Version 0.9.34 Game Update Now Available

[JeffR]

Our newest game update, Version 0.9.34, is now available, including a data update.

You can download the new version at:

(PC) FHM - Update 0.9.34
(Mac) FHM - Update 0.9.34
(alternate Mac link) FHM - Update 0.9.34

PC Installation instructions: After you download the file just install it over your existing game (you don't need to uninstall the old version first.) Make sure to select the correct path to your game if needed.
Mac Installation instructions: Delete the FHM app from the Programs folder and deleting the Franchise Hockey Manager 2014 folder from /Users/Username/Library/Application Support/Out of the Park Developments, then reinstalling from the new download. (The delete and reinstall won't be necessary with future updates, just this time.)

After installation, the game should display "Version 0.9, BETA Build 34" at the bottom of the statup screen; if it shows a different build number, you'll need to re-download and reinstall (and before doing so, make sure the update file you downloaded has been deleted and your browser cache cleared.)

Saves from version 0.9.31 are technically compatible with this version, but there will be significant oddities with player generation because the older save will be missing some critical changes to national player quality data. So it's probably best to start a new game.


Changes/Fixes/Additions:

As noted last time, the main change in this version is the new player generation system. A new class of 14-year-olds will now appear every July 1 in each country that's currently (or recently) active in IIHF competitions. These players should progress upwards upwards through various levels of play and eventually provide a replacement pool for the pro leagues. At this stage, it's going to require some trial and error to get the starting ratings and development fine-tuned, so expect to see some odd results from these young players after a few seasons (from what I can see right now, the new players may be a little too weak, particularly in the major hockey countries, and there are some long-term issues with excessive development of physical attributes.) There may also be transaction issues related to getting these new players to move to playable teams, particularly from places other than the usual junior and college routes to the pros - the contract and rights systems still need work (and will be getting it.)

Now that that's done, we have the foundation in place to start dealing more aggressively with the roster management problems, since the pool of available players should finally have a realistic shape. Additionally, the work we've done in the last two updates on missing/new player generation will be applicable to generating fictional leagues.

Unfortunately, we didn't have enough time to get the league-specific goals per game and other similar settings working this week. It'll be at the top of the priority list for the next update.


*** 0.9.34 (28 May 2013) ***

Bug fixes:

Player contentment will no longer remain at "happy" when sent to a farm team.
Good young players more likely to get key player/top prospect designation.
AI roster management should now make more logical decisions re: goalies.
Players in historical mode should no longer appear without names.
Nonplayable transactions should no longer cause most youth-aged players to retire after one season.
Nonplayable transactions to multinational junior leagues no longer restricted to teams of same nationality as player.
Players with missing positions in database should no longer receive odd multiple-position combinations.

Changes:

New player generation system completely replaced.
National player generation quality settings adjusted.
System for determining player college/junior choices adjusted.
French Ligue Magnus now playable.

Database Changes:

Players with NHL debuts in 1996-97 now included in historical database.
Leagues/countries with significant amounts of updated data: NHL, AHL, NCAA, OHL, KHL, France, UK.

[SackAttack]

Would like to again request the ability to delete saves so that the saves list doesn't just keep growing with each new iteration of the beta.

[hockeyarchives]

great news for French users
thanks a lot

[CmdrSharp]

Originally Posted by SackAttack

Would like to again request the ability to delete saves so that the saves list doesn't just keep growing with each new iteration of the beta.

Go to Documents/Out of the Park Developments/Franchise Hockey Manager 2014/data/saved_games/ and delete the folders no longer relevant.

[Orioles1966]

I noticed that when I traded both goalies from a team prior to their scheduled game,I was unable to fill their roster with replacement goalies and they played the game without a goalie. It wasn't a lopsided score but more like a regular score for a game.

[SackAttack]

Originally Posted by CmdrSharp

Go to Documents/Out of the Park Developments/Franchise Hockey Manager 2014/data/saved_games/ and delete the folders no longer relevant.

I've done that before. The save name stays in the list and the game freaks out when you try to create a new save that shares that name. There's no way to get rid of that currently absent a complete uninstall/reinstall. There needs to be an easy, in-game way to do this, since the saves aren't compatible. I'm not asking for the moon here.

[KV-1]

Good job. Don't stop and we'll be with your.

[CmdrSharp]

Originally Posted by SackAttack

I've done that before. The save name stays in the list and the game freaks out when you try to create a new save that shares that name. There's no way to get rid of that currently absent a complete uninstall/reinstall. There needs to be an easy, in-game way to do this, since the saves aren't compatible. I'm not asking for the moon here.

That's weird, the name doesn't stick for me. Did you also remove the saved_games.dat? If not, do that, it'll auto-regenerate after making another save. That will clear the list as well.

[JeffR]

Originally Posted by SackAttack

I've done that before. The save name stays in the list and the game freaks out when you try to create a new save that shares that name. There's no way to get rid of that currently absent a complete uninstall/reinstall. There needs to be an easy, in-game way to do this, since the saves aren't compatible. I'm not asking for the moon here.

Strange, the list just reads the saves folder so it shouldn't do that. But we'll add a delete button, that's not difficult.

[tcblcommish]

If you are looking to add something like that then please add a button for START MENU so if you want to jump leagues or stop playing the one you are in and play another one, you can do so without leaving the game. Unless there is something there I am missing

[hallissyc]

So I went ahead and bought into this! I am 3-0-0 with the Blackhawks right now. Other than the stuff that people have mentioned I don't have any grips. I was actually a fairly new player to the OOTPB series when I head about this coming out...I tried FM...I tried EHM 2007 (I wish they were still selling the MAC version of this game). How often are these updates coming? Just trying to see how often I should be seeing these updates. Thanks!

-Chris

[Orioles1966]

Originally Posted by hallissyc

So I went ahead and bought into this! I am 3-0-0 with the Blackhawks right now. Other than the stuff that people have mentioned I don't have any grips. I was actually a fairly new player to the OOTPB series when I head about this coming out...I tried FM...I tried EHM 2007 (I wish they were still selling the MAC version of this game). How often are these updates coming? Just trying to see how often I should be seeing these updates. Thanks!

-Chris

Updates are usually once a week. They are at the gathering today so next update is scheduled for 2 weeks.

[mgom27]

Load Save Game? Load Logos to?

[MXD]

I really like the outlook of this update -- if only because it will make junior leagues MUCH more playable (long term).

[MXD]

...Could the physical developpement problem be triggered by the fact that all midget players seems to weight 80 pounds?

[SackAttack]

Originally Posted by JeffR

Strange, the list just reads the saves folder so it shouldn't do that. But we'll add a delete button, that's not difficult.

Sorry I didn't respond to this sooner; was helping a couple of friends move. That said, thank you for this.

[JeffR]

Originally Posted by MXD

...Could the physical developpement problem be triggered by the fact that all midget players seems to weight 80 pounds?

No, height/weight aren't connected to the player ratings at the moment. I'm not sure what's causing the 80-pound thing, but it can't be tied to the physical development issue, which is either a flaw in my development algorithms or in Malte's implementation of them.

[Orioles1966]

I hope the schedule re-generator is ready to go during the next update.

Playing the same schedule over and over again is starting too get old.

[Parker27]

Also icetimes are not right. Any word about this? D-man are playing too low minutes per game. Forward also. One d-man is playing 20 minutes and 5 are playing 10-15minutes. not right.

[bob]

next update soon ???