Option to choose topics prior to press conference.

[BruceyNTFC]

Obviously press conferences are something that hasn't changed greatly in a number of years, so was wondering if it would be possible for players to select a number of topics that they wish to bring up in their conferences as opposed to just answering questions.

For example, before entering the press conference you could be given a number of options, including - Opponents Tactical Style, Opposition Players, Your Players, Opponent Form, Rival Clubs, League Gossip, Transfer News and so on.

Within each of those would be further sub-options, so for example under tactical, you could choose to Praise, Question, Analyse, Criticise, the idea being that if you're going into a game with a team that have a certain setup or style, your picking up on it may allow you to unsettle the opponents into changing tactically if their manager has a low mind games rating etc. 

Opposition players could have similar options. You could discuss their recent form, any preferred moves that they have. You could praise them, or undermine them. If they're a recent signing you could question how quickly they will fit into the tactical plan, you could even question whether or not they're suited to the style of play of the manager. 

With your own players, you could talk about the recent form of players that have either been underperforming, if you want to give them a lift or explain an absence (obviously that could have negative impacts) and if they're in a rich run of form, you could talk about how instrumental they've been of late. 

Rival clubs you could comment on their upcoming fixtures if you want to put pressure on them, or you could try and target a team and talk about them on a weekly basis in an effort to build a feud and drive the dynamic rivalry rating between the two clubs. Whilst this is not too disimilar to what happens in game already, allowing the player to set the narrative creates more immersion and allows them to drive the game in the direction they want.

Transfers would be an opportunity for you to talk about new faces in the league, maybe in an effort to put pressure on your board to free up more transfer funds when a rival has signed someone and you want to keep pace. This would be a more public facing way of making a board request, or diverting pressure from yourself if your team are struggling, but of course would run the risk of antagonising your board and damaging that relationship. Conversely, you could praise your board for not spending silly money if another team has just broken a transfer record. 

I know these are outline ideas, but I think the basic notion of giving the player the opportunity to control the narrative prior to press conferences would give that added layer of immersion and make them feel more relevant and less of a chore.

[Zachary Whyte]

Thank you for the suggestion. This will be put under consideration.