Here's how it works: EVERY PLAYER has an star/icon rating that accounts for how big a star they are in the NFL. It would go from 1-99, with the higher number meaning more of an elite, star player.
For example, guys like Drew Brees, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady would have Icon ratings of 95+
Unknown offensive linemen would have an icon rating of 5 or 10
Guys could progress (or regress) in this rating based on a formula such as (50% production, 50% Conference or Super Bowl championships) with a 2 point bonus for every year with current team for ALL players (to simulate fanbase growing to like them as they see them more). These bonus points (only the bonus pts) get reduced by 50% when a player is traded, cut, or leaves in FA
Here are some things this one small rating addition could do for Trade AI, Free agent AI, Owner mode, etc:
Examples of use in Trade AI:
CPU teams will ALMOST NEVER trade AWAY someone with an icon rating over 90 UNLESS they are over the age of 33 (age matters too here)... Even then it would take multiple 1st round picks and/or other high icon rated players
CPU teams will ALMOST NEVER trade FOR someone with an icon rating over 90 who is over 33 unless their TEAM OVERALL ICON RATING (the sum of their roster's icon ratings) is over a certain number TBD (to simulate them doing it only if they are a contender)... even then the team would not be willing to part with multiple high picks
Free Agent AI:
Players with an icon rating over 93 who are ALSO over a certain age (28 for RB, 32 for QB, etc.) will FLAT OUT REFUSE to sign with any team whose overall icon total is below a certain # (to simulate real life scenarios where older star players want to go to a contender).
Players with an icon rating over 93 who are younger than those age cutoffs will demand FAR MORE $$ to sign with a team with a total icon rating under a certain # (to simulate it being harder to lure the big name FA to bad teams)
Players of all icon ratings are willing to take discounts to sign with certain teams as follows:
10% discount to stay with current team if team's overall icon total is above a certain # (simulates guys staying with a contender)
15% discount to come to a new team in FA where there are 2 or more players with icon rating over 93 (Free agents wanting to join other stars)
Owner Mode:
10% boost in merchandise income for every player on roster with icon rating over 90
20% boost in merchandise income for every player on roster with icon rating over 96
Fanbase will be more likely to contribute $$ to a new stadium in icon players are present (perhaps 25% boost in city provided revenue for new stadium if total icon rating is above a certain #)
Fanbase will also fill stadium at higher ticket prices to see the stars (using icon rating formula)
I could go on and on.... And these are just examples... The AI coding for something like this would have ENORMOUS potential....
I would also add an NHL 10 style GM tool for trades....
Bills GM (me for this example): submit your trade to Colts GM in a window looking similar to our current one, but including future year draft picks
Colts GM: "I'm afraid we have to turn down your trade proposal for Peyton Manning. We are trying to win Super Bowls right now, so your offer of future draft picks does not interest us..."
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