How is FHM compared to EHM 07? [Screenshots Inside]

[cazzman]

Hi!

Im planning to buy FHM tomorrow. But so far I have nott seen so many screens from the game so I wonder if the game is worth buying?
I have seen some screens on players, rooster. Anyone know were I can find more screens of the game?

[archibalduk]

As soon as the new build has been publicly released later today, I'll post some screenshots for you. One of the screens has been changed for the new build (which I already have on my computer) and so it wouldn't be fair if I posted screenshots of these before it is publicly released.

As for EHM 07 v FHM: FHM is still too early in development to be compared to EHM 2007. As things stand, I personally have a lot more fun playing EHM 2007 than FHM. However, this is in part because it is still a beta. We'll have to wait until the release date in order to really know where FHM stands. Development of the game since its first public beta release in March has largely been concentrating on fixing bugs. But now things are more stable and we're getting substantial new features incorporated. For instance, today's beta release includes:

We've done some major overhauls to the way players are named (no more English names for every new player) and the system for generating attributes for incompletely-rated players, and we're going to need one more internal build to test to verify that we've got the serious bugs out of them. That'll go to the testers later today, and we'll fix any problems afterwards, so the update will likely be out midday tomorrow in Europe/morning in North America.

After that's out, the remainder of this week will be spent on the implementation of the new player generation system, which, once its done, will bring player generation, development, and background movement up to release level, minus whatever small amount of fine-tuning is necessary between now and September. We're hoping we can get you a version with all of that working before we head to New York next Wednesday.

So things are really heading in the right direction. The only question mark that I and others on this forum have is whether the game will really be that polished come September. As I'm not a developer I don't really know what will and won't be ready by September. However there are some big things that I personally think need a lot of work - i.e. the user interface and tactics (and the lack of international play is a bit of a shame - but it should be there for FHM 2015 or whatever the next version will be called).

Regardless of what state the game is or isn't in by September, the potential for the game is very significant. The historic mode, the lack of hardcoding, the flexibility, the improved attributes system and the improved regen system (aka newgen system) are big steps forward over EHM 2007 (in fact quite a few of these things were potentially planned for EHM 2008 before it was axed... ). So there is a great deal to look forward to so long as the game makes enough sales and can be developed for some time to come.

[timmy_t]

Does FHM have a game engine like EHM?

[B. Stinson]

...so I wonder if the game is worth buying?

Unless you're looking to pre-order, no. We are allowed to play the beta until release, but it's just that - a beta, which means it's buggy, crashy, rough, and just generally not something you'd want to play seriously yet.

So, EHM is a finished and playable game right now, but has no potential left. FHM, on the other hand, is not finished yet, but has all the potential. Basically, do you want retired 42-year-old Pavel Bure, or 19-year-old prospect Nail Yakupov?

[archibalduk]

Does FHM have a game engine like EHM?

It has an in-game view with stats and text commentary, but no 2d engine. I'll try to post a screenshot once the next beta is up.

[Manimal]

Unless you're looking to pre-order, no. We are allowed to play the beta until release, but it's just that - a beta, which means it's buggy, crashy, rough, and just generally not something you'd want to play seriously yet.

So, EHM is a finished and playable game right now, but has no potential left. FHM, on the other hand, is not finished yet, but has all the potential. Basically, do you want retired 42-year-old Pavel Bure, or 19-year-old prospect Nail Yakupov?

A bit rough comparison. EHM is more usable than a retired player.

[archibalduk]

Maybe Jagr?!

[B. Stinson]

Unless you're looking to pre-order, no. We are allowed to play the beta until release, but it's just that - a beta, which means it's buggy, crashy, rough, and just generally not something you'd want to play seriously yet.

So, EHM is a finished and playable game right now, but has no potential left. FHM, on the other hand, is not finished yet, but has all the potential. Basically, do you want retired 42-year-old Pavel Bure, or 19-year-old prospect Nail Yakupov?

A bit rough comparison. EHM is more usable than a retired player.

I guess. I went with 'retired' because it drives home the point that development has ceased. I'd hate to lead someone into buying EHM, and then have them find out that there is no "next season" with it. Sure, it can still play hockey, but don't expect to see it competing professionally anymore. Unless of course someone can convince it to come out of retirement, but that looks unlikely as it's moved on to playing football now, and seems fairly content

[DK_Hockey]

Hi all.

I have not yet bought the game so im stille playing EHM 07.

