I feel like it's about time to overhaul the roster system, in more ways than one. The current system just seems flawed to me. So, here are the main things I want to see in NCAA 14 (or more likely, NCAA 15, if EA ever actually sees this), regarding the roster system.
1) 85-Man rosters
This one is a commonly sought-after feature that has been noticeably absent for quite some time now. But as long as we have a 25-man cap on recruiting classes, an 85-man roster is ABSOLUTELY necessary. I can't even begin to explain how much time I've spent on recruiting, trying to fill up my class to 25 each year, just to have to cut 10-15 players every year. Often, I'll end up cutting players who I had just redshirted the year before. This would make dynasty mode more authentic, immersive and fun.
The counter-argument that I've heard is regarding disc space and load times. There are a few solutions that I've thought of regarding that. The first one is to have a second disc with the rosters on it. That way, you could install the rosters from the second disc onto a hard drive or memory unit, much like the extra tracks on Forza 3. That option may be impractical, which brings me to my second point, which will help with memory issues and (hopefully) overall gameplay
2) Simplified attribute system
Given what we've seen lately in Madden, this may seem counter-intuitive. But as it is, the game feels like literally the only attribute that matters at all is speed. Fewer attribute categories could possibly offset the additional space with 85-man rosters, if space is that much of an issue.
3) Scheme-specific/advanced depth charts
The actual roster positions could be very similar or the same, except there are a few things I think could simplify it. Side-specific position designations could be removed from the roster. Instead of having left and right tackles, etc., you could just have Tackles, Guards, Centers, Defensive Ends, OLBs, ILBs, and Safeties.
This makes scheme-specific depth charts feasible.
Here's an example for a 4-3 defensive depth chart the way I think it should be:
Line:
Strongside End
Defensive Tackle
Nose Tackle (typically bigger than the DT)
Weakside End (usually a smaller, faster end)
Linebackers:
SAM (strong-side backer)
MIKE (middle)
WILL (weak-side)
**Strong and Weak are different than Left and Right OLB's.
Secondary:
Left Corner
Left Safety
Right Safety
Right Corner
Nickel (different position on the depth chart than corner)
On offense, you could then differentiate between the X receiver, the Y receiver, and the Z (slot) receiver.
This is how real schemes and depth charts work. This one may be a bit harder to implement, but it's something that adds to the authenticity, and would be something you could use to market the game with.
4) Offensive/Defensive number sets.
This one is a big one for me, and for a lot of hardcore gamers out there. It's something that every team utilizes in real life. Default rosters have duplicate numbers, but the ability to manually make duplicate numbers is something the community has been asking for for a LONG time. I can't imagine that it would be that hard to put in some code forbidding two players with the same number from being on the field at the same time. And if it's online exploits that EA is worried about, they could just not allow any defensive players on the offensive side of the ball during online play.
Well, that's really all I have for now, but if anyone else has anything they want to add, I'd like to hear it.
1) 85-Man rosters
This one is a commonly sought-after feature that has been noticeably absent for quite some time now. But as long as we have a 25-man cap on recruiting classes, an 85-man roster is ABSOLUTELY necessary. I can't even begin to explain how much time I've spent on recruiting, trying to fill up my class to 25 each year, just to have to cut 10-15 players every year. Often, I'll end up cutting players who I had just redshirted the year before. This would make dynasty mode more authentic, immersive and fun.
The counter-argument that I've heard is regarding disc space and load times. There are a few solutions that I've thought of regarding that. The first one is to have a second disc with the rosters on it. That way, you could install the rosters from the second disc onto a hard drive or memory unit, much like the extra tracks on Forza 3. That option may be impractical, which brings me to my second point, which will help with memory issues and (hopefully) overall gameplay
2) Simplified attribute system
Given what we've seen lately in Madden, this may seem counter-intuitive. But as it is, the game feels like literally the only attribute that matters at all is speed. Fewer attribute categories could possibly offset the additional space with 85-man rosters, if space is that much of an issue.
3) Scheme-specific/advanced depth charts
The actual roster positions could be very similar or the same, except there are a few things I think could simplify it. Side-specific position designations could be removed from the roster. Instead of having left and right tackles, etc., you could just have Tackles, Guards, Centers, Defensive Ends, OLBs, ILBs, and Safeties.
This makes scheme-specific depth charts feasible.
Here's an example for a 4-3 defensive depth chart the way I think it should be:
Line:
Strongside End
Defensive Tackle
Nose Tackle (typically bigger than the DT)
Weakside End (usually a smaller, faster end)
Linebackers:
SAM (strong-side backer)
MIKE (middle)
WILL (weak-side)
**Strong and Weak are different than Left and Right OLB's.
Secondary:
Left Corner
Left Safety
Right Safety
Right Corner
Nickel (different position on the depth chart than corner)
On offense, you could then differentiate between the X receiver, the Y receiver, and the Z (slot) receiver.
This is how real schemes and depth charts work. This one may be a bit harder to implement, but it's something that adds to the authenticity, and would be something you could use to market the game with.
4) Offensive/Defensive number sets.
This one is a big one for me, and for a lot of hardcore gamers out there. It's something that every team utilizes in real life. Default rosters have duplicate numbers, but the ability to manually make duplicate numbers is something the community has been asking for for a LONG time. I can't imagine that it would be that hard to put in some code forbidding two players with the same number from being on the field at the same time. And if it's online exploits that EA is worried about, they could just not allow any defensive players on the offensive side of the ball during online play.
Well, that's really all I have for now, but if anyone else has anything they want to add, I'd like to hear it.
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