I agree, but, as you said, money.
I actually love the idea of ripping random ass NCAA player cards. My wheels are spinning, but I do not have the time.
I would play the mode if they included every player, with their rating, since NCAA started. I'd be ok with multiple Darren McFaddens if you got different year Darren McFaddens. I got sophomore Darren McFadden, he's an 85; junior year Darren McFadden is a 93, etc... And then build the rareness like a pyramid. The problem is my kid would quit after getting not getting rewarded, and others would as well
I really like that idea.
I don't have the game, just seen some vids on youtube about it. It could be so much better than it is, lol.
Your idea about individual player seasons is an idea I really like for college football card sets.
Yes, you'd include annual releases of notable players from the recent season, but also have a ton of previous player-season cards. With that dynamic, you'd have thousands of cards to release over the years.
Plus, different years for a player would have different value/interest. The 2004 Adrian Peterson card would be his 'best', but it would only be released once, say, in the 2027 card set. So you could sprinkle in star players' 'best' season card spread out year by year, as you release sets.
Tebow would have 3 notable cards, with his FR year "rookie" where he contributed to a NC, then his SO Heisman year, and then the 08 'promise' and NC.
People could work to collect entire careers of individual players, seeking out their card in multiple annual sets.
Subsets could be awards - a unique Butkus winner card, Heismans, Thorpes, etc.
And to copy the video game, you could have mascot cards, stadiums, bowl games (I'm hoping to pull that Bluebonnet Bowl card!), etc.
Would this not sell? The sports card industry is in a strange place now. People literally throw regular cards in the trash, just wanting the 1 of 1 cards or autographs/relics. No one cares about just collecting cards of their favorite players. Again, it's all about money/value.
I guess I'm officially old, lol.