BTS: Frequently Asked Questions

[Painmantle]

Originally Posted by Orioles1966

Is Cardinals copyrighted? Afterall when they were in St . Louis they also were known as the Cardinals when the St. Louis (MLB) Cardinals already existed.

The BC Lions(CFL) are using the Detroit Lions nickname. How is that possible?

Winnipeg Jets(NHL) are using New York Jets nickname.

San Francisco Giants(MLB) are using the New York (NFL) Giants nickname.

Edmonton Oilers are using the Tennessee/Houston Oilers nickname(if that name is still owned by the NFL).

Many US College teams are known as the Eagles and Rams.

NFL Team Names and Logo's are not copyrights, they are Registered Trademarks, It is illegal to use a Trademark without the permission of it's owner.

[MajorSupreme]

Is it possible to remove Ryan Lindley from the game?

[SFG]

Originally Posted by Orioles1966

Is Cardinals copyrighted? Afterall when they were in St . Louis they also were known as the Cardinals when the St. Louis (MLB) Cardinals already existed.

The BC Lions(CFL) are using the Detroit Lions nickname. How is that possible?

Winnipeg Jets(NHL) are using New York Jets nickname.

San Francisco Giants(MLB) are using the New York (NFL) Giants nickname.

Edmonton Oilers are using the Tennessee/Houston Oilers nickname(if that name is still owned by the NFL).

Many US College teams are known as the Eagles and Rams.

There is just a concern over whether it's legal to use the actual nicknames in the game. Real-life teams are free to name themselves however they want as long as there isn't a team with the same name (city + nickname) elsewhere or with a team with the same nickname in the same league.

E.g., the Redskins couldn't rename themselves the Nationals because a baseball organization exists as the Washington Nationals. They couldn't rename themselves the Panthers because the NFL already has one of those, but they could call themselves the Warriors, despite the NBA franchise.

[SFG]

Originally Posted by MajorSupreme

Is it possible to remove Ryan Lindley from the game?

Unless you're working Arizona I would think it would be to your benefit to leave him in.

[MajorSupreme]

Originally Posted by SFG

Unless you're working Arizona I would think it would be to your benefit to leave him in.

It is to no one's benefit.

[jslmsca]

For the mod creators, I'm assuming the logo size is going to be 150 x 150? I'm not sure what the players and personnel sizes are since I never use them but I'm guessing the same as OOTP?

[Danbo80]

Will there be Sam/Will LBs? and will each require a different skill set? or will
there just be OLB?

Also will some WR be better fits for the slot rather than ouside? as in dangerous in the slot but useless outside(W.Welker).

Will progression be position specific? Qbs regress later? RBs regress sooner?

Will there be pro bowl caliber rookies in the draft(Ratings wise)? and will it be possible for every team to miss on the guy and see him fall to the 2nd/3rd RD?

Some guys just come into the league awesome.(C.Johnson,A.J Green,J.J. Watt,Aldon Smith,L.Kuechly,K.Alonso,Zach Martin, and of course O.Beckham). Not to mention all the RBs. I hope to see this implemented. Really looking forward to this game. Thanks.

[Orioles1966]

Originally Posted by SFG

There is just a concern over whether it's legal to use the actual nicknames in the game. Real-life teams are free to name themselves however they want as long as there isn't a team with the same name (city + nickname) elsewhere or with a team with the same nickname in the same league.

E.g., the Redskins couldn't rename themselves the Nationals because a baseball organization exists as the Washington Nationals. They couldn't rename themselves the Panthers because the NFL already has one of those, but they could call themselves the Warriors, despite the NBA franchise.

Back in 1960 the NFLs Chicago Cardinals moved to St. Louis and used the MLB teams name and city.

[Syd Thrift]

Before that, several NFL teams in the interwar era took the name of the local baseball team in order to capitalize on their success. I know of 3 off-hand: the New York Yankees, the Brooklyn Dodgers, and the New York Giants (who still, of course, exist).

