ORIGINAL: Amaroq
Yeah, I agree with all of those as well.
Your point about making it harder to stack the team is, I think, key - I'd really like to see minor leaguers refuse to sign if they 'belong' in the majors and aren't there, and I'd like bench players who 'belong' in a starting lineup to refuse to sign extensions.
I support the 'rust' idea - I would like to "have" to use guys to keep them from getting rusty, to have to deal with trade demands (and especially refusal to re-sign), that sort of thing. I'm not sure if all players are going to like that - I'm imagining a historical-sim buff might want statistical accuracy over 'rust', but it does sound like its a good game mechanic to me.
Conflict - well, I think that matters more in football than baseball, the Giants did pretty well when Barry Bonds and Jeff Kent were on the barest of speaking terms with each other, but still producing on the field.
The other one I think goes with this is in-season ratings fluctuation; I'd like there to be a chance that my young team will get better as the season wears on, or that the veteran lineup I had on Opening Day is falling apart by September. I also like the idea of having to deal with slumps that are part of a game mechanic, not just the random number generator - Joe lost his mechanics, and isn't doing as well, do you .. let him try to play through it, sit him, or send him to the minors for a short period?
Glad you agree, Am. We both are the kind of players who manage every game and as you pointed out, there are historical buffs who sim most for the games and want more accurate stats. For that reason this could be a "toggle-able" option.
Obviously, the total package would be to incorporate these things with waivers and options (and yes I remember that there were problems with this before so I only offer this if it works this time). That way you could have a veteran put on waivers refuse a mior league assignment, you could have what you mentioned with guys having a cold steak and have to play through it and you could have guys dog it when they want their release or play above their level when they are in a contract year. So many opportunities to really challenge the manage gamers even if only a few of these are implemented. Please, please, please, Shaun [:D]
