26 Franchise Mode New Features Discussion
-
@PriorFir4383355_XBL I completely agree! I think the commentary is something that every sports game struggles with due to the limitations of recordings and scripting. If AI could add some more flair and personality it could be a really fun inclusion into the next generation of sports gaming
-
@howelljake17_MLBTS said in 26 Franchise Mode New Features Discussion:
Hey everyone! I’ve been playing franchise mode for a long time and wanted to share some of my thoughts that I think would help the game feel a little more personable.
I am a big sim guy, so some of these ideas are centered around stuff that’s not actually in the game, but specific to the mode.
- Popularity/Fans
I think it could be fun to tie in fandom into the franchise experience a little bit more. More popularity leads to more fans in the stands and more money to spend. Top prospects debuting and big trades or big signings could boost popularity too.
- Coaching Staffs
Manager Archetypes: I think it could be interesting if prospective managers had an archetype that could elevate your team in different ways.
- Player Development: This archetype would lead to faster progression for younger players/top prospects in the big leagues
- Old School: This would lead to slower/stunted regression for older players.
- Fan Favorite: This could be a popular former player that leads to increased popularity from fans (and increased chance to resign players in FA)
- Front Office Identity
Team would have an “identity” in their team makeup. This aligns with market size kinda. Certain teams horde prospects and will not (or rarely) trade their young guys for a star. On the contrary there are teams that are constantly trading top prospects for stars. Then there are the teams that will trade stars in arbitration for prospects too. Could be a fun new dynamic to trading in the Show.
- Free Agency
Minor League Contracts! I know a lot of people want that for signing aging veterans.
Also - I know players have preferences (location, coaching staff, etc) but I think it should matter more to Free Agents (sometimes). Just like in real life - some players prefer location, some want top dollar.
- Rivalries
This has to do with expanding quirks for players. Some players kill rival teams, while for others the “lights are too bright”. I thought this could work for player v player too when one guy beats up on the other it can grow the rivalry.
- Storylines
This is basically just a module on the mode that contains the same info you see in game on the bottom ticker. As someone who doesn’t play a lot I enjoy seeing the content that displays in game. When guys hit milestones, who gets traded, who got put on waivers, that kind of stuff.
- AI Announcing!
This is the biggest undertaking on the list (or so I think). I think implementing some AI in announcing could lead to a more fun, dynamic in game experience. You could have enhanced storylines like a guy playing against his hometown team, a guy who is absolutely owning another player (ie rivalries) and other things like that without it being so cookie cutter after a while.
I’d love to hear your thoughts! If you read this far, thank you!
That sounds like the kind of things they would implement. I'd like to see them fix gameplay. Perhaps the new ball physics they mentioned in the first announcement will do that but I'll believe it when I see it.
-
@sullivanspring_MLBTS I don’t disagree with game play, but that impacts every game mode, I was just thinking of franchise specific things that can bring the mode to the next level!
-
@howelljake17_MLBTS said in 26 Franchise Mode New Features Discussion:
@sullivanspring_MLBTS I don’t disagree with game play, but that impacts every game mode, I was just thinking of franchise specific things that can bring the mode to the next level!
Perhaps. I don't play other modes and know nothing about them. Do other modes also have manage mode like franchise?
-
@sullivanspring_MLBTS said in 26 Franchise Mode New Features Discussion:
@howelljake17_MLBTS said in 26 Franchise Mode New Features Discussion:
@sullivanspring_MLBTS I don’t disagree with game play, but that impacts every game mode, I was just thinking of franchise specific things that can bring the mode to the next level!
Perhaps. I don't play other modes and know nothing about them. Do other modes also have manage mode like franchise?
No, Franchise mode is the only one that has a method by which you can be the team manager and make those decisions. However, even in Franchise, if you choose to be a specific player in the game, then you cannot also be the manager.
-
I’d love to see the coaching aspect expanded upon. Let your coach level up have an archetype really good ideas. Maybe let retired players become coaches or create a manager maybe.
Potential ratings should be changed to player development like normal, star & superstar.
Doesn’t put a cap on any players overall so to speak.If a player outperforms his development for a few months give goals to achieve for the next couple weeks with that specific player to up his development trait.
Player progression and regression needs sliders period….. some of the games stars are in their mid 30s and they become unusable very quickly.
Bring in a system for free agency that has an interest level for signing with your team.
Backloaded & front-loaded contracts must come back period.
Training needs to actually mean something at some point. Maybe make it an XP system that you get after every week or month to increase attributes for players.
I’d like to have a legacy board that shows who makes it into the HOF even if I’m in year 2050 to see who’s made it all those years. Maybe make it a WAR thing for players to reach to make the HOF.
CUSTOM DRAFT CLASSES.
More trade slots would be pretty great too.
-
@RiceRiceBaby15_PSN said in 26 Franchise Mode New Features Discussion:
I’d love to see the coaching aspect expanded upon. Let your coach level up have an archetype really good ideas. Maybe let retired players become coaches or create a manager maybe.
Potential ratings should be changed to player development like normal, star & superstar.
Doesn’t put a cap on any players overall so to speak.If a player outperforms his development for a few months give goals to achieve for the next couple weeks with that specific player to up his development trait.
Player progression and regression needs sliders period….. some of the games stars are in their mid 30s and they become unusable very quickly.
