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Release 3 Development Update - 6/20/2006 6:37:08 AM   
David Winter

 

Posts: 5158
Joined: 11/24/2004
From: Vancouver, BC
Status: offline 		Hi.

Many are probably wondering where their next update is. This is quick note to just let you know what is going on.

The game is now back in the private beta state meaning that all the new features and functions have been implemented (while this is happening it's referred to as Alpha state). The private beta testers get new builds every couple of days or so and things seem to be going well.

The new PDS seems to have addressed a lot of concerns and requests that people have brought up since the game was released in March. Currently three new 'stock' play books are being created to better utilize the new features.

The defense is also getting an overall. Presnap motion as well as improved M2M coverage is currently being tested and evaluated.

At this time I'm still not willing to provide any dates as to when this update will be available. I just ask people for their patience as I work to improve the game.

Thanks
David Winter
Developer.
Post #: 1
RE: Release 3 Development Update - 6/20/2006 3:50:32 PM   
Deft

 

Posts: 299
Joined: 9/17/2005
Status: offline 		Very cool. Wish I hadn't gotten on that beta testing list earlier.

(in reply to David Winter)
Post #: 2
RE: Release 3 Development Update - 6/20/2006 4:16:27 PM   
Bucky

 

Posts: 36
Joined: 9/25/2005
Status: offline 		Thak you very much David. I'm anxiosulty waiting the next release. Is it possible for you to give a list of features besides the PDS that this release addresses? I'm wondering about the Depth Charts.

Again, thank you for your persistance and willingness to listen to your customers!!!!!!

(in reply to Deft)
Post #: 3
RE: Release 3 Development Update - 6/20/2006 8:26:07 PM   
frunky

 

Posts: 208
Joined: 11/14/2005
Status: offline 		Beta testing is still opened I think
the thread is still up


_____________________________

These socks were made for walkin
So that's just what I'll do
One of these days these socks
Are gonna make you smell like poo

(in reply to Bucky)
Post #: 4
RE: Release 3 Development Update - 6/20/2006 10:44:17 PM   
Marauders

 

Posts: 4428
Joined: 3/17/2005
From: Minnesota
Status: offline
quote:

Bucky: I'm wondering about the Depth Charts.


There are some changes there as well.  Note that there is not enough time for a complete overhaul at this time, but it works much better than it had previously.

quote:

Deft: Very cool. Wish I hadn't gotten on that beta testing list earlier.

quote:

Funky: Beta testing is still opened I think the thread is still up.


That is correct.  I must add that beta testing is not just poking in, looking at new features, and taking the game for a spin; it is actually testing the game.  It is important to know that it isn't like open beta on an MMORPG where people are just testing if the system in place can handle the crowds; it is actually looking for things that are not working or could be working better.  It is more guts than glory.

It is nice to have dedicated and knowledgeable testers though, so whomever fits that criteria would likely be welcome on the team.  The crew at Matrix Games makes that call.


(in reply to frunky)
Post #: 5
RE: Release 3 Development Update - 6/21/2006 4:46:08 AM   
22sec

 

Posts: 976
Joined: 12/11/2004
From: Jackson, MS
Status: offline 		Thanks for the update David.

_____________________________

Mapping Specialist

(in reply to Marauders)
Post #: 6
RE: Release 3 Development Update - 6/21/2006 5:54:03 AM   
Deltadog


Posts: 389
Joined: 2/27/2006
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Marauders



That is correct.  I must add that beta testing is not just poking in, looking at new features, and taking the game for a spin; it is actually testing the game.  It is important to know that it isn't like open beta on an MMORPG where people are just testing if the system in place can handle the crowds; it is actually looking for things that are not working or could be working better.  It is more guts than glory.




I hope that one thing the beta testers point out if it has not been corrected is the tendancy of all kick offs and punts to slice toward the cofin corner and on kick offs when the ball goes out of bounds after going into the endzone that the ball comes out to the 20 not the 40.

