How do you Plan?

[The_Monk]

Sorry if this has been asked and please feel free to point me in the right direction as still new to this, but am a long way down the road to what I used be.

 

My question is how do people plan/roadmap their companies.

 

I'm currently running 21CW (having a blast) and I use the notepad for some little bits but most of the time I try and keep stuff in my head. but theres a lot to remember.

 

For example I might want X and Y to feud. And they are tag team partners currently, I'm aiming for a kind of rockers storyline. I want the feud to last 3-4 PPVs, so how do people plan their roadmap out to the conclusion of the story?

 

do you just use the notepad or any other software?

[liontamer]

I don't really for most storylines. All I put is something like "ross henry over Bryan Holmes" as the feud title so I can recall the winner since I want a certain person to be champ or move up to a title shot. Or I'll name it for a turning char. that's it. the rest is on the fly for me.

[The_Monk]

<p>yeah see I didn't know if anyone out there micro managed so that they planned out in advance how they woul dhave the story pan out.</p><p>

ie. show one would see X angle and X match, moving through the weeks ahead and the PPVs so it all come together at the end</p>

[boble]

<p>I usually have a piece of paper, where I write down my storylines, and mark certain people.</p><p> </p><p> For example I have 2 brands, and 4 to 5 storylines with up to 8 poeple in both, I usually mark my title winners, and have a list of people I want to get over.</p><p> </p><p> I then let the Auto Booker do a first set of matches and angles, and then just go in and edit them, so those I want to get over can win.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="41693" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Looks a bit like this:<p> </p><p> Elite------------------------------------------------ Supreme</p><p> </p><p> </p><ol style="list-style-type:decimal;"><li>Face---------------Heel-------------------------Face--------------Heel<br /></li><li>Trent Shaffer----James Prudence(NA)--------Angry Gilmore---Wolf Hawkins<br /></li><li>Jimmy Hernandez---Rich Money------------Champagene Lover---Remo(W)<br /></li><li>Joey Morgan(B)------Squeeky Mc Clean<br /> <br /></li><li>Tier 2<br /></li><li>Ross Henry----------Paul Huntington------------Ekuma-----Roger Cage<br /></li><li>Sammy Bach------Spencer Spade* -----------Randy Bumpfhole-Frederique(TT)<br /></li><li>------------------------------------------------Elmo Benson Mr. Lucha (TT)<br /></li></ol><p></p><p> and so on</p></div></blockquote></div><p></p><p></p>

[Gungner]

I use the notepad, where I have my storylines for the next three months written down, along with potential new gimmicks and turns for different workers. And if I'm not at my computer, and I get what I think is an awesome idea, I'll write it down on my phone <img alt="" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/tongue.png.ceb643b2956793497cef30b0e944be28.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />

[marsupial311]

I plan out my title matches for about six months at a time and the PPV matches for my major feuds for as long as I plan on keeping the feud going (which can change depending on chemistry/heat) then play through some shows. My TV shows are usually just a lot of hype angles and throwaway matches to build momentum towards the PPV with a standard tag or six man match main event to pull a reasonable rating while advancing a bunch of stories.

[TheChef]

<p>I have an idea of where I want to go, how long I want certain guys to hold onto the titles and so on, but it's flexible depending on heat, chemistry, overness, injuries, etc.</p><p> </p><p>

Shorter term, I write down the names of my workers, either on paper or the notepad, ordered by push, then pair up guys who will face off at the next PPV. Then, I use the pre-booker to book the PPV and then the 4 weekly TV shows are booked on the fly while moving towards the PPV matches. I also never give away those matches on free TV, but will mix two or more feuds in tag matches, run-ins, etc.</p>

[lr10540]

I just plan my top match on the biggest show of the year. Everything else is really on the fly based on who's getting over, who I'm having fun booking, injuries etc... I keep my two workers that I plan on having main event that show apart all year until they're ready to feud. They're also booked incredibly strong so you have an Unstoppable Force vs Immovable Object type match.

