Franchise Hockey Manager 12 - Details Wednesday - 5pm Eastern

[Adam B]

Originally Posted by Goalie39

what is the link to the live stream?

On Twitch now and only see last weeks video.

We're waiting for a Steam Store Page update, and then we'll be live.

[Infinite_Jester54]

For those of us who can't watch the stream: has there been a release date announced??

[AbeFroman]

Originally Posted by Infinite_Jester54

For those of us who can't watch the stream: has there been a release date announced??

October 23

[Colorado]

Very underwhelmed by what's been added to the game.

I like the draft logic and improved into on trades, but none of the core issues of the game have been tackled.

[szczepam]

Originally Posted by Savoie45

Look at where OOTP was 11 versions in and then compare them. Also take into account that Baseball video games are far more popular than Hockey video games, thus the development resources are going to be considerably less. There isn't the same amount of resources afforded to both games because they are under the same umbrella.

OOTP was light years ahead of where FHM is after 11 years. It’s not even debatable. Not sure what you were trying to say though when you followed it up with FHM doesn’t have the resources to be as good. Seems like a contradiction, but that’s nothing new.

I truly hope every human being on earth has someone in their life who loves them and makes every excuse for them as you do for this franchise. Any critique, big or small, is always immediately met with you defending this game to the death. It can do no wrong! It’s both where OOTP was after 11 years and also not where OOTP was after 11 years since it doesn’t have the backing of OOTP. What a mind bending thought that is.

But hey, they finally got around to releasing it. Well, not yet, they are still trying to get people to buy 11 on the main page. Most people with common sense would probably think that’s the new game since the season has already started.

[Adam B]

Originally Posted by Infinite_Jester54

For those of us who can't watch the stream: has there been a release date announced??

The Full Trailer

[renojedi]

Originally Posted by Colorado

Very underwhelmed by what's been added to the game.

I like the draft logic and improved into on trades, but none of the core issues of the game have been tackled.

Though there are not a ton of new things added, It sounds like they were working on improving the core game which is good. They also mentioned tweaking player salary demands, AHL teams sensing NHL contract players to ECHL, and the things you mentioned. Wish they did a lot more with the 2D simulator as it sounds like it is about the same with small tweaks other than a big feature to be added via an update. About the only part that concerned me is that they want to add PWHL at some point and that it will take a significant part of the development cycle to do it. For those of us who play the NHL game exclusively which won't have all the new CBA elements until at least FHM 13, I'd much prefer they keep working on that rather than get distracted with a league that most people won't play. And I say that as someone who has been to a couple of PWHL games and thought they were pretty good.

[Adam B]

Originally Posted by Adam B

The Full Trailer

Follow up, the Earlier Stream is now archived as well.

[Savoie45]

Originally Posted by szczepam

OOTP was light years ahead of where FHM is after 11 years. It’s not even debatable. Not sure what you were trying to say though when you followed it up with FHM doesn’t have the resources to be as good. Seems like a contradiction, but that’s nothing new.

I truly hope every human being on earth has someone in their life who loves them and makes every excuse for them as you do for this franchise. Any critique, big or small, is always immediately met with you defending this game to the death. It can do no wrong! It’s both where OOTP was after 11 years and also not where OOTP was after 11 years since it doesn’t have the backing of OOTP. What a mind bending thought that is.

But hey, they finally got around to releasing it. Well, not yet, they are still trying to get people to buy 11 on the main page. Most people with common sense would probably think that’s the new game since the season has already started.

Many seem to point to OOTP when talking about FHM because they are under the same umbrella, which is NOT fair to FHM due to the fact it has not even half the budget and resources available to it that OOTP has. I'm not oblivious to the flaws of the game and want it to be better as well. However, I'm a bit more forgiving as well, because I know no matter what they likely won't make half of the fans happy. Half want the bugs and glitches fixed, while others want to see more than just "a roster update". This is why they don't promote the game until they are confident in what they have to show. I had even made a post last year mentioning them promoting the game more and possibly even having a pre-launch beta, but it was shut down. I defend them because they support their game more than your average developer and genuinely want to make a better game year in and year out.

[Left-handed]

Originally Posted by szczepam

OOTP was light years ahead of where FHM is after 11 years. It’s not even debatable. Not sure what you were trying to say though when you followed it up with FHM doesn’t have the resources to be as good. Seems like a contradiction, but that’s nothing new.