(in reply to Marauders)
Post #: 7
RE: Release 3 Development Update - 6/21/2006 4:54:42 PM   
Bucky

 

Posts: 36
Joined: 9/25/2005
Status: offline 		quote:

Bucky: I'm wondering about the Depth Charts.

There are some changes there as well. Note that there is not enough time for a complete overhaul at this time, but it works much better than it had previously.


Thanks for the reply Marauders!!!!!

Looking forward to the next patch.

(in reply to Deltadog)
Post #: 8
RE: Release 3 Development Update - 6/28/2006 7:25:42 PM   
Marauders

 

Posts: 4428
Joined: 3/17/2005
From: Minnesota
Status: offline
quote:

Deltadog: I hope that one thing the beta testers point out if it has not been corrected is the tendancy of all kick offs and punts to slice toward the cofin corner and on kick offs when the ball goes out of bounds after going into the endzone that the ball comes out to the 20 not the 40.


It has been brought up.

(in reply to Bucky)
Post #: 9
RE: Release 3 Development Update - 7/2/2006 12:59:29 AM   
BillT

 

Posts: 16
Joined: 4/1/2006
Status: offline 		Sorry if this has been asked before but I've looked and can't seem to find the answer anywhere.

What else is being addressed besides the play editor? Are there any known issues being addressed as well?
I've stopped playing this game due to certain issues with the game. What about the ingame schedule generator or the one that came with the utility? Is this going to be fixed or are we going to have to wait for 3rd party assistance on that or have to go in and manually adjust schedules in Access each new season?
What about the issue of stats? Is anyone on the beta team reviewing and checking stats for accuracy? The major one here I'm thinking of is the QB sack stat bug.
What about the stats of simmed games vs. played ones where no sacks recorded in simmed games. Also what about game logs with no scores. Is there going to be any stats on fumbles recorded anywhere?
What about the bug where you choose to sim and you get all scores of 0-0. What about the overtime games that do not end in sudden death but play for 5 minutes regardless.
What about when you play cpu vs cpu and it stops you at the end of each qtr to continue?
What about players that are on the inactive list who are being selected by the cpu
in the depth chart screen and end up playing in games?
What about depth charts being adjusted in game by the cpu for no apparent reason?

One other question I have is about the PDS. Is there going to be any changes as for as creating Profiles? Will at anytime will we be able to select a category for a situation instead of a specific play?
What about time outs? I've seen the cpu call a time out when the clock is running out and I'm behind in the 4th qtr allowing me to kick a winning field goal.

Sorry about asking so many questions. I've been patient for two months now waiting for the next patch. I'd like to get back to playing the game again but I'm waiting for the next update. I hope I don't sound too negative, I just want to play the game I purchased back in March
Thankfully I've got Pure Sim to play in the meantime. It's an awesome game and currently on sale right now for the All Star break.







(in reply to David Winter)
Post #: 10
RE: Release 3 Development Update - 7/2/2006 6:01:28 AM   
David Winter

 

Posts: 5158
Joined: 11/24/2004
From: Vancouver, BC
Status: offline 		A full list of improvements and bug fixes will be posted as release notes when we're ready to make the release public.

David

(in reply to BillT)
Post #: 11
RE: Release 3 Development Update - 7/2/2006 11:26:20 AM   
Magnum357

 

Posts: 613
Joined: 4/22/2005
Status: offline 		BillT, I notice in a few of your questions on if MaxFB is going too have a Schedule editor.  Just too let you know, I was working on a Schedule editor about 2 or 3 months ago, but had to put it on hold.  If I can get some spare time, I'm thinking about continuing to work on it again.

(in reply to David Winter)
Post #: 12
RE: Release 3 Development Update - 7/2/2006 11:56:28 AM   
Marauders

 

Posts: 4428
Joined: 3/17/2005
From: Minnesota
Status: offline
quote:

What else is being addressed besides the play editor? Are there any known issues being addressed as well?


Yes.

quote:

One other question I have is about the PDS. Is there going to be any changes as for as creating Profiles? Will at anytime will we be able to select a category for a situation instead of a specific play?


