Five Ways EA Sports PGA Tour Can Improve Golf Career Modes

[Steve_OS]

With a confirmed launch date of March 24 for EA Sports PGA Tour, EA's latest endeavor...

Written By: Robert Kollars

Click here to view the article.

[Balldude777]

I like all these, one thing I really want is just the ability to see AI golfers in your group play especially if you're in the final group. It would add a lot more drama to your final round if you are neck and neck with someone, instead of how most previous games your round is done and you just check the scoreboard in hopes that your score was the best.

[MrArlingtonBeach]

Quote: Originally Posted by Balldude777

I like all these, one thing I really want is just the ability to see AI golfers in your group play especially if you're in the final group. It would add a lot more drama to your final round if you are neck and neck with someone, instead of how most previous games your round is done and you just check the scoreboard in hopes that your score was the best.

It was mentioned in another article somewhere that you will be able to enable the option to see every shot of an AI golfer who is close to you on the leaderboard.

To add to the list from the article:

- have working tie-break playoffs
- make sure the leaderboards are not glitched
- have realistic sponsorships (if you're a Nike athlete, you should HAVE to wear Nike clothing, etc.)
- rotating major hosts (outside of the Masters)...they had this even in Rory, so I hope it's here, too

[UpTheIrons]

Good read. With dynamic weather that can change during a round you also could get good tee-time draws and bad ones. Late in day, there should be more divots that your ball can find, and bumpier greens from foot traffic, which is a test of patience and endurance over the course of a season.

In game, we still need realistic penalty drops and drop options. 2K still hasn’t gotten that right and it kills not only a round or tournament, but season stats feel tainted.

[bigkev]

Quote: Originally Posted by UpTheIrons

In game, we still need realistic penalty drops and drop options. 2K still hasn’t gotten that right and it kills not only a round or tournament, but season stats feel tainted.

Can't remember the last time I saw that with EA either... some of their drops were impossible to get out of, had to quit, save and start the hole again.

[Zinger]

I would like to see the difficulty of the course conditions reflected in the AI scoring in tournaments. In real life -1 or -2 might be enough to win a tournament if conditions are tough; at the other extreme, when conditions are easier, the winner might be -20 or better. In golf games winning scores tend to be almost the same every time depending on pre-tournament settings. EA have said that courses will all play in unique ways, so I hope this is reflected in winning tournament scores.

[lowpaiddonkey10]

Quote: Originally Posted by UpTheIrons

Good read. With dynamic weather that can change during a round you also could get good tee-time draws and bad ones. Late in day, there should be more divots that your ball can find, and bumpier greens from foot traffic, which is a test of patience and endurance over the course of a season. In game, we still need realistic penalty drops and drop options. 2K still hasn’t gotten that right and it kills not only a round or tournament, but season stats feel tainted.

I am not a coder or a developer but 2k has to deal with many thousands of courses EA only 30 so it might be a bit easier to get the drop zones right.

[Oblong]

Interesting article to see a perspective on some ideas that I haven't heard presented before.

I will say this when it comes to additions...EA has to first and foremost create an excellent base before spreading their wings. That base is first and foremost a swing mechanic that offers users the ability to create an experience that runs the gambit between simulation and arcade fun. Cover the extremes and then users can adapt the mechanics to their liking anywhere in between through settings choices. With that swing mechanic comes the necessary ball physics to perform as you would expect from your stroke.

A good career mode experience that puts you inside the ropes of the PGA Tour. With this comes courses that play uniquely giving variety of challenges, stellar presentation, and stat-tracking and player progression. Add in all the branding too.

And finally excellent online play allowing users to play with friends or competitively through a variety of play styles and tournament options.

Until you get these things right you are just watering down your resources towards potential back of the box features that may help sell the game but will not do much toward recreating the community of golfers that EA once had and 2K1 has done a pretty darn good job of curating.

Finally, if you got this far a little teaser. This new EA golf game may very well see a few of those wishlist items pondered by the article writer.