Franchise Hockey Manager Release Date and Beta Details

[Saapas]

Does anyone know how they will release it?

[archibalduk]

Does anyone know how they will release it?

It'll be a digital download via their website. It'll be similar to EHM in that you download it and then purchase it via the game (when you first load the game it asks if you want to purchase it or if you already have a serial number).

[Beukeboom]

One of the things i'm interested in seeing is how the scouting and draft works. One of the things i hate about EHM is right when you draft a kid you see his stats instantly and could almost tell right away if you just wasted your first rounder. In real life it doesn't work that way, every GM is always pumped after selecting his first round pick. EHM has way too many NHLers in the draft classes too.

Amen

[umwoz]

I suppose not hearing anything is a good sign. I'd imagine they're busting ass trying to get this Beta into shape for March!

That said, it wouldn't hurt to see maybe a tactics or draft screenshot!

[drewst18]

I agree, I have been waiting for one here hopefully from Archie on the tactics screen, but I agree that I imagine the beta is an important date for the devs and while bugs are going to be there and theres going to mistakes and crashes, I am sure they would rather not have em. Although I thought they brought JeffR in to be the PR guy, but maybe hes actually working on development too.

Was happy to see that they asked for an NCAA researcher

[batdad]

I do not understand the fascination with screen shots. The game is going to be what the game is when it comes out in beta form.....and we will see plenty of screen shots on our own betas then. I am not saying there is anything wrong with wanting the screenshots....I just do not understand why they are so important.

We are all going to get the game when it comes out anyway. I know one thing for sure...it makes me think that if I were ever to market something on line I would never ever tell people anything until I was set to release a beta or demo ... or even the whole darn thing. The impatience and worry over it just makes little to no sense to me.

It is like looking under your parent's bed to get a sneak preview of your Xmas presents on December 22nd, when you are getting the present in 3 days. Patience is a virtue.

[nino33]

I do not understand the fascination with screen shots. The game is going to be what the game is when it comes out in beta form.....and we will see plenty of screen shots on our own betas then. I am not saying there is anything wrong with wanting the screenshots....I just do not understand why they are so important.

We are all going to get the game when it comes out anyway. I know one thing for sure...it makes me think that if I were ever to market something on line I would never ever tell people anything until I was set to release a beta or demo ... or even the whole darn thing. The impatience and worry over it just makes little to no sense to me.

It is like looking under your parent's bed to get a sneak preview of your Xmas presents on December 22nd, when you are getting the present in 3 days. Patience is a virtue.

Well said! I agree

[drewst18]

I do not understand the fascination with screen shots. The game is going to be what the game is when it comes out in beta form.....and we will see plenty of screen shots on our own betas then. I am not saying there is anything wrong with wanting the screenshots....I just do not understand why they are so important.

We are all going to get the game when it comes out anyway. I know one thing for sure...it makes me think that if I were ever to market something on line I would never ever tell people anything until I was set to release a beta or demo ... or even the whole darn thing. The impatience and worry over it just makes little to no sense to me.

It is like looking under your parent's bed to get a sneak preview of your Xmas presents on December 22nd, when you are getting the present in 3 days. Patience is a virtue.

I don't see how anything that has been posted is a sign of lack of patience...actually if you go through the last few threads you will see both myself and umwowz preach patience. Saying waiting for a screen that was actually going to be looked into is not a lack of patience, we did not demand, didn't even ask just said waiting (hoping). You may not care for a screen but that is your personal preference. I am a fan of screen shots, when another drops I will be thrilled but don't expect it to happen. I think we've gotten rid of the impatient people on both this and the main FHM board, so no need to bring that stuff back up

[archibalduk]

I agree, I have been waiting for one here hopefully from Archie on the tactics screen, but I agree that I imagine the beta is an important date for the devs and while bugs are going to be there and theres going to mistakes and crashes, I am sure they would rather not have em. Although I thought they brought JeffR in to be the PR guy, but maybe hes actually working on development too.

I didn't bother asking in the end. Although it'd be neat to see this screenshot (I really quite like the tactics screen), I didn't see the point in asking seeing as the beta will be out so soon.

