Hard Knocks: The PS3 Madden Online Franchise
Hard Knocks was conceived from a great friendship among several TSO members. It was first talked about well before Madden 12 ever came out. I know there were many discussions between Emmdotfrisk and Bob about how they could build a successful Madden League. Honestly it really came from the great group that were in a TSO baseball league (TCBL). They showed the admins that there could really be a solid league. Madden Leagues are notoriously hard to get off the ground, because each league is unique. Hard Knocks has begun setting the tone for how to start an Online Franchise. It first started as a 16 team Online Franchise that would allow users to be true General Managers. It grew from there to a 24 user league that incorporates Unrestricted Free Agency, Restricted Free Agency, Free Agency Bidding, and any other salary cap options. Hard Knocks generally moves at a hard 48 hour pace, but have had several 24 hour advances with little turnover. The league is only as good as the members that put in the time and effort!
- About Management Team
The management team consists of several leadership positions.
Bobjr - Commissioner
Ryty32 - Co Commissioner (Chief Financial Officer)
Emmdotfrisk - Co commissioner (AFC)
Cimmy24 - Vice President/Public Relations
ControllerAbuser - Vice President/Media Relations
SDID22 - Vice President/Football Operations/Trade Committee
Cadepetty247 - Trade Committee
MG - Trade Committee
Each one of these individuals are experienced players. They all have different backgrounds in different games. With these skills, Hard Knocks has formed one of the more elite management groups for any league. It starts at the top and resonates throughout the league. The administration handles things such as new rules, member turnover, and any general managerial questions. Each guy is responsible for certain duties, and each guy takes time out of their own lives. It takes a true dedication to be a Hard Knock administrator and these guys exhibit that.
- Review of Seasons - Current Stage
Currently Hard Knocks is going through their 4th off season. From the first season til now, HK has had a different winner in each Super Bowl. Hard Knocks Inaugural Bowl featured two admin members in Emmdotfrisk (Bengals) and Cadepetty247 (Cowboys). This game was a classic with the Bengals holding on for the first Hard Knocks Bowl. After this we would see two consecutive wins by the AFC with the Ravens and the Broncos bringing home the hardware. Finally in Season 4 the NFC would receive their first title with the Rams winning Hard Knocks Bowl IV. The offseason is always an exciting time in our league, and we are full force into Free Agency at this point.
- The smoothly run HK processes
What makes Hard Knocks such a success is the elaborate system that has been put in place to make it run. In order for a league, system, or community to be efficient, it needs an effective system that has no flaws and is easy to follow. The system’s that have been put in place within Hard Knocks is phenomenal. The biggest facets of running a league as complex as a Madden Franchise include advance rate, content, salary cap, free agency, and other roster movements.
- The advance rate has been concrete and consistent. HK moves anywhere between 24-48 hours after each advance. There is flexibility with this as each member’s lives is respected. One thing has not changed throughout the seasons of Hard Knocks, and that is that the advance rate keeps the league moving and allows members to see progression of draft picks and how they managed their salary.
- Content is a big a part of a league that makes it unique. In HK, we strive to continuously report summaries on our weekly victories. This keeps the other members in the loop on just how thrilling their colleagues games have been. Hard Knocks also implements recognition of success at season’s end. Members post polls for the league to vote on outstanding player and coach achievements and the winning members are recognized for their accomplishments. What really sets Hard Knocks apart is the HK Open Radio. It is still a young addition to the league, but it is one that has brought positive attention, even from outside the league itself. Bob, Controllerabuser, Ryty, and Cimmy are main characters on the show. Each week they will change it up and you may find a new voice echoing out of your speakers. HK Open Radio has been a huge success and is something that will continue with Hard Knocks.
- The salary cap of the NFL is one of the most complex system’s in athletics. Hard Knock’s member Ryty32 has been on the forefront of managing and watching over salary moves. With the assistance of XFN, Hard Knocks is able to keep an effective salary cap system in place. The administration has also implemented guidelines for members to honor, in order to not take advantage of any flaws seen online. This includes a Restricted and Unrestricted Free Agency system, RFA tender options, and also a minimum bonus cap that needs to be paid to high rated players. The administration assists with CPU roster movements as well. Making sure the CPU teams are staying competitive with a honorable cap. Along with Free Agent movements, HK also implements a strong willed Trade Committee that keeps balance in user to user and user to cpu trading. The Trade Committee breaks down each individual trade to make sure each team is getting a fair deal.
Hard Knocks has been successful not only because of the members involved, but the system that has been put in place. The HK administration has taken the best parts of other leagues, and added their own spice to make it more in-depth and easy to follow. The system is one that can be used as a blueprint by other leagues and even possibly structure for a future, deeper online franchise.
- Experiences in Hard Knocks
Hard Knocks has been active and alive for 4 full seasons now. Currently awaiting to start up of Season 5, HK is in full swing of the offseason and it has moved smoother than ever. With the addition of a new “Bonus Rule” for players rated 85+, the adjustment came easily and smoothly as it was implemented into the system. Every member of Hard Knocks is eagerly awaiting the start of the 5th season, as everyone is gunning for the 5th Hard Knock Bowl trophy.
Through the first 4 seasons, the competition has been outstanding and fierce (in a good way). The rivalries come to life and the passion to win is at its peak. Members look forward to match-ups weeks in advance, preparing to take down a monster divisional rival, or a cross conference juggernaut. As the offseason nears the intensity ignites and the quest for the crown heats up. The playoffs are played at a rapid pace and during hours that others can participate in a chat room, just to get up to the minute scores.
When the champion is honored, the offseason commences. If you thought the Hard Knocks forums calmed down, guess again. The emotion elevates even more as guys scramble to resign their top athletes and bidding wars take on the landscape of the chatroom and forum as the free agency period begins. With teams looking to get that all-star or key piece of the puzzle, the rivalries heat up as members wait for the door to close on the bidding. To picture it, it would look like an online chat room version of the New York Stock Exchange floor.
Then finally, every GM’s favorite time of the season is upon us. The draft. Members spend days looking over the draft prospects and try to draw out a blueprint of how to fit these young unknowns into their grand experiment. Trades are tossed around and countered with true grit as members look to move up to snag that one player who can defy their season. All this occurs while members discuss the draft, talk about life, and poke friendly fun at one another on Skype, like a college fraternity.
Hard Knocks has the best tight-knit friendship feel of any Madden league online. These guys call each other during the week to discuss the game, real life athletics, and one another’s life in general. HK is not only a place to have fun and enjoy an amazing game, but it has continued the mold of being a place to find friendships and a large network of connections across the globe.
- Thoughts on Madden 12
Madden 12 is actually an extremely fun game to play. Some will say that their is this or that wrong with it, but in reality the game plays fluid and has a ton of things that swing it into the positive for us. With the user picks, user catches, hit stick abilities, and precision passing you actually feel like you are “In the Game”. While we do not necessarily like the fact that the game’s online franchise depth is lacking, we have developed other ways to create a true gm style game. The best thing about the game is the in game experience. Nothing like taking a pick six to the house, or getting on a roll with a halfback to ice the game.
- Future Expectations for Hard Knocks and Madden 13
We expect Hard Knocks to run like a well oiled machine for Madden 13. Bob and Frisk have compiled a handbook and process through trial and error that will allow us to have structure. If online franchise goes untouched again HK will not be affected. Through the use of XFN and the improvements that they are making, the league will thrive again. The one thing we would like to see from Madden is a team specific logic regarding player management (cpu teams). This will add to the experience and would provide more competitive balance with those cpu teams when a league is not full. I look forward to continuing my role in administration and working together with guys I have never met, but I can call my friends.