I am unsure what the question is here.  The catagory is set up for the situation, and plays are selected for that catagory.

(in reply to Magnum357)
Post #: 13
RE: Release 3 Development Update - 7/4/2006 3:25:42 AM   
dreamtheatervt


Posts: 483
Joined: 4/22/2006
From: Virginia
Status: offline 		I was wondering if this issue was being addressed in the new PDS... on Defense, if you have one LB key on FB, and another key on HB, but there is only one RB in the game, can one of the LB's default to M2M on an uncovered receiver ("walk him off" to use football jargon)? This is what would happen in real life, right now it just leaves uncovered receivers. The opposite is true with more M2M than receivers on the LOS.

(in reply to Marauders)
Post #: 14
RE: Release 3 Development Update - 7/4/2006 3:51:14 AM   
David Winter

 

Posts: 5158
Joined: 11/24/2004
From: Vancouver, BC
Status: offline 		The testers came up with a solution to this that appears to be working.

When you create an 11 man formation with a FB, you're also taking the position of R4 off the field. There are a 3 or 4 of these 'swap out' players in the PDS. And they differ depending on the number of players on the field. This is done so you can create a wide number of formations.

If you were to create a defensive play with a LB covering the R4 position in some manor, and R4 is on the field, you're all set. The problem, as you noted in the current public release, happens when the offense comes to the line with a Full Back in the backfield. There is no R4 to cover and the LB would simple ignore the full back. He'd normally drop into zone coverage. 

Now, the LB will automatically cover the 'swap out' player. Meaning, that if R4 isn't on the field, any player told to cover him, will now cover the FB.

Does this make sense? Does it answer your question?

< Message edited by David Winter -- 7/4/2006 3:52:53 AM >

(in reply to dreamtheatervt)
Post #: 15
RE: Release 3 Development Update - 7/4/2006 5:37:41 AM   
Magnum357

 

Posts: 613
Joined: 4/22/2005
Status: offline 		Thats cool.  This kind of ability would really help out 4-4 Defenses (I like to use the 4-4 a lot to stop the Run) so that a LB can cover a receiver if it was caught trying to defend a "Pass Happy" type Play/Formation.

(in reply to David Winter)
Post #: 16
RE: Release 3 Development Update - 7/6/2006 2:52:00 AM   
dreamtheatervt


Posts: 483
Joined: 4/22/2006
From: Virginia
Status: offline 		Thanks! Sounds like a fix DW. Now I just need to get my hands on PDS 2.0 so I can resume wreaking havoc on D.

(in reply to Magnum357)
Post #: 17
RE: Release 3 Development Update - 7/23/2006 1:22:30 AM   
CFL_FAN_7

 

Posts: 428
Joined: 1/13/2006
Status: offline 		David,

Who won that vote for the next new feature, that had H2H online play and a financial system and available options??I s that going to be in Release 3 or this Realease 4 i've heard of??

(in reply to dreamtheatervt)
Post #: 18
RE: Release 3 Development Update - 7/23/2006 8:41:39 PM   
David Winter

 

Posts: 5158
Joined: 11/24/2004
From: Vancouver, BC
Status: offline 		Hello All.

Just thought I'd take a few minutes out of the schedule and let everyone know what's going on.

It seems that the major goals for this release have been met. The new PDS seems to be working very well. The rewritten defensive code looks to be effective although I'm continually trying to improve it further.

The last major area I would like to address is the 'programmer art'. Much of the interface artwork I had to cobble together pretty quickly just so I could have a graphic to use while I developed the code around it. I'd like to replace that with better looking artwork. That however takes time and I'm not sure it will be some thing I'll be able to get to.

What we're working on now is play balance. This takes a long time. It's a very iterative process. It also has a turn around time of a couple of days. Meaning it can be two or maybe three days after I make a change before enough results come in to see what else needs to be done. Depending on what is being addressed, many iterations may be needed.

The beta testers have created a number of new 11 man play books and an expanded play catalogue. I've not seen any of these yet but we're going to see about making these part of the default package (rather than a 3rd party download).

