10.08.2012 - While online management games generate lots of users as a result of the ranking systems which they employ, allowing people to compete over long periods and build up their performance, much of the immediate feedback and enjoyment is felt during live events.
It probably makes sense to understand the basics of how this type of game works in order to establish which options might be more appealing and accurate than others. Part of the issue is that games have to harness a simulation engine which is able to operate in a way which feels realistic to the player. This involves factoring in the unquantifiable elements of luck and circumstance, since these will generate different results than if everything was based purely on cold statistics. Indeed this latter approach would create a game experience which would feel too predictable; effectively turning every management game into Top Trumps rather than something organic.
Achieving the balance when generating live results in an online management game is therefore quite a tricky process and one which players can often instinctively appreciate or dismiss in a relatively short space of time. It has allowed games like Dugout Online to gain popularity, because these offer the short term thrills of accurate live results combined with the longer term rewards associated with stats that pass over from season to season and have indefinite ramifications.
Another aspect of live results which keeps players interested and makes an online management game worth playing is the timing. Depending on the sport you choose and the team you manage, seasons or sessions of play can last for varying amounts of time. Within this timeframe you will want to know the schedule which governs the live results so that you can be on hand to witness them or get updates on your performance at a relevant point.
It is sensible to check up on the reputation of particular games and see user responses in order to determine which might be the most suitable for your needs and tastes. The live football results provided by one game may not match up to those offered by another. Experimentation is also sensible, although once you have become involved in one particular game you may find it tough to look elsewhere.
