Front Office Football 2004, Version 5.1b Update

[Solecismic]

The 5.1b update is now ready for download, both at ViaTech and on SkyDog's mirror.

It contains the following:

1) A modification of the logic used to value salary offers. There was far too much emphasis on bonus money in the 5.1 version.

2) A fix to the logic used to determine playoff participants in cases where three or four divisions had a team tied for the spot, and only two of the teams had played each other.

3) A fix preventing you from offering hundreds of billions of dollars to a staff member, interpreted by the game as a large negative number.

4) Interceptions returned for a touchdown are included in the generation of individual points scored totals.

5) Limit access to rookie negotiations in multi-player leagues where the commissioner has decided to run the draft and expose the results to players before the draft actually should take place.

6) Add tracking of championship rings and total player of the game awards.

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ftp://fof2004.elicense.com/pub/Solecismic/FrontOfficeFootball2004.exe
http://www.younglifenorthlake.com/FrontOfficeFootball2004.exe

[Ben E Lou]

6) Add tracking of championship rings and total player of the game awards.:eek:

[WSUCougar]

Outstanding work, Jim.

[flere-imsaho]

Holy crap! Cool! :D

[VPI97]

http://dynamic2.gamespy.com/%7Efof/forums/images/icons/icon14.gif

[jbmagic]

thanks

:)

[Solecismic]

:eek:

I should add that tracking begins with the installation of the patch. That information is not available in pre-5.1b data files. Same with the points scored bug - that statistic is not calculated dynamically in the game.

[CraigSca]

Son of a....great work, Jim!

[Ben E Lou]

I should add that tracking begins with the installation of the patch. That information is not available in pre-5.1b data files. Same with the points scored bug - that statistic is not calculated dynamically in the game.So, does that mean we should start new career to get the tracking, or will creating a new savegame with an old career work?

[MikeVic]

edit: Jim answered my question above.

[samifan24]

So, does that mean we should start new career to get the tracking, or will creating a new savegame with an old career work?

You're asking if we just install the patch and open an existing career then all Championships after the patch install would have it, right? If so, then I'm wondering the same thing; if not, then I just asked my question Either way this is great :D

[Fonzie]

Rock on!

[Flasch186]

you are unreal

[Suicane75]

Wow, 5 days after two pretty big bug reports and he's already got a patch out. Jim, your level of customer service is second to none.

[Kozure]

very nice

Mark - RNFL Commish

[sachmo71]

6) Add tracking of championship rings and total player of the game awards.



Hard to describe how much value this adds to the game for me. Thanks.

[Flasch186]

i dont even know what the hell 5 means, but i love it

[Ben E Lou]

Answered my own question.

http://www.younglifenorthlake.com/fofc/henson.jpg

[Ben E Lou]

Looks like by saving the game again, it will track forward in an existing career.

[KWhit]

Great stuff. Thanks.

[cuervo72]

5) Limit access to rookie negotiations in multi-player leagues where the commissioner has decided to run the draft and expose the results to players before the draft actually should take place.

This only seems a tad judgemental to me... :)

Thanks Jim.

[TurnerONU22]

Looks like by saving the game again, it will track forward in an existing career.

By saving the game again, do you mean just clicking save once you open it, or do you mean creating a new save file once you open it?

[Suicane75]

This only seems a tad judgemental to me... :)
Thanks Jim.


Trust me, it's a good idea. I've run across something in my MP league that may or may not hamper me down the line but in contacts with Jim I think it's clear that being able to negotiate with rookies before the commish is actualy done with the draft may lead to a problem.

[amdaily]

Hard to describe how much value this adds to the game for me. Thanks.
Agreed. Fantastic feature!

[Icy]

Wow awesome and fast work Jim, could you believe guys that i have been surfing the forum for 40 minutes without noticing this patch until i received an email from the NAFL about it?? i need a doctor to take a look at my eyes.

Btw, as Jim keeps adding fantastic stuff each time he fixes a bug like the new rings tracking... mybe we should look again to see if we can find another one ;)

[Coffee Warlord]

Holy ungodly salary on that guy, SkyDog. :)

[cuervo72]

Trust me, it's a good idea. I've run across something in my MP league that may or may not hamper me down the line but in contacts with Jim I think it's clear that being able to negotiate with rookies before the commish is actualy done with the draft may lead to a problem.

Ah, I hadn't heard there might be some technical problems with doing it this way. If that's the case, then that makes sense.