At the moment I'm working on the new manuals. The primary one will be updated to include new functionality and the PDS manual is being pulled out and created as its own. Many of the initial questions that arose from the boards after the first few days of release showed that the manual (especially the PDS section) was lacking in some areas. So those definitely need to be improved prior to release.

I'm in discussions with Matrix about the release date for R3. David Heath or Erik may want to give an update on that but I'm not sure we're far enough along on the discussions to post anything useful to others.

Thanks for your continued patience.
David A. Winter

< Message edited by David Winter -- 7/23/2006 8:42:53 PM >

_____________________________

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(in reply to CFL_FAN_7)
Post #: 19
RE: Release 3 Development Update - 7/23/2006 8:54:11 PM   
David Winter

 

Posts: 5158
Joined: 11/24/2004
From: Vancouver, BC
Status: offline 		Oh.. yes. Before I forget.

A couple of the testers have requested permission to create a tester blog. I simply do not have time to post a blog every day. Nor do I think there would be any point to me creating one. I really don't think reading about coding or time spent in photo shop would be all that interesting.

So I've given permission for testers to post some sort of textual only blog. Obviously they can't post things that would clearly break their NDA's but I've given them permissions to post their thoughts on what has changed and improved and how they see the game now compared to how it was before. I'm not sure if they've taken the time to do that. Everyone is pretty busy with other parts of the game.

David

(in reply to David Winter)
Post #: 20
RE: Release 3 Development Update - 7/23/2006 9:57:18 PM   
CFL_FAN_7

 

Posts: 428
Joined: 1/13/2006
Status: offline 		IS there H2H online play or a finacial system?? what were the results of the vote for a new feature (H2H online play was in it with a financial system)???

(in reply to David Winter)
Post #: 21
RE: Release 3 Development Update - 7/23/2006 11:50:45 PM   
Tbird


Posts: 1187
Joined: 12/15/2004
Status: offline 		New Sim option is winning so far

(in reply to CFL_FAN_7)
Post #: 22
RE: Release 3 Development Update - 7/24/2006 1:14:58 AM   
redwolf1


Posts: 366
Joined: 5/13/2005
From: Maple Ridge, B.C., Canada
Status: offline 		Almost pooped my pants there - quickly scanned the last message by T-Bird and read it as, "the new sim option is working" rather than "winning" ...my bad .

Thanks for the update David - appreciate it.





< Message edited by redwolf1 -- 7/24/2006 1:15:59 AM >

(in reply to Tbird)
Post #: 23
RE: Release 3 Development Update - 7/24/2006 2:41:31 AM   
Bucky

 

Posts: 36
Joined: 9/25/2005
Status: offline 		David,

Thank you very much for the update.......Can't wait for the new realease.

(in reply to redwolf1)
Post #: 24
RE: Release 3 Development Update - 7/24/2006 3:32:36 AM   
CFL_FAN_7

 

Posts: 428
Joined: 1/13/2006
Status: offline 		IS there H2H online play or a finacial system?? what were the results of the vote for a new feature (H2H online play was in it with a financial system)??? IS an upgraded SIM going to be added????

< Message edited by CFL_FAN_7 -- 7/29/2006 9:11:04 PM >

(in reply to Bucky)
Post #: 25
RE: Release 3 Development Update - 8/3/2006 4:12:01 AM   
Brockleigh


Posts: 418
Joined: 10/25/2005
Status: offline 		Hey folks...

I like what I'm hearing about what's being included in R3, mainly the improved Defensive AI. Once that's taken care of and Sweeps and Pitches don't routinely pick up 12 yards, the game will go a LONG way to being finished, IMHO.

One question I did want to ask about the PDS... I've tried to create a couple of CFL playbooks, but I have found that if I haven't lined up one of the receivers right next to one of the tackles at the snap, the PDS tells me my formation doesn't have enough men on the line-of-scrimmage, and won't let me save it. It doesn't matter if I have a Split End covering the tackle. The PDS is forcing me to use a Tight End, and as we all know, very few formations in the CFL utilize a TE outside of Goal Line and Short Yardage plays. Has this been brought up before, and/or is it being addressed?

