FHM Patch v1.3.13 Discussion

[archibalduk]

The latest patch for Franchise Hockey Manager 2014 is now available. This fixes a slew of bugs and also includes a start of season database update (incorporating all trades up until 1 October 2013). It also features an improved filtering system which allows users to filter/search by various criteria.

With regards to future patches, the dev team will now be looking to move on to adding brand new features; in particular custom mode, editing options, and online mode. There may be a further bug patch before these new features are added, depending on how everything progresses.

Download links:
PC: http://files.ootpdevelopments.com/fhm/v ... 4setup.exe
Mac: http://files.ootpdevelopments.com/fhm/v ... taller.dmg

Installation instructions and changelist care of Jeff (original post):

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: After you download the .dmg file, open it, move the fhm.app file to your applications folder and copy over the old version.

After installation, the game should display "Version 1.3.13" 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). Note that if you decide to uninstall and reinstall, you should first release one of your licenses via Preferences-License on the start screen.

Although the patch is compatible with previous saved games, it is recommended you start a new game because some bugs will persist in old saved games.


Changes/Fixes/Addition List:

1. Never-ending penalties fixed.
2. Crash when offering trade involving draft picks while in historical mode fixed.
3. AI teams should no longer skip draft picks when their protected list is full.
4. Tactics are now saved when user exits game and restarts.
5. AI no longer makes cap-reduction moves for user's team if he doesn't have all "assistant" options off.
6. Player no longer occasionally prevented from signing free agents despite being below payroll.
7. Payroll in custom games should now match salary obligations properly.
8. Playoff games no longer scheduled on back-to-back days.
9. AI now allots time to 3rd PK unit and uses special-teams icetime percentages properly.
10. Shutout leaders now sorted properly, instead of alphabetically.
11. Faceoff leaders now sorted correctly (by percentage, with minimum qualifiers)
12. IR players now counted when checking to see if team is above cap floor.
13. When negotiating salary for free agents, NHL-caliber players will initially expect NHL-caliber wages even when signing in other leagues.
14. Players will sign ask for more or less if they are signing outside/inside their home continent.
15. No more multiple responses after a trade is rejected.
16. No more invalid database error when attempting to launch a quickstart.
17. Expansion teams in historical mode now start with 0-0-0 history instead of all-time total.
18. HNN fixed and restored to game.
19. Overtime penalties now displayed in OT period in boxscore, instead of third period.
20. Injury settings now split between game and practice, both levels editable.
21. Under-20 players whose major junior rights are owned but are contracted to NHL teams can no longer be sent to AHL.
22. No longer possible to type in play-by-play box during games.
23. Nicknames and preferred number now cleared properly when fictionalizing players for custom games.
24. Installer no longer overwrites custom logos.
25. Incorrect schedules no longer used in certain leagues/years.
26. In-game mode now includes buttons to advance to end of period or game.
27. In-game mode now allows choice of player, shot, or stats view.
28. Custom mode games now allow a proper budget for staff.
29. Contract values in custom games no longer have higher values for minor league salary.
30. Player stats now generated properly in all non-playable leagues.
31. Amateur draft in custom games no longer forces user to choose goalies first.
32. When trying to sign players who would exceed foreigner limits, popup now specifies the exact problem, rather than just saying there are too many active players.
33. Clicking on "report" in in-game view should no longer result in crash.
34. Lineups should now update properly when using the in-game stats screen.
35. Norwegian teams should now obey foreign player limits.
36. User's trade window should no longer occasionally default to a different team, making trading impossible.
37. AI should no longer trade away players when using "CPU Finish Draft" in the initial custom league draft.
38. Crash involving duplicated waiver status fixed.
39. Crash in season changeover from 1978 to 1979 fixed.
40. KHL trading deadline now works properly.
41. Loophole allowing foreign player limits to be exceeded by using reserve list fixed.
42. KHL teams no longer get young placeholder players to fill prospect spots at startup.
43. Multi-year contracts in French leagues now set correctly at startup.
44. Skater stats 2 screen now sorts correctly for Faceoffs, Takeaways, Giveaways, and Shootout Goals.
45. Teams in custom leagues with divisions but no conferences now get assigned minor league teams correctly.
46. Addition value bonus for enforcer players now cannot make player's value higher than 7.0.
47. Player portraits now aligned correctly on leaders pages.
48. German league should no longer occasionally schedule multiple playoff games for a team on the same day.
49. Skill penalties for out-of-position players increased.
50. Position ratings should now change properly with playing experience at that position.
51. Position ratings for players in nonplayable leagues should see some random increases.
52. Player mental improvement now stops after a certain (variable) age.
53. Goalie fatigue system adjusted to allow one player to start all the time in playoffs and in early historical seasons.
54. 1-10 value system now used more extensively by AI, particularly in roster/lineup decisions.
55. More attributes affected by aging, should significantly cut down number of players remaining effective into their 40's.
56. Shooting range and accuracy adjusted for forwards and defencemen playing out of position.
57. Power play units now include one defenceman spot and one "point" spot, which a player of any position can be used in with no penalty.
58. Assignment of fighting majors adjusted, enforcers should fight more often and regular players less.
59. When negotiating to re-sign players to a two-way deal, minor league salaries can now be set correctly.
60. New player filtering system for several screens: instead of only being filterable by position, player lists can now be filtered by age, ability, potential, position, nationality, and signability. Note that the main player search page (the magnifying glass icon) still requires a text search as well as the filter.
61. Very Slow aging speed no longer switches to Very Fast after exiting the edit screen.
62. AI now places a lower value on draft picks offered to it in trade.
63. 3-Star selection report in game summaries now uses correct type of team abbreviation.
64. Home ice advantage rebalanced.
65. Player fatigue now works correctly for visiting teams.
66. Giveaways/takeaways should now result in possession changes 100% of the time.
67. User-edited salary caps should no longer revert to default value at start of new season.
68. EIHL teams no longer ignore import player restrictions.
69. Development speed for young goalie4s increased.
70. Freeze at end of 2004-05 season in historical mode no longer occurs.
71. After team country is changed during custom league setup, city list should now offer choices from new country.
72. Correct KHL schedule now used for 2014-15 and later seasons.
73. No more redundant injury warnings after injured player has been removed from lineup.
74. Inaugural draft in custom mode should now be much faster and not give the appearance that the game has frozen.