(In one league this has been used as an incentive to get people to make picks in a timely manner [forum draft] - if they move things along, they can get shots at signing their guys. A bit of a side benefit.)

[MIJB#19]

It's probably not very creative to quote The Simpons' Mister Burns, but here goes:

Excellent

[Calis]

Wow, love the tracking of rings, something I've really been looking forward to.

Thanks a lot Jim, you just never let us quit eh? Some little new thing always make me play again. ;)

[spleen1015]

Holy ungodly salary on that guy, SkyDog. :)

2022. Inflation.

[gstelmack]

Where's the "picking myself up off the floor" smiley when you need it?

[Eaglesfan27]

Excellent news.

[Franklinnoble]

Seriously... with all the updates that have occurred... this should be a paid release... I feel guilty taking this for free.

[Senator]

Huzzah!

[Pyser]

jim, i know another person just adding "thanks" gets lost in the shuffle, but i'll add my extreme gratitude. even though there were questions that this was even a bug, you had it looked into and tweaked in less than 2 days. that is simply amazing. there is no other word to use. thanks again.

[TredWel]

Wow. Thanks very much for looking at and fixing this problem in such quick fashion.

[Flasch186]

The entire USFL is thankful

[fantastic flying froggies]

Hats off to Mr Gindin. Once again.

[Raiders Army]

Seriously... with all the updates that have occurred... this should be a paid release... I feel guilty taking this for free.

For real. I know I would've paid at least $80 for this game upon release. My wife would've even supported that. :)

I bought Doom 3, and I've played it less than 10 times.

I bought Sims 2, and I've played it twice.

I bought FOF 2004, and I've played it too many times to count. The value of this game is unreal.

[azjoe_02]

WOW! I never (and I mean NEVER) have had this kind of dedication from any company I have purchased anything from. Jim, you LEAD the market in customer service!

THANK YOU!

[Gallifrey]

6) Add tracking of championship rings and total player of the game awards.


Wow!

[Gallifrey]

And I should add thanks!

Now if I had just won my championship game...rings for all!

[korme]

i asked for championship rings forEVER (remember this? (http://www.jbl.ootp-online.com/host/rings.jpg))

now it's here. :D

now a dilemma.

continue 60 year career, or start over. :/

[Flasch186]

start over

[MizzouRah]

2) A fix to the logic used to determine playoff participants in cases where three or four divisions had a team tied for the spot, and only two of the teams had played each other.


Too bad for Buffalo in my career, but Jacksonville would have beaten them anyway. :)

Add another, "Thanks a ton!" Jim. I didn't expect something this fast.. and with additions to boot!! Woot!


Todd

[jbmagic]

Too bad for Buffalo in my career, but Jacksonville would have beaten them anyway. :)

Add another, "Thanks a ton!" Jim. I didn't expect something this fast.. and with additions to boot!! Woot!


Todd


what happen to the Rams? :)

[MizzouRah]

what happen to the Rams? :)

I had connection issues at home, so I went on. I finished 10-6, won my division, and just beat Minnesota to put me into the NFC Championship vs Kurt Warner and the Giants. Although this time it's not Bulger vs Warner, it's Chandler vs Warner. :)

I think I'm going to start over after the Super Bowl and do a 5.1b dynasty. That way I can use the updated player file you sent me.


Todd

[Flasch186]

can i get an updated player file?

[Kodos]

Thanks, Jim!

[jbmagic]

can i get an updated player file?


sure, just pm your email address

its the same real player file that available on the fof/tcy reference thread...

but i add contract extensions on several players that happen this year and also fix some player positions that was still incorrect...


http://dynamic2.gamespy.com/%7Efof/forums/showthread.php?t=32599&highlight=player+positions

[Gallifrey]

i asked for championship rings forEVER (remember this? (http://www.jbl.ootp-online.com/host/rings.jpg))

now it's here. :D

now a dilemma.

continue 60 year career, or start over. :/

60 years?! Wow!

Start over.

[dacman]

This made me smile:

http://home.comcast.net/~fofchattrick/nice.gif

[jamesUMD]

For Pete's sake! Please charge us something. I would prefer you had added customizable coaches and scouts (hint hint) and just charged us for a new game! I appreciate it, but stop making freeware. Oops, did I just say that aloud?????

[MizzouRah]

This made me smile:

http://img99.exs.cx/img99/6717/nice7cq.gif

[yabanci]

This is very good news. Like everybody else, I really appreciate the excellent support, the quick fix. Thank you very much.

