Franchise question/discussion

[mav3rek]

So I'm a veteran video game player and veteran MLB game player. I mostly play sports games, but do enjoy lots of other titles that are not sports related.

Some background on my play style (TL;DR -- I never finish a season in MLB and am looking for suggestions.)

I have never, in my life, ever, finished a complete 162 game season. I usually try and play all 162, which is just nuts, I know, but I can't help it. I despise simming games, and simmed stats. I feel like if I'm playing a franchise I should control every aspect of it. If I lose a game because I strike out with the bases loaded in the bottom of the 9th, then so be it.

I don't want to win because the computer was able to get a hit in a situation that I didn't. I also don't want to get hosed by the computer sucking it up with a guy that I can hit with pretty well and end up losing out on a bunch of stats because the computer doesn't do well with him. (An example, in Spring Training I'm hitting almost .500 with Ivan DeJesus Jr. with him playing regularly and I'm 20+ games into spring. I'm sure the CPU would not have the same success.) So I feel like with simming I could either get some benefit from the CPU or be hurt by the CPU and my accomplishments would then feel diminished.

If I don't play every game and my team wins the World series, would it still feel the same? I never finish a season, so I never get into the free agents, and drafting and that whole aspect of the game and I really want to change that this year. So here's what I've come up with. I feel like there are basically 3 legit options for me.

1) Sim everything. Pick a team, and play the role of GM, draft/trade/sign FAs, etc, and not really worry with playing the actual game. I would maybe play a game here or there, but would basically just sim. This would assure of multiple seasons, etc.

2) I like the idea of play 1 sim 5, that way you get to play with each member of your rotation.

3) Suck it up and try like heck to play all 162.

What are your thoughts? Any other options I should consider? Do you guys get through multiple seasons, and if so... how? Do you feel cheated in any way?

Thanks for the input!

[TheMadleR]

Re: Franchise question/discussion

I at least play the first game of every series and if it's a divisional series then I play at least 2 games most of the time I'll play three though. When it comes to the post season I play the first game and the series winning game or knockout game. Championship series and World Series I play every game. I try to manage the contracts of the most important players and players I expect to be apart of my teams future then I let the cpu handle the others, free agents I try to fill needs or acquire for trade bait. And in drafts I at least draft the first three rounds minimum.

[jada855]

Re: Franchise question/discussion

I say go with option 3 only because I play Franchise mode 162 games each year since MLB 14.

I may have more incentive to play each game because I use player lock for my created virtual short stop. So I personally try to keep my stats up while playing on HOF.

Waiting on patches to fix this years franchise when importing from MLB 15 players get to scrambled. I took a bit of a pause on my MLB 15 season once I saw that's stat tracking was introduced in MLB 16.

Some tips on getting through the season use in game saves. This worked so well for my player locked SS in MLB 14 and MLB 15. They changed player lock in MLB 16 and the in games saves are fast forwarded to your next turn and do not pick up where you left off in the game.

[mlbshower15]

Re: Franchise question/discussion

play one game a day like the real team and on the days where you know you can't play, then play an extra one the day before. works like a charm for me

[canes21]

Re: Franchise question/discussion

I used to be like you and in every sports game I played every game. Simming was a big no-no. However, in recent years I finally gave simming a chance and it has grown on me. I didn't like it at first, but I stuck with it and now I sim in most of my sports games.

For me it adds a lot to this game. I can get through seasons quicker making my franchise go deeper. I can't just pick players I rake with and go with it. I play 1, sim 3 days, so I am simming a good portion of my season, so I also need to keep an eye on who is performing well in simulations. In my Oakland franchise last year I went down to the very last Spring Training game without knowing who would be rounding out my 25 man roster because the competitions were so close at every position. I didn't just do it based off of ratings, I did it based off of performance in played and simmed games. I ended up taking some guys that were a little worse ratings wise than other players, but they continued on to perform in the beginnings of the regular season.

When my team got hot I still felt accomplished because I felt my GM role was big in the simmed games and I felt pressure every time I was playing the game to keep up the streak. I didn't want to let the sim down in a way.

I would recommend playing and simming. Like I said, I do 1, sim 3 days(I would sim 3 games, but it's a 2 user franchise, so we sim 3 days so that off day differences doesn't lead to extra games being simmed for one party). You'll need to get used to it at first. You'll feel like the stats aren't yours, but then one moment it will click and you'll start feeling accomplished as the GM as well and you'll feel like the stats are those of YOUR team and whenever someone does well you will feel awesome for putting them in position to do well. There's nothing like calling up a young player that is hot in the minors and maybe isn't rated great, but he comes up and lights it up in the simmed and played games. You feel like an actual accomplished GM. Or going through Spring Training and taking a guy or two who shouldn't be there ratings wise, but they stay on your roster all season or for the majority of it because they just played well despite not having the "tools".

Also, simmed games just tend to have more variety in injuries which makes the GM role even more fun.

[TheWarmWind]

Re: Franchise question/discussion

Hmm, might want to give player lock a try. Remember you can lock and unlock at will in game this year.

Have you also considered switching over to season for a reduced schedule?

There is also simming all defensive innings one game, then all offensive innings the next.