I truly hope every human being on earth has someone in their life who loves them and makes every excuse for them as you do for this franchise. Any critique, big or small, is always immediately met with you defending this game to the death. It can do no wrong! It’s both where OOTP was after 11 years and also not where OOTP was after 11 years since it doesn’t have the backing of OOTP. What a mind bending thought that is.

But hey, they finally got around to releasing it. Well, not yet, they are still trying to get people to buy 11 on the main page. Most people with common sense would probably think that’s the new game since the season has already started.

Hey, at least it's not the reddit community which basically downvotes any sort of wish list or critique post. At least critical posts get some visibility and traction here.

I'll always root for this franchise to succeed and perhaps I'll continue throwing them some cash whenever the game goes on sale as some investment capital. The fans would be better off if this game took off and became a robust version of itself.

Unfortunately, in my opinion, I think the FHM team put the cart before the horse. I recently came across another comparable hockey sim game, and, to me, they're focusing on the right things. The developers of the other game didn't immediately go after NHL licensing and focus on building in a bunch of global leagues that many of us couldn't care less about. It seems like they are focused on building the core game well, and will potentially worry about the glitz and glamour later on. It's not perfect, but in just a couple days, I've become very immersed in that game. It's nowhere close to where OOTP is in terms of customization, but it has a solid foundation and it's very easy to get into. I never felt that once with any version of FHM. The one consistent thought I've had with every version I've purchased is, "This is it?".

And while it's probably not a big deal for most people, the other game ports to both my iPad and Mac for the ultimate portable experience, something the fanbase and developer team here argue is not possible. Granted, that's more of a gripe aimed at OOTP than FHM.

I wish the development team here well. I hope that they one day tap into the full potential that a game like this can offer. Maybe by version 20 or 25, FHM will start reaching a point of maturity.

[Left-handed]

Originally Posted by Savoie45

Many seem to point to OOTP when talking about FHM because they are under the same umbrella, which is NOT fair to FHM due to the fact it has not even half the budget and resources available to it that OOTP has. I'm not oblivious to the flaws of the game and want it to be better as well. However, I'm a bit more forgiving as well, because I know no matter what they likely won't make half of the fans happy. Half want the bugs and glitches fixed, while others want to see more than just "a roster update". This is why they don't promote the game until they are confident in what they have to show. I had even made a post last year mentioning them promoting the game more and possibly even having a pre-launch beta, but it was shut down. I defend them because they support their game more than your average developer and genuinely want to make a better game year in and year out.

If I were them, I might consider dropping the NHL licensing and all the global leagues they try to incorporate and focus their resources and efforts on building a good core game that is highly customizable and "sticky"--meaning that people keep coming back for more.

I'm sure OOTP didn't always have the resources they have now, but they figured out how to make it work early on and built a game that is highly addictive and has fans coming back willing to fork over $50+ every year. Part of the reason its so addictive is how immersive and customizable it is, which should be expected for a full-on, text-based PC game. It took many versions of OOTP before they focused on getting MLB licensing. FHM focused on that immediately out of the gate, before the game was fully developed IMO. All the global leagues and NHL licensing in the world aren't going to make up for a game that feels half-baked.

[Savoie45]

Originally Posted by Left-handed

If I were them, I might consider dropping the NHL licensing and all the global leagues they try to incorporate and focus their resources and efforts on building a good core game that is highly customizable and "sticky"--meaning that people keep coming back for more.

I'm sure OOTP didn't always have the resources they have now, but they figured out how to make it work early on and built a game that is highly addictive and has fans coming back willing to fork over $50+ every year. Part of the reason its so addictive is how immersive and customizable it is, which should be expected for a full-on, text-based PC game. It took many versions of OOTP before they focused on getting MLB licensing. FHM focused on that immediately out of the gate, before the game was fully developed IMO. All the global leagues and NHL licensing in the world aren't going to make up for a game that feels half-baked.

Likely, because hockey games don't sell anyways outside of EA in Canada. Let alone a niche text-based game buried amongst the depths of Steam. Having the NHL license was the smartest move in order to appeal to the average hockey fan who happened to stumble upon the game, because most don't want to waste time with applying mods and such. Do you know how many people think that EA NHL is the only NHL licensed hockey game on the market and wish there were more?