Incidentally, there's a lawsuit that I think is about to reach the Supreme Court that, if they rule the way I think they're going to rule, is going to make a game like BTS Football be able to call the Washington team the Redskins instead of having to go the OOTP/every unlicensed game out there route of making up names for the teams.

[SFG]

Originally Posted by Orioles1966

Back in 1960 the NFLs Chicago Cardinals moved to St. Louis and used the MLB teams name and city.

Originally Posted by Syd Thrift

Before that, several NFL teams in the interwar era took the name of the local baseball team in order to capitalize on their success. I know of 3 off-hand: the New York Yankees, the Brooklyn Dodgers, and the New York Giants (who still, of course, exist).

Incidentally, there's a lawsuit that I think is about to reach the Supreme Court that, if they rule the way I think they're going to rule, is going to make a game like BTS Football be able to call the Washington team the Redskins instead of having to go the OOTP/every unlicensed game out there route of making up names for the teams.

I was aware of the St. Louis Cardinals and New York Giants NFL-MLB doubling, but I don't know if this would ever occur again today, though, at least in the U.S. I know in Europe some of the soccer teams in Spain also have basketball teams that use the same name and are actually part of the same organization.

But if, hypothetically, the Carolina Hurricanes and Florida Panthers of the NHL decided to swap locations -- causing one to become Carolina Panthers and the other being the Florida Hurricanes -- there would be some inevitable resistance. The Carolina Panthers already exist in the NFL and would now have a double in the NHL. And the Florida Hurricanes (a Miami-based team) would be strange given the Hurricanes nickname is already represented through the various college teams.

I personally don't think it'll ever happen again.

[trident]

Just as an FYI Francis, GM Games has updated your BTS Football coverage here: Beyond the Sideline BTS Football (PC, Mac) - Sports Manager Video Game

Cheers

[Ceithearn]

On a general note/question: Hoping the pages will have a presentation more like FM than OOTPB. The purpose of this comment/question is not to begin a war of why you hate FM or the pros and cons of which simulation is better. However, FM page presentation is more aesthetically pleasing than OOTPB. Again, this is not an argument IF aesthetics matter assuming they do, FM is better. A little less information or statistics per page with smoother presentation would make it more enjoyable. A lot of people trash FM for the game play graphics and logic issues of game play but it is fine, it's not FIFA and isn't meant to be. A couple years down the road if the game play graphics of BTSF were to the caliber of FM, that would be outstanding.


Do you feel Francis and or development team, the page interfaces will look more like OOTPB or FM or somewhere in between?


From the post regarding giving Francis a break at the moment, hope you/he is ok and all is well with health/family issues.

[colourmebrad]

Originally Posted by Ceithearn

However, FM page presentation is more aesthetically pleasing than OOTPB. ... assuming they do, FM is better. A little less information or statistics per page with smoother presentation would make it more enjoyable.

These aren't exactly objective things. You're declaring them like they are. They are subjective. I haven't played FM, so I'm not even declaring an opinion on either of the games, just that the issue isn't at all objective.

[Ceithearn]

The main point of the post is a query regarding the philosophy around page, interface design and presentation. Perhaps the query should be more to the likes of, " Will the page presentation for BTSF follow the OOTPB baseball format or will it trend towards FM (Football Manager) page presentation".

Budget, time, resources would also factor into this.

Absolutely love OOTPB but do wish it looked more like FM, and, wish the game play graphics were better.

When writing, it is redundant to say, "in my opinion". I am writing the post, therefore it is my opinion. If a person were to quote someone else or another source they should divulge that. So, yes, the graphic "opinion/statement" is subjective. Yes, the graphics point and how important it is to a person is debatable. Most people that I have spoken with that use both simulations agree that FM is more visually appealing.

So, wondering if BTSF plans on following the OOTPB presentation format or coming up with something different?

[Kidd]

I love the idea of fictional leagues. As far as customizing is concerned, would it be possible when editing each team, to create individual logos along with the team names?