Bring in a system for free agency that has an interest level for signing with your team.
Backloaded & front-loaded contracts must come back period.
Training needs to actually mean something at some point. Maybe make it an XP system that you get after every week or month to increase attributes for players.
I’d like to have a legacy board that shows who makes it into the HOF even if I’m in year 2050 to see who’s made it all those years. Maybe make it a WAR thing for players to reach to make the HOF.
CUSTOM DRAFT CLASSES.
More trade slots would be pretty great too.
I post this only because you may not be aware. I wasn't until recently. There is a random dice roll for every player determining the progression and regression curve. That is separate from potential. In my franchise I don't see good enough progression to sustain a franchise long term given the draft is limited to 7 rounds.
-
@sullivanspring_MLBTS definitely agree with only 6 rounds, eventually young depth is hard to find. especially in relievers. I love playing deep into a franchise and im always having to poach prospects from other teams for my minor leagues so I don’t have to sign 35 year old 55 ovr guys to fill out my pitching staffs.
-
@howelljake17_MLBTS said in 26 Franchise Mode New Features Discussion:
@sullivanspring_MLBTS definitely agree with only 6 rounds, eventually young depth is hard to find. especially in relievers. I love playing deep into a franchise and im always having to poach prospects from other teams for my minor leagues so I don’t have to sign 35 year old 55 ovr guys to fill out my pitching staffs.
What's strange is when they re-worked the draft they apparently didn't realize the scout projections don't match actual progression in the game. These are the developers assigned to franchise. I don't expect it to be fixed.
-
Front Office & Personnel Overhaul
GM Hiring Process: Transition from immediate control to a multi-phase interview process where ownership evaluates your "fit" before offering a contract.
Dynamic GM Rumors: Implementing a "Rumor Mill" where high-performing GMs receive interest from other clubs, offering contracts with more authority and personnel control.
Interim Promotions: Ability to promote any current staff member (bench coach, pitching coach, etc.) to interim manager immediately following a firing.
Manager Carousel: Enhanced coaching market with deep personality insights, specific coaching styles (e.g., "Old School," "Analytical"), and unique perks that boost player performance.
Enhanced Scouting & International Market
International Pool: A dedicated free agency system for international prospects with a specific signing period and scouting strategies.
Prospect Background Checks: Revamped scouting that includes personality reports and "make-up" checks to identify potential busts or high-character leaders before the MLB Draft.
Better Draft Logic: Improved AI logic for prospect exposure and draft pick value to ensure more realistic team-building.
Ownership & League Governance
Ownership Goals: Dynamic criteria that, when met, unlock greater budget flexibility and total personnel control.
Team Sales & Governance: Realistic scenarios where ownership changes hands, potentially leading to front office purges or requiring an MLB governance vote for approval.
Relocation & Stadiums: Enhanced logic where relocated teams are recognized by their new city and environment, alongside tools for rebuilding or upgrading stadiums.
Immersion & Realism
Enhanced Media Coverage: A ticker and news system that reports on rumors regarding front office firings, manager hot seats, and potential team sales.
Manager Ejections: Returning in-game manager ejections during disputed calls to add flair to the dugout experience.
Hall of Fame Revamp: A modern voting system that considers awards and postseason impact rather than just raw career milestones. -
Front Office & GM Career Enhancements
Multi-Phase Interview Process: A key request is a more realistic hiring system where aspiring GMs must undergo interview rounds with ownership to demonstrate their fit for the club.
Contractual Authority: Wishlists include the ability for GMs to sign actual contracts with ownership, where success leads to increased authority over personnel and higher control over the team’s direction.
Rumor Mill & Reputation: Fans want a "GM rumor" system where teams show interest in your services based on performance, potentially offering better deals while you are still under contract.
Interim Manager Logic: If a manager is fired mid-season, the community wants the ability to promote any staff member to an interim role, accompanied by an enhanced manager carousel.
International Scouting & Free Agency
International Pool Money: A frequent request is the inclusion of an international bonus pool for signing prospects from outside the U.S..
Posting System: Players want a realistic posting system for stars from international leagues (like Japan or Korea) with bidding wars and posting fees.
Enhanced Scouting: The wishlist calls for a revamped scouting strategy that includes deeper background checks on prospects, personality insights, and tracking of simmed college/high school stats.
Draft & Roster Management
20-Round Draft: A major point of the wishlist is expanding the draft from 6 rounds to the full 20 rounds to match real-life MLB depth.
Draft Pick Trading: Many users want the ability to include draft picks and cash considerations in trade packages.
Roster Expansion: There is a call for expanded rosters to include a full Single-A and Rookie League to better track young talent development.
Ownership & Relocation
Team Sales & Governance: The community wants a system where teams can be sold to new owners who might change the front office personnel or require you to "prove yourself" under new leadership.
Dynamic Relocation: Enhanced logic for relocated teams so the game recognizes their new city and region for free agency preferences and weather.
Stadium Rebuilding: More depth in stadium customization, including the ability to build new stadiums for existing or relocated teams with better seating and amenity pricing.
In-Game Realism & Presentation
Manager Ejections: A returning fan-favorite request is the ability to argue with umpires and face ejections to "fire up" the team.
Enhanced Media Coverage: Better presentation for big games, milestone achievements (like no-hitters), and a social media-style news feed for rumors.
