If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.
Teamsheets MUST be in by 3pm on Game Day
BONANZA OPEN!!
the complication is discord and it needs to have a code of conduct
I feel that what can start as banter quickly escalates into a shit fest
one of my biggest gripes is the accusations (whether meant or jest) into the integrity of admin especially JB
This is unfair and not on and ruins JBs love for the game. A game that he puts in a huge amount of effort time and testing before introducing new features.
not every feature is going to work 100% and JB recognises this and tweaks accordingly.
This is a great game and community and a discord code of conduct is a must if discord is to be reintroduced.
Each of the game players should have a duty to ensure they respect the decisions made for game management and give admin the time and respect to tweak things that could be improved or need adjusting.
Every manager knows well in advance any game changes and it’s no good moaning if you have not prepared your team for these changes.
In all seriousness, is it actually broken? Because I suspect that most, like me, certainly don't think it is and not only enjoy the game but value the time and effort put it in to keep it running.
As mentioned above, the word RESPECT seems to be missing from some quarters.
1- Respect the admin and any decisions they make. Maybe if you have an issue you can either go to the admin or we create a thread/ discord profile for feedback. Unfortunately not all changes will benefit your team(s) or benefit some more than others, so either accept it or go. This has always ben the case on any. changes
2- The discord channel needs a code of conduct implementing strictly. Yes we all have good and bad days but for god sake, for a game of adults they way some folk bicker and go on, make it private not public. Or, just avoid people you know you'll trigger with, take some self responsibility.
3- The head off FFO makes the final decisions and as stated get on board or go. If you do want to continue with surveys or air and shares fine, but the end result comes from JB and his admin team.
4- The game itself needs little tweaks, my only thing is the transfer market. Why can you sign a player on an open market and sell in a week but auction players hold a longer sentence. People say they'll sign auction players to block or veto their rivals but can that not be done on the open market too? I'd say you either allow the same rules on any player but no resigning a player more than once in a season is a must.
5- Maybe look at all wages, since the stadiums collapsed it feels some wages are very high, and in some cases 1 player takes the full ticket quota for the season.
6- SHN does need looking at too.
7 - I don't mind the minutes conundrum, but people should be allowed to play what they want when they want. This crap of people worrying that some folk are playing this player for that game is nonsense, if players need minutes you play them where best.
The sell now prices were addressed this off season and be continue to be addressed seasonal like I’m sure JB planned.
we cannot just keep changing it at the drop off one or two comments.
At best, a poll and future date set to change to give people advance warning to prepare.
———————————
I know we’re all older but I’d like to see more rewards for creativity in the media section. A lot just post PMRs to get the cash but offer a reward system for those that put the effort in, Tim and marshy (off the top of my head do great effort with media)
———————————
we aren’t at the same stage as a few years ago and I think lesser restrictions on transfers, all rules should reset at EOS rather than calendar year.
we want activity and engagement. Transfers is a big part and maybe a transfer committee to oversee deals raised as a concern for “unethical”
I lost my love for esms after some shitty years but I’ve got it back again and in all honesty the biggest thing is stop taking it so seriously. It’s a game, run by people for free, enjoy it for what it is, nothing is perfect. FIFA is fucking shit and full of glitches and people pay for that EVERY year!!!
No changes to rules at present as managers will already have plans in place.
At 2/3s point of season (every season) admin welcome managers thoughts on what needs to be changed/tweaked and why. Allow an open healthy debate (ON THE FORUM).
Admin to consider whether any of the points made are worthy of going to vote.
By 3/4s point of season any tweaks/changes to be announced to allow managers to plan ahead.
Delegate some work to others - eg the recent forum post of keeping an up to date managers list is very much needed. Someone to keep rules up to date would be even better so everything is in one place - all the rules and values that can be found in one place.
Discord is the main issue with the game. Too many folk falling out publicly instead of taking their issues private. Discord to have a new set of rules around respecting all admin but also all other managers. To be policed by ALL. If anyone is stepping outside of the rulings then anyone can shout up to stop it. Maybe have a code word - something as simple as SHUTUP which anyone can type which hopefully those currently offending would take note of and hopefully immediately cool off . Recurrent offenders given temporary bans from discord increasing in time as required. Consider action such as financial penalties /auction bans
When I arrived in FFO I saw a very top heavy game where it appeared so easy for the teams at the top to stay at the top. A couple of auction buys a season whilst controlling the marker having the most money etc. I welcome the additions that have attempted to make the game a more inclusive one and give a chance for those wishing to play in TIER2 a chance to build a little faster to catch up those at the top end of TIER1. There has been a lot of change and not everything will work perfectly. At present this is a transitional period whereby we are seeing the after-affect of some rule changes. There possibly does need a few tweaks but these should be left now to 2/3s way through this coming season. This close season is very much about a lot of veterans leaving the game and a lot of youths joining the game. There is plenty for managers to be planning for right now along along with writing November media.