But I wont just buy FHM, I would like to see some SS of the game first. Are there any kind soul in here there want to put up some SS of the game.
And another thing what leagues are playable so far in the game?
I would love to start out with the dansih, Swedish or the Swiss league, are any of these leagues playable?

Thanks Thomas

[archibalduk]

Here are some screenshots from beta version 0.9.31. Please note that Jeff mentioned over the OOTP Forums that they intend to improve the user interface over the next month or so (great news IMO!). So the appearance could change in the near future. Also, there seems to be a bug with the player pictures not appearing on the profile screens at the moment.

The images below are a little blurry because I had to compress them as JPEGs (because of the sheer volume of them).

Match Simulation





Match Report






Player Profiles









Team Screens







League Screens





Commissioner Mode








Menus






Miscellaneous Screens

[DK_Hockey]

Thanks mate.
It looks good, but are the only playable league so far NHL?

I think that i will buy the game next week.

[CJ]

Thanks mate.
It looks good, but are the only playable league so far NHL?

I think that i will buy the game next week.

No, there are many others. Not on my computer now so I can't give you details. But someone else will probably answer that more specifically.

[Alessandro]

There are several playable leagues: NHL, AHL, ECHL, QMJHL, OHL, WHL in North America, in Europe there are Sweden (2 levels), Finland (2 levels), United Kingdom (multiple levels, Archi will tell you better), DEL, KHL. Probably others, I just go by memory.

[archibalduk]

United Kingdom (multiple levels, Archi will tell you better)

Four leagues from three levels (EIHL, EPL, NIHL-1 North Division and NIHL-1 South Division).

I think France is likely in the future too.

[Loosie]

I haven't played in a whle, I think the build I have is 9 or 12, but that Manager home screen is nice improvement on the first few builds. I have a feeling I won't be playing again until it is done though.

[cazzman]

Thanks for all the screens. And It looks nice and I think this game can be realy nice when Its all done.
I found were to buy the game but It doesnt say if I can download the game right away or if its shipped to me? how does it work.

Cazzman

[archibalduk]

Thanks for all the screens. And It looks nice and I think this game can be realy nice when Its all done.
I found were to buy the game but It doesnt say if I can download the game right away or if its shipped to me? how does it work.

Cazzman

You can download it right away. In fact, you can download it even before you purchase (but you'll need to enter your license key when you load the game after installing). Here are the links:

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

When you purchase the game from the OOTP website you will receive an email with your license key. When you load the game for the first time, you will be asked to enter your license key.

[cazzman]

Thanks archibalduk for the help
I bought the game, have not been able to play that much cause of work. But what I have seen so far I realy like this game. Love that you can do so much more in tactics and everything.
Will be many hours of playing this game.

Cazzman

[archibalduk]

I've moved my discussion with M Ace about graphics to here: http://www.ehmtheblueline.com/forums/vi ... 25#p156525

[StarboardWinger]

I have to say I'm impressed by the level of customization in this game. But the biggest disappointment I find (maybe it'll be fixed in the future?) is that there are no player mugshots!

[archibalduk]

I have to say I'm impressed by the level of customization in this game. But the biggest disappointment I find (maybe it'll be fixed in the future?) is that there are no player mugshots!

They can be downloaded separately. See here: http://www.ehmtheblueline.com/forums/vi ... .php?f=124

It's just that there's a bug with the latest beta version which seems to have disabled player pics.

[redrobert81]

will there also be competitions like the Continental cup or the Champions Hockey League in EHM in this new manager?

[KevT90]

I don't really care about the graphics in a simulation game of this kind. I played EHM for a long time and recently saw that upcoming FHM.

I understand it is in beta but maybe it's possible to have a good idea on the following elements that are important to me : Gameplay depth and management depth as well as the overall realism of simulation.

I am hesitating to purchase FHM at the moment because there is no way to compare this to EHM 2007. Maybe some of you here can say more about it !

Thanks !

[B. Stinson]

I understand it is in beta but maybe it's possible to have a good idea on the following elements that are important to me : Gameplay depth and management depth as well as the overall realism of simulation.

In terms of gameplay and management depth, FHM should be on par with EHM. Maybe not right now in beta, but ultimately it's aiming to be the exact same kind of game; it will be right there with games like OOTP Baseball, EHM, and Football Manager.

In terms of realism, I can't really say where it is right now (haven't played the beta for a while), but again, you can surely expect it to be fairly similar to EHM in the end - OOTP Developments will aim to accurately simulate hockey to the best of their abilities.