NOTBPW Thread

[bookerman]

I've always liked playing NOTBPW and I was interested to see how they would turn out in 2013. I'm pretty happy that the roster remained mostly intact from 2010. They moved up to National level which helps with getting new talent on written deals. Here's a quick overview of the fed:

 

Product: Classic Wrestling. Clean finishes and long matches. Think 90's AJPW. In fact, that's a good way to book NOTBPW. You've got high end talent that's aging and some young talent that needs some seasoning before they are ready to move up. I like to use tags and 6-mans on the TV shows and save the singles matches for PPVs.

 

I'll continue to add more thoughts over the next day or two.

[Shadowsong]

My favourite promotion.

 

Talent wise, NOTPW seems to be in a slightly worse position than they were in 2010 with Jeremy Stone retired from in ring action and Dan Stone Jr only available for PPV shows. Although losing those two is a pretty big deal, there's still plenty of good wrestlers in NOTPW and using any combination of Duane Stone, Johnny Bloodstone, Steve DeColt and Sean Mcfly in main events will bring good results. Guys like Can-Am Blondes, John Maverick and Tim Westybrook are also good.

 

One thing I've noticed though is that many of these guys are getting old, all of the upper midcarders/main eventers are in their late 30s or early 40s so the younger guys are likely going to have to step up soon and most of them just aren't on the same level. I can't see any of the guys on the current roster becoming the next Dan Stone.

[Shadowsong]

<p>Sorry for the double post, but it's a shame to see this thread get no responses.</p><p> </p><p>

I'm enjoying my NOTBPW game so far but the fact the age of the main event wrestlers aswell as most of the upper midcarders is a bigger problem than I first thought. Owen Love is in physical decline and it's kinda difficult to get a good match out of him unless I pair him with one of the main event talents. Dan Stone only being available is also an annoyance. I've opened a dev territory and I've brought in some younger guys to the main roster like KC Glenn, Matthew Keith and Joss Thompson that I'm trying to build up. It feels like a race to get the younger guys over before my current main eventers go into time decline.</p><p> </p><p>

With that said, my game is going pretty well. DeColt, Bloodstone and McFly are still putting on excellent matches and so was Duane before he got injured (he's back in three days, but has been unable to compete for about 3 weeks now). My biggest problem right now is the financial situation:</p><p> </p><p>

<span>http://s1.postimage.org/6nsgss8nx/welp.png</span></p><p> </p><p>

Any advice? I've turned drug testing off completely but I'm still losing a lot of money. <img alt="" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/frown.png.e6b571745a30fe6a6f2e918994141a47.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p>

[I Rule Me]

You gotta find a way to get your production down. Your most recent month $880,000, which was up from your previous $640,000. If your production had remained the same, you would have been close to turning a profit so I don't know what you did to get your production up so much, but you gotta get that down. Your worker cost is going up too, each month. Driving down those two things and you're in the plus numbers. You're gonna have to let some people go, or restructure those contracts. Also try to get your PPV's on more carriers like in the US and Mexico. You're not getting much income from PPV's. Under $200,000.

[Shadowsong]

I think my production went up because I've started running a second shows. You're right about worker contracts, I wasn't too smart about that... I have 43 wrestlers on my main roster and another 27 in development. Hmm, I think a restart may be in order. This time I will be more about the amount of people I'm hiring!

[Wallbanger]

The short answer is -- you spent too much too soon. Economics are a different beast in '13 compared to '10. I'm guessing the CAN economy in your game is on the south side of C. Hopefully it's rising.

 

Revenue side first:

 

1. Are you using the default product? You may want to consider seeing if you can find a similar product that still takes advantage of what you have while giving you a boost in sponsorship. Of course any product change comes with a risk of fan rejection so tread carefully here.

