When recruiting, you can promise a player that he will start or that he will receive a certain amount of playing time. The game tracks whether you keep those promises. If you don’t, the player will complain, his work ethic (WE) will drop, and your coach reputation can suffer.
When you promise a certain amount of playing time to a player, they expect it each game and not to just average it. When that promise is not met for a game they may get upset, it depends on the player.
To meet promises you'll want to make sure that your player is at the top of your depth chart and is set to be used in your formations and playbooks. You may also need to adjust their rest setting to a lower value to keep them in longer.
- Checks begin shortly after recruiting ends. The first check for a promise happens within a short window after the recruiting period closes (between 2-5 games). A player can fall short of a promise for a little while before the check catches it.
- Not every eligible player complains. Each time the check runs, only a small share of the players who qualify actually send a complaint. Players who aren’t selected are checked again on the next run, so a missed promise can catch up later.
NOTE: Redshirted players are exempt from the promise check.
Promised Starts
First complaint. A player becomes eligible to complain when all of the following are true:
- He is not a redshirt.
- He did not start the team’s most recent game.
- His starts are below what he was promised relative to the number of games the team has played.
If he complains, his work ethic drops. The more starts he has missed, the larger the drop.
Follow-up. After the complaint, the game waits until the player has appeared in a couple more games, then reviews how things went (within 3 games).
- Positive outcome: The player missed no starts in that stretch the player will regain most of the work ethic he lost. He will send you a positive message.
- Negative outcome: The player takes another work ethic hit and your coach loses a reputation point. He will send you a follow up, negative message.
Promised Playing Time
First complaint. This check runs in the same window as promised starts. The game compares the share of his unit’s plays that the player is taking part in, against the amount of playing time you promised. If his share falls short of the promise, he complains. What counts as the “unit’s plays” depends on his position:
- Offensive positions are measured against rushing and passing attempts.
- Kickers are measured against extra point and field goal attempts.
- Other positions are measured against the plays relevant to their unit.
The work ethic drop is based on how much playing time you promised, so bigger promises mean bigger consequences when they are broken.
Follow-up. A short time after the first complaint, the game runs the same check again (within 3-13 days).
- Positive outcome: The player is now getting the playing time he was promised and regains most of his lost work ethic.
- Negative outcome: He takes another work ethic hit and your coach loses a reputation point. He will send you a follow up, negative message.