**NFL Head Coach 09 Developer Q&A Thread**

[Josh_Looman]

Quote: Originally Posted by eaglesfan27

I'm a bit confused by this reply. Why couldn't those same 100 things be done over 30 years? I'm really hoping there is some way to change this as this seems like a major design flaw. Why should I care about someone I draft in year 10-15 of the franchise, if I'll never be able to see them through to the end of their career.

It takes more development time to add a feature and have it work correctly over a 30 year career instead of a 15 year career.

That usually means you spend twice the time implementing one feature and end up not being able to get other features in.

[eaglesfan27]

Quote: Originally Posted by Josh_Looman

It takes more development time to add a feature and have it work correctly over a 30 year career instead of a 15 year career. That usually means you spend twice the time implementing one feature and end up not being able to get other features in.

Thanks for clarifying as that makes sense. Still disappointed that it is only 15 years.

[Josh_Looman]

Quote: Originally Posted by JRod

Appreciate answering all the questions we've fired at you? After the game is released and the team's had some time to recover, will you be back here answering some questions?

Yes.

[ohyeahbaby123]

This is amazing how many EA people are coming here to OS!

Anyways, my question:

When you create a play during a game, what is usually the success rate of the players running the play correctly? (Ex: receivers running the right route)

[Josh_Looman]

Quote: Originally Posted by x1Blumpkin1x

Thanks for all of the info, and such quick responses too. It is like a whole new EA where the community matters and not the "we know what's best" attitude. I'm loving it. Just a few questions: 1) Are the draft classes static? With 21,000 potential draftees it doesn't sound as such. I just want to make sure that season 2 of a newly started franchise won't have the same draft class as the first franchise I played. 2) You mentioned teams maybe not being interested in you if you are fired. Does that mean you could potentially sit out a season? 3) Will there be solid documentation about the game and some of the mechanics? I only thought of this since I am currently (well should be but I'm typing this instead) writing documentation for software I wrote (very small company, we have to do everything). You mentioned something above about the best coach showing up first in the clipboard, how would I know that if I hadn't read your post? Is the in-game help that informative?

1. No. We have multiple sets of 15 consecutive classes. So if you start a career and then quit, the next career you start will have a new set of draft classes.

2. No, that means your career is over. We want this game to be more of a challenge than career modes have been in the past.

3. We added a lot of in-game help and tutorials that will help you. It always seems like it's never enough but I think we added more than I've seen before.

[stewaat]

Wow thanks for all the info. I might get this game over Madden!

[Blazelore]

What feature would you love to put in next years game that didn't make it this year? I ask because it seems like you cover everybase of simulation and the NFL's off season.

[Josh_Looman]

Quote: Originally Posted by eaglesfan27

Thanks for clarifying as that makes sense. Still disappointed that it is only 15 years.

I understand. Sorry...

[x1Blumpkin1x]

Quote: Originally Posted by Josh_Looman

2. No, that means your career is over. We want this game to be more of a challenge than career modes have been in the past.

Wow, I really like that. I'm glad to see that someone could be the Rich Kotite of HC '09, and as a Jets fan my blood still boils when I hear his name. Not enough games have this much of a challenge in a career mode, you could always find a home if you were fired. This does add more of a sense of urgency to your season if things are going poorly.

[x1Blumpkin1x]

You mention coach skills, so I'm guessing they contribute to what happens on the field. How do coach skills affect a play's chances of success? What kinds of skills can you improve? I have seen the tree screen flash by in some videos but nothing in detail. Can all coaches get skills (coordinators and position coaches)?