 

Try this experiment:

 

Mainstream - Very Low to Low

Modern - Low to Medium

Pure - Medium to Low

 

Match Danger - 20% to 40%

Match Intensity - 80% to 65%

 

The key effects here:

--managers/personalities can now be used

--workers still rated much more on performance

--fans still won't care about characters/gimmicks

--fans still won't be keen on gimmicks

--fans still won't like risky gimmicks

--fans still won't get subtle gimmicks

--fans still want solid matches/clean finishes

--high risk matches are now palatable

--fans still will be put off on risky angles

--sponsorship improves from 'a little tough ' to 'favourable'

--All TV Network types are available

--Still would not have to run storylines

 

2. Get every dollar of media revenue you can. Have you gone after a US PPV deal? Are you getting enough revenue from your second TV show to justify the increased production costs?

 

3. Maximize the number of butts in seats. This will seem counter-intuitive, and it's harder to figure now than it was in '10, but depending on how strong your attendance estimates are, you may want to consider booking larger venues. Think of it this way, would you rather have a 90% full 15,000 seat venue or a 100% full 10,000 seat venue? It depends: will the 3,500 extra tickets you sell outpace the increased venue cost? If so, do it. In '13 you don't set your own ticket prices, so you're going to have to deduce your average ticket price by looking at ticket sales figures against your attendance numbers, and that's still only going to be an estimate. I'm not sure how ticket prices are determined or how frequently they are adjusted now, so there's some uncertainty here.

 

Now, expenses:

 

1. DO NOT go on a hiring spree in the first month. You have to see how your first month or two goes to see what kind of budget you have for expansion. Now, you can't get away with not hiring anyone, because you have a pretty crappy face/heel ratio to begin with. Your initial hiring parameters should be 1-2 workers who can portray faces who have at least a little bit of CAN popularity. Then find a few (no more than 3-4) solid, but low budget workers to fill out your lower card. Remember, even at National you can offer PPA's and short term contracts to workers and they won't be automatically rejected!

 

2. Investments? Not to start with. Defer the development territory for at least a few months. The workers you hire initially need to be jobbers, not working development.

 

3. Don't know if you've messed with your backstage rules, but you shouldn't have to do things like pay for transportation/accommodations as your backstage rating should be pretty strong already.

[Wallbanger]

The first three hires I would make:

 

Greg Black

Jacob Jett (and Katie Cameron)

DWN (yes, even nerfed he's a solid worker who won't risk your backstage rating)

[bookerman]

It's very easy to get a bloated roster quick. With NOTBPW, you need to decide which direction you want to go for now and in the future. Since the top half of the card is solid, you probably want to focus on filling out the mid/lower card with some tag teams, some female wrestlers with potential, and a few possible future single stars. You might want to grab a couple of solid workers who are over in Canada if you can. Shortlist some of CGC and 4Cs roster so you know when they become available for signing.

 

You may also want to look at swapping talent with TCW or SWF. Dan Stone Jr can be a nice piece to bargain with as can McFly. If you want some japanese talent, you can work with PGHW or BHOTWG since DSJ and Duane are both over in Japan. I haven't tried it yet, but you may be able to use your big stars to "package" younger workers to other areas. Yeah, you can trade McFly for Joey Minnesota, but why not throw in Erik Strong or Harlem Haynes as well to get some exposure, especially if you don't have a use for them. It's similar to how many New Japan wrestlers go on "excursion" for a few months and come back a bigger star than when they left.

[Capelli King]

I have always wanted to try NOTBPW, but never got down to it. I also noticed their limitations with their top end basically getting older, Jeremy retired and their younger talent not there yet. I noticed a pretty much similar situation with PGHW in Japan

[Shadowsong]

Thanks for the tips. I did have a PPV deal with a US company but NOTBPW has zero popularity in other areas so I didn't bother to try getting a deal in the UK, Japan or Mexico. I'm only going to sign a few workers this time around, hopefully things work out better. IIRC SWF tend to refuse all working agreements but TCW usually accept. Is it even possible to loan out Dan? He's on a PPV only contract.

 

I have always wanted to try NOTBPW, but never got down to it. I also noticed their limitations with their top end basically getting older, Jeremy retired and their younger talent not there yet. I noticed a pretty much similar situation with PGHW in Japan

 

This is why I opened a developmental territory straight away. All of NOTBPW's best wrestlers are all at least in their late 30s and while most of them can still go, it's not going to be long before they start hitting physical decline and the younger guys on the starting roster such as Mark Griffin, Erik Strong and Mighty Cavanagh are nowhere near good enough to replace them.

