New League Format

[NawlinsFan]

So I began trying to develop a ground up league format. I am doing a 40 team format with a 22 game season. So far I have:


- rough schedule complete with a 22 game format, no byes. My eyes still ache from bouncing numbers. Looking for errors now.
- roughed in the schedule csv file.
- roughed in the default team settings.
- modded the league years file to reflect my proposed start
- modded the league info file to reflect the proposed format

First try - game recognized the new format. Navigated up to the team selection and ran into my first issue. Only half the leagues teams were listed. Investigating. Second issue after I selected a team - the schedule showed week 22 but no other listings. Investigating.

So some progress but lots more work to tweak the files.

Note: Flipping through many of the game pages all of the 40 teams are listed so there is some goodness. Just need to find where it isn't linking.

[Passacaglia]

Sounds fun! What are your 40 teams?

[NawlinsFan]

Originally Posted by Passacaglia

Sounds fun! What are your 40 teams?

That would ruin the surprise! As soon as I finish the graphics I will post them. Right now though I need to find out what isn't working.

[Passacaglia]

If you want to send me the files, I think you have my email, and I can take a look. It's agage1@ you can probably guess the rest (gmail)

[Passacaglia]

So it looks like we've figured out the issue with half the teams not loading -- in default_teams, you need to make sure the divisions in conference 2 start with 1 -- the count starts over.

Also, with that file, I've changed the way I do it from being straight alphabetical like you have it to being ordered by division. I think it helps the numbering make more sense to me, and it's easier to make sure the schedules are doing what you want them to -- especially since your standings are set to 0 in your schedule files, so you're scheduling based on team index, which is based on the order teams appear in their division here. Here's mine, to show you what I mean:



When the schedule is creating games, if Division 1, Team 1 is playing Division 1, Team 2, I can see who that's supposed to be easily. That was yours is set up, if Division 1, Team 1 is playing Division 1, Team 2, you have to find the first team in Conference 1, Division 1 (looks like Team #10 in your file), then find the 2nd team in Conference 1, Division 1 (looks like Team #22 in your file).


If you've already started using the team numbers to name logos or create player and coach files, it might not be worth switching though, since you'd have to change all those too.

[NawlinsFan]

Update:

With some help from Passacaglia (thank you sir!) I was able to identify the basic issues and now have what appears to be working files for the expanded league. Now its time to dig into the details and verify the schedule and gameplay and complete the needed graphics.

[Passacaglia]

Sure thing! As I said in my email, I enjoy doing it, and I've spent way more time fiddling with these files than actually playing FOF9.

Sounds like your schedule issue got figured out, that's good! I think it was just that preseason needs to start with Week 1, and regular season starts the week after preseason games are done.

Let me know if you want help with creating player files or anything else.

[NawlinsFan]

Ok, major issue. I was able to slow roll through the first season. Checking the games and data everything appears to be good. I begin the next season and am able to start free agency and on day one of open negotiations I extend a few offers and the game consistently CTD. No errors noted. I tried doing a fast sim to see if it would bypass it but it appears to do the same thing at that point. Created new universes and the same issue.

[NawlinsFan]

I was hoping to see if I could work out the creation of various additional formats to add to those in game but the frustration and effort all but make it a waste of time. I can't find an error in the modded files that is causing the issue but am sure it is likely something simple. From the discussions (lack of) here anymore it seems that the once vibrant community has joined Jim and all but given up on FOF and its future. That's a shame. As much as I have tried I can't enjoy DDPSF, it is just lacking and despite it's development has too many issues. Not a Madden guy either. Seems I am lost but what the hell, may be surprised with something in development on Steam. One can only hope and dream.

[korme]

NawlinsFan,

I was under the impression that we couldn't manipulate the league structure like that. I don't know if something is hard-coded when processing that is causing a 40 team structure to fail. Someone please correct me if I am wrong.

In the meantime, the developers of Football Coach: College Dynasty are working on a pro version of their game. Their college game is highly customizable and something you might enjoy. There are threads in the Off Topic forum on it.

[NawlinsFan]

Originally Posted by korme

NawlinsFan,

I was under the impression that we couldn't manipulate the league structure like that. I don't know if something is hard-coded when processing that is causing a 40 team structure to fail. Someone please correct me if I am wrong.

In the meantime, the developers of Football Coach: College Dynasty are working on a pro version of their game. Their college game is highly customizable and something you might enjoy. There are threads in the Off Topic forum on it.

The games files state that a league format of 2 conferences, 8 divisions and 64 teams is possible. Requirement is 2 conferences, even number of divisions and no more then 8 teams in a division. I am thinking Jim thought this but may not have actually tried it. I started other formats but after the 40 team fail I am losing interest.

As for FC:CD I have been following it and am hopeful that his Pro version works out. We can only hope.