EHM The Blue Line

I'm not sure where to put this...

Anyway, some of you may be familiar with the site thebreakaway.net. We've had a very, very long-running simulation league on that site that has always revolved around EA Sports' pisspoor PC games. We make a small league, base it entirely on forum members as the general managers and players, and... play games, record stats and move season to season.

Finally fed up with EA Sports and pursuing my undying love for EHM (I bought all versions of NHL EHM and played the freeware since one of the first few builds) I decided to finally take the leap and combine the two. thebreakaway.net (TBN) is pretty different than TBL, as our focus is mainly just hockey discussion, the open forum, and the sim leagues. We all become pretty rival with each other over what teams we are on together. So we're replacing the Austrian league right now, rocking a 56 game season with a league made up of forumers. Some guys are really against our EHM league, being instead fanboys of EA Sports, so we currently await a final 20-40 signups to get our season going.

The last thing I want to do is outright spam, so I'm wondering if there's things similar to this going on anywhere, and how successful have they been? Right now we've got our GMs chosen and they're waiting to draft teams of fellow forum-goers to get the ball rolling. We will re-evaluate all signups at the end of every season, and if you are active and care about the league and your team, you will be given a higher overall PA/CA. Right now any brand new signups would probably be pluggers and grinders in the league, and if people actually hang around and get into our hockey discussion and care about their teams, they'll improve greatly. We have a small, but passionate, core of EHM gamers, and I'd love to see that improve!

So Here's the URL of the League's Forum

and

Here's the URL of the Signup Thread

Thanks guys, and as I said, anything vastly similar to this already in operation anywhere? I wanted to see if there's longevity out there, since as I said, we've had these kind of leagues (with me commishing) since around 2002.

Sounds interesting, i'll give it a go, just need a bit more information. Do we take over teams that are around at the moment or make a team ourselves? Not sure how it exactly works, is it an online game?

I'll carefully browse the forums you gave when i wake up though.

EDIT: Is it like our "Create-A-Star"? Sounds quite similar from your post. http://www.ehmtheblueline.com/forums/vi ... php?t=3707

getzlaf15 wrote:Sounds interesting, i'll give it a go, just need a bit more information. Do we take over teams that are around at the moment or make a team ourselves? Not sure how it exactly works, is it an online game?

I'll carefully browse the forums you gave when i wake up though.

EDIT: Is it like our "Create-A-Star"? Sounds quite similar from your post. http://www.ehmtheblueline.com/forums/vi ... php?t=3707

not entirely. there are only 8 GMs chosen, and the entire league is made of people who have signed up. so instead of sometimes winding up on a team with someone, you will have an entire team of people. there are always team threads and some really inclusive activities... as i've said, people get really fiercely competitive of the team they are on. hehe.

I tried to find out what all this is about. But i have no idea.

Maybe Fireholder could try to explain the concept in simple words..

I can explain it, haha.

We have had a sim league for EA games for years, this is new for EHM.

The players are ALL forumers, the GMs are all forumers. What the GMs do is draft you onto a team. You create your player according to the CA you are given, and the GM/coach of that team strategizes to make your team the best. You can be traded, have contracts (I think we are implementing this anyway. If we do, it will likely not be any "monetary" value, just years).

You just have to be active and show your interest in your team and teammates. The more active you are, the better your player becomes in the next season.

So the GMs are playing EHM and if i'm just a player, then i do.... nothing?

What does it mean to be "active". If i don't play the game myself, what am i supposed to do then?

The GMs don't play the game either, they just set tactics, etc. We will have "simmers" who sim games and post the results.

To be active, you post in your team thread, talk about previous games/upcoming games/rivalries, etc. You be active on the website as a whole. It's a hockey website, so you know there is loads to talk about if you like any hockey at all!

Really, it's like you create a bunch of friends for ehm and then you give them updates on how their seasons are going. Except with this, you are "playing" alongside other guys whom you can get to know, etc.

Really, it's just a great way to meet people, have fun, and be part of a team while watching your player progress in the league.

Just like Old freeware EHM network play, just like that? One sims, others posts tactics, training, etc. by email.

I've been really interested in running something like this for several years (in fact, since we relaunched the site back in 2005) but I haven't figured out a way without it involving a hell of a lot of work for the admin/commish. The closest I came was a game based in an Excel spreadsheet using some formulae I wrote myself - it was alright (not terrrible, not great).

Are you running your new game in freeware EHM or EHM 07? The freeware version looks like easiest to setup and manage. So how do you implement the GM's tactics? Can they somehow be imported or is it a matter of copying selections and tactics manually?

I'd be happy to sign up for your league to show support but I don't have as much time for the internet these days so wouldn't be able to be active on your forums on top of running TBL! How do you reward the users for being active in the forums? Do you boost their stats?

Another possibility for getting more users to join is if we could somehow collaborate between our forums and your forums. I don't know how that would work, though. Just an idea...

Good luck with it

Sooooo.....epic bumpage.

The ISHL has been up and running for a while. There were some issues with some of the 'old boys club' on TBN opposing those running the league, however those issues have been put aside and we are noww underrtaking a 7-games in 7-days...in which every team plays 7 games in those 7 days.

The league has been a huge success considering the set backs originally and we are just about at the half way point. I know there was some confusion as to how to plays out, however I hope that by looking at some of the team threads and the game days, that you can understand how it operates.