[The_Monk]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="boble" data-cite="boble" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="41693" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I usually have a piece of paper, where I write down my storylines, and mark certain people.<p> </p><p> For example I have 2 brands, and 4 to 5 storylines with up to 8 poeple in both, I usually mark my title winners, and have a list of people I want to get over.</p><p> </p><p> I then let the Auto Booker do a first set of matches and angles, and then just go in and edit them, so those I want to get over can win.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> YEp this was the kinda thing I was thinking........</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Gungner" data-cite="Gungner" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="41693" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I use the notepad, where I have my storylines for the next three months written down, along with potential new gimmicks and turns for different workers. And if I'm not at my computer, and I get what I think is an awesome idea, I'll write it down on my phone <img alt=":p" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/tongue.png.ceb643b2956793497cef30b0e944be28.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Haha I work with computers all day and have found my self jotting ideas into a notepad file in my googledrive. I find the game notepad a bit restrictive</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="marsupial311" data-cite="marsupial311" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="41693" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I plan out my title matches for about six months at a time and the PPV matches for my major feuds for as long as I plan on keeping the feud going (which can change depending on chemistry/heat) then play through some shows. My TV shows are usually just a lot of hype angles and throwaway matches to build momentum towards the PPV with a standard tag or six man match main event to pull a reasonable rating while advancing a bunch of stories.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Yeah ive been doing the tag and six man matches etc or even triple threats and stuff</p>

[rd_dbacks01]

I might have one or two things in mind, but for the most part I just wing it.

[Stennick]

<p>I have a pretty complex planning system. When I start a game the first thing I like to do is use the original roster to start. I hate when in years past people would play USPW and then release the Hillbilly's and Eric the Bull and whoever. So I go through the roster and I develop feuds based on that. Sometimes I'll bring in an extra guy or two to round out the feuds but usually not a "main event guy". </p><p> </p><p>

From there I take each feud and I plan three months of television and pay per views for each feud. Then after I plug in each storyline in that weeks show I use the filler time to connect the storylines to each other or to use new talent.</p>

[The_Monk]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Stennick" data-cite="Stennick" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="41693" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I have a pretty complex planning system. When I start a game the first thing I like to do is use the original roster to start. I hate when in years past people would play USPW and then release the Hillbilly's and Eric the Bull and whoever. So I go through the roster and I develop feuds based on that. Sometimes I'll bring in an extra guy or two to round out the feuds but usually not a "main event guy". <p> </p><p> From there I take each feud and I plan three months of television and pay per views for each feud. Then after I plug in each storyline in that weeks show I use the filler time to connect the storylines to each other or to use new talent.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> And do you jot all this down? if so using what? ingame notepad? or something else</p>

[Historian]

I have a 'TEW Notebook' that I plan some stuff in -- especially long term things, but the way my brain works, I'm able to keep just about everything in my head.

 

I also use the storylines section to write things to myself. That way in the description, I can see where the storyline is supposed to go (after all, no one is reading it but me).

 

I also tend to plan two months in advance for where I'm going, sometimes longer. I tend to book through my championship changes.

[Remianen]

<p>I'm a shameless micromanager. I typically have my top 10 workers with goals for each that I then structure my booking around. Nothing's set in stone (except for the workers themselves). I keep my notes in a physical notebook (since I can't take TEW everywhere with me to use the ingame notepad) and I typically keep one notebook for each TEW save that I'm actively interested in. For example:</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="41693" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Cutting the Cord</span></strong>: Pentatonic (Ava Anderson & Lily Snyder) vs Franchise Players (Amber Allen & Steffi Chee)<p> <span style="text-decoration:underline;">Minor roles</span>: Suzanne Brazzle [Lily Snyder's mentor], Raku Makuda & Emma May, Melody [Emma May's mentor]</p><p> <span style="text-decoration:underline;">Goal</span>: Improve Ava & Lily's in-ring skills and tag team experience</p><p> <span style="text-decoration:underline;">Runtime</span>: 1-3 years</p></div></blockquote><p> The gist of the storyline revolves around Suzanne (who is heel) complaining to Melody & Steffi (also heels) that her protegé refuses to win by any means necessary. Then a non-title match against Crackdown where Suzanne tosses a roll of quarters into the ring for Lily to use but Lily kicks it out of the ring....into the hands of Vinny Cruz who tosses them back in and Toni Parissi hits Lily with them and pins her. Then they get an earful from Suzanne while heading back to the locker room. Eventually, they'll face Melody & Brazzle in a PPV match and by then, they should be skilled and over enough to make it worthwhile.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> At the beginning of the game, I go through the roster (once it's assembled) and decide who I want to develop primarily and then who would be suited to help them develop. Like, my latest storyline involves Team Ground & Pound (Huntress Makiko & Karen Bilous) w/Emmy vs Generation Next (Ariel Breaks & Maria Guest) w/Joy DeWitt vs Future Shock (Thea Davis & Velvet Suarez) w/Lucia Valencia vs Death From Below (Jaguar Endo & Kamikaze Kaede [sugiyama]) w/Lillian O'Donahue. The goal is to develop the in-ring skills of Ariel, Maria, Thea, and Velvet and since Kaede improved A LOT from her time in NOTBPW, she makes for a pretty good trainer as well. The managers have minor roles because several of them are in a storyline with Emma Chase, who is the onscreen owner. If you want a title shot or a special match of some kind, you have your manager talk to the woman in charge. So the managers are developed too.</p>

[KnowYourEnemy]

I'm very much functional with my booking. I work backwards from an end goal (i.e. getting wrestler A to main event) and insert storylines to reach that purpose -- usually I get behind one wrestler at a time (say, a NBT) and use storylines to build challengers.