[dave1927p]

huge list of changes here. Looking forward to giving it a test. I hope I see more Canadians in the draft but doubt it'll come in this patch. Would be nice to have the ability the talent level based on nationality but perhaps it will come in a future version of the game.

Oh, I just realized they added a filter!

[batdad]

BAH...this is just DUMB. Moving to the roof of the building now to create more floors (Custom and on line) without making sure the foundation is solid. Game is unfortunately going to collapse since they are going this route. Basic nuts and bolts are NOT all fixed and will break.

[B. Stinson]

I think I have to agree with batdad. I thought we learned from the release that we need to maintain focus on the core of the game (simulation and UI) before work starts on ancillary features... and yet, here we go again with shifting focus to other things, and adding even more.

Worse yet, it looks like Sebastian has left to continue work on iOOTP. So am I correct in assuming we're running on only one programmer at this point? And we're still going to add features and work on four or five different things?

[dave1927p]

Yeah, that part of it is quite worrisome. All we can do is wait and see.

[batdad]

God...the more I move through the game the more frustrated and annoyed I become.

I have posted a ton today over on FHM about things I am discovering. Love all the old Euro buggers coming over and signing deals in the summer of 2014. Had no idea there were so many 35-40 year old Czech League superstars who are dying to play in the NHL.

And wow...love the guys who sign the borderline Free Agents like Kris Barch and then manage to some how turn them and 2-4 other scrubs into super prospects or really good players 3 days later. Love it even more when they do it 3 days before the Contract is due to expire and Barch is going to be UFA again.

Hey wait...thats EXACTLY LIKE EHM WAS WHEN the 2007 version came out. We are so close.