And in regards to the on the field 2D action, it would be nice to have the option of designing the look of each team's home field and, if possible, to design the look of each team's "on the field" 2D representatives while watching how each play turns out. I am thinking instead of the simple colored dots, that we can watch X' and O's, position abbreviations (Q.B., RB, etc.) or little helmets(my personal favorite, or whatever we can design.



Not sure how easy it would be to program this, but maybe each team created can have their own folder that the game engine refers to when playing out the week's games. Also, being able to watch other games playing out in 2D might be fun too. My team may not make it to the finals (or even play-offs for that matter), but I would like to see the rest of the games and how they play out.



For a fictional league, I would like to be able to create each team's look, based on what part of the country or what city they are from. For example, "The Phoenix Scorpions" would have a Scorpion logo in the center of their home field, while during the 2D action on the field, little red helmets with black scorpions on them. Or "The Arkansas Rebels" would have a confederate flag in each end zone on their home fields with little silver helmets with rebel flags for the on field action.
Again, I'm not sure how possible this is to do, but it sure would be fun when creating custom leagues.



One other question. Not sure if this has been covered or not, but will weather be represented in the game? Having the option to also create each team's field and how it would look in the rain or snow would be fun as well and would serve as a reminder as we watch how each play we call plays out in 2D that we are playing in inclement weather. And if wind is used, perhaps just a simple dial or arrow pointing in the direction that the wind is blowing and how fast.



Just a couple of ideas anyways. Thanks and I am very much looking forward to this game, being a life long football(American) ;-) fan.

[jslmsca]

One question I have is whether there will be an option to watch the game play without having to input anything. I'd like to play as a GM-only and let my head coach handle everything. However, I don't want to simply auto-sim to a box score as I lose the immersion factor and will run through seasons too quickly.

Will this type of gameplay be possible?

[Francis Cole]

Yes.

[CouchQB]

Pretty excited about your game.
Just a bunch of questions:

General:
- Will the players and coaches ability and potential change in every startet league? So you don't just draft or hire the same people and everytime, you got to scout everyone. At least a a certain level. For example, in one league Derek Carr becomes a great player and in the other he will stay medicore (depending on coachig, playingtime, injuries and system).
- How much is player experience worth. I would like if it was pretty important and you need so old veterans to let your team function. Maybe even let a veteran teach a rookie in special moments (Veteran QB teaches rookie)
- Are the coaching profiles for a.i. coaches. (Great defense, hoards pick,...)
- I would think it would be great if you could implement a certain stategy and preferred player types (Running Football Team, physical CB's) And you assistens give you matching advice while drafing or free agentcy. And can you also set playing strategies (Bumpcoverage, mostly man-to-man, heavy blitzing, tampa 2)
- Are there going to be player preferences in free agentcy besides money like playing time, team success, hometown, familiar players or coaches?

Draft:
- I would really like a heavy emphasis on the drafting process. It would be important for me to see people shooting up the draft board because of a great combine, see Qbs getting overdraftet, "runs" on certain positions, realistic trading.
-Players going back to college for another year. Transfering.
- And a great thing would be at last basic report about most big-school, division 1 players like you could find anywhere on the internet for most players.

Practice:
- Can you set up a workfocus for your team or an individual Player? Like playbook/gameplan - film studies. So in training cap and the first few weeks of the season you put your empahsis on lerning the playbook, signals and system, while later in the season your players work more on individual preperation for a certain game.
-Do your assistants give you advice for certain players? So they tell you, the your small DE should be convertet into a 3-4 pass rusher?
Or your big CB sould try playing safety? And will it take time to transfer for a 4-3 LB into an 3-4 playing scheme)
Can you implement deeper stats. For example the Qb it 11/17 but 0/4 on +15-yard-throws, 2 deflectet, 2 incomplete.

Gameplan:
Can you give special instructions for certain opposing players? Like you let your DC call plays but you tell him to always cover Dez Bryant Over/Under?
Can your assistent coaches give you certain advice and reviews for gameplaning or playcalling and do they follow their own advice? For example if you play against a team with bad safetys you use deep routes, combinations and double moves.