The Season 2 draft is upcoming at the end of this season, and the league is looking at the possibility of expansion, which would allow 2 new GM's to run their own team in the league.

If you're interested, please check out the forum here: http://www.thebreakaway.net/forums/foru ... .php?f=115 and you can sign up by filling out the form at the following link: http://www.thebreakaway.net/forums/show ... hp?t=35233

If you have any questions, please reply here, send me a PM here or at TBN or email alexrawnsley@shaw.ca

Cheers
Alex
GM - London Werewolves[

so I don't wanna step on any toes or anything here but can I ask what the benefit of being a GM of a forum based version of EHM is good for and how in the world it is that easy to fill a league where you don't even really get to play the game?

Also would like to know what advantages you have as a person running the league as it seems 1000x harder than running a normal EHM league.

Too bad that the thread on breakaway forums is closed

drewst18 wrote:so I don't wanna step on any toes or anything here but can I ask what the benefit of being a GM of a forum based version of EHM is good for and how in the world it is that easy to fill a league where you don't even really get to play the game?

Also would like to know what advantages you have as a person running the league as it seems 1000x harder than running a normal EHM league.

I'm not quite I understand your question, but I'll try.

The idea is about being part of the forum and on a team, not necessarily playing the game. Following a fantasy representation of yourself through a career. The idea behind being a GM is trading real people...people on the forum from one team to another...creating dynamics by bringing in certain personalities...potentially creating problems or having to deal with people who don't get along.

In terms of running the league, it's done just for fun. I wouldn't say it's 1000x harder than running a normal EHM league...it's different, but once the editing, etc is done, I would say it's better because YOU'RE in the game...you're not managing the Canucks for example, I'm managing the London Werewolves...I'm playing in the team, I drafted people from the forums to that team and I lead that team hopefully to a championship. I guess it's a mass EHM version of NHL 10's Be a Pro.

And also, the threads and forums are still open. You have to register to post, and thus why it may have been locked out for you.

I am logged in... where i assume is reply it says CLOSED with tilted red...

axwel3221 wrote:I am logged in... where i assume is reply it says CLOSED with tilted red...

I'm guessing you figured it out, as I think you signed up (thank you). Not sure why it would have been closed for you...the thread is definately open.

ANyway, welcome

Sorry, I used the 1 season signup at first time. And you are welcome.

creating dynamics by bringing in certain personalities...potentially creating problems or having to deal with people who don't get along.

I think that's easy enough to accomplish just by getting people together on a forum.

I still don't get why GM's wouldn't want to actually manage there team in game themselves?

drewst18 wrote:I still don't get why GM's wouldn't want to actually manage there team in game themselves?

?

They do.

We just expanded, we now have 10 GMs.

Every "player" in the league is an EHM fan of some sort, who signed up and decided their attributes (or just described how they want to play). People entirely new to TBN will be rated low, but if you post and care about the ISHL, it goes up very quickly... that's the thing... it's a game where how "good" a player is depends on whether they care how well they do.

it's like putting some players into your franchise, and posting updates. those who comment the most, are those you know care about the updates, and eventually if someone doesn't seem to care, you gradually stop including them.

this is similar to that, except on a much larger scale. except in this case, we just "restart" every season, and everyone gets a rating grade (CA/PA 180 is an A, 164 is a B, 148 is C, 132 is D, 116 is E, and 100 is F). every player in the league is a real person who has signed up. each player can do as they please... sign contracts with teams, etc. they can be included in a lot, from just commenting on their play, to writing articles and being interviewed, to helping teams with new identities, logos, or jerseys, to giving their GM and coaches a hand with coaching and line combo ideas. based on how "into" things the player is, they could go up from an F to a C or B in a single season (as we had many people do).

we actually have "live pbp" games from time to time, where a bunch of guys will tune in to hear how their team plays.

we're definitely willing to answer questions, as it's something we all know a lot of you guys would love. it's just difficult to describe when we feel like we are doing a good job of describing it. lol.

Just wanted to rebump this. The draft will be happening in the next 7-14 days. It's a great time to just sign up and learn on the fly. Honestly, if you love EHM, you'll love this league. It's something a little different than what you're used to, but all in all I think that you'll love it. It takes creating custom teams to a whole new level.

Sign up now and learn on the fly. The 10 GM's are extremely knowledable about the league and can help with any questions...

The league is awesome, I suggest you all to join in!

Alex Krogars Munich Reign RW.

Reign suck!!!!

Alex joined for S2 and got drafted as an F-rated player (I think...maybe E), which is the lowest rating...due to the fact that he hasn't posted and was new. He's a key part of the expansion Munich franchise and will likely be a B or C next season, which would make him one of the higher rated guys in the league. It'd be like going from (insert pants player here) to Patrick Marleau in a season.

Any questions, please ask!

Joey wrote:Reign suck!!!!

Alex joined for S2 and got drafted as an F-rated player (I think...maybe E), which is the lowest rating...due to the fact that he hasn't posted and was new. He's a key part of the expansion Munich franchise and will likely be a B or C next season, which would make him one of the higher rated guys in the league. It'd be like going from (insert pants player here) to Patrick Marleau in a season.

Any questions, please ask!

E, man. And Reign does not suck! I suggest all to join the league at thebreakaway.net

Bump. The next draft is June 20th. If you're interested in learning more, talk to Krogars or myself or just join up and learn on the fly