Evolution

HoopVerse features a dynamic player lifecycle that mirrors the real-world progression of athletes. Players age, progress, and eventually retire, creating an ever-evolving ecosystem and fresh opportunities for users to build their rosters.

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Aging and Retirement

1. Aging:

   • At the end of each season, players age by one year. Eventually, players retire and will become unavailable to sign.

   • To maintain balance and engagement, new rookies are introduced each season, ensuring a steady influx of fresh talent.

2. Retirement:

   • Each player has a predefined retirement age, which determines the final season they’ll play.

   • Typically, high-rated players retire later than others.

   • Retirement age is influenced by the Durability Rating, as injuries can shorten a player’s career.

3. Retirement Age Distribution:

   • Retirement ages are distributed as follows, with an average retirement age of 35:

     Retirement Age	Probability (%)
     32	5%
     33	14%
     34	20%
     35	25%
     36	20%
     37	9%
     38	4%
     39	2%
     40	0.5%
     41	0.25%
     42	0.25%

   • While most players retire in their mid-to-late 30s, exceptional players can continue playing into their 40s.

   • The minimum retirement age is 32, ensuring every player has a meaningful career. Players without a contract after the free agency might retire earlier than their retirement age.

When a player retires, they cannot be signed by any team, and any active contracts will automatically end at the conclusion of the current season, even if additional seasons remain on the contract.

The player card will clearly indicate that the player has retired. In the future, we may introduce features such as transitioning retired players into staff roles, honoring them with retired jerseys, or other options.

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Player Progression and Regression

1. Dynamic Growth and Decline:

   • Players progress and regress throughout their careers to maintain a balanced hierarchy of player levels.

   • Growth and decline are not linear, meaning each player's career trajectory is unique.

2. Key Career Milestones:

   • Prime Age: Players typically reach their potential around 28 years old, with 95% of players entering their prime between 24 and 32 years old.

   • Decline Age: Players generally start to decline around 32 years old, with 95% of players beginning their decline between 28 and 36 years old.

   • On average, players spend 4 years in their prime before entering decline.

3. Growth and Decline Curves:

   • Players have independent growth and decline parameters that define the shape of their progression/regression:

     • Fast Starters: Rapid growth early in their careers, slowing down as they approach their prime.

     • Late Bloomers: Gradual growth followed by a sharp increase as they reach their potential.

     • Linear Progression: Steady growth and regression over time.

It is totally possible, albeit rare, for a bench player to turn into a superstar. Will you find these hidden gems?

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Player Evolution in Gameplay

• Timing:

  • Player evolution occurs for all players every 15 days.

• Updates:

  • Player cards and attributes are updated simultaneously.

  • Evolution details are visible on the Player Profile Page or on the Locker Room Page under the "Player Development" tab, allowing users to track development over time.

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Why It Matters

The dynamic aging, progression, and regression system ensures that every player’s career is unique, exciting, and unpredictable. Users must adapt to changes in player performance, manage retirements, and capitalize on rookies and the Draft to build competitive and sustainable teams.