Five Ways to Make 09 The Show a Hit

[SoxFan01605]

Quote: Originally Posted by Knight165

I agree with all of this. Not that the franchise mode is bad. Not at all, but it is very forgiving. You REALLY have to put and enforce a set of rules on yourself in almost every aspect....from player signings to trades to actual team play(meaning they are all with you all the time.....I wouldn't mind if I had a player or group of players "quit" on me and I was forced to either win them back....get rid of them...or just figure out a way to win with them unhappy.) I guess the biggest thing...first and foremost should be the difficulty and not just as far as playing. There should be difficulty levels for the franchise mode also. On the easiest level....just about every player will sign...resign and want to play for you. Every other GM in the league will want to deal with you and make deals with you....they'll take your scrubs...whatever. On a medium difficulty...it should be normal. Kind of like it is now. On the advanced difficulty players might not want to play for your club....it would take a lot to sign them or resign them. GM's can't stand you(at least half of them)...and while they won't outright not deal with you...you better wow them with the deals. On the most difficult setting....you're going to have to break the bank for each player you want to sign.....same for guys you want to resign....and you'll practically have to beg the other GM's to take deals that are obviously one sided on their behalf. On the field...every team hates your squad so much they play every game like it's game 7 of the W.S.... M.K. Knight165

All great ideas Knight

I agree with the difficulty levels for franchise. Another idea: It would also be great to pick a GM personality base that may or may not clash with your players and coaches during negotiations or personnel decisions. Imagine a coach walking because you keep overriding his suggestions, or a player quitting on you (represented by a ratings hit or phantom tummy ache type injuries) because he feels you don't appreciate him.

You could also build upon your base personality as the season goes. Not only could you start with a certain skill set (giving you bonuses or penalties...these could be modified based on franchise difficulty level) but have a starting reputation you can build from. Do you constantly shuffle your rosters and trade away veteran talent for prospects or younger talent? Young players might flock to you but be careful, veterans may not want to sign and see you as unstable. Do you overpay for big names whenever possible? You might get extra interest from the high dollar FAs, but other GM's will drive up the prices on you...betting on your impatience. It would be nice to hire a full staff too, which could effect the overall ease or difficulty of financial and personell based actions.

Ahh...I could go on forever...and nearly have...lol

[statum71]

I disagree 100% that hitting is "easy."

I saw more fly outs and ground outs than in any baseball game I've ever had.

And Homeruns are rare. I think I saw a homerun about once every 3 games or so. Unless a team got hot and hit a few in one game. But thats it.

[asu666]

Quote: Originally Posted by statum71

I disagree 100% that hitting is "easy." I saw more fly outs and ground outs than in any baseball game I've ever had. And Homeruns are rare. I think I saw a homerun about once every 3 games or so. Unless a team got hot and hit a few in one game. But thats it.

This is close to what I see in my games too.

[HustlinOwl]

Would like to see hitting and throwing based off the right analog stick like the MVP college baseball series

[DubTrey1]

I cosign all of these you have listed and sliders that work as well.

[dodgerblue]

my 5:

Dynamic Lighting (mentioned)

More extra base hits, too many singles. I don't know if this is a power issue or if the fielders are too fast or positioned incorrectly, but 8 singles and 1 extra base hit routinely is not a good variety.

Distinctive player motions and player models (e.g. signature styles)

Throwback stadiums and uni's

Great teams from the past: '27 Yanks, '75 Reds, '55 Dodgers

[countryboy]

Great article Jack!

I love the suggestions but I am still hoping for a more robust franchise mode like the one found in the All-Star Baseball series. Add that along with the 5 things mentioned here and we've got possibly the best baseball game to ever grace a console.

[decga]

Quote: Originally Posted by statum71

I disagree 100% that hitting is "easy." I saw more fly outs and ground outs than in any baseball game I've ever had. And Homeruns are rare. I think I saw a homerun about once every 3 games or so. Unless a team got hot and hit a few in one game. But thats it.

I agree with you. People trips me out when say hitting is too easy. I like the abiliity to press a single to make contact. It is not like every time you press (square) the ball leaves the yard. The hitting system was good in MVP, but guess what that was easy also....