[bookerman]

NOTBPW Challenges:

 

Top of roster is thin - You've got 5 workers capable of consistent high end matches - McFly, DSJ, Duane, DeColt, and JohnnyB. The next tier is solid, but no real challengers to the top. Hayes and Maverick are good gateways to the ME, but not really high end contenders. I imagine with enough momentum, you could make them viable contenders for a match or two, but I think they are best served to help train up the rest of the roster. Westybrook holds the TV title, but isn't a great worker. Love/Natural - keep together or split up?

 

What to do with the tag titles - Do you keep them on the Aces (Watson/Johnson) and have them defend vs other midcard teams or put them on a higher team (Can-Am Blondes, DSJ+Duane, DeColt/JB, Maverick/???) and use them for MEs on occassion?

 

Heel/Face divide - the roster is heel heavy. I tend to remove the divide which allows for more interesting matchups. McFly vs DSJ or Duane, DeColt vs Maverick, etc

 

Women's division - keep or purge? Who to hire to bolster the roster?

 

Pros for NOTBPW - starting cash ($5M), backstage is high (around 90%), TV and PPV (need US PPV deal), solid midcard workers, no need to invest in Creativity with default product and heel/face off (no gimmicks/turns) - can focus on motivation and negotiation.

[Wallbanger]

NOTBPW Challenges:

 

Top of roster is thin - You've got 5 workers capable of consistent high end matches - McFly, DSJ, Duane, DeColt, and JohnnyB. The next tier is solid, but no real challengers to the top. Hayes and Maverick are good gateways to the ME, but not really high end contenders. I imagine with enough momentum, you could make them viable contenders for a match or two, but I think they are best served to help train up the rest of the roster. Westybrook holds the TV title, but isn't a great worker. Love/Natural - keep together or split up?

 

What to do with the tag titles - Do you keep them on the Aces (Watson/Johnson) and have them defend vs other midcard teams or put them on a higher team (Can-Am Blondes, DSJ+Duane, DeColt/JB, Maverick/???) and use them for MEs on occassion?

 

Heel/Face divide - the roster is heel heavy. I tend to remove the divide which allows for more interesting matchups. McFly vs DSJ or Duane, DeColt vs Maverick, etc

 

Women's division - keep or purge? Who to hire to bolster the roster?

 

Pros for NOTBPW - starting cash ($5M), backstage is high (around 90%), TV and PPV (need US PPV deal), solid midcard workers, no need to invest in Creativity with default product and heel/face off (no gimmicks/turns) - can focus on motivation and negotiation.

 

These are all good observations, and while I might quibble with a couple of things I don't think anything here is outright wrong.

 

Your primary objective in the first few months is to maintain your position while you build up and/or acquire the talent for the current main eventers to pass the torch to. Get workers on your shortlist who are less than 35 years old, "a draw" in Canada and are "good in-ring workers" so that you're ready to negotiate the first day you can. If the workers are younger you can relax your standards to "recognizable" and "decent in-ring workers" because you are still getting them on their rise. Because your locker room is so solid, you can take a chance on one or two bad attitudes, but no more than that. Pull out all the stops - promise the sun, moon, stars, and your firstborn - to get an Angry Gilmore, a Joey Minnesota, a Wolf Hawkins if you are lucky enough to have their contract come up early.

 

Re: the tag titles - This has always kind of bugged me; NOTBPW has great tag teams, but the tag title is midcard. I tend to change it to Floating, but once you put it on a main event team, getting it off them without a morale hit can be tricky. Also, the wide difference in push between Julian Watson and Jared Johnson can cause some headaches. I think slowly moving the titles down the card is your best bet here. My first candidates to take the titles off the aces are Harrison Hash and Erik Strong. You also need to go out and get one or two good, experienced face tag teams to start building up. I love the concept of Fighting Irish, but sadly neither member is really solid enough to be used extensively, plus Jason O'Connor makes a poor face.

 

Re: Can-Am Blondes - If you split and feud them, Owen is the better face. I've yet to see him in decline at the beginning of a game, while The Natural is there more often than not. Both Owen and Natural CAN be legit Canadian Champions if the RNG gods are kind to them for decline.

