Academy Levels

[berksowl]

I was waiting to see if anyone was interested

It it possible we could get some labels of description of what this chart represents? Is 6000 represent the now-highest academy level (deluxe)? Are the numbers in the 2023 row percentages (though they don't add up to 100) or number of players (though we have far more players than that in the game)?

[GM-crowfan65]

the number across the top is academy level from 0=minimal to 10=deluxe
the year is the year the manager started playing the game
The total of all teams would be around 1400 whenever i did the graph

[GA-James018]

I was one of the near-originals and I found out about FTP coming from Battrick, which until FTP came along was the only other major cricket management game. I suspect most of the original user base came from Battrick too, so in that sense many of them may have been familiar with each other.

I wasn't, mind you. When FTP started, I'd just turned 14 years old. Way too young to be socialising with strangers on the internet in any major way

Me too. From memory, I joined in October 2007, with the club now called Irvine Phoenix and run by Dave11 (I quit for a couple years, which I now regret since I lost my HoF, etc.). I also came over from Battrick.

I played cricketmanager.co.uk prior to that. Wow, that was a frustrating game.

Hey, who is excited for Blackout Cricket? I'm sure it will launch any day now.

Funnily enough, I'm pretty sure I remember you from our early days in Battrick - I think I gave you advice on your first squad on that old Jumpers for Wickets site? Very bad advice, I suspect, from a kid who didn't yet know how these games worked

Does illustrate the point that, yes, the early FTP community probably started as an offshoot/breakaway from the Battrick community.

And yes, I too played Cricket Manager - awful game - and I too am still waiting for Blackout Cricket. (Insert the popular internet image of a skeleton sitting on a park bench.)

[Cynic]

Blackout managed to build an entire new version of their rugby game and probably forgot about the cricket one in the process.

[berksowl]

Me too. From memory, I joined in October 2007, with the club now called Irvine Phoenix and run by Dave11 (I quit for a couple years, which I now regret since I lost my HoF, etc.). I also came over from Battrick.

I was keen in those days, so asked for advice wherever and whenever I could!

[berksowl]

Blackout managed to build an entire new version of their rugby game and probably forgot about the cricket one in the process.

Their rugby game is beautiful, though I don't know enough about rugby to have stayed interested in it.

[berksowl]

the number across the top is academy level from 0=minimal to 10=deluxe
the year is the year the manager started playing the game
The total of all teams would be around 1400 whenever i did the graph

Thank you for that explanation. Makes total sense now. Except for those who started FTP in 2007 or 2008 and have lowest level academies. But could some of those teams be in Senior OD 1.1? I hope not, but I fear that it's entirely plausible.

Is there any data on average academy level of teams in Senior OD Div. 1, and YOD Div. 1? That would be interesting.

[GM-crowfan65]

only looking at teams in SOD or YOD

[berksowl]

Thank you Sir!

[boscorp]

This has got my mind ticking a bit....more so about youth nationality and quality. Is there much of a connection between paid up members and high academies? With choosing your players nationality being a drawcard of membership it may explain why so many good quality youth go to the same countries more often.
Can Nat managers hand out memberships to supporters with high academies to recruit for their country?

[Cynic]

I've been paid for probably a decade and maybe one NT quality youth every two or three years.

[boscorp]

It makes sense to me that a paid up member with the benefits that come with it are more likely to be interested in having a high academy and an interest in developing youth. (no pun intended)

[Cynic]

It makes sense to me that a paid up member with the benefits that come with it are more likely to be interested in having a high academy and an interest in developing youth. (no pun intended)

Sunk cost fallacy now personally. Combined academy does have its drawbacks and now it's maintaining a youth academy that doesn't have the HG players to justify its expenses. 21yos on the market are better than what my club coughs up.

But I signed up for it willingly, the rabbit hole is staying blocked.

[Muff]

A/S/L?

13, Yes Please, Latin

[boscorp]

It makes sense to me that a paid up member with the benefits that come with it are more likely to be interested in having a high academy and an interest in developing youth. (no pun intended)

Sunk cost fallacy now personally. Combined academy does have its drawbacks and now it's maintaining a youth academy that doesn't have the HG players to justify its expenses. 21yos on the market are better than what my club coughs up.

But I signed up for it willingly, the rabbit hole is staying blocked.

Maybe so but the recruits you can produce with your high academy are often the lifeblood of smaller nations.
Like theres a couple of decent 20 yr olds in your affiliate side There may be a few better 21 yos on the market but at least yours are still good enough to represent good old USA.