One that I personally want to try at some point is playing all rubber matches. So for three game series you only play the last game, and only if the series is tied. Always play 1 game in a 4 game series, and always play 1 game in a 2 game series.

I'm a 162 or bust guy personally, but I play year round, so I can do that.

[mav3rek]

Re: Franchise question/discussion

After I wrote the original post, I almost didn't post it because I felt like I had my answer. Don't take that the wrong way, I appreciate all the input so far.

The farthest I have ever progressed in a franchise that I played every game, was sometime around mid-June I believe. I think that it just burned me out playing the exact same thing over and over, so here's what I'm thinking.

Why not do all 3?

I could do a sim-only franchise with a team that I don't usually play with and still enjoy the game that way. Just strictly be a GM and not play any or play very very few games.

I could also then do a play 1 sim however many, with a team that would be fun to play with that way. (I'm thinking Mets because it would be fun to pitch with that rotation.)

Then I can have my regular franchise where I try and play 162. (Probably my Red Legs, but the Rockies and Trevor Story are awfully tempting.)

I'm thinking that this will provide me with plenty of variety and may help prevent burn out. Then if I get bored and want to reboot a franchise, I don't have to start all over, I can just reboot either option 1 or 2, but still keep my 162 franchise.

Having the time to play is not an issue, so 3 franchises and just playing them on and off seems like a decent idea. I could also just keep my 162 franchise current with the real life team, that way I don't feel like I have to play 5 games in one day of all the same thing.

[canes21]

Re: Franchise question/discussion

If you have the time then go for it. You may find you like one of the alternative ways more than you anticipated and start using that method more.

[rovert22044]

Re: Franchise question/discussion

I plan on playing 1 game every series, and sim the rest. Just like you, I never finish a full 162 game season if I play every game.

[boxboy99]

Re: Franchise question/discussion

If you can do option 3 I would go for it. Last year was my first year playing almost all 162. (Simmed the last few games when I was eliminated from the playoffs). I never thought I would play 162 in a baseball game but it has been a perfect storm for me

1) my true love NCAA is dead, if the game was still out I wouldn't touch the show after July

2) year to year saves. All that time isn't lost. Granted I'm still playing 15 until they patch the carry over issues in 16.

3) it is just a great game. Baseball really is my least favorite major sport to watch but the show has easily became my favorite sports game. I've played close to 185 games on 15 and I have no clue what to expect each game. With so many setting it is sure you can find a style.

Last year my goal was 1 game a day but often I played more. Once Madden got close I pushed to finish my season. I really enjoy how simple but deep the game is to play.

[dcmantommy72]

Re: Franchise question/discussion

Nope you gotta play 1 sim 5.

NEVER RELOAD A SAVE FILE.

[TattooedEvil]

Re: Franchise question/discussion

if u want a extra system give this a try....play one homestand and one roadtrip per month and sim the rest of the games in that month. I started it last year and i got thru 2 1/2 seasons.

[YankeeVic]

Re: Franchise question/discussion

I didn't think playing 162 games was really even a possibility until I came across this forum last year. I didn't buy The Show until summer so I didn't try to do 162 last year.

This year, I'm excited about playing a full season. On the recommendation of the guys in this forum, I'm gonna wait for the OSFM roster update, then I'm going for it. I'll try to play 2 games a day, 4 days a week. That'll give me a few off days to breathe.

I think the roster drops next month, so I'll try to catch up to the real season then.

[CleveCluby]

Re: Franchise question/discussion

For myself, It's Franchise only, never on line and always Quick counts. I try to use actual rosters of my Cleveland Indians when ever possible. With the exception of I create myself and all my friends in minor AA ball ranging from 19 years old to 21. I try to play 1 game MLB and one game Minor league ball. Then I sim 5. Therefor using each pitcher out of my rotation once. That gives me about 10 played games out of 30 and gets through the month pretty quickly. When I have the opportunity, or a pitcher is extremely hot or cold, I play more, especially away games so I get to see the different stadiums. For myself, It's all about player development. Roster moves, line ups, Rotation. I watch all my players very closely. Then at the end of each month, I pay close attention to what my manager says about players, then adjust accordingly. I pay very close attention to Batter and pitching stats. Such as AVE vs LH, Ave vs RH. AVE Away, AVE Home. I absolutely love this game and so many different options. If I am getting killed in a played game, or winning big, I usually fast forward to the 6th or 7 inning. There are no iron clad set rules.

In our 5 man franchise, We play at leisure, When ever some of the guys can make it over on Sundays, We play as many games as we can play head to head or against CPU.. There are a lot of games we team up, Gary will pitch, I play the field, We all take turns batting, and the the next inning we all switch. It's a blast. Especially when one guy screws it up.

The bottom line is, There is no ONE WAY to play this game, That is what is awesome about it. It is one of the rare games that lets you play it the way you like, As a manager, an owner, a player, a simmer, On line, off line, Live, Coach, What ever or even a combination of all. Find what works best for you, What brings you the most enjoyment, Your not locked in, Change it when ever you like. Just simply enjoy it. It's as close as I'll ever come to playing BB again. I treasure every second of it.