Take that together with the complaint people have about future players being so weak, and players not having strong attributes...and not developing and suffering etc....

Holy rubbish FHM is EHM in a new basket.

LOL

[MWE]

God...the more I move through the game the more frustrated and annoyed I become.

I have posted a ton today over on FHM about things I am discovering. Love all the old Euro buggers coming over and signing deals in the summer of 2014. Had no idea there were so many 35-40 year old Czech League superstars who are dying to play in the NHL.

And wow...love the guys who sign the borderline Free Agents like Kris Barch and then manage to some how turn them and 2-4 other scrubs into super prospects or really good players 3 days later. Love it even more when they do it 3 days before the Contract is due to expire and Barch is going to be UFA again.

Hey wait...thats EXACTLY LIKE EHM WAS WHEN the 2007 version came out. We are so close.

Take that together with the complaint people have about future players being so weak, and players not having strong attributes...and not developing and suffering etc....

Holy rubbish FHM is EHM in a new basket.

LOL

I take it you LOVE the game then

[philou21]

I have posted a ton today over on FHM about things I am discovering. Love all the old Euro buggers coming over and signing deals in the summer of 2014. Had no idea there were so many 35-40 year old Czech League superstars who are dying to play in the NHL.

That made me lol.

[batdad]

I was widdled with EHM too. But it grew and grew and grew.

And there were long periods of time between posts from the guys on the SI Boards about what they were up to.

And there were grumpy little kids asking for teams on the moon.

And there were grumpy little kids DEMANDING on line play like NOW.

And there were grumpy little Stinsons telling all those kids to shaddup.

And there were goofy little kids like mgsports

And there were respectable young gentlemen like archi making sure that the UK leagues were the best leagues in the game.

And there were dorks from All areas of the globe stating how wonderful there leagues were and how their guys (like Per Olov Brasar at age 200) could play in the NHL no problem and would.

And there were goofy little Brits who worshipped guys like Tom Sestito.

and there was TONY HAND"

[MWE]

I was widdled with EHM too. But it grew and grew and grew.


And there were goofy little Brits who worshipped guys like Tom Sestito.

I'd say handsome rather than goofy

[archibalduk]

Haha love it!

I completely agree with your signature over on the OOTP Forums. Get the building blocks done before working on additional floors. I really don't mind that the devs are silent right now. They're no doubt hard at work. Being down to one active dev (just like we were during a period last year IIRC) is however a bit alarming. Sounds like Sebastian is being stretched a bit there. In relation what we have at this stage, I can't really be critical of it at all. Understandably OOTP had to do something that made the game distinct from EHM (such as historic leagues and customisation). I also find it understandable that they had to release the game when they did because ultimately they'd pushed themselves into a corner by announcing an initial unrealistic release date. It's a shame to see so many bugs so prevalent but it's fair enough given such a small dev team.

The thing that worries me a bit is the silence on the real basics that are still missing from the game. The announcements about what will be added before they move over to FHM 15 has all been about online, improved custom leagues, etc. But there's nothing on whether they UI will be improved/fixed, whether there will be anything related to the coaching side of things (such as tactics and scouting), etc. This makes me wonder whether this is essentially a non-issue for the devs because it's not in their plans. The game feels very much geared towards those who want to sign players and then leave the rest up to the AI (well, if you could sign a Head Coach!!) - and those who just want to sim through decades without doing much.

For me, I'm interested in a hockey sim - i.e. something where I can coach a hockey team. This really isn't catered for by FHM right now. I really don't care when the coaching side of things (and all of the other basics are added) but it'd be nice to know whether or not these are in the dev team's plans. My concern right now is that FHM is heading in a very different direction to where many of us expected. For all of its bugs, EHM did at least head in the direction of being a hockey sim. We had a decent UI, deep tactics, scouting, player ratings, etc. None of this really exists in FHM right now and hence I don't play it.

Hopefully in the near future we'll what exactly the plans are for FHM. Understandably the dev(s) are working on squashing all of those bugs first.

