Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

[Beast]

This post will be somewhat of an FAQ more for newer people to FoF. We still have a few team openings, and with the recent steam sale, we may get some newer people requesting to join. We have a lot of people in this league who having been around for a long time and have been very gracious at answering questions. I've scoured the whole forum and gathered up all questions and answers that I thought other people might have as well at some point. I'll keep the post updated with new questions and answers when I see them. Feel free to ask questions here!

Simming/Export/Import

What days and times are the weeks simmed?

The IFL sim schedule is posted to this link http://www.fof-ifl.com/forums/showth...-2031-Schedule, basically during the season games are on Wednesday and Sunday mornings. -FootballAUS

How does exporting and uploading work? Do I just do "Export stage file" under Participant Functions in the multi-player window?

Just hit the "Export Stage File" on the Multi-player menu and it automatically uploads everything to the league server. One click is all you need. - FootballAUS

When the week has been simmed, what process do I need to go through to get the latest files?

Just open up the game and hit "Import Game files" from the Multi-Player menu. One thing that may want to do here is under the Game Options Menu select "Edit Multi-Player Options" and make sure that you have selected "YES" for the option that says "Hide results on schedule overview windows". This means you won't see the game results on the main screen and you "watch" your game unfold play by play when you select "Watch Solevision". That's my weekly highlight in MP :-) -FootballAUS

I was picking up FA's and dropping players last night, as well as, adjusting gameplan settings. When I was finished I exported my game so it would save to the league. I came back a little later to look at some more stuff, and noticed when I started up my multiplayer game, none of the changes I made were saved. Is there a way to save your multiplayer game when you export it or do I just have to make sure I do every little thing all in one sitting?

Nope. It is a bit of a second chance. I use that quirk in the game often to undo changes. - Hoosier

What does a midweek sim do?

It's just where I import the exports but I don't sim a game. It allows people to make transactions before the game. It is used mostly when you have an injury at a limited position to avoid getting that part of your lineup AI'ed. It's overused in FOF leagues imo, but I do them when requested because I'm a nice guy and the greatest commissioner ever. - Hooper

Team

Can we change our team mascot?

Sure, but you need a logo and colors. Then ask nicely if someone here will make you an in-game banner. Then I'll change it all at once. - Hooper

See first two comments in thread regarding team changes.

Trades

How do trades work? Do I make a trade on my game and then once it get's exported and uploaded that person will see it once they download the latest game files?

Head into the forum called "Trade Block" and post your trade bait there. The trading action will take place via p.m. Then when all is said and done, you post in the Finalized Trades forum. - Hoosier

For trades just create a new post under the Finalised Trades (yes, I know I spelt "Finalized" with an "s") thread. Once the counter-party has posted that they agree to the trade the commissioner processes the trade. You don't do anything in-game at your end so you won't see the trade until after you download the next league Stage File. - FootballAUS

I'm checking out team rosters and looking to offer trades to some teams. Is there a list of team owners so I may PM them trade offers?

Use our owners page http://www.fof-ifl.com/owners/ - Hooper

What players are worth what draft picks? Any guide regarding that? I've seen the one that tells how much each draft pick is worth, but curious what type or rating of player is worth what draft picks.

Ratings don't always mean everything keep that in mind. Performance and Stats are another thing to keep an eye on. When valuing a player and what draft picks to give up for him I think its important to look at performance, stats, ratings, age and contract. Then also knowing the value of your draft picks. If you are one of the worst teams in the league I think your picks are worth more than one of the top teams in the league. - DakotaGeorge

That could be why people do Trades via PM... Leaving the value of a player up to you and the person you are trading. - Armicking

Roster

I was going through all of my players last night and there were some that I wanted to drop and pick up a FA. I dropped one player and then offered a contract to a FA and it said that I would know if I got him after the next stage is simmed. So obviously I had to drop someone to make room for the FA, but now I am out of a player for that spot. I wanted to drop multiple people, but I can't do that because I wouldn't have enough to cover all of my positions for my next game. What is the best process I need to go through when I want to drop people during the season and pick up FA's in their place?

You have a few options ...
1) Add/Drop as many people as you'd like and let the AI redo your depth chart for a week.
2) Only do 1 or 2 at a time so that you can still do your depth charts and let the new guys be extra.
3) PM me with any changes to your depth chart you want before the sim.
4) Ask for a midweek. This allows you to make transactions in one file and then make whatever gameplan decisions in the next. Please use this option only when needed. It is an option though. - Hooper

Are the FA's I am trying to pick up added to my team and my depth chart reworked by the AI before the game is simmed? I currently changed the setting so the AI does not pick up players to fill out my roster or change my depth chart. Is that something I would need to turn back on to make this work?

Yes it's before. No you don't have to change settings. - Hooper

Only do 1 or 2 FAs at a time so that you can still do your depth charts and let the new guys be extra is probably the best and easiest option?

Yes, this is probably the most common option. - Hooper

You said we can PM you (the commissioner) with any changes to our depth chart (for FA signings, trades, etc) if we really need those changes to go in effect that we want before the sim. I assume that FA signings are done before the games are simmed, and you are able to edit my depth chart with the FA signing if I tell you how exactly I want it. Do I have that correct?

Yes. - Hooper

I've seen the midweek thread and I've seen it mentioned that it is overused. It does make sense if a big trade goes down or if it's a big game coming up and you just have to get that player and change your gameplan. I definitely won't request that unless it is absolutely imperative.

It's out there if you need it. If you want to make a bunch of transactions, or don't have all your positions covered. I just don't want it to become an every week thing. - Hooper

Depth Chart/Game Planning

My depth chart and game plan resets every time I import. Am I supposed to change my game plan every sim?

The game should save your game plan. Check your Leagues folder for a .FPN file. If you find that file, delete it. Or at least change the file extension temporarily. Deleting the file shouldn't break anything, but I prefer to be cautious. - Dawgfan19

[Argot]

In regard to logo and colors. And administrators may chime in:

1. City name can change but should still align geographically to your division. Note that all markets were made even. I messed up by moving my team in game to Carolina which is obviously not in the west. So Arizona now sees more rain that ever!

2. Colors should be unique to the team. In other words if there are already red white and blue teams, be a little creative.

3. Mascots and names should not be vulgar and should attempt to emulate "realism" although you could maybe make a case for Ogres???? (Original team name )

4. Don't move the team, change helmets and leave at the end of the year. Redoing banners and changing names every year isn't the easiest thing in the world, and for those of us who have been around for a while, dampens immersion.

Just opinions. No policy.

[Hooper]

1. Yeah. Logos and colors are easier than cities. And there's the whole alignment thing. So it's not quite free reign on city moves. Unless you do it in-game. Then we have less control over it, but it would be frowned upon.

2. It's best practice, but not set in stone if someone made a good case.

3. Up for debate. I'm not really for or against it. FOFL has some team names that people might consider "inappropriate". It doesn't bother me.

4. Agreed.

[Beast]

Thanks for taking the time to go more in depth about team logo and color, Argot and Hooper!