 

Women's division - hell yes you keep them - it is a cheap source of solid undercard matches. Go and get the best in ring workers you can for the division regardless of Canadian overness; expand to 8-12 women. I would cut Larren and Mushashibo before the end of the first month, the quality isn't there.

 

Yes, the face/heel divide is a challenge, but I tend to stick with it as I feel no divide goes against the spirit of the product. You have a few valid choices for turning face in the roster, and there are a handful of skilled face workers with Canadian overness that you can get at the outset.

[bookerman]

Some of my thoughts are colored by me seeing NOTBPW as North American Puro. More personal bias than anything. This is why I see the face/heel divide as not needed. To put on the best matches possible, you need everyone to be able to take on anyone, regardless of their "alignment".

 

Women's wrestling falls into that as well. Never really been a fan. From a TEW perspective, it's certainly helpful for the promotion, but not really something I could get into.

 

I agree about the main event scene. One suggestion is to create an Alliance or Working Agreement with TCW and maybe PGHW (Holmes) to import some talent in for fresh matches. A 3 match series of McFly vs Tommy or Wolf could be interesting. DSJ vs Holmes. DeColt vs RDJ. Certainly some options.

 

I go back and forth on the tag titles. Do I want a tag division of strictly tag workers (think late 80's WWF with Demos, Bulldogs, Strike Force, etc) or singles wrestlers paired together near the top of the card (Chono/Tenzan, Kawada/Taue, Kobashi/Akiyama, etc)?

 

Thanks for the feedback. Prior to 2013, I think NOTBPW has been seen as an "easy" promotion where you can get high grades fairly easily. With the loss of 3 top workers (Jeremy, Dark Angel, and DSJ for PPVs only), it's more difficult to manage and grow the company than it has been.

[Shadowsong]

I still think it's one of the easiest promotions to play. If you look at the kind of grades the shows are getting when the AI is running NOTBPW, it's just insane. Most of the time they will have at least one 90+ rated match (although they do tend to spam matches like DeColt vs McFly over and over, which would cause repetitive booking penalties if the player did it).

 

Unless you get really unlucky with destiny roles, most of your main event guys still have a few years at least where they can keep going strong. Also, you can get Dan Stone Jr on a regular contract when it comes up for renewal, although if he has already hit physical decline it might be harder.

 

The main challenge is probably trying to phase out the old guys as they hit decline and finding younger talent that are good enough to replace them (most of the young guys on the starting roster aren't ready yet).

[I Rule Me]

Women's division - hell yes you keep them - it is a cheap source of solid undercard matches. Go and get the best in ring workers you can for the division regardless of Canadian overness; expand to 8-12 women. I would cut Larren and Mushashibo before the end of the first month, the quality isn't there.

 

umm.. WHAT? Mushashibo I understand, but Larren is actually pretty good and still better than Kristabel Plum. Fuyuko is probably the best available you can sign, but she comes with the negative backstage traits, but considering the locker room morale in NOTBPW, it won't affect it really so you might as well bring her in. Nadia Snow has potential. Her highest skills are brawling and chain wrestling at C-, but she's got C+ psychology, good basics, consistency and athleticism, with B selling B+ stamina. So if you can get her stats up, ultimately she can put on long matches with quality grades.

 

Zoe Ammis, Sara Marie York, and Danielle Sweetheart are pretty decent pickups too. Brooke Tyler has the makings of a really good wrestler, her hangup is that she has really poor psychology. She's 19 so she can definitely improve in that area and at that age, you'll get plenty of life out of her in NOTBPW. C+ chain wrestling, B- mat wrestling, and C+ submissions with 5 performance skills and abilities over B-, she can't cut promos, but she's got charisma, great sex appeal and a B+ star quality, so you'd be crazy to pass on her.

 

Bring these girls in and you've got a healthy, vibrant women's division.

 

As far as helping build the younger guys up and help improve their stats, you can sign gate keepers like Fumihiro and Buddy Garner. Buddy would probably get some good ratings out of the main event guys since his technical stats are A's.

