To Leftos and 2k - Draft Classes:what's possible and how we can ease our process

[mauroth]

Ciao,

this thread is meant to provide answers, tips and find out issues for all of us draft class makers.
Many things have changed since 2k14, and most of us are scared about the limitations that the new roster/draft class system seems to show compared to previous years, like the fact that we can't add real Cfs.
If possible, I'm asking to Leftos or other 2K guys to answer to a few questions below and maybe give some more tips.

Let's start from this:

ALL of this INFO Relates to HOT SPOTS and HOT ZONES, which cant be Edited in the Game, so this is VERY important to keep things Realistic.

DRAFT CLASS and CAPs GUIDELINE

-Whatever a Position a Player is in the Generated Draft Classes, Try your Best to keep them at That Position. Same Applies to CAPs as they function on the Same System
Example: If you change a Point Guard into a Center, then the Center will then have all of the Hot Spots and Hot Zones of a Point Guard. Which can be very Troublesome.

SUGGESTIONS
-If you want a PF/C to have the Ability to Stretch the Floor out to 3pt Range, I would suggest making the Center out of a SF or SG with 3pt Shooter as a Player Description Type.
-If you want a Small Forward who plays better close to the Basket and not much of a Shooter, I would Suggest Making him from a Generated Center in the Draft Class.

So, basically the choice of the draft class base is crucial. Now, if you look at 2K share, there's just one base with real prospects for PC (While next gen consoles are a lot more active). Ratings and tendencies are far from perfect, but at least more than 70 players have been created with correct bio and similar looking aspects. It saves a good bunch of hours, but... how can I be sure that each prospect has hotspots and caps that match his playing style?In other words...how can I be sure that the base for Mudiay was an athletic PG, or at least a PG? There's a quick way to find it out without having to check manually one by one each prospect in My League once they've been selected?

Otherwise the only safe choice would be to start again with a new draft class from scratch. And spend lots of hours more than I thought.

Also, if I find some extra help from other patchers, is it possible to "copy and paste" players from other draft classes/rosters? This option would be time saving with a good supporting team. As I know, we can only import a created player from our PC (max 150).
As an additional note, I personally don't like the fact that you can't filter players by role. It was very useful to compare the overalls.

Last but not least, I saw a couple of very annoying issues related to the naming system, like Diop flagged as offensive, or Hollis-Jefferson being too long. For a draft class maker devoted to accuracy, these are some of the most troublesome issues, believe me.

Ok, if you read all this long papyrus basically there are just worries and cons. But there are also plenty of amazing features that I'm excited to deal with like the possibility to create more than 100 real prospects, the new ratings system that adds superior depth and accuracy, and of course the badges!

Basically, I'm really willing to start working on the 2015 draft class (and then 2016 to 2018) but at the same I'm scared about taking too long or having to deal with too much limitations. Please encourage me with some nice tips or solutions that will speed the job.

Or... even better...why isn't 2k releasing a 2015 draft class base for all of us (with real CFs, why not!)? That would be MUCH appreciated
I bit utopian in effect...but what a game changer this would be!

Waiting for some feedbacks. Thanks!

[Andrew]

Or... even better...why isn't 2k releasing a 2015 draft class base for all of us (with real CFs, why not!)? That would be MUCH appreciated
I bit utopian in effect...but what a game changer this would be!

2K legally cannot include anyone who isn't under an NBA contract, be it their name, their likeness, or both.

That's why the feature is in the game in the first place, so that we can do it ourselves instead of using the generated rookies.

[mauroth]

Or... even better...why isn't 2k releasing a 2015 draft class base for all of us (with real CFs, why not!)? That would be MUCH appreciated
I bit utopian in effect...but what a game changer this would be!

2K legally cannot include anyone who isn't under an NBA contract, be it their name, their likeness, or both.

That's why the feature is in the game in the first place, so that we can do it ourselves instead of using the generated rookies.

Correct, I forgot about that point. All the other topics are still valid, though.

[bradshawja]

I am new to the 2k scene on PC, I have always played on 360. I have to say I am quite happy with the product this year, its a vast improvement over what I ever experienced on 360.

I agree that having realistic draft classes to use contribute highly to the enjoyment of the game. I was disappointed to discover there wasn't any excellent realistic classes already created. But with that being said I am willing to help create some. Like you said there are some issues with the system but its far better than not having the option at all, and is something that can surely be used to create a realistic draft class, if someone puts in the work.

I am willing to help or lead a team to create some. With 3 or 4 dedicated people and a few updates along the way, shouldn't be a problem at all. I think using what is already out there, making prospects as realistic as possible, and getting ratings and tendencies as realistic as possible would be very easy to do. I am willing to put in the work and help if you or anyone else is.

[mauroth]

Thanks for your comment bradshawja. Actually I found decent starting draft classes for 2015, 2016 and 2017 too. I just don't know if the base is good concerning hotspots etc.

I'm waiting for the patch and then probably start editing. Meanwhile I'm recovering the ratings from my 2k14 draft classes. I also hope that draft classes cap have already been adjusted to the new speed ratings.

[bradshawja]

Biggest problem I have ran into with the classes out there are the outrageous ratings on some players. I mean last years draft class was considered pretty deep so the rookies should be a good starting place to look at ratings, especially potential, so you don't end up with 30 players with 90+ overall after 5 years.

I also am waiting for the new patch then I think I will take a stab at making some changes to the ones out there, trying to fix the ratings, and adding some players who are missing. The new hairstyles they are supposedly adding should help in making players more realistic. If you would like to work together let me know, I'm not sure what your goals are with the draft classes. Mine are too make them as realistic as possible for use in franchise.

[mauroth]

Biggest problem I have ran into with the classes out there are the outrageous ratings on some players. I mean last years draft class was considered pretty deep so the rookies should be a good starting place to look at ratings, especially potential, so you don't end up with 30 players with 90+ overall after 5 years.

I also am waiting for the new patch then I think I will take a stab at making some changes to the ones out there, trying to fix the ratings, and adding some players who are missing. The new hairstyles they are supposedly adding should help in making players more realistic. If you would like to work together let me know, I'm not sure what your goals are with the draft classes. Mine are too make them as realistic as possible for use in franchise.

Well, all the draft classes I've actually found for PC have to be rebuild from scratch concerning ratings and tendencies. They just work as a base. Also, many players need to be added or moved.
As I understood, this is the first time for you with PC, but if you ever dealt with my draft classes you will probably know that they're made to work at their best with Albys' rosters (in my opinion n.1 roster maker since 2006). This means having an obsessive attention to details with a particular focus on tendencies and of course potentials in order to avoid having an absurd amount of all stars each year. Albys has yet to buy 2k15, but I'm confident he'll buy it within the end of the year.
While we're both waiting for the patch I don't know if we can find a good way for both to cooperate, but we can talk about it

Just send me a PM whenever you want.

[mauroth]

Patch is coming it seems.

This could be very important:

- Created/generated players will now have their hot zones updated when their position changes -> WILL THIS APPLY TO ALREADY GENERATED DRAFT CLASSES TOO?

[TBM]

"NOTE: All patch fixes will work in your existing game mode saves."

So it probably will apply to already generated classes. Can't be certain though.

[mauroth]

Thanks TBM. So it should be, but I want to be sure. And also...how would it be concerning stretch 4s?