[Woodsmeister]

I use excel and have a number of tabs including roster, storylines, road map, title rankings.

[The_Monk]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Historian" data-cite="Historian" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="41693" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I have a 'TEW Notebook' that I plan some stuff in -- especially long term things, but the way my brain works, I'm able to keep just about everything in my head.<p> </p><p> I also use the storylines section to write things to myself. That way in the description, I can see where the storyline is supposed to go (after all, no one is reading it but me). </p><p> </p><p> I also tend to plan two months in advance for where I'm going, sometimes longer. I tend to book through my championship changes.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Never thought of using the story line description like that....that's a good idea</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Remianen" data-cite="Remianen" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="41693" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I'm a shameless micromanager. I typically have my top 10 workers with goals for each that I then structure my booking around. Nothing's set in stone (except for the workers themselves). I keep my notes in a physical notebook (since I can't take TEW everywhere with me to use the ingame notepad) and I typically keep one notebook for each TEW save that I'm actively interested in. For example:<p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> The gist of the storyline revolves around Suzanne (who is heel) complaining to Melody & Steffi (also heels) that her protegé refuses to win by any means necessary. Then a non-title match against Crackdown where Suzanne tosses a roll of quarters into the ring for Lily to use but Lily kicks it out of the ring....into the hands of Vinny Cruz who tosses them back in and Toni Parissi hits Lily with them and pins her. Then they get an earful from Suzanne while heading back to the locker room. Eventually, they'll face Melody & Brazzle in a PPV match and by then, they should be skilled and over enough to make it worthwhile.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> At the beginning of the game, I go through the roster (once it's assembled) and decide who I want to develop primarily and then who would be suited to help them develop. Like, my latest storyline involves Team Ground & Pound (Huntress Makiko & Karen Bilous) w/Emmy vs Generation Next (Ariel Breaks & Maria Guest) w/Joy DeWitt vs Future Shock (Thea Davis & Velvet Suarez) w/Lucia Valencia vs Death From Below (Jaguar Endo & Kamikaze Kaede [sugiyama]) w/Lillian O'Donahue. The goal is to develop the in-ring skills of Ariel, Maria, Thea, and Velvet and since Kaede improved A LOT from her time in NOTBPW, she makes for a pretty good trainer as well. The managers have minor roles because several of them are in a storyline with Emma Chase, who is the onscreen owner. If you want a title shot or a special match of some kind, you have your manager talk to the woman in charge. So the managers are developed too.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> quite like this approach..</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Woodsmeister" data-cite="Woodsmeister" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="41693" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I use excel and have a number of tabs including roster, storylines, road map, title rankings.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I like this idea....any chance you could share that with me?? id be interested in seeing how that works</p><p> </p><p> all these ideas are great and I reckon I could use a nice hybred of them</p>

[gord]

I'm an Excel user too - one tab has my main and development roster (plus a few other notes), then a tab for each storyline that I'm running, plus I track popularity and momentum for company and each wrestler, then ratings for each wrestler that I can sort.

[The_Monk]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="gord" data-cite="gord" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="41693" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I'm an Excel user too - one tab has my main and development roster (plus a few other notes), then a tab for each storyline that I'm running, plus I track popularity and momentum for company and each wrestler, then ratings for each wrestler that I can sort.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> again would be interested in possibly seeing this?</p>

[lavelleuk]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="The_Monk" data-cite="The_Monk" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="41693" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>again would be interested in possibly seeing this?</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I use word tables for roster and another word document for shows. I start with working out a I try to get a years worth of ppv matches so I know what big matches I want on biggest shows and create the feuds then turn that into what the tv show will be. Also helps not create many repeat matches, in TEW 2013 I had a 10+ year game and still managed to get main eventers having fist time matches at big PPVs despite being on the roster together for 5 or 6 years.</p><p> </p><p> The roster tables have the important stats in for the company I am, current on is just:</p><p> </p><p> <a href="http://s1193.photobucket.com/user/lavelleuk2000/media/Capture_1.png.html" rel="external nofollow"><span>http://i1193.photobucket.com/albums/aa348/lavelleuk2000/Capture_1.png</span></a></p><p> </p><p> shows like:</p><p> </p><p> <a href="http://s1193.photobucket.com/user/lavelleuk2000/media/Capture2.png.html" rel="external nofollow"><span>http://i1193.photobucket.com/albums/aa348/lavelleuk2000/Capture2.png</span></a></p><p> </p><p> Not all segments have as much writing as that but enough so I can get a picture of what's going on in the story. Plus this way I can keep track of wins and losses for recent fortunes, have main events planned for good show ratings etc</p><p> </p><p> Hope that helps in some way!</p>