I think the media needs some sort of review, but I’m not entirely sure how.
Does anyone actually read anyone’s else’s posts? Marshy has done some good pieces but it would be good to get management back and forth, removing discord and making media a bit more engaging.
Like I said at the start I don’t have the suggestions to this, but I think media should be a really fun place to write and not just a chore to get £4mil.
I'm probably missing something here, because to be honest I've little time for discord, and never have.Ive no idea what's happened but I can hazard a guess.
JB puts an awful amount of un paid time and effort into running this site together with the other admin members.He trys to make this game even better than it already is, if thats possible ?.So what's wrong ?
Discord gives a platform to rant from what I can see, so what can we do ?
Scrap it ?
Watered down version ?
Harsh enforcement rules ?
Scrap it, some how I think Discord will survive, personally don't like it at all, because there's to much crap spoken.Most transfers are sorted on there why ?
Watered down version maybe, but it would involve strict enforcement and I dont think certain egos would accept it.
Harsh enforcement, please see above.
Summary, be careful what you wish for because there isn't too many JBs about
In my opinion get rid of Discord ,but I think watered down version is all I can hope for.
Rules will have to be made stronger ,but egos will suffer.
Finally remember what you have, things change quickly.
1. SHN values are too high when compared to the amount of money in the game.
I've already mentioned this on Discord, and not many agreed at the time. However, a few people here are now saying there is indeed a problem. To clarify, I wasn’t asking for changes mid-season; I simply hoped it could be reviewed for next season. It’s currently having a significant impact on the transfer market, which is a key aspect of enjoyment for many players in the game.
2. Wages are slightly too high, which ties in with point 1.
3. Discord rules and conduct - The ESMS Hub had stricter conduct rules than FFO did when we hosted chat during FFO Discord’s previous hiatus. At the time, these rules were dismissed as ridiculous, and some of the people now asking for stricter rules were among those criticising them back then. That said, stricter rules are clearly needed. Certain individuals get away with too much, and this applies on both sides. For instance, admin calling people 'dickheads' and posting the SSL Tactics Matrix as though it were new FFO information was clearly intended as bait to provoke managers. Why do that and spread misinformation? It was, in fact, a catalyst for a major argument that day as things escalated.
4. Respect must go both ways - Linked to point 4, some managers feel that admin does not listen to them. Ideas and suggestions are often ignored, dismissed, or responded to in a disrespectful manner, creating an environment where managers feel they’re walking on thin ice. As a result, only a few brave individuals raise ideas or suggestions, and these are rarely supported by others due to fear of admin reacting negatively. This is evidenced by others now agreeing here that SHN values are too high. As some have suggested, perhaps ideas, suggestions, or critiques should be submitted via the forum or sent privately to admin, rather than discussed openly in a chat environment.
Additionally, there is an issue of double standards. For example, someone has used disrespectful terms towards two other managers in their Real Madrid application, indeed making their whole application about it - despite applications being expected to remain respectful.
5. Admin Team Expansion: With all due respect to the current admin team, I feel that JB takes on far too much himself and doesn’t delegate enough. Nick has mentioned he doesn’t have much time these days, and perhaps the same applies to John. The admin team would benefit from having more voices and more creative thinkers — people JB can collaborate with, test ideas on, and seek feedback from. To be clear, I have no desire to be part of this expanded team, but there are several strong candidates who could contribute effectively.
Overall not that much change is needed. People need to communicate better, myself included, and come together for the better of the game.
I feel my comments were needed to explain why I’m applying for Madrid despite wanting to stay at Wolfsburg. It was relevant, entirely to my application
No Jason, you were bringing Discord Drama over to the forum in an application for a massive job role. This thread is supposed to be a safe space so will make no further comment.
"posting the SSL Tactics Matrix as though it were new FFO information was clearly intended as bait to provoke managers. Why do that and spread misinformation?"
I called bullshit on this on the day and do so again
We were having a conversation where I asked for the SSL numbers, you told me to look on their site, I did and posted them for anyone interested. You and Ed just blew your tops
Windy was one person who publically admitted asking us. JB, either take the comments with the way to move forward they was intended, i.e as feedback for more clarity needed on things posted or don't. Why are you replying aggressively? This is why I really didn't want to reply any further but felt I had to. This will be my last message on this point, for sure. Agree to disagree on it.
FFO is a magical place for many of us where we have some great banter and it's important for us blokes to have a little fantasy land to go to - i'm sure it keeps us away from some of things that we shouldn't be doing online!!!
I don't think anyone can knock the amount of work and effort that JB puts in for fuck all reward, but when it gets to the stage where he feels like he has to give a team up something is broken. The silly old fucker has been doing this for a long time so will have developed a thick skin, so clearly to get to that stage something must have been building for a while, not just yesterday.
