OS Roundtable: What Feature Should be in Every Sports Game?

[aksumite]

Completely ONLINE Dynasty/Franchise/Association mode(s) is the way of the future for ALL major sports titles and should be considered MANDATORY.

I agree 100% with Jayson Young and Christian McLeod

Jayson Young: NCAA Football and Madden NFL are currently the only sports series to feature an online franchise mode. Even then, Madden's version of online franchise is so barebones and limited that it's really more like a "multi-season" mode than a true online franchise. Most sports gamers would agree that franchise mode is the best part of playing sports games. So why hasn't online franchise become a mandatory feature in every sports game?

Madden and NCAA are dull, underwhelming sports games when played offline. But in online leagues where all 32 NFL owners are human, or the SEC is run entirely by human coaches, these mediocre football titles become a lot more exciting. Madden NFL 10 was my sports game of the year in 2009, and it wasn't because the game itself was that great, but because the online franchise experience brought an otherwise boring game to life.



Christian McLeod: I'm with Jayson in thinking that every sports game from here on out needs a form of an online dynasty in it. Let's face it, we live in a world where social networking and MMOs have taken over. NCAA Football's Online Dynasty mode is simply amazing when you take a look at it in detail. Imagine every other sports game out there allowing you to hook up with at least one other person online (with other teams being CPU-controlled) and experiencing everything a franchise can offer together. Not only would this be groundbreaking in team-based games like NHL and NBA 2K, but imagine a WWE or NASCAR game where you play through PPV events or racing seasons with others.

Yes there are definitely some quirks that would need to be worked out in terms of scheduling, especially for sports with multiple games per week, but I am entirely confident that commissioner tools could be put in place to solve these issues. Sports gaming was founded on the couch with a group of friends, and the NCAA Football series has proven just how amazing playing from the next-generation couch can be. Mark it down developers everywhere, this feature needs to be required!

[aksumite]

I think NBA 2K should install ONLINE ASSOCIATION asap as well, hopefully in 2K12. This would be outrageously fun to play.

And a SPECTATOR MODE of sorts for all these big games that get played and all the user coaches want to watch.

This would make these games so realistic. That is the way we DEMAND to play now.

[notoriouzwun]

All Sports games should have a full online franchise and a Club OTP option like Fifa and NHL. Team games espcially, it makes for some of the greatest moments ive ever had in sports gaming.

[bigeastbumrush]

EVERY sports game should be required to have a full-blown Halftime presentation and weekly wrap-up & highlights ala NFL2K5.

It's absurd that this is not a standard requirement!!!

[Philliezfinest]

I want to c more fluid commentary nba2k is on da right track madden need to get there cause the commentary is boring n not tru to da game

[JerseySuave4]

a lot of those things are nice but aren't things that are a must for games. A must is something like "In Game Saves".

[statum71]

I agree with Caley, ESPN2K5 NFL Football was the bomb when it came to weekly sportscenter highlights and commentary.I dont understand why this has been implemented in other sports game since.Hopefully one day soon we will see this maybe Madden 13 or NCAA Football 13.

I'm with Caley as well.

NFL 2K5 and College Hoops 2K8 are STILL the only two games to add the highlight show. Or get it correct (I know Madden 10 tried).

After all these years and MUCH more powerful systems...I can't understand why this is omitted when its requested so so often for every single game.

[CRoman513]

I'd love to be able to continue an online / offline dynasty in the next version of the game. We are like 5 seasons in on NCAA 11 and we're all bummed out about starting over again with 2 star programs like we did with NCAA 11.

I have Temple as a beast program right now, back to reality next month though

[sundevildave]

Variable weather conditions. Dynamic Stadium attendance. Ability to import custom music.

[thecougarbear]

a lot of those things are nice but aren't things that are a must for games. A must is something like "In Game Saves".

Thank you.

[Skyliner80]

SPECTATOR MODE!!! All modes.

Your friends get to see you play others in exhibition or league/franchise games. Spectators can choose what camera view to watch the game in with 'Broadcast' being the default camera setting.

[devroid]

a lot of those things are nice but aren't things that are a must for games. A must is something like "In Game Saves".

Oh hells yes, I would never be able to finish half the games I play in the Show if not for this feature.

[DutchMastah7]

I'm still waiting to see a relocation feature of some sort from one of these next gen games. I know Madden had it on the PS2 and Xbox, but I want to see the capability of being able to move your team if you want to. And not to just a few select locations. Wherever you want to move them. It's something that does happen every few years in every sport, so I don't see why this is always looked over every year when the games come out.

[KillerNuts]

The animations are in there so you get realistic looking tackles and stuff. They use animations in the FIFA series as well. Backbreaker looked a lot like Blitz at times... that's not really what you want.

The biggest thing I'd like to see more of is the player personalities/styles. Not random mental stuff where a player plays bad because his grandma died, but just someone playing like they do on the field. Maybe Manny Ramirez won't go for a dive, different throwing animations with quarterbacks, physical corners vrs traditional corners, or soccer players who will go for short passes as opposed to long passes.

It adds that extra layer of strategy and gameplay in all of these different games. You'd be able to get Barcelona to get closer to playing like Barcelona. Playing against a big, strong receiver will be more of a challenge than just going man with any random DB the whole game.

[Jukeman]

This is easy...

Hot cheer leaders!