The Franchise Man: Why College Hoops 2K8 Still Hits the Spot

[RaychelSnr]

Hey everyone, my name is Andrew Kennedy, but most of you probably know me better by the user name crusaderhoops10. Welcome to the first installment of my new column -- The Franchise Man -- which will be all about delving deep into the franchise modes of all games while hopefully shedding some light on what it takes to get the most out of your franchising experiences.

I started out playing video games at a very young age, but it was not until the introduction of the Franchise mode in Madden that I truly fell in love. Since I do not get very much satisfaction out of beating some random "cheeser" online, these long-lasting single-player modes give me a reason to play sports video games. A franchise mode lets you create your own world in a sense, and it also lets you see what the future of sports could be if you were somehow given the ability to impact it.

In 2005, I began to take my franchise experiences to the next level, sharing them with the online community via MaddenMania and now here at OS. My main inspiration was seeing a NCAA Football 2005 Michigan Wolverines dynasty on MaddenMania that was run by a user named BDawg35. After seeing his dynasty, I wanted nothing more than to create something just like it and receive the community's feedback (especially since my friends shockingly began to get tired of listening to me talk about my franchises once we entered high school).

Read More - The Franchise Man: Why College Hoops 2K8 Still Hits the Spot

[KC_Classic7807]

Great points franchise man! Also i think It hs great replay ability! People to this day still take there time to update the roster! That another reason why it is the greatest college basketball game ever made. Its amazing. And the people they give you in franchise mode are classic the name arent so rediculous that it does not sound real, but also more complex theya basic, Henry Jones. Also Its gives you the option s to create you own prospects as HS Freshman and recruit them all the way up to Sr. Year. I love that game, Its a classic! Final thoght, The game is as deep as you want to take it. If you are not a recuiting person, The cpu can recuit for you. Recuiting is made fun, and easy for those who do it. And there are weekly reports in legacy mode. OMG and can go on and on about this game. Sad to see that there was not a sequal to the game. Hopefully, We will have one soon

[ZFarls]

YES! We had the greatest dynasty of all-time in NCAA 2K7. We had 4 users all with level SEC teams. it was competitive, and awesome. We made rule tweaks like you can't steal the inbounds. It actually took us 3-4 seasons to recruit good enough guys to win the tournament. We had great game flow with 1-2 games aday and all loved our teams.

You brought me back, sorry to ramble on but great article!

[DubTrey1]

Great post - and BDawg35 was the man. I loved reading his MVP baseball stuff!

[crques]

I couldn't agree with you more!! I can't say that I've ever had a Janko Castro taking the nation by storm, but I did have a Janko Bone that was an All American SF in my WVU dynasty from a few years ago.

[jcofor25]

Re: The Franchise Man: Why College Hoops 2K8 Still Hits the Spot

Just lost my franchise game against unranked Georgetown. It was funny to see how close we were in ratings but for me to be #1 team and to see GU upset me was fulfilling.

Franchises are the best thing about sports games. CH2k8 has the most complete franchise mode ever. From recruiting all the way to the championship game. I can say I do enjoy it all. Just wished they had CH2k(insert future year here) so it would be even better.

[jcofor25]

"I guarantee no one else's legacy had stars with names like Martin Iti, Janko Castro, O’Neal Liberty and Rwehabura Montague."

I can guarantee everyone has played at least 2 Didlake's. lol

Just imagine CH2k8 with Online Dynasty.

[smithdynasty]

Honestly, if I won the lottery, I would personally give 2ksports the money they need to produce a sequel to this game. This is by far the deepest sports game I have ever played. CH2k7's game-play was a little better though IMO. Anyway, I can't even imagine what having a CH2k11 with updated game-play and the same dynasty features would be like. Every couple days I search google in hopes that there will be news on 2k sports producing a new Ch 2k. I've done this since they canceled 2k9. Although I still play 2k8, it's hard for me to do so sometimes because I see how much game-play, graphics and animations have improved in NBA 2k10. Even if 2k purchased a NCAA license every 2 or 3 years and produced a game subsequently every 2 or 3 years, I would be happy. I like the College Hoops series a lot more than the NBA series. From recruiting, to recruits growing a couple inches in high school and college, to the ability to recruit ABL league teammates, to changing jumpshot styles, to having to play a perfect game in order for a bad school to beat a ranked school, to the precise contextual animations, to the play creator, to the computer AI running back door lob plays when you fall asleep on D!!!!!!! This game was Great. I sincerely hope they come through in 2k11/2k12. If any of the 2k sports see this, please let the fans know what they can do to bring this game back!!!

[jyoung]

I agree that College Hoops 2K8 is still the best offline dynasty mode around.

Just a great combination of features and presentation that no series has been able to match, much less surpass.

[texbuk84]

I agree, I hope 2k bring out another college hoops soon. its still the best in the series and the best simulation dynasty around

[paperclips]

I still adore this game. Another thing about it that is under-rated is the HoopCast Simulator that allowed you to 'coach' through a game in about 10 minutes.

Also the assistant coach model and how it tied to recruiting and player development. Best single player sports expereience ever.

In a way, I think that it being the last in the series has made it an even better game. I think about how tuned out it is to the style of play that I want after 3 years of play and can't think of another sports game that I would have given so much TLC to. Awesome.

[NEBULUZZ]

It was a sad day when I finally traded it in last Spring.....this is one sports franchise that I wish would come back!!!

[camel]

Re: The Franchise Man: Why College Hoops 2K8 Still Hits the Spot

I, too, owe BDawg for my franchise fanaticism. This mang made me spend many hours reading about his virtual sports world! I never saw anyone that kept up with so many things like I used to when I was a younger gamer. I wish I had more time nowadays for this hobby, but now I'm lucky just to get in a game a day on any sports game!

[statum71]

We have something in common when it comes to single player modes. I, like you, don't get much out of playing random exhibiton games online.

As far as CH2K8 goes....man I wish for the life of me the 2K would implement the Weekly Highlight Show (College Hoops Tonight) into NBA 2K. It was a lot of fun watching Greg and Clark do a show about MY season.

[jkits]

If 2K were to come back out with this game, w/ the my player mode in College Hoops...That would be incredible. They would sell so many copies