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g2ebebngmt1s's avatar
g2ebebngmt1s
Seasoned Newcomer
24 days ago

Aspiring Game Designer Sharing Realistic Ideas to Improve Career Mode

I’m an aspiring game designer and a long-time Career Mode player, and I’ve spent some time thinking about how the mode could evolve in a way that stays true to its current structure. The goal behind these ideas is to make Career Mode more dynamic, personal, and rewarding over long saves. Each concept is designed with feasibility in mind, although, of course, without internal knowledge of Electronic Arts systems, there are limits to what can realistically be assumed.

Summary of Ideas
Dynamic League Rankings (UEFA-style)

Leagues evolve based on European competition performance, similar to real UEFA coefficients. Strong performances increase a league’s ranking, unlocking more European spots and improving its global reputation. This directly affects player transfer preferences and club attractiveness. Over time, smaller leagues can rise while dominant ones decline, making long saves less predictable.

Tactical Sandbox Training

Training becomes a practical, on-pitch environment where managers can test tactics in controlled scrimmages. You can split your squad, assign different systems, and simulate match scenarios like pressing or buildup play. This allows experimentation without risking real matches. It also helps players adapt to new positions more naturally and prepares you for opponents by simulating their style.

Manager Skill Tree

Managers gain experience over time and develop through distinct paths such as tactician, motivator, youth developer, or negotiator. Each path offers meaningful upgrades that influence gameplay, squad development, and transfers. This adds a sense of identity and progression beyond just winning trophies. Different builds encourage varied playstyles and long-term replayability.

Player Personality Traits Over Time

Players gradually develop traits based on their performances and career paths, such as “Big Game Player,” “Club Legend,” or “Super Sub.” These traits influence morale, fan perception, and contract or transfer behavior. Over time, players feel less like static ratings and more like unique individuals. This creates organic storytelling within each save.

Career Mode Stats via Companion App

Long-term stats and records are stored externally through a companion app, avoiding save file bloat. Players can track all-time stats, compare different saves, and view milestones like top scorers or club legends. This adds historical depth that currently disappears season-to-season. It also extends engagement beyond the main game.

Manager Tools (Limited-Use Decisions)

Managers can unlock and use limited, one-time actions that reflect real-life influence in key moments. Examples include halftime team talks, short-term tactical boosts, or career decisions like pushing youth development. These tools must be earned and used strategically, adding tension and meaningful decision-making without breaking balance.

I’ve attached a more detailed breakdown covering system design, examples, and implementation considerations.

I’d be interested in hearing feedback.

career mode
manager career
player career

3 Replies

  • BBJSwiss's avatar
    BBJSwiss
    Seasoned Hotshot
    24 days ago

    You gotta put dollar signs behind every idea ;( EA rather hired psychologists to optimize how they make players frustrated to gain more money ^^ and this isn't a joke it really happened :( as every 5 year old could improve this game it's saddly wasted energy at this moment :/ scrapping everything and put out fifa 2006 with these graphics would already be a huge iprovement as well a bringing back manager mode features they deleted in the past ^^ as they don't make money except from fut they only care how to make people depressed to make more money :/ which should be banned by politicians which are stupid or don't care :( 

  • g2ebebngmt1s's avatar
    g2ebebngmt1s
    Seasoned Newcomer
    23 days ago

    I get where you’re coming from, a lot of people feel that way about the direction of the game, especially compared to older titles.

    My goal here isn’t really to argue about monetization or business decisions, but to focus on how Career Mode itself could improve as a system.

    Even small, well-designed changes can make a big difference to long-term saves, especially in terms of immersion and replayability.

    Curious though, out of the ideas above, is there anything you’d actually want to see, or anything you think wouldn’t work?

  • BBJSwiss's avatar
    BBJSwiss
    Seasoned Hotshot
    23 days ago

    Manager skill trees were in fifa 2004 if i remember this right then we also could improve the staff including stadium food corner and other stuff and it was only a bar from level 1 to 10 but it already was a great way to improve finances long term :/ 

    i honestly stopped playing manager mode long ago as soon as finances became an afterthought :( in the modern game if your salary is too big you just gain more money the next season which makes everything pointless :/ i always enjoyed the 4th division runs into bigger leagues and improving the squad with young talents to keep over leagues :/ 

    If i remember we already had player personality traits but, as with most they never were really having any impact, so it got removed later on -_- and i think it was the same with all time top scorer which probably only included current players but i thought that was in for 1-2 years as well.

    in the old editions we also could designate different trainings 1-3 times a week and depending on the numbers and if there was a training before a matchday the players had lower stamina in that game. Which was great to actually feel the impact of training to hard or having a rest day more.

    I would love if you would actually have a youth team that simulates their games and you could pick players between the teams if the have the age restrictions :/ but this is way to much effort for a mode that doesn't bring money sadly so i'm realistic and probably never buying a EA game again ;/

    Most of your things are in football manager so i guess EA also gave up as they lose this competition so they rather focus on there "competitive" gameplay money mode ^^.

    So a lot improvements were already IN THE GAME but EA decided against it over the years and focus on the moneymode ultimate team which is the only reason for me to waste money on a ea game. As EA games are a waste of money since some years ;(  

    I heard 2K is looking for people to make a football game ;) so this might be a place even if the similar problems with greed exist there ;/ but i would love to see more people like you get a chance to implement some ideas :) saddly EA doesn't seem the right spot as it is all on E sports give us 20k to be able to compete in the lottery gameplay focused -_-

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