[The_Monk]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="lavelleuk" data-cite="lavelleuk" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="41693" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I use word tables for roster and another word document for shows. I start with working out a I try to get a years worth of ppv matches so I know what big matches I want on biggest shows and create the feuds then turn that into what the tv show will be. Also helps not create many repeat matches, in TEW 2013 I had a 10+ year game and still managed to get main eventers having fist time matches at big PPVs despite being on the roster together for 5 or 6 years.<p> </p><p> The roster tables have the important stats in for the company I am, current on is just:</p><p> </p><p> <a href="http://s1193.photobucket.com/user/lavelleuk2000/media/Capture_1.png.html" rel="external nofollow"><span>http://i1193.photobucket.com/albums/aa348/lavelleuk2000/Capture_1.png</span></a></p><p> </p><p> shows like:</p><p> </p><p> <a href="http://s1193.photobucket.com/user/lavelleuk2000/media/Capture2.png.html" rel="external nofollow"><span>http://i1193.photobucket.com/albums/aa348/lavelleuk2000/Capture2.png</span></a></p><p> </p><p> Not all segments have as much writing as that but enough so I can get a picture of what's going on in the story. Plus this way I can keep track of wins and losses for recent fortunes, have main events planned for good show ratings etc</p><p> </p><p> Hope that helps in some way!</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> yeah that does help I'm starting to get some good ideas which I think I could combine</p>

[gord]

<p>***YOU MUST CHANGE FILE EXTENSION TO .ODS***</p><p> </p><p>

I'm a micromanager so I like to keep track of everything, plus you get to see how (poorly/uncreatively) I book my feuds.</p><p><a href="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/file/attachment.php?id=3100" data-fileid="3100" data-fileext="doc" rel="">SWF16 GDS.doc</a></p>

SWF16 GDS.doc

[Tom Bombadil]

<p>I have a file in Notepad, and usually book large companies.</p><p> </p><p>

-Sketch out the next few months of PPV ME's, title changes, and other major angles</p><p>

-Figure out the next PPV card in full</p><p>

-Plot out the "beats" of the storylines, show by show. Try to have something happen with each on every show.</p><p>

-Maintain a list of two people per card level to try to use constantly and probably push. 2 UMC's and 2 MC's to use every A-show, and 2 LMC's and 2 lowers to use every B-Show. (or long A-show)</p><p> </p><p>

Then every week:</p><p>

-Fill in the storyline-related matches and angles</p><p>

-Fill out the rest of the card, prioritizing people from my list, people that haven't been used in a while, and people who aren't already on the show.</p><p> </p><p>

Sometimes, I also have a Top 5 of main eventers to book strong, and maybe a promising midcarder to push as well.</p>

[mrwhippy]

<p>I keep an Excel file for every save.</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>First tab (Roster)</strong></p><p>

Name, Alignment, My Custom Rating, Push, Momentum, Gimmick (and Rating), Health, Ego, Lifestyle, Probable Core Angle Rating, Probable Core Match Rating, Base Stats, Popularity</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Second tab (Storylines)</strong></p><p>

Whereas the first tab is regimented, this is just a mess. I run <em>a lot</em> of storylines. Everyone that appears on TV is involved in a storyline somewhere. If you're not in my plans, you appear on pre- and house shows only. The file goes everywhere with me through Google Drive so any ideas I have go in this sheet. I've got current storylines, future storylines, random ideas etc. in this sheet. It's a mess but it works for me. I must have spent about 6-8 hours on my current WWE save and I've booked one show.</p>

[The_Monk]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="gord" data-cite="gord" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="41693" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>***YOU MUST CHANGE FILE EXTENSION TO .ODS***<p> </p><p> I'm a micromanager so I like to keep track of everything, plus you get to see how (poorly/uncreatively) I book my feuds.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Yep you really do micro manage! HAHA good job tho.</p><p> </p><p> Im currently jotting ideas down pad, I think I'm also going to use a spread sheet for the workers im concerned with (not the whole roster), as i'll want to see if the angels and matches I put them in help increase Stats/Pop. Im starting to see that planning is key to this game. Once planned it seems to take care of itself barring incidents occurring. Plan first run shows second I think will be my new motto</p>