The WAS Challenge vs. The Patch?

[Minstrel]

Okay, so the patch is now available

It's no big crisis really, we just need to decide on what to do about it. As soon as we have a clear majority it shall be so written and it so it shall be done and I'll lock the thread. Vote as soon as you can!

So, one option is we can say "no patch til next Challenge" and just keep on trucking.

As we wouldn't be able to use the new Db until we start new games anyhow the only real issue is we could still decide to use the patch as it is save game compatible The question on that is that if we decide to go that direction we need to decide when we should apply the patch. Obviously most of us have at least done our preseason and signings so we'd have to wait until at least game 21.

Given the changelist it seems we'd need to all update at the same time before a certain an agreed set of games. Davey is the furthest along in that regard. It would seem there will be a statistical advantage to using the patch for your games so it would be good to get as many people "on the same page" as possible.

Let us know... and I will track down and ban any smartasses who don't pick 1-4 The last two are just their for comic relief of course.

[archibalduk]

As Davey has most probably started game 41 (he's posted his stats for games 21-40), I think that the best option would be to apply the patch after game 60 (and before game 61).

[Systemfel]

What about all the transfers? Will they apply all sudden when you install the patch?

[Minstrel]

No database changes should occur; all those things only get picked up when you restart your game.

[Systemfel]

The new transfers would be the biggest reason for me to install to patch!

I just can't stand seeing Scott Stevens signing for some team as a UFA.

[Minstrel]

Yeah, given that the computer and yourself have all made moves there's no way it can somehow re-do things part of the way through. What would change however would be the stuff in the changelist:

Changes since v2.1.1
====================

News
----
National team match reports for USA/Canada now sent to all NHL GMs


Screens
-------
Tweaked the salary roundings in the contract offer screen
Fixed the offer sheet approaches to display in the player profile
Fixed matching offer sheets in action menu
Fixed display values for non-players when ALT_DISPLAY_VALUES is turned on in extra_config.cfg
Fixed search filter rangers when ALT_DISPLAY_VALUES is turned on in extra_config.cfg


Trades/Transfers/Contracts
----------------
Tweaked the player salary demands (especially RFAs)
Tweaked player contract evaluation (reactions to long term offers)
Tweaked handling of waived players in trade offers
Tweaked signing of european players in the summer of their draft
Tweaked the untouchable players recognition by AI teams in trade negotiations
Fixed and tweaked compensation pick moving after accepted offer sheets
Fixed the matching of offer sheets and news item timings
Tweaked the staff signing efficiency of AHL teams
Tweaked the international transfer window forward slightly to prevent summer signings from playing in the SC finals
Tweaked junior eligibility for North America so players who have already played 4 seasons of major junior can be sent to AHL

Match Engine
------------
Tweaked the icing calls in certain scenarios
Renamed the UK fighting penalties to be called "fighting" instead of "roughing"
Tweaked application of human selected shoot-out choices when Head Coach behind the bench
Tweaked scoring levels
Tweaked benchings
Tweaked linematching


Competitions
------------
Fixed UK Cup to have no extra time in group games
Fixed scheduling problem in the Danish Elite league where a game would be scheduled in July
Fixed incorrect shootout points being awarded for ECHL/AAL-3 and AAL-4 leagues games.


Awards
------


Other
-----
Tweaked board salary allowances when close to the cap
Fixed missing default for the sound setting in game setup screen
Players no longer get added to shortlist when scouting own players individually

[timmy_t]

I voted for patching as soon as possible, but I can go either way because I have two (now will be three) copies of EHM on my hard drive.

[davey_nyrangerboy02]

im gonna download the patch and play, im at around 45 played or somthin so i dont mind really

[davey_nyrangerboy02]

hang on?? i dont get it, once i have installed this new patch does it work soon as i start a new game it works? whats this restarting the game?

[davey_nyrangerboy02]

ok, im gonna right now finish my season without the new patch, it seems it wont effect me too much anyhow so im gonna do it

[Minstrel]

This is the way almost every EHM patch has worked except when they kill save games like the NA patch did. When you apply a patch but continue to play with a saved game that was begun before the patch it continues your game with the database you started with. The game's mechanics, from that point on works in accord with the changes made by the patch. In this case you will see reflected the above changes.

Since you database is locked in at the beginning of your game is from then on unique to your game.

ONLY if you were to start a new game would changes to your database be reflected because at that point it picks up that database to start your game with; and then works from there. This process should not be anything new to you as you've patched the game before and there are approx a hundred threads every time a patch comes out and leading up to a patch coming out saying exactly this at SI.

Now, Davey you gotta relax and have some patience with us. We are around here in rediculous 'we all have started to get our mail delivered here instead of our houses' fashion so you don't ever need to wait long before getting an answer. From now on? Wait for it.

You waited all of nine minutes for a response before declaring what you were going to do and rushing back to your game? I am sorry we had to take a few hours out to make a decision but this game is about EVERYONE not just you. You don't tell us what you have decided we are going to do The Challenge doesn't work like that.

Maybe you would be better off posting a 'dynasty' thread following your team instead of having to wait on the Challenge system. It will never be a two week thing because not everyone plays through it in three days and again? It's about everyone. Maybe you haven't thought about the amount of time and effort running the Challenges takes?
You can do a dynasty thread and it will alllll be about you and you can post about five seasons a night if you want.

Apply the patch when you want, or don't. If you'd read the changelist you'll see there would appear to be a statistical advantage to running your game under the new patch. I was just trying to help you out since it pretty much only affects you at this point.

I apologize for making you slow down in order that the process was most fair for you. Now that I've taken half an hour to explain this all to you? I'm going to close this thread and post what we've decided to do regarding the patch for the other Challenge players.