Developer Chat

The purpose of this chat is to answer any questions that you may have regarding Gridiron Dynasty -- recruiting, game planning, upcoming features, etc.

Any chance that we could eventually see something like they have in the NBA sim, where players can play other positions at a varying effectiveness? i.e. A RB can play WR at 97% effect. and be put into the depth chart at that position. (deandg - Hall of Famer - 2:00 PM)

This is not something that we are currently looking at adding (that doesn't mean it has been ruled out). Basketball and football are fundamentally different in this regard -- lineup variations require players to play various positions in basketball, but in football players do not play out of position when another formation is used, they are subbed out of the game for the correct players. Players sometimes play multiple positions in football, but it is not nearly as common as in basketball.

Why is it that DBs are never allowed to have their hands raise above 70 (unless you convert from an offensive position)? I've recruited a lot of them and none ever see any improvement to their hands. After looking at other teams it seems to be universal. (deandg - Hall of Famer - 2:03 PM)

All positions have caps for various rating categories, but I don't know what they are off hand. I think the hands cap for DBs is higher, but as you approach the limit, improvements come a lot more slowly. Also, the only players that can ever reach the cap are those that have 100 potential ratings (they can reach 100% of the max rating) and not many players have this high of a rating.

What is the minumum required loyalty to move to DI-AA? (longhornsfan - All-Star - 2:05 PM)

Loyalty (like reputation) is displayed as a letter grade based upon the range your numeric rating falls into. The min. for DIAA is a 90 --- this is the absolute highest B+ you can have.

Do the aggressiveness settings on defense dictate the type of defense, i.e., is aggressive defense man-to-man while conservative is zone? Does aggressiveness on offense dictate the type of play, i.e., is an aggressive run a sweep while a conservative run is a running play that goes between the tackles? (natas46 - Hall of Famer - 2:07 PM)

No, it dictates how often you blitz, jump routes for interception attempts, try to strip the football, etc. On offense, it dictates your running style (outside/inside) and the types of routes that are run in the passing game along with the decisions your QB makes (forcing passes deep).

There seems to be a considerable loss of interest in GD. Top coaches are leaving the game due to lack of improvements and progress. Are there any plans in place to try and regain a spark? (mumcoach - Hall of Famer - 2:11 PM)

I know some coaches have left or are planning on leaving who have played for a while, but we see coaches decide not to renew on all levels every season. I feel like the game has seen several large changes/improvements over the past several months (coach firings, defensive game plans) as well as some smaller changes -- large changes to the game simply cannot be accomplished quickly or in a rushed manner. We are currently working on individual player records by season as well as modifications to reward point distributions to encourage coaches to move up divisions and reward success at the more challenging upper levels.

Will advanced depth charts ever be expanded to more than the current 6 slots? It seems like such a simple change (especially compared to something like the advanced defensive settings). (pds65 - Hall of Famer - 2:14 PM)

If it were simple, it would already be done. This is a major change to the inner workings of the sim engine -- it is more than simply allowing you to set 7, 8, 9, etc. players at a position through the user interface. Yes, more spots will be added, but we have had other, higher priority things to work on to this point.

In my mind recruiting needs some help. Why don't you tier the recruits in DIA like you do in IAA? For example- the elite teams should have access to all top prospects, but a team that went 2-11 the year before shoulnd't. (jamier2003 - Hall of Famer - 2:15 PM)

Why not? Why shouldn't a 2-11 team be able to improve itself against the other DIA teams? I don't see a reason to restrict this.

Who is responsible for covering the most targeted TE or WR? For example if I target my TE with 99 distribution and everyone else with 1, will the other teams #1 DB or #1 LB cover him? What about if I target the #2 WR with 99 distribution and everyone else with 1? Thanks. (mjmage - Hall of Famer - 2:17 PM)

This really depends upon the formations the offense and defense are in. Normally, the TE will be matched up against a LB, but if there is a "free" DB, then he will cover him instead. Also, this could be effected by whether or not the defense blitzes.

How many plays (estimated) can I expect an OL with either 40, 50, 60 Stamina respectively with 80% effectiveness to play? Passing only vs Running only plays? thanks. (mjmage - Hall of Famer - 2:20 PM)

This is impossible to answer accurately as there are too many variables that come into play --- how long are the offensive series? How long do they get to rest while the defense is on the field? How tired are they when they get halftime rest? --- and I don't have the fatigue formula on hand. I would suggest experimenting with your settings until you get the substitution pattern you are after.

I understand that currently the DL and LBs function as units during gameplay. Has there been any thought of further refining this, by differentiating within these positions with DE/DT and ILB/OLB? (tdneu - Hall of Famer - 2:21 PM)

We do not currently have plans to make you specifiy exact positions across the line -- we feel this would make the game too cumbersome.

Have the requirements for moving from DIII to DII been reduced recently? (PitchToBarry - Veteran - 2:23 PM)

As per the release notes, yes. Very successful DIII coaches were choosing not to move up to DII, so we had to allow for other coaches to move up in their place. The most qualified applicant for the job will still be the one hired if multiple coaches apply.

Everyone knows what paranoid and his recruiting rankings add to Gridiron Dynasty. I know people who won't play in Heisman because there are no paranoid rankings. You guys give any thought to a more formal relationship with perry and his paranoid account to guarantee that they don't just disappear because perry gets over-taxed or bored? (dublinuf - Hall of Famer - 2:24 PM)

No, but we're always willing to talk to users about improving the game.

Will disciplinary problems be implemented in the game? In other words, right now the only issue is late for practice, and it serves as a beneficial tool for coaches. Will you put in other problems and have a cost/benefit to punishing/not punishing players? Thanks. (wunsche - Hall of Famer - 2:25 PM)

Yes, we will eventually add more to this aspect of the game. It is simply far down the priority list right now.

All recruits start off undecided until recruited (even by Sims). In real life, Kids want to play at certains schools. Any chance of changing recruiting to reflect the fact that students may start off leaning toward a certain school(s)? (jptrainwreck - Hall of Famer - 2:28 PM)

We have thought about this, but we also like the "open" nature of recruiting now where all schools have an equal chance at the player without outside influences like this. No absolute decisions have been made.

You keep saying what's far down on the priorities. What's high up right now? In other words, what are the next two or three improvements we will see? (ebbetts55 - Hall of Famer - 2:31 PM)

Like I said in another response, we are currently working on individual player records and advancement incentives. Other high priority items are expanding the depth charts, modified scheduling, and expanded rosters in some form (non-scholarship players, practice squad are possible here).

Thanks for taking the time to post your questions, comments and suggestions.