I wouldn't expect any further news to come until 4 March. Everybody involved in the game - i.e. the developers and researchers are working full steam to get things as complete as possible in time for that date. The timing couldn't be worse for me personally - I'm in my exam period from this week until 8 March and so I have little time to make many changes to those all important ( ) British leagues. But thankfully I was ahead in terms of research anyway (and I'm still getting some done in the evenings where I have the time and energy). The research team has greatly expanded now and I think that will mean the DB will be in excellent shape come September.

As I understand it, Jeff's role is basically to organise everything. I.e. he gives direction to the devs as well as organising the research.

Was happy to see that they asked for an NCAA researcher

Yeah me too.That's a league that has always interested me. More importantly, they got Luke (username Adam Oates) to do the research - he's the ideal candidate IMO.

[archibalduk]

Btw, it does seem in general the impatient posts have disappeared now. But I think the next stage is the "this game is unplayable because it's full of bugs and crashes" stage - and we'll probably have to constantly remind users it's a beta until the September release date!

[yzetzky]

Btw, it does seem in general the impatient posts have disappeared now. But I think the next stage is the "this game is unplayable because it's full of bugs and crashes" stage - and we'll probably have to constantly remind users it's a beta until the September release date!

Those posts are mandatory, are they not?
You know they will come.

[Beukeboom]

Actually posts that whine about whiners are far more and annoying at the moment.

[batdad]

I do not understand the fascination with screen shots. The game is going to be what the game is when it comes out in beta form.....and we will see plenty of screen shots on our own betas then. I am not saying there is anything wrong with wanting the screenshots....I just do not understand why they are so important.

We are all going to get the game when it comes out anyway. I know one thing for sure...it makes me think that if I were ever to market something on line I would never ever tell people anything until I was set to release a beta or demo ... or even the whole darn thing. The impatience and worry over it just makes little to no sense to me.

It is like looking under your parent's bed to get a sneak preview of your Xmas presents on December 22nd, when you are getting the present in 3 days. Patience is a virtue.

I don't see how anything that has been posted is a sign of lack of patience...actually if you go through the last few threads you will see both myself and umwowz preach patience. Saying waiting for a screen that was actually going to be looked into is not a lack of patience, we did not demand, didn't even ask just said waiting (hoping). You may not care for a screen but that is your personal preference. I am a fan of screen shots, when another drops I will be thrilled but don't expect it to happen. I think we've gotten rid of the impatient people on both this and the main FHM board, so no need to bring that stuff back up

It was really just a comment, it was not meant as inflammatory against you or anyone else here. IT was a general statement about how people keep asking for screen shots and I just do not understand why. Not directed personally towards you or anyone else. It is really not something that was an attempt to stir up or anything. Just an analogy as to why people in general need to see things before they are getting them....just don't understand the I WANT TO KNOW now mentality of today in general. Surprises are good....

Being completely honest...every time I see a request for a screen shot I think of entitled kids (Not you....you were just commenting as you said on a request was made), who have to have everything yesterday. I really just do not get it....and never will.


And archi---Great on the NCAA news no question. Adam Oates will be awesome. Way better than he is at coaching the CApitals in real lfe.

Worry more about your exams than this game....

And can I have a sig line here, I want the same one, or something similar to what I put on my FHM site profile. The bug complaining is going to make me nuts. I may get banned from anywhere and everywhere by (I was going to say September 2013 but changed my mind) the end of March.

[MWE]

Have they announced what leagues will be included in the Beta yet?

[nino33]

JeffR said on the OOTP/FHM site today...

"I'm going to do a detailed update on what's coming in the beta sometime next week, probably in the first half of the week. There's still too much that can change at this point: stuff like playable leagues won't get nailed down until we see how the database looks after next Sunday's update, historical play is getting a lot of work right now (nope, no decision on the WHA yet, but the database work for it is 95+% done), and we may decide to pare some currently-active features back for the sake of short-term stability and then add them back in during the next few weeks."

[Saapas]

Any news what time the game will be released on Monday?

[archibalduk]

Any news what time the game will be released on Monday?

No details as far as I'm aware. I guess it could be 00.01 in the morning or 23.59 at night. It'll all depend on last minute preparations, tweaks, etc.

[batdad]

LOL. I knew someone was going to ask that question.....whenever they decide it to be. Great answer Archi.