Tips on Running a Successful NCAA Football Dynasty
My fellow EA SPORTS Game Changer MadScientist of MaddenMatrix.com wrote an article not too long ago about how to run a successful NCAA Football Dynasty. Mad is “The Dr. of Commissioners” and really knows how to run these things. He once ran a 50+ man dynasty and kept it smoother than a baby’s bottom.
Check out this article he wrote for EA SPORTS on how to manage a successful dynasty:
———————————————————————————————
Ten Tips on Running a Successful NCAA Football Online Dynasty
Wisdom from the League Guru, MadScientist06
Greetings NCAA Football fans. This is Dr. Dave Johnson, “MadScientist06″, EA SPORTS Game Changer and NCAA Football-aholic! This week, I will be sharing my tips on running a successful NCAA Football Online Dynasty league.
I have been running organized leagues for as long as I can remember — going back to the days of Electric Football. I have run tons of online NCAA Football Online Dynasties and Madden NFL Online Franchises. I am here to give you the inside scoop on what I’ve learned along the way. These helpful tips should help you get the most enjoyment out of running a new or existing NCAA Online Dynasty league.
What makes playing in an NCAA Football Online Dynasty So Appealing?
My friend, playing in an EA Sports NCAA Football Online Dynasty league is the most realistic video game immersive college football experience that exists on the planet. An Online Dynasty mimics all the pageantry and emotion that is college football, from playing your favorite team’s most bitter rival, to competing to recruit the best computer-generated high school players for your team, to playing for the national championship.
Take over your favorite college football team as the coach and venture years into the future as you build your team in hopes for a ticket to the big dance. Sharing this experience with up to 11 of your friends and league members–now we are talking pure football delight–tough competition and the ultimate bragging rights.
Starting Off On a Good Note
There are a number of things you need to do to setup and create an NCAA Online Dynasty. I won’t go into all of the specifics in this article, but that’s the easy part as there are plenty resources on how to get things up and running. The bigger issue here is once you have created an Online Dynasty, how do you stand the test of time and make it one of the best ever?
Managing Membership: Feed Me Seymour!
A league is only as good as its members! No truer words have even been spoken. Having good members is the difference between a league that thrives and one that fails.
Tip #1: Managing league membership is critically important. Keeping the league as full as humanly possible is a top priority. Low or declining membership is almost always the death knell of most leagues. Combining low membership with inactivity is a recipe for disaster.
Your next question should be “How do I attract and keep good members?”
Attracting New Members: Anybody Want to Play?
So, do I have to tie a steak around my neck in order to get people to play with me? Not hardly. Tip #2: Advertise your league in places where fans of EA NCAA Football frequent. I suggest posting in the NCAA Football section of the EA Sports website forum. You could also advertise in any NCAA-related, video game football fan website. Another good example would be The Gaming Tailgate NCAA-related fan site run by fellow EA Sports Game Changer Chris “cdj80″ Jacobs. Often you’ll find there are dedicated forums which have areas where advertising leagues are welcomed (the key note is “welcomed here”). Put some thought into how you present your league. The better you describe it, the more it will help attract the types of members you are looking for. Another good idea is to create flyers and post then at local video game stores or hand them out at local video game tournaments. Never underestimate the power of advertising and presentation-A good flyer design and a nicely designed league logo gives the impression your league is well organized and run.
Once you begin to see an interest in your league, it is time get things in motion. Let’s get it started in here (-Black Eye Peas)!
Not So Fast! HOP (Hold On Playa)! Be Selective!
The best advice I can give you is be extremely selective about who you allow in your league. A league is only as good as its members. I have found the best strategy is to require some form of screening process as opposed to letting everyone sign-up and join, first-come, first-serve.
Tip #3: Require prospective members to fill out an application for membership. You could get really fancy by creating a web form, online survey, or electronic application, however, a simple e-mail questionnaire will suffice. The goal here is to use the application to gain some insight on the dedication, disposition, and play style of the prospective member.
Tip #4: Require tryouts. A good strategy is to require league tryouts for all applicants. Require the applicant to play several games against veteran league members (I call them the Tryout Committee). When all the games are played, have the Tryout Committee take a vote on whether to grant the applicant membership status. Require the applicant to schedule games with each of the Tryout Committee Members. Scheduling league games is one of the hardest things to coordinate-league members have jobs, family, school, and other life issues to content with. What you are looking for here is initiative and fortitude. We are testing whether the applicant can manage this process successfully and contend with the obstacles and frustrations that are sometimes unfortunate byproducts of online league play. If the applicant is unable to play the required number of games in the time period we specify, this does not bode well in regards to their ability to schedule games on a larger scale. As you can see, tryouts can be used in a number of ways evaluate whether the applicant is a good fit.
Utilizing some type of screening process will give you a sense of whether the applicant can play following your rules and exhibits qualities the league feels are important (e.g. good sportsmanship).
Tip #5: Build Community. If you are technically inclined, or know someone who is, you may want to create a website forum where league members can discuss the league and prospective members determine if your league is a good match for them. This is not a dating site, but both parties involve are looking for the perfect match. This is also a great way to foster community.
Tip #6: Create a Waitlist System. Another good strategy is to maintain a waitlist of applicants. Membership turn-over is always a part of any league. No matter how great your league is, you will not escape this necessary evil. When members decide to leave the league, for whatever reason, it is good to have a list of applicants waiting to step in and take their place. This keeps the league moving smoothly. Most people who join leagues do so to play against other people. The more open teams you have in your OD, the more CPU games people are forced to play.
Let’s talk a minute about what is required of league members and the Commissioner.
———————————————————————————————
Read the rest of MadScientist’s tips for running a successful dynasty here:
Ten Tips on Running a Successful NCAA Football Online Dynasty
Share and Enjoy
Related Posts
Madden NFL 13 at E3: Colts at Bengals – First Quarter [MM] →
