Be-a-pro mode
Encyclopedia
The usage of be-a-pro mode is a repackaging
of the player-lock feature with a primitive evaluation
system added to rate the player's performance. In other sports games which may or may not be produced by Electronic Arts, this mode is known as career mode, superstar mode, and Road to the Show mode.
This concept in video games was introduced mainly in the 2000s in order to enhance the feeling of controlling a single player's career. However, some games from the 1990s had managed to develop a crude version of "be-a-pro mode" with several limitations to them. Riddick Bowe Boxing
(by allowing the player to have a championship career of up to 40 fights per boxer) and GT Racing
(for allowing players to have a multiple-season career in sports car racing
) are two examples of video games from that decade to use a prototypical version of a "be-a-pro mode."
in American football, a catcher
in baseball , a point guard
in basketball, and so on). It is assumed the number 99 means a perfect rating (unless the design permits a player to have a 100 statistic; which is rare in sports games that have a be-a-pro mode).
The inner mechanisms behand the "be-a-pro mode" rewards players for positive plays (such as scoring a basket
, grabbing a rebound
, dishing out an assist
, blocking a shot
or coming up with a steal
) and penalizes them for negative plays (like missed shots, turnover
s and getting scored on). Gamer
s are expected to take the role of one specific player, controlling all of their actions within a match. As the main objective of "be-a-pro mode" is to emulate what it would be like to be a real player, teammates are controlled by the same computer as the opponents. Gamers can ask other teammates to give them the ball simply by using the pass button. Teammates have a tendency to ignore the player's calls when he is in a genuinely bad position. While computer-controlled teammates often shoot when asked to, they will disobey
an order when it is illogical to shoot.
The Madden NFL
series (formerly known as the John Madden Football series) designs their "be-a-pro" mode like a role-playing game where the player has to earn points in order to gain ratings points to improve their football
-related skills. Boost a skill for long enough and it is added to the complete set of skills that he has during his 20+ year career as an NFL
player. Some games, like MLB 10: The Show
, can make the player's creation process very long and complicated. Both cosmetic (that only affect the appearance of the character) and important changes (that affect how the player runs, evades tackles, and/or kick field goals for example) like eye color
, weight
, height
, and date of birth
are some of the things that can be manipulated for a character mode being used in a be-a-pro mode setting.
Most variations on the "be-a-pro mode" have an arbitrary retirement age which is mandatory; 45 is the retirement age for video games that belong to the MLB: The Show series while NHL 11 has 48 for a mandatory retirement age. All professional sports contract
s made with the CPU-controlled general manager are considered null and void by the game once the player reaches his retirement age. Should a player decide to sign a 3-year contract when he has one or two years left of available career time, for example, the full contract is not allowed to be played out as the player would reach the mandatory retirement age before the end of the contract period.
Package
Package can refer to:* Packaging and labeling* Package testing* Mail item larger than a letter* Chip package or chip carrier, in electronics, the material added around a component or integrated circuit to allow it to be handled without damage and incorporated into a circuit* Automotive package, in...
of the player-lock feature with a primitive evaluation
Evaluation
Evaluation is systematic determination of merit, worth, and significance of something or someone using criteria against a set of standards.Evaluation often is used to characterize and appraise subjects of interest in a wide range of human enterprises, including the arts, criminal justice,...
system added to rate the player's performance. In other sports games which may or may not be produced by Electronic Arts, this mode is known as career mode, superstar mode, and Road to the Show mode.
This concept in video games was introduced mainly in the 2000s in order to enhance the feeling of controlling a single player's career. However, some games from the 1990s had managed to develop a crude version of "be-a-pro mode" with several limitations to them. Riddick Bowe Boxing
Riddick Bowe Boxing
was a Super Nintendo Entertainment System video game released in 1993. It was also released for the Nintendo Game Boy and Sega Game Gear consoles. The game is virtually identical to Evander Holyfield's Real Deal Boxing, apart from the fighters included and the style of the graphics.The game was...
(by allowing the player to have a championship career of up to 40 fights per boxer) and GT Racing
GT Racing (video game)
is a Super Famicom racing video game where the player gets to drive a Gran Turismo car in either championship or practice mode. The game is based on the 1996 Super GT racing season using the horsepower standards and rules of the era. For example, the cars that appear at the most elite level can...
(for allowing players to have a multiple-season career in sports car racing
Sports car racing
Sports car racing is a form of circuit auto racing with automobiles that have two seats and enclosed wheels. They may be purpose-built or related to road-going sports cars....
) are two examples of video games from that decade to use a prototypical version of a "be-a-pro mode."
Summary
There is usually an analysis meter that works on a scale from 0 to 99 in both the overall category and in various categories that correspond to a specific position (e.g., a quarterbackQuarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
in American football, a catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
in baseball , a point guard
Point guard
Point guard , also called the play maker or "the ball-handler", is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. A point guard has perhaps the most specialized role of any position – essentially, he is expected to run the team's offense by controlling the ball and making sure that...
in basketball, and so on). It is assumed the number 99 means a perfect rating (unless the design permits a player to have a 100 statistic; which is rare in sports games that have a be-a-pro mode).