We need to have a head admin and someone who can make calls for the game's best interest without question. JB has proved time and time again that the only thing he cares about is the wider game - even the decision to stabnd down as Norwich boss - note that he wasn't saying "I'm walking away and taking away all of your fun" - he was just protecting himself from comments made by others. Note that he hasn't got a full trophy cabinet to show off - if this dude wanted to he could have cheated his way to the top many many times over.
Those comments - whether they have been meant in jest of whatever, have clearly hit a nerve, and those that have made them have relentlessly continued. Areas that don't affect people in any way at all are blown up out of all proportion. People with squads full of 22/23 + rated players have managers that moan about a lower level club getting an 18 rated youth player - wtaf???
Doing 'gangs of FFO' was easy as there is a complete cast of parody characters that it is easy to take off and it was partly to highlight the nonsense that goes on on Discord. I'm older and much uglier now than when i first played FFO about 10 years ago, and i certainly don't give a flying fuck what anyone things of me - but younger managers who have every move criticised or commented on or eyebrows raised - lads it's not clever, and there's a lot of you that do it. Try being kind, it's a much nicer environment to work in.
We need a new COC that makes it clear that any criticism of the game and head admin on a public forum is considered a breach of the code. I think we all would agree that open comments like this are good, but if there are specific issues they need to be discussed through a 'panel' that can help JB.
JB, i think what you do is great mate, but you probably need more help and some of us that actually have a more balanced view on things can help with this so that you don't have the shit aimed at you - i would be happy too, i know Windy is a pretty level headed character despite his Millwall tendencies. I don't believe that there is any benefit in naming offenders etc - what is missing is a clearer set of rules. And the only way to have less stress is to delegate, and allow other s to mae some calls, whether you agree or not.
We need to be able to rip the piss out of each other but not get offended and there needs to be a line which should not be crossed, and all of this has to be set up properly. The youth academy was and is a great idea for those that manage in the lower divisions and need to find a way to keep an interest in the game.
So personally i would suggest
JB - please return to Norwich - Delia's bed is getting cold and she's screaming 'let's be having you' into the Norfolk broads
Appoint a team of heavies - happy to be part of this with anyone else. Give us rights to give people a yellow or red card on Discord
Upgrade the COC to make it clear that negative comments or public forum criticsim of the game gets bans and penalties. If managers criticse refs etc in real life, they get fined - simples
Start to appreciate what we have lads or we really are going to lose it.
FFO is brilliant, no need to "fix" it (maybe some minor tweaks).
My personal preferences would be:
a) Use one channel for official communication only (scrap the Discord channels or leave them just for small talk, no announcements or discussions on changes)
b) Tackle the deflation at the end of the next season (increase prize money EOS a bit and decrease SHN)
c) Decrease the number of players in auctions by at least 25 % (to make the auctions a proper competition again)
d) Media credits - award them for post match reactions too
e) Change academy players names to real younsters names once promoted and introduce a system for "name rotation/recycling" - i.e. recycle players´ names once their retire in FFO but are still active in real life (just a personal preference to have as much "real" teams as possible)
f) Update the all players list on the website regularly each month
I wasn’t going to reply because JB told me to back off, but I guess my buttons were presssed.
I do have some suggestions that I believe would help fix FFO, but I have learnt from experience that I would only be accused of self-interest, so there is no point.
A lot of my thoughts match those of SteveT, and the theme of the post seems to be pushback against what he says from JB, so I’m not gonna risk getting another warning by saying anything controversial. I will however make a few comments in support of suggestions raised by a few….
1. Discord. I agree with Andy. It shouldn’t be resurrected. It brings out the worst in some people and can get toxic. Other games manage fine without it.
2. Respect. This seems to be key to a lot of peoples comments. I think Steve has got this bang on. Has to work both ways. Some people can suggest something and it is immediately poo-poo’d, yet others in the clique can say the same thing and get their voice heard. Then you have Hopton saying stuff like “ there are two complete and utter tool bags hellbent on forcing JB out the game and creating the death of FFO.” in an official application thread (media is fine), and name calling (Dick and Dom). I think Steve and myself can just about cope, but didn’t Hopton once complain to admin about Garysean calling him Ralph? Treat others as you expect to get treated back. I think myself and Steve get as much grief back as we give out.
3. Finances. A few have raised issues with finances – SHN, wages, etc. There does seem to be feast and famine with the economy ranging from £2bn to £9bn+ over the last few years, whilst fixed costs (wages, gates, stadium upgrades, loan slots,media) don’t change much, resulting in players costing £250m a few seasons ago, now being worth a quarter of that. There are at least 3 accountants in FFO, but I don’t believe their opinions have ever been sought (well mine hasn’t, and if I try, I get shot down) to try and help with this aspect. Again, this was touched on by both Tim and Gary.
My few comments, and I expect to be shot down yet again. But maybe someone else will recycle the ideas and get listened to.
Comment