A.I.:
- Will the A.I. be going for your weakness? For example if your great LT gets injured and is out for the game, will they pick on the replacement?
Or if your Qb is a Alex Smith, they play with less deep coverage.
- Are the going to change their playcalling, if it isn't working? So they stop to run, if their RB gains no yards. Or sub him out for a certain time.

Psycological:
- Will there be psycological effects on the players. Like will heavy blitzing affect a medicore rookie qb later in the game. Or bad plays in cruch-time? Drops?
- Is chemistry going to be important? Like inside your lockerroom, between your center and qb, inside your o-line (if a line plays together for a few years they know each other and get play better), between qb and rb/wr.
- Do you plan on implementing players personalities?

And last but not least:
- I would really love if you could implement positiv or negativ traits for players and coaches. Mabye some open or hidden, some trainable, some steady or gained with experience or bad play. Like "no good deep ball" (Alex Smith); "first read, tuck and run" (Colin Kaepernick); "bad footwork" (Blake Bortles) "bites on double-move" (for DBs); "David-Carr-Trait" (Sees blitzes and gets burned after playing behind a deep offense line)

[Francis Cole]

- Will the players and coaches ability and potential change in every startet league? So you don't just draft or hire the same people and every time, you got to scout everyone. At least a a certain level. For example, in one league Derek Carr becomes a great player and in the other he will stay mediocre

Yes.

Maybe even let a veteran teach a rookie in special moments

Not for V1 unfortunately.

Are the coaching profiles for a.i. coaches. (Great defense, hoards pick,...)

Yes, but there isn't "great defence" or "hoards picks", but there are lots of other things.

I would think it would be great if you could implement a certain strategy and preferred player types

Yes you can (and AI teams to too - not college teams currently).

And you assistens give you matching advice while drafing or free agentcy.

They are not guaranteed to give matching advice though. If you set your team up as a 100% passing team, and then hire the most running based HC you can find don't be surprised if he wants a RB and not a QB.
You'll have to hire your coaches to match your strategy (or change your strategy to match them).

Are there going to be player preferences in free agency besides money like playing time, team success, hometown, familiar players or coaches?

Aside from if they are starting or not & $, then unfortunately not for V1.

It would be important for me to see people shooting up the draft board because of a great combine

Yes they do (and fall).

-Players going back to college for another year. Transferring.

Transferring is a no for V1, players declaring earlier is something I really want for V1 but I can't make any promises at this stage.

And a great thing would be at last basic report about most big-school, division 1 players like you could find anywhere on the internet for most players.

There's not going to be a scout.com style text report for V1 for each player, but you are free to look at any college player you want (even freshmen) and look at their stats, attributes, character concerns etc.

Can you set up a workfocus for your team or an individual Player

Not for V1.

Like playbook/game plan - film studies

As there will only be one playbook for V1 we are not doing this, and it is assumed players know all the plays. (though just because they know the play doesn't mean they will execute them correctly, i.e. ask a QB with 0 scrambling ability to run some QB run and things won't go well).

Will the A.I. be going for your weakness? For example if your great LT gets injured and is out for the game, will they pick on the replacement?
So they stop to run, if their RB gains no yards. Or sub him out for a certain time?

That's the plan!

Like will heavy blitzing affect a mediocre rookie qb later in the game

If a rookie QB is getting sacked all the time then
a)He's going to get injured more and generally more wear-and-tear.
b)He's not going to improve as much in passing as he always looking to stop getting sacked instead of passing.

Is chemistry going to be important?

Not for V1.

Do you plan on implementing players personalities?

There's a general "off the field distractions" section.

would really love if you could implement positiv or negativ traits for players and coaches.

There's some, but not all of those already. For example Smith won't have a great Arm Strength attribute, Kaepernick will have a high attribute which indicates he likes to scramble, Bortles will have a bad footwork attribute (though it would always increase as he progresses through the years of course - or maybe not). No for the other two.

Thanks,
Francis

[baseballonly]

Is "scrambling Tendency" the same as scrambling skill?