MLB The Show 16 Video - Franchise Mode

[TheWarmWind]

At first I didn't really like the idea of the morale system, but after the details they've released, it seems like there is more control over it than "y is whining because you're serving sandwiches as a pre-game meal and he wanted soup".

The way it seems to be, when negotiating a contract you agree not only to a financial number, but the role they are going to play. You can make no promises when in comes to the role, and that's going to lose interest in signing the contract, but will make the player less delicate once they sign. I REALLY like that tradeoff of risk and reward for morale. Makes identifying my core all the more important, because those are the guys who I will promise roles to in order to try for the hometown discount.

It will also make me more trade wary, as I see the promises that come with the contract a player carries. It's a nice analog to emotional baggage/attitude problems.

I just hope that carry over saves have all current contracts with no playtime expectations, otherwise my team full of superstars is going to be really pissed I have most of them working platoon roles. Glad I'm downsizing to a 5 pitcher rotation this season.

[Phil Parent]

PLACES OF BIRTH. Nice, something new I'll need to go through for everyone and update.

Love the changes, makes it all more involved and real.

Is that all that's new in franchise though?

[WaitTilNextYear]

My take on the franchise mode info in this vid...

Spoiler

Pros

-Some advanced stats such as FIP and WAR have shown up.

-Tracking all of the stats for entire careers is a huge step forward. Being able to sort players via career stats is a nice bonus. To think that just a few short months ago, we could only capture HRs, RBI, AVG for batters and W, L, ERA, and K for pitchers. With this along with y2y saves, you can and will be encouraged to go super deep into a franchise.

-The new budget screens that allow for easier tracking of future payroll commitment tidies up the GM aspect a bit.

-There are a few more GM goals and revenue sharing and the luxury tax have been put in. Perhaps this means that you can exceed your budget, but have to pay a price in subsequent years.

-It seems like there will be a little more regularity with signing FA's, and a morale aspect, but the effectiveness of this will ultimately hinge on the cpu being able to compete with human players or not.

-The morale system seems to be implemented properly so it will be nice to have more things to consider when comparing similar players to construct a baseball roster.


Cons

-While we don't know exactly what's in/out for sure I did notice some things have not been changed.

-The contract system still looks pretty basic. A total number of years + total salary + option/no option + role seem to be the only options. That's it. There does not appear to be a way to structure a contract salary year by year (back load or front load). Nor does it appear that there are any performance bonuses, in season extension possibilities, vesting options, opt outs, buyouts. I'd assume that 10 years and $300 million remain the maximum possible (this will need to change as Bryce Harper creeps toward FA).

-The GM aspect of the franchise mode still seems a bit bare as there's not much to do from a merchandising, stadium operations, media relations, or player development standpoint. Also, still no stadium builder or way to use funds from a profitable team well managed (think new scouting/training facilities).


Legacy Issues

-The 20/80 scouting scale is only going to matter if the whole scouting approach has been revamped. As a total prospect hound, I find it depressing that I don't even participate in that part of franchise mode in the game because it's so flawed. I'll withhold judgment until we get more details on Thursday.

-No way of knowing this yet, but the trade AI, free agent signing AI, and 40-man roster management AI have been quite weak. While a trade 'slider' is a welcome addition, I am really hoping that cpu franchises will aggressively manage their 40-man rosters to give them the best team they can field while maintaining maximum team control over prospects.


No Basis to Judge

Some of the things that I'd like to learn more about...and I hope the Twitch-ites ask these on Thursday...

-Do we have NRI's?

-What changes have been made to make scouting more useful, fair, and fun? Do generated players have any differences aside from ratings?

-Are awards tracked on player cards?

-Regression. Can you sign a 38 year old vet can have him make it through the season before crashing?

-Progression. How stable is the mode over time? Do pitchers still dominate like last year? Has it swung to batters?

-How is WAR calculated? Does defense factor in?

-Does the cpu AI factor in WAR when deciding if a player is good or not? Or is the stat more ornamental and just for aesthetics?

-Do coaches matter at all aside from ratings boosts?

-If I fire my manager in year 1, do I have to sign a generic one?

-Can former players become managers upon retiring? MLBPA allows OOTP to do this, so I'd imagine this not being in has nothing to do with licensing. NBA2K allows this, too.

-Can players "learn" new positions or new pitches?

-Is there any sort of "fan excitement" or attendance barometers? Does that have any impact at all on the bottom line?

[mariner690]

Has there been any mention if the players will have their TRUE contracts in the game or just random ones?

[tessl]

Quote: Originally Posted by tabarnes19

I may be the minority here but I really hope that if you promise a player "starter" and place him on the bench his ratings take a major hit. It would simulate the disgruntled player and lower the trade value. (Hopefully the morale ratings are what are used for trade purposes) This would prevent cpu and human teams from signing a bunch of starter type players and using them as depth or trade fodder. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Tapatalk

That is an interesting thought, does an increase or decrease in overall due to morale impact trade value or only performance. Another way to "game" free agent signing would be with the compatriot - A player from the Dominican wants a compatriot so you sign a 45 overall guy from the Dominican with no intention of putting him on the MLB team just to sign the free agent. Or what if his compatriot gets injured and goes on the DL - does he become unhappy?

They have done some very interesting stuff this year, a major improvement.

[eric7064]

Quote: Originally Posted by Knight165

Funny(not haha funny)....that the online guys want the online franchise to like the offline franchise....and I've been begging for a franchise mode that mimics the online one(in terms of being able to customize the league setup) OR Let us manage only in online leagues!!!(PLEASE!!!) M.K. Knight165

It's just weird MLB 14 was identical. Mlb 15 online franchise went untouched. I understand not having minor leagues play games because it would take an eternity to sim.

But I don't see by everything else can't be identical.
OF still does not have
Position player fatigue
Rotation schedules
Injuries done correctly
Presentation set to fast play
And all additions to franchise last year were not In Online

I find it funny dev team says "Well not many people played MLB 14 online franchise." Well that was because the Show online then was unplayable.

Now it's playable. It's fun as hell to share a franchise and compete for a division with a freind or two. Very fun. Hopefully it gets the same love.

[Woodweaver]

Quote: Originally Posted by TheWarmWind

I'm starting to get the feeling that people just read the first sentence of my post.

I read your whole post this time! ;-)

[agentlaw13]

Quote: Originally Posted by tabarnes19

I may be the minority here but I really hope that if you promise a player "starter" and place him on the bench his ratings take a major hit. It would simulate the disgruntled player and lower the trade value. (Hopefully the morale ratings are what are used for trade purposes) This would prevent cpu and human teams from signing a bunch of starter type players and using them as depth or trade fodder. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Tapatalk

This is exactly how I hope it will work. It definitely will add more strategy to building your team, which will breath some fresh air into the offseason of our franchises. That makes me wonder...have we seen or heard if there will be an overall team chemistry along with player morales?