[Wallbanger]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="I Rule Me" data-cite="I Rule Me" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="34936" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>umm.. WHAT? Mushashibo I understand, but Larren is actually pretty good and <strong>still better than Kristabel Plum</strong>.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I'm sorry, but that's demonstrably false.</p><p> </p><p> Let's compare numbers, shall we?</p><p> </p><p> Brawling: Plum +1</p><p> Puro: Plum +26</p><p> Hardcore: Plum +14</p><p> <strong>Mat: Plum +30</strong></p><p><strong> Chain: Plum +25</strong></p><p><strong> Submission: Plum +43</strong></p><p> Aerial: Even</p><p> Flash: Plum + 15</p><p> </p><p> So on top row stats, Kris doesn't lose a single category, and dominates in the ones most critical to NOTBPW's product (Technical).</p><p> </p><p> Microphone: Plum +24</p><p> Charisma: Plum +22</p><p> Acting: Plum +32</p><p> </p><p> In fairness, given NOTBPW's base product, entertainment skills aren't emphasized as much, but still a pretty wide gap.</p><p> </p><p> Athleticism: Plum +10</p><p> Toughness: Plum +4</p><p> Stamina: Plum +13</p><p> Power: Larren +4</p><p> </p><p> So Roz is a little stronger, but otherwise Kris is the better athlete.</p><p> </p><p> Now Performance skills is the one area where Larren has an edge, but there's a flaw here too:</p><p> </p><p> Basics: Larren +6</p><p> Psychology: Larren +8</p><p> Safety: Larren +12</p><p> <strong>Consistency: Plum +18</strong></p><p> Selling: Larren +16</p><p> </p><p> Roz is the more experienced hand in the ring (and has jobbed a bit more given her selling advantage), but is more prone to off nights.</p><p> </p><p> Sex Appeal: Plum +9</p><p> <strong>Star Quality: Plum +26</strong></p><p> Resilience: Larren +4</p><p> </p><p> Of the misc stats, the only one that really matters is Star Quality, and Kris is clearly stronger there - this is also reflected in the fact that she starts with D popularity across Canada, better than anyone else in the division, Lauren Easter included.</p><p> </p><p> Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that Kris is a great worker; Lauren Easter bests her handily across the board, and Amber Allen is on par with her despite being 7 years younger. Sally Anne Christianson is a little behind Kris, but she's 8 years younger. Heck, just on the numbers I'd keep Kinuye before I kept Roz, because Kinyue should still be on the rise.</p>

[I Rule Me]

<p>Incorrect. I saw this post and immediately had to go into TEW to verify. Which prompted me to do this..</p><p> </p><p>

The below screen shot is of Plum's stats.</p><p> </p><p>

<a href="http://i45.tinypic.com/14b8807.jpg" rel="external nofollow">http://i45.tinypic.com/14b8807.jpg</a></p><p> </p><p>

Now here's Lauren's.</p><p> </p><p>

<a href="http://i49.tinypic.com/333v69j.jpg" rel="external nofollow">http://i49.tinypic.com/333v69j.jpg</a></p><p> </p><p>

Notice a difference? Lauren has C+ in mat wrestling and chain wrestling while Plum has C- and D+ respectively. Plum's basics and psychology are C+ and C- respectively while Lauren's are B and C+ respectively. Lauren is also 25 while Plum is 32. I don't know where you got your stats from, but they're not from the game. Because to ensure that the stats weren't reflective on my save, I checked the editor. Plum is an inferior worker to Easter.</p>

[jhd1]

You seem to be comparing Lauren Easter to Kristabel Plum, while Wallbanger is comparing Roz Larren.

[I Rule Me]

I just noticed that.. My mistake. Carry on.

[Wallbanger]

Oops. <img alt="" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/wink.png.686f06e511ee1fbf6bdc7d82f6831e53.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />

[I Rule Me]

I started a new game to run some tests with NOTBPW, and I've kind of come to the conclusion that the age of the main event guys wouldn't be such an issue if the upper card guys weren't already getting up there in age. Hash is 37, Maverick is 37, RK Hayes is 41, and then you've got The Natural being 41. You almost like have to start using the upper card guys to build up the midcard guys so you can get them in place to take their spots and work with the top guys. Then that way at least you've got a good year to work them with the main eventers and start phasing them out. Seems kind of mind boggling that the Stones haven't at least positioned ONE fresh star in 2 years.

