I'm gonna have to disagree with you on this one. The "long haul" of recruiting is one of the things perfect about this game. And frequent checking is cool and exciting.

So you think checking 4 times a day is too many? I don't really see that. I also think that people grossly overestimate the value of every cycle. Miss some, it is fine. There are really only a few you need to be on for.

If you time it right you can check them pretty easily. Once you're dialed in I just check in like 20 minutes before the next cycle rolls, see if anything bad happened yet - wait til the cycle processes, see if anything new bad happened yet, return to normal programming for the next 5.5 hours, or, if its quiet enough, skip one even and come back in 8.5 hours

I do the same as dacj, checking every 6 hours. And I'll skip a cycle if it's an inconvenient time

If we change it I would consider leaving hd.

Posted by phillyboy107 on 10/31/2013 6:39:00 AM (view original):
If we change it I would consider leaving hd.

let's be real dude, you threaten to leave HD pretty frequently

I'm similar to dacj in terms of checking as well, try to double-up the cycles to get the total checks down. but the very specific checking windows make for a good number of inconvenient times.

i'm not necessarily saying the current setup is terrible...besides the 2-hour first cycle. that is terrible.

are we so sure the game would be worse with half as many cycles? you can check 4 times per day more at your leisure or check twice a day strategically. twice as much is now happening each cycle (at least in theory, could end up being more or less than that).

also it would be nice to go to bed knowing that missing the 2am-5am EST cycle won't potentially hurt your team

The pussification of america now striking HD

Posted by jetwildcat on 10/31/2013 8:36:00 AM (view original):
I'm similar to dacj in terms of checking as well, try to double-up the cycles to get the total checks down. but the very specific checking windows make for a good number of inconvenient times.

i'm not necessarily saying the current setup is terrible...besides the 2-hour first cycle. that is terrible.

are we so sure the game would be worse with half as many cycles? you can check 4 times per day more at your leisure or check twice a day strategically. twice as much is now happening each cycle (at least in theory, could end up being more or less than that).

also it would be nice to go to bed knowing that missing the 2am-5am EST cycle won't potentially hurt your team

I think reducing the number of cycles gives a bigger advantage to high prestige/big money schools, and those schools definitely don't need any more advantages.

Why are people so concerned about missing cycles, beyond the first couple? If you're in a battle and you miss the 2-5 EST cycle, just double up during the 5-8 cycle. Or add in extra effort in the 11-2 cycle before you go to sleep. Almost all battles are resolved at either 11 AM EST the day after signings or the 8 AM EST cycle the last day of signings, so you've got room to miss a cycle or two.

I'd like to see the opposite and have recruiting actions happen immediately. The last few minutes before the signing cycle would be madness. It would be a disaster overall, but entertaining.

the first cycle needs to be longer - no reason why one could not enter recruiting actions during say the 10 hours prior to the start of action.

Yes, you would not know if a SIM was on your guy until 6 pm ET.  Thats the risk.  Give a wide window for the first cycle, because it can often be extra important

This might be a dumb question but why are the first two or so periods so important?  ACN mentioned it and I have seen other people mention as well. 

Posted by acn24 on 10/31/2013 9:23:00 AM (view original):

Posted by jetwildcat on 10/31/2013 8:36:00 AM (view original):
I'm similar to dacj in terms of checking as well, try to double-up the cycles to get the total checks down. but the very specific checking windows make for a good number of inconvenient times.

i'm not necessarily saying the current setup is terrible...besides the 2-hour first cycle. that is terrible.

are we so sure the game would be worse with half as many cycles? you can check 4 times per day more at your leisure or check twice a day strategically. twice as much is now happening each cycle (at least in theory, could end up being more or less than that).

also it would be nice to go to bed knowing that missing the 2am-5am EST cycle won't potentially hurt your team

I think reducing the number of cycles gives a bigger advantage to high prestige/big money schools, and those schools definitely don't need any more advantages.

Why are people so concerned about missing cycles, beyond the first couple? If you're in a battle and you miss the 2-5 EST cycle, just double up during the 5-8 cycle. Or add in extra effort in the 11-2 cycle before you go to sleep. Almost all battles are resolved at either 11 AM EST the day after signings or the 8 AM EST cycle the last day of signings, so you've got room to miss a cycle or two.

How fast someone wins a "battle" has a lot to do with how much someone is winning by. The typical decision times you're referring to probably apply for true 'battles' that are close.

This situation is 100% possible:
2:00pm - Bobby Brown only considering you
5:00pm - Bobby Brown only considering Syracuse (Cuse obviously dumped a ton of cash before 5:00pm)
8:00pm - Bobby Brown signs with Syracuse

If you miss the 5pm-8pm cycle, you can lose a recruit and never be the wiser. This applies most directly to when signings start, but it's also possible on Day 3 that Bobby Brown is your backup option to another player you're battling. It can happen.