I personally feel like getting all the use and enjoyment I've gotten out of FOF2004 and all these new FOF and TCY updates amounts to stealing. I'm going to buy another copy of the game just to keep supporting the product and Jim's company. If anybody wants it, PM me with your email address and I'll send you the reg codes.

Thanks agan, Jim.

edit: the new purchase (TCY) has been given away.

[Gallifrey]

I will be buying TCY next week. Can't wait.

[Swaggs]

This may have cured me of the E.D. I began suffering after reading the vasectomy thread.

Thanks Jim!

[Ben E Lou]

Front page updated...

[Ben E Lou]

By saving the game again, do you mean just clicking save once you open it, or do you mean creating a new save file once you open it?I only tried the latter (save as), so I'm not sure about the former.

[sks4]

Hey Guys.

Having some problems downloading the latest patch.

Went to unzip the latest update and got this message.

16 Bit Windows Subsystem

c:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\autoexec.nt
System file not suitable for running MS-DOS and Microsoft Windows applications.

Have never had a problem updating with any other patches.

I did go to the Microsoft web site and tried to follow their directions.
I have Windows XP pre-installed so no CD.

Just wondering what the problem is now.

Thanks for your help.


Steve

[azjoe_02]

Hey Guys.

Having some problems downloading the latest patch.

Went to unzip the latest update and got this message.

16 Bit Windows Subsystem

c:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\autoexec.nt
System file not suitable for running MS-DOS and Microsoft Windows applications.

Have never had a problem updating with any other patches.

I did go to the Microsoft web site and tried to follow their directions.
I have Windows XP pre-installed so no CD.

Just wondering what the problem is now.

Thanks for your help.


Steve


Try this...

http://www.solecismic.com/faq/index.php

[sks4]

Yeah, I saw the FAQ and went through the Microsoft Support steps with no luck.

[azjoe_02]

Yeah, I saw the FAQ and went through the Microsoft Support steps with no luck.


Did you try this???

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;324767

[sks4]

That's exactly what I did!

No luck.

[azjoe_02]

Sorry... :confused:

I don't know what else for you to try. Maybe someone else who is more computer saavy can help you out. :(

[sks4]

Thanks anyway, AZJOE.

I found an XP_fix.EXE on their forum and that did the trick!!!!

[sovereignstar]

Thanks anyway, AZJOE.

I found an XP_fix.EXE on their forum and that did the trick!!!!

Okay, this almost needs referencing. So many guys have asked about that particular problem. Do you have a link for the post where you got the fix?

[TurnerONU22]

I only tried the latter (save as), so I'm not sure about the former.

Yeah, I just tried it, and it didn't work. I opened up my game save in the new patched version, then I saved it to a new game save, then exited and loaded up the new game save, but there's no mention of the championship rings. What point did you open and save the game at? Did you do anything between opening the game up and saving the new game file?

[SegRat]

I am about 65 years into my game. When I saved and reloaded it didnt show the rings won either. SkyDog probably already has his copy of FOF2008!! That would at least explain why his game updated itself.

[MizzouRah]

I think it doesn't update with rings won... it will start keeping track there. Don't have to start a new dynasty, but you'll never get the records of the first 65 years.

Yep, beat me to it. Thankfully, I'm in my first year.

Edit: Actually, I knew you were going to say what you did.

Todd

[Celeval]

I am about 65 years into my game. When I saved and reloaded it didnt show the rings won either. SkyDog probably already has his copy of FOF2008!! That would at least explain why his game updated itself.
I think it doesn't update with rings won... it will start keeping track there. Don't have to start a new dynasty, but you'll never get the records of the first 65 years.

[jbmagic]

I think it doesn't update with rings won... it will start keeping track there. Don't have to start a new dynasty, but you'll never get the records of the first 65 years.


i think that what jim meant above on an early post..


"I should add that tracking begins with the installation of the patch. That information is not available in pre-5.1b data files. Same with the points scored bug - that statistic is not calculated dynamically in the game."

[Abe Sargent]

Yay!

-Yay Anxiety Yay

[SFL Cat]

Answered my own question.

http://www.younglifenorthlake.com/fofc/henson.jpg

SD, What'll you take for that QB? :eek:

[jetpunk2000]

The 5.1b update is now ready for download, both at ViaTech and on SkyDog's mirror.



3) A fix preventing you from offering hundreds of billions of dollars to a staff member, interpreted by the game as a large negative number.