The inner mechanisms behand the "be-a-pro mode" rewards players for positive plays (such as scoring a basket
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
, grabbing a rebound
Rebound (sports)
Rebound is a term used in sports to describe the ball becoming available for possession by either opponent after an attempt to put the ball or puck into the goal has been unsuccessful...
, dishing out an assist
Assist
-Sports:Several sports have a statistic known as an "assist", generally relating to action by a player leading to a score by another player on their team:*Assist , a pass by a player that facilitates a basket by another...
, blocking a shot
Shot (ice hockey)
A shot in ice hockey is an attempt by a player to score a goal by striking the puck with their stick in the direction of the net.-Shovel:The shovel shot is the simplest most basic shot in a shooter's arsenal. Its execution is simply a shoveling motion to push the puck in the desired direction...
or coming up with a steal
Steal (basketball)
In basketball, a steal occurs when a defensive player legally causes a turnover by his positive, aggressive action. This can be done by deflecting and controlling, catching, or batting to a teammate a pass or dribble of an offensive player...
) and penalizes them for negative plays (like missed shots, turnover
Turnover
-Business:*Turnover is sometimes a synonym for revenue , especially in European and South African usage.Services sold by a company during a particular period of time....
s and getting scored on). Gamer
Gamer
Historically, the term "gamer" usually referred to someone who played role-playing games and wargames. Since they became very popular, the term has included players of video games...
s are expected to take the role of one specific player, controlling all of their actions within a match. As the main objective of "be-a-pro mode" is to emulate what it would be like to be a real player, teammates are controlled by the same computer as the opponents. Gamers can ask other teammates to give them the ball simply by using the pass button. Teammates have a tendency to ignore the player's calls when he is in a genuinely bad position. While computer-controlled teammates often shoot when asked to, they will disobey
Insubordination
Insubordination is the act of willfully disobeying an authority. Refusing to perform an action that is unethical or illegal is not insubordination; neither is refusing to perform an action that is not within the scope of authority of the person issuing the order.Insubordination is typically a...
an order when it is illogical to shoot.
The Madden NFL
Madden NFL
Madden NFL is an American football video game series developed by Electronic Arts Tiburon for EA Sports. The game series is named after Pro Football Hall of Famer John Madden, a well-known former Super Bowl-winning coach of the Oakland Raiders and color commentator...
series (formerly known as the John Madden Football series) designs their "be-a-pro" mode like a role-playing game where the player has to earn points in order to gain ratings points to improve their football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
-related skills. Boost a skill for long enough and it is added to the complete set of skills that he has during his 20+ year career as an NFL
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
player. Some games, like MLB 10: The Show
MLB 10: The Show
MLB 10: The Show is a baseball simulation video game created by Sony Computer Entertainment's San Diego division. The MLB: The Show series of video games is the longest officially licensed baseball simulation game on the PlayStation. The game is made for Sony's own PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, and...
, can make the player's creation process very long and complicated. Both cosmetic (that only affect the appearance of the character) and important changes (that affect how the player runs, evades tackles, and/or kick field goals for example) like eye color
Eye color
Eye color is a polygenic phenotypic character and is determined by two distinct factors: the pigmentation of the eye's iris and the frequency-dependence of the scattering of light by the turbid medium in the stroma of the iris....
, weight
Weight
In science and engineering, the weight of an object is the force on the object due to gravity. Its magnitude , often denoted by an italic letter W, is the product of the mass m of the object and the magnitude of the local gravitational acceleration g; thus:...
, height
Height
Height is the measurement of vertical distance, but has two meanings in common use. It can either indicate how "tall" something is, or how "high up" it is. For example "The height of the building is 50 m" or "The height of the airplane is 10,000 m"...
, and date of birth
Birth certificate
A birth certificate is a vital record that documents the birth of a child. The term "birth certificate" can refer to either the original document certifying the circumstances of the birth or to a certified copy of or representation of the ensuing registration of that birth...
are some of the things that can be manipulated for a character mode being used in a be-a-pro mode setting.
Most variations on the "be-a-pro mode" have an arbitrary retirement age which is mandatory; 45 is the retirement age for video games that belong to the MLB: The Show series while NHL 11 has 48 for a mandatory retirement age. All professional sports contract
Contract
A contract is an agreement entered into by two parties or more with the intention of creating a legal obligation, which may have elements in writing. Contracts can be made orally. The remedy for breach of contract can be "damages" or compensation of money. In equity, the remedy can be specific...
s made with the CPU-controlled general manager are considered null and void by the game once the player reaches his retirement age. Should a player decide to sign a 3-year contract when he has one or two years left of available career time, for example, the full contract is not allowed to be played out as the player would reach the mandatory retirement age before the end of the contract period.