(in reply to CFL_FAN_7)
Post #: 26
RE: Release 3 Development Update - 8/3/2006 4:26:22 AM   
David Winter

 

Posts: 5158
Joined: 11/24/2004
From: Vancouver, BC
Status: offline 		The only requirement there is to ensure you have 7 players on the LOS (where along the LOS doesn't matter, as long as there are 7).

Can you post (or send me) a screen capture of the formation you're trying to make?

(in reply to Brockleigh)
Post #: 27
RE: Release 3 Development Update - 8/3/2006 10:54:33 AM   
Marauders

 

Posts: 4428
Joined: 3/17/2005
From: Minnesota
Status: offline
quote:

Is there H2H online play or a finacial system?? what were the results of the vote for a new feature (H2H online play was in it with a financial system)? Is an upgraded SIM going to be added?


A slow sim system is what looks to be the number one asked feature for Release 4.  H2H and a financial system are later considerations.

Release 3 has always been about PDS 2.0, the AI logic, and team management features.  These things are core to the game, so they were on the top of the "to-do" list, and that has not changed.  There are other things that have been worked on, but some things will look the same but have new or slightly different code, so it may go less noticed than features that have graphics or menu changes.  There has been much progress, and a lot of work is being done.  Changing over to PDS 2.0 and revamping part of the defensive AI is no small task.  Please keep that in mind.

quote:

I like what I'm hearing about what's being included in R3, mainly the improved Defensive AI. Once that's taken care of and Sweeps and Pitches don't routinely pick up 12 yards, the game will go a LONG way to being finished, IMHO.


The AI is much better.  In fact, it may have been too good!  As the new playbooks are tested, that will be tweaked. 

Note that some of the tweaking will now be able to be done more easily to get the game style more to the liking of the game owner.

Marauders

(in reply to David Winter)
Post #: 28
RE: Release 3 Development Update - 8/4/2006 8:58:50 AM   
Brockleigh


Posts: 418
Joined: 10/25/2005
Status: offline 		Hey Dave,

The plays I have been trying to make have been with 7 Men on the LOS. I can't send you a screen cap, as I'm not that well versed in the ins-and-outs of using a PC, but if I can do it here...

I'me trying to create plays that have multiple players in forward motion. Let's say I wanted to create a 6 Pack offense. The formations I want to use have been something like:

  O        OO#OO       O
                O
     O O            O O

With the receivers in the backfeild in motion towards the line of scrimmage at the snap. I have tried a number of different variations, but the error message I get when I try to save the play is "Not enough men on the LOS".

The only way I can get my formations to work is to line up one of the receivers right beside one of the tackles, like:

  O        OO#OOO
                O              O
      O O              O

... as if I was using a Tight End. I noticed that the playbook for the 12-man game that came with the digital dowload utilized a Tight End like what I had to do with my formations.

I take it this is the first you've come across this.

(in reply to Marauders)
Post #: 29
RE: Release 3 Development Update - 8/6/2006 1:18:28 AM   
CFL_FAN_7

 

Posts: 428
Joined: 1/13/2006
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Marauders

quote:

Is there H2H online play or a finacial system?? what were the results of the vote for a new feature (H2H online play was in it with a financial system)? Is an upgraded SIM going to be added?


A slow sim system is what looks to be the number one asked feature for Release 4.  H2H and a financial system are later considerations.

Release 3 has always been about PDS 2.0, the AI logic, and team management features.  These things are core to the game, so they were on the top of the "to-do" list, and that has not changed. I'm hearing about what's being included in R3, mainly the improved Defensive AI. Once that's taken care of and Sweeps and Pitches don't routinely pick up 12 yards, the game will go a LONG way to being finished, IMHO.



-H2H isn't even being thought of and a financial sytem...this doesn' tlook very good






< Message edited by CFL_FAN_7 -- 8/6/2006 1:20:22 AM >

(in reply to Marauders)
Post #: 30
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