Who does this? I mean seriously, who in their right mind offered hundreds of billions of dollars to a staff member in order to report this bug? :eek: If there's a joke I'm missing here, consider me dumb and please clue me in. All I know is I laughed my ass off reading that one.

[jbmagic]

Who does this? I mean seriously, who in there right mind offered hundreds of billions of dollars to a staff member in order to report this bug? :eek: If there's a joke I'm missing here, consider me dumb and please clue me in. All I know is I laughed my ass off reading that one.


Donald Trump plays this game too :)

[Darkiller]

6) Add tracking of championship rings and total player of the game awards.

:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:
YESSSSSSSSSSSS !!!

I wanted that feature for so long....
THANK YOU JIM.

Outstanding work, as usual. You're #1.

[Ben E Lou]

Bump. Un-stick. Archived...

[Flasch186]

Trust me, it's a good idea. I've run across something in my MP league that may or may not hamper me down the line but in contacts with Jim I think it's clear that being able to negotiate with rookies before the commish is actualy done with the draft may lead to a problem.


Waht do you mean by a problem? I've had a GM negotiate with a rookie before FA is over. Could this crash something?

[Suburban Rhythm]

Is the patch available anywhere as a .zip file? Just getting back into the FOF swing of things...week of vacation, what a better way to spend it?

Thanks in advance.

[Ben E Lou]

Is the patch available anywhere as a .zip file?Not that I know of. The download is a full install .exe file. Are you on dialup? If so, I can zip it up for you and upload it. Let me know.

--Ben

[Ben E Lou]

Never mind. Zipping it up saves virtually no space.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Not that I know of. The download is a full install .exe file. Are you on dialup? If so, I can zip it up for you and upload it. Let me know.

--Ben

Yep, that's my dilemma...coming up at about 3+ hours to DL. I guess I'll try letting in run overnight or something, rather than tying up the phone line that long.

Thanks for the help.

[3ric]

SD, you could try to compress it with WinRAR and split the archive in several smaller parts.

[Hates_Cakesniffers]

Looks like we're back to the old "If you try to give me so much as one dollar less than I'm asking, its no deal" world. My last six contract negotiations went this way. No room to negotiate at all.

Back to time wasting instead of playing the game if you try to negotiate.

[Flasch186]

Looks like we're back to the old "If you try to give me so much as one dollar less than I'm asking, its no deal" world. My last six contract negotiations went this way. No room to negotiate at all.

Back to time wasting instead of playing the game if you try to negotiate.

not necessarily true...

in the USFL a couple of people renegotiated some deals that werent what was asked for. Regardless, if Jim put it back to this it is still far better than the minsal bug.

[Ben E Lou]

I've renegotiated several deals differently from what the player wanted with the new patch, both in single and multiplayer.

3ric: You're speaking Swedish to me in that post. ;)

[Flasch186]

SD, is there a critical problem with people renegotiating w/ their rookies prior to FA being done? What is it that theyre talking about?

[Ben E Lou]

SD, is there a critical problem with people renegotiating w/ their rookies prior to FA being done? What is it that theyre talking about?No clue what the deal is on that one. Rookies don't get on the team until after free agency in IHOF.

[Flasch186]

in the USFL, Ive been doing the draft in the draft preview screen and it seems to work. then i upload the league files and then the GMs look at the draft preview screen and all of the players selected thus far dont clog up the sorting. HOwever, i noticed one of my GMs signed a rookie, yet were still in the middle of FA....will that cause a problem as we actually get to the draft.

[Flasch186]

edit: i ran a trial of this and it looks like after FA is over the begin draft just picks up right where i left off in doing this on the draft preview screen.

[Cringer]

Hatcher, there is a problem with this that I just found out, oh say about 1 hour ago.

The Imperial League just ran training camp today, and when we did our draft the picks were put in during early Free Agency. Many guys signed their draftees during this time, and one guy had a problem come from it that we can see.

With training camp run and his situation still up in the air, one owner pointed out to me that 2 of his mid-round picks had been signed, but were being shown as holdouts, with their full attributes still hidden. He had already emailed Jim, and from what I understand Jim said that it must be a bug resulting from signing in early FA, since that was never intended to be in the game.

Result- After doing a quick test sim ahead to see if it would correct itself, it did not. We had to have the team cuts his two draftees. I then signed them onto mine and had him sign the two worst undrafted rookie punters, and i then traded them to get him his players back (otherwise they would not have signed with him because of holding a grudge for cutting them). He gets them for 1 year, and can resign them as restricted FA's next season. Since they were mid-round guys, and he already ate their bonus when