[Colorado]

Originally Posted by renojedi

Though there are not a ton of new things added, It sounds like they were working on improving the core game which is good. They also mentioned tweaking player salary demands, AHL teams sensing NHL contract players to ECHL, and the things you mentioned. Wish they did a lot more with the 2D simulator as it sounds like it is about the same with small tweaks other than a big feature to be added via an update. About the only part that concerned me is that they want to add PWHL at some point and that it will take a significant part of the development cycle to do it. For those of us who play the NHL game exclusively which won't have all the new CBA elements until at least FHM 13, I'd much prefer they keep working on that rather than get distracted with a league that most people won't play. And I say that as someone who has been to a couple of PWHL games and thought they were pretty good.

I agree with focusing on improving core elements of the game as opposed to introducing new features, but it appears they've not touched on the main apsecs which need improving.

The interface looks completely unchanged. It's dated and stale and it appears menu settings reset each time you leave a screen (still after all these years!).

There's no mention of any adjustments to the 2D engine which just looks appalling (even compared to the EHM 2D engine which is probably, what, 20 years old now?)

Tactic settings and feedback have been an absolute crapshoot for years and amount to little more than a guessing game.

Obviously, not seen a lot of the game, so I stand corrected if I'm wrong on any of this, but these changes hardly warrant enough for a new release. I've supported this game for many years but it's so disappointing to see FHM looking so stale. There's a ton of constructive feedback that gets posted on these forums but the game just doesn't seem to really evolve.

[Savoie45]

Originally Posted by Colorado

I agree with focusing on improving core elements of the game as opposed to introducing new features, but it appears they've not touched on the main apsecs which need improving.

The interface looks completely unchanged. It's dated and stale and it appears menu settings reset each time you leave a screen (still after all these years!).

There's no mention of any adjustments to the 2D engine which just looks appalling (even compared to the EHM 2D engine which is probably, what, 20 years old now?)

Tactic settings and feedback have been an absolute crapshoot for years and amount to little more than a guessing game.

Obviously, not seen a lot of the game, so I stand corrected if I'm wrong on any of this, but these changes hardly warrant enough for a new release. I've supported this game for many years but it's so disappointing to see FHM looking so stale. There's a ton of constructive feedback that gets posted on these forums but the game just doesn't seem to really evolve.

There is an upgrade coming to the 2D engine in a later update for FHM 12, but they didn't specify what. It sounded like it's going to be significant though.

[Colorado]

Originally Posted by Savoie45

There is an upgrade coming to the 2D engine in a later update for FHM 12, but they didn't specify what. It sounded like it's going to be significant though.

Well that's definitely a step in the right direction. Good to hear.

[Left-handed]

Originally Posted by Savoie45

Likely, because hockey games don't sell anyways outside of EA in Canada. Let alone a niche text-based game buried amongst the depths of Steam. Having the NHL license was the smartest move in order to appeal to the average hockey fan who happened to stumble upon the game, because most don't want to waste time with applying mods and such. Do you know how many people think that EA NHL is the only NHL licensed hockey game on the market and wish there were more?

Yeah, I mean, I kinda figured it was a strategy to lure in customers. But what's the point of good marketing if the product itself is lacking?

If the roadmap for this game is to simply be a historical sim engine, that's good to know for all of us who are perhaps seeking a more immersive fictional universe builder. This game probably isn't for us despite what we hoped it would be.

[Adam B]

Originally Posted by Left-handed

If the roadmap for this game is to simply be a historical sim engine, that's good to know for all of us who are perhaps seeking a more immersive fictional universe builder. This game probably isn't for us despite what we hoped it would be.

It's not a historical sim engine. Historical is apart of it, but the sim engine is designed to give the best results possible that reflect hockey as it is.

That being said, you're right. FHM's fictional universe is not anywhere near as customizable as OOTP's depending on the type of fiction you like. However, being able to create a custom world and import just about any league from around the globe allows you to create something unique to you. You can't make a fantasy one of course as it needs to be built on something on Earth, but there is lots of fun ways to take it right now. Doing more with Fictional is on the list though of things we'd like to do too eventually.

[beatle]

I enjoy the historical aspect of the game. All the seasons are free. Many other games charge you for each historical season. The research that went into these seasons, to me, is amazing and the developers should be acknowledged for this aspect of the game. For me, this game is worth the money, time and effort I put into it. Just my point of view.

[#4BobbyOrr]

The AI improvements excites me greatly. And the training and draft additions look good also. I'm cautiously optimistic.

I do wish there was a pre game editor or some other easy way of editing the starting database though. I'm guessing that's probably not on the cards.

[Tham]

Awesome, I really like the suggestion sections in the draft. That's been a point for me...do I just pick the highest rated one...if there's a lot of goalies, and I don't need a goalie....

I especially like the risky/safe part. That's fun.