in one week. Now it feels like a real and enjoyable grind and when I find success it is much more fulfilling.
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“No one is more hated than he who speaks the truth.”
― Plato
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