The Emancipation of Coaches (the lost article)

[BluudyEEfingaz]

The Top Spin series has catapulted tennis gaming to an innovatively superior level. With superb animations, graphics and numerous licensed players to round out a presumably complete gaming experience, sites like ITST has managed to keep longtime, faithful members. With its long anticipated fourth installment however, the Top Spin series sparked more controversy that expected among ITSTers. Immediately players complained of the new coach feature. The series introduced this new feature that allowed fictional coaches to specialize in specific skills which ultimately allowed a player to unlock these skills by completing different assigned challenges. Top Spin/Monster Defense became the most used and most criticized of the combined skills. Players argued that these skills gave a player an unrealistic advantage and eventually we said goodbye to the coach Pei Jing Quah. Next, players began picking apart the game for exceptionally lengthy rallies. Players said shots appeared to be way too easy to get back and balls seemed never to land out of bounds. After a new patch was issued, a more realistic setting was introduced and coaches, like Pei Jing Quah, skills were substantially subdued, but the complaints didn’t stop coming. Drew Welch would be the next coach on the chopping block. Because Welch allowed players to have nearly perfect skilled backhand and forehand wings and speed, players were outraged when facing opponents that used this setting. Management then accommodated the majority and ruled Welch “banned” indefinitely and later banned the skills, Smell of Blood and Monster Defense.
The game then seemed to become more about the race to the next ban rather than what could be done to save the TS4 tour. Serve and Volley players complained of excessive lobs and baseliners complained of excessive drop shots. Power players wanted to get rid of control shots while big servers wanted to extinguish slower servers. It completely changed the overall morale of the tour. Many players who had been excited about the long awaited Top Spin 4 were turned off by the constant bickering. A short-lived SIM tour was developed but the low blows to the Top Spin brand would eventually leave a lasting damage. Tennis Elbow was then the newest craze to be shoved down the throats of players that were still left with the bitter taste of Top Spin 4 in their mouths. It wasn’t the treat everyone was expecting but to the few that had had enough of losing to the same players, Tennis Elbow would offer a lukewarm, temporary fix until something better came along.
Meanwhile, the signups for TS4 tournaments dwindle, leaving the still faithful followers of the Top Spin series, confused as to why there are still banned coaches. Unsatisfied players are either playing the next best thing, Tennis Elbow, or gone for good. Many compared the fall of Top Spin 4 to that of Top Spin 3-saying it had just run its course and that all games eventually succumb to games far better and players then lose interest. But Top Spin 3 had nearly a four year stretch, from 2008-2011 and was only set aside because of the release of its successor, which failed to grasp interest just after two seasons. What can/will be done…if anything? In my opinion, all coaches should be allowed. The setups should be as they were for Top Spin 3, no skill higher than 90, no lower than 40. If there should be a SIM tour, then modifications should be set accordingly. It’s too hard to recruit new players of the game to ITST with so many banned coaches. In addition to informing these players that there’s no Jon Samala, they then have to figure out a new coach that seemingly fits their style, and in most cases, ITST veterans would win regardless of these newbies’ coach. Saving this portion of the tour ultimately is in the hands of management but hopefully they’re listening to us, the ones that actually play and keep this tour alive, that we need a change…and the time is now.

[zaid137]

i agree with u mate , and as u said , the skills limit should be there , 40 - 90 ..

hope managements will listen

[Ali-Iqb93]

In my opinion this coach system is much better than the risk system of top spin 3.. Risk system destroys the rallies

[ELTXETXU]

@Ali: Risk is a very important part of tennis. A tennis game without ANY risk is not a good tennis game or at least is not a good SIM tennis game. Maybe the TS3's risk system isn't the best, but it's better than 5 forced/unforced errors in a 3 set match.

@bluddy: good article and absolutely agree!

[jayb1988]

It wasn’t the treat everyone was expecting but to the few that had had enough of losing to the same players, Tennis Elbow would offer a lukewarm, temporary fix until something better came along.

Ha! I like that line, a lot of the players that are constantly promoting Tennis Elbow as the better game do seem to be people that had no luck on Top Spin 4, just because you are now winning matches doesnt mean you are playing a better game!

I'm not really sure about all this lack of sign up for tournaments, I thinks its been overplayed by people who use Tennis Elbow to try and get people to cross over. I havent noticed that much difference in sign-ups compared to last season to be honest, and there's certainly enough players to have solid and competitive tournaments.

I really can't agree with the allowing all coaches thing though, remember how annoying Welch was to play? Everyone would just go back to using him and it would kill coach variety. Now we are forced to pick other styles that suit us and I think that makes for more interesting matches to be honest. Your mention of big servers moaning about slow servers is a good point as well, there is nothing more infuriating than someone who throws in an 89mph wide serve every time on a first serve just so you cant hit a winner off it, loads of players do it!!

[prince shah]

90-40 was realistic in Ts3 but not here. All the big control setups need to be hammered while power needs a full comeback. Control shots have superior depth and nonreturnable power vs power shots. The Top Spin series was popular because of the fast-paced gameplay. If serve and power is weakened to the point of pure unrealistic rallies with very slow shots then its not tennis. Its easy to understand why at least 80% of Top Spin fans left Ts4.

[Ali-Iqb93]

@Eltxetxu exactly that's my point that the risk system of ts3 is a bit overpowered.. Even if risk system exists in next top spin game then it shouldn't be too strong to destroy the rallies.. I still believe that if timing of shots becomes the key in ts4 with "too soon" ball going to the net and "too late" ball going out then ts4 will be the best tennis game ever

[ELTXETXU]

@Eltxetxu exactly that's my point that the risk system of ts3 is a bit overpowered.. Even if risk system exists in next top spin game then it shouldn't be too strong to destroy the rallies.. I still believe that if timing of shots becomes the key in ts4 with "too soon" ball going to the net and "too late" ball going out then ts4 will be the best tennis game ever

agreed

[JohnCurveo]

hmmm, it's against the rules? i agree (didn't read the topic, too long, no offense)

[tnypxl]

90-40 was realistic in Ts3 but not here. All the big control setups need to be hammered while power needs a full comeback. Control shots have superior depth and nonreturnable power vs power shots. The Top Spin series was popular because of the fast-paced gameplay. If serve and power is weakened to the point of pure unrealistic rallies with very slow shots then its not tennis. Its easy to understand why at least 80% of Top Spin fans left Ts4.

Have you ever watched a real tennis match. Look at ball speed. Every shot isn't 100 mph.

[prince shah]

Do not compare tennis games to real life. From the big screen you fall prey to the illusion that its a small space. Pick up a racquet and play a pro player seriously and you will be scared of the pace. You think that 100 mph is fast? Go on court and even 60 mph will be enough for you. Just enjoy a video game as it is, a game. Video games cannot even compare even 2% to actual tennis.

[djarvik]

What makes you think me or anyone else here doesn't play tennis?

[Ali-Iqb93]

@princeshah I did read somewhere that you're gonna break in top 100 in pro tennis.. Mind telling us your name ?

[prince shah]

@princeshah I did read somewhere that you're gonna break in top 100 in pro tennis.. Mind telling us your name ?

I'll be sure to tell you once it happens this year. It feels like I'm waiting for a present from Santa Claus.

[kommichu]

@princeshah I did read somewhere that you're gonna break in top 100 in pro tennis.. Mind telling us your name ?

I'll be sure to tell you once it happens this year. It feels like I'm waiting for a present from Santa Claus.

Are you Patrick Shabandeh, the young Armenian player ?