Franchise Mode

[Andrew]

There's a preliminary features list on the official website. It gives an overview of the gameplay enhancements EA wants to spotlight, shows the new Ultimate Team cards, and naturally mentions The One. It also has a "Franchise" bulletin point:

Take control of your favorite NBA team and build it into an unstoppable hoop force while playing games and upgrading the team. Draft top players, make smart trades, and improve your skills with the distinctive upgrade points system. Every decision is yours as you ball through season after season in a streamlined experience while chasing championships.

I'm guessing The One has received the most attention this year, but hopefully some vital functions have found their way back into the franchise mode...which is perhaps now called Franchise again, which was the original branding before it was re-named Dynasty Mode in NBA Live 2004 onward. I'm hoping there's some more good news to come here, whatever it may be called now.

[Dee4Three]

I get it, that's all great. But I'm not seeing multi-team use....

It should be a fundamental part of every sports game.

[Andrew]

To be fair, there isn't really a lot of detail at all. It's basically just a succinct summary of what Franchise/Dynasty/Association/MyGM/MyLEAGUE has traditionally been about. I agree though, that's a function that's long overdue to return, having been lost in the initial Dynasty re-brand.

[mp3]

Definitely welcomed as is improved post play so Iam interested to see more of that.

[Andrew]

At the very least, I hope we've got some more stats/information screens, and the ability to assign jersey numbers after trades and signings. Perhaps I'm reading too much into the "streamlined" description, but I hope it still isn't too bare-bones. Adding MyLEAGUE-like depth at the same time as revamping Rising Star into The One isn't feasible, but a few steps in that direction would be nice.

[mp3]

After last year with Sean saying we have let dynasty mode slip in way of the new modes and it needs addressing I had high hopes, I just pray that "The One" hasn't derailed there plans again.

[Andrew]

Good point. Career modes do tend to be more popular these days, as does the connected online experience, so it makes sense they've put a lot of attention into that. I hope the traditional experience has at least received a little attention, though.

[ThaLiveKing]

People wanted deeper controls, believe me when I say you got what you wanted lol

[mp3]

Can (if you know) if your allowed too talk any on dynasty or roster management Mr King?

[Andrew]

People wanted deeper controls, believe me when I say you got what you wanted lol

While modes are important for longevity, I am pleased to hear about the gameplay enhancements and deeper controls.

[Nick]

If franchise mode is really great then that alone would be enough for me to buy the game. Here's hoping

[Andrew]

Fingers crossed. I'm not expecting the depth of MyLEAGUE, but the return of a few staples plus a couple of enhancements would be very welcome.

[Dee4Three]

If franchise mode is really great then that alone would be enough for me to buy the game. Here's hoping

100% agree. Same here.

[mp3]

I hope I don't have to but I could even live with roster editing as long as they had a decent dynasty mode this year and for God's sake add a transactions and injury screen already.

[Andrew]

Agreed, I want some kind of deep experience to keep me hooked. Roster editing needs to make its way into the game, though. That's why I'm throwing it out there as a possible post-release update, if it's not available at launch. I don't know how feasible that would be, but they did put a shootaround mode into NBA Live 14 with a patch, so who knows.