[Teh_Showtime]

I started a new game to run some tests with NOTBPW, and I've kind of come to the conclusion that the age of the main event guys wouldn't be such an issue if the upper card guys weren't already getting up there in age. Hash is 37, Maverick is 37, RK Hayes is 41, and then you've got The Natural being 41. You almost like have to start using the upper card guys to build up the midcard guys so you can get them in place to take their spots and work with the top guys. Then that way at least you've got a good year to work them with the main eventers and start phasing them out. Seems kind of mind boggling that the Stones haven't at least positioned ONE fresh star in 2 years.

 

Edd Stone, the savior of Canadian Wrestling

[TakerNGN74]

To those of you who are playing a save with NOTBPW how is it going? I have been doing pretty well I had over 50 shows in a row get a B- or better. But recently I haven't been able to get better than a C+ and it's really starting to get annoying. Is anyone else having problems like I am?

[Dragonmack]

I started a new game to run some tests with NOTBPW, and I've kind of come to the conclusion that the age of the main event guys wouldn't be such an issue if the upper card guys weren't already getting up there in age. Hash is 37, Maverick is 37, RK Hayes is 41, and then you've got The Natural being 41. You almost like have to start using the upper card guys to build up the midcard guys so you can get them in place to take their spots and work with the top guys. Then that way at least you've got a good year to work them with the main eventers and start phasing them out. Seems kind of mind boggling that the Stones haven't at least positioned ONE fresh star in 2 years.

 

They're probably waiting to steal Sean Deeley. If anyone is a perfect fit for their product, he is. Almost surprised that hasn't already happened. And really, although they are aging, they haven't had to make a new star. Jeremy retires, so Duane comes home.

Maverick and Hash, unless they are on the age decline list, probably give you another 5-7 years of quality performance, so they can slot right in for any current main eventer that retires or leaves. Realistically, although you can't really replace an iconic performer like Jeremy and Dan Stone Jr, they still have a solid main event scene for at least 2-3 years and who knows who they could bring in, like Steve DeColt in 2010, if necessary to bolster that as necessary.

 

For instance, Steven Parker is Canadian and Davis Wayne Newton is right in their back yard. I already mentioned Shooter Sean Deeley and Art Reed might be enticed to finish out in NOTPBW, being Stone trained. All would work well in their product, and Deeley and Parker have that top champion potential of a McFly,Stone or DeColt in terms of skill. They just need overness

[Boltinho]

<p>OK - for whatever reason I'm playing with The Machine in an MP game. I've never played with them before. Not even one show. So I could use a little help.</p><p> </p><p>

It's a fun game but a little competitive edge. The other players are USPW, SWF and CGC and we all want to do well but not be too gamey.</p><p> </p><p>

My basic approach is just use my top boys for 2 feuds and then desperately try to build some fresh blood into potential major players below that.</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Steve DeColt is going after Dan Stone Jr.</strong></p><p>

This will give me a few great matchups at PPVs but with Dan only available at them how can I extend it to TV? Sure Steve can chat about Jr but how can I use those in-ring skills to push the feud?</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Bloodstone has the belt. McFly wants it.</strong></p><p>

He's unlikely to get it but Seany doesnt know that. This is going to be my main feud but there's only so many ways to expand this into tag, 3v3 matches etc. ideas?</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Womens division. </strong></p><p>

Errrm. Any ideas?</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>tag division</strong></p><p>

Probaby going to have Omar and Harlem feud with the Can-Am blondes. Just for the ratings really and I also think tag titles should be a major title.</p><p> </p><p>

I've made a few signings - mostly super talented in-ring guys like KC Glenn, the Keiths etc. They'll be getting some TV time as much as possible and probably some minor feuds with the likes of The Business, Westybrook, Gentleman James King, Harrison Hash etc.</p><p> </p><p>

So basically any tips on running this lot as it's pretty alien to me.</p><p> </p><p>

Thanks</p>