[dave1927p]

haha Stinson, That's hilarious! This guy appears to remember everything

Jeff posted: Locking the thread, and I'll point Andreas to it, the refund decision is up to him. Bear in mind that there's also a question of whether or not we want to reward people for starting this kind of thread when they know making the request via PM to one of us will work just fine.

But, funny thing: one of the reasons I don't want to kick out the vociferous complainers is posting in this thread. Stinson, way back in the EHM days, I came very close to booting you off the SI EHM forum. You complained loudly and frequently about the game's flaws back then, and my patience began to wear thin. But I held off. Fortunately so, because that obviously would've been a terrible decision, given the amount of time you've spent working on stuff that's been of benefit to the community since then. So the decision to kick someone out isn't one I'm going to take lightly. People have complaints; it's not going to do us much good to pretend otherwise.

[batdad]

Not sure he remembers everything all that well. Stinson was not a negative nelly to my recollection. Think he has Stinson mixed up with someone else. Stinson was only negative towards the complainers. And even then....he was always encouraging of some of them...like mgsports.

[B. Stinson]

Yeah, I think JeffR is recalling things a bit incorrectly. There was one particular incident where I got really frustrated and hot-headed with the filters in EHM 2004 or 2005, and JeffR and I got into a bit of a scuffle. But other than that, I was never one to complain or debate about flaws - I'm simply not knowledgeable enough to do so, and I knew that even back then.

So, yeah, I had a run-in with Jeff back in the day, but to say I was a "loud and frequent" complainer and/or troll is a bit inaccurate, I think.

But whatever... like I said in another thread, I wasn't suggesting that they boot dejaqwho. I'm pretty sure his refund period has expired by now, in which case he shouldn't get one. But I was suggesting that they go lightly on this and give him his money back anyway, hopefully encouraging him to leave (which many will probably agree is in the best interest of the community). Of course, that was originally posted in a jokey, yay-please-let-him-leave-happily kind of way... but also kind of serious.

[dave1927p]

Yeah, I think JeffR is recalling things a bit incorrectly. There was one particular incident where I got really frustrated and hot-headed with the filters in EHM 2004 or 2005, and JeffR and I got into a bit of a scuffle. But other than that, I was never one to complain or debate about flaws - I'm simply not knowledgeable enough to do so, and I knew that even back then.

So, yeah, I had a run-in with Jeff back in the day, but to say I was a "loud and frequent" complainer and/or troll is a bit inaccurate, I think.

But whatever... like I said in another thread, I wasn't suggesting that they boot dejaqwho. I'm pretty sure his refund period has expired by now, in which case he shouldn't get one. But I was suggesting that they go lightly on this and give him his money back anyway, hopefully encouraging him to leave (which many will probably agree is in the best interest of the community). Of course, that was originally posted in a jokey, yay-please-let-him-leave-happily kind of way... but also kind of serious.

I was wanting them to ban that kid. But of course he would just create a new account over and over again. haven't seen anything from him recently so I'm guessing they gave him his refund. Good riddance.

[jhart05]

I don't have the game yet. I'm still very happy with EHM07. Plus I have their OOTP game. It's a decent game with a lot of options but I feel it's similar to this comment above about FHM:

"I thought we learned from the release that we need to maintain focus on the core of the game (simulation and UI) before work starts on ancillary features... and yet, here we go again with shifting focus to other things, and adding even more."

They seem to want to always add new things, without fixing and perfecting what they already have.

I was also disappointed to read they may never have minor leagues for historical seasons. Something about the research being too much. Well, we have minors for EHM07. So it can't be that hard. Start with the current season and work your way back. Use the EHM DBs that are out there as a reference. I believe some EHM/TBL people are helping out with FHM anyway. Or they could make the DB open so the public could edit it.

I wouldn't even mind if there were fictional players in the minors with my reserve roster players scattered in there. Similar to what they already have in OOTP. I would just want to see my minor league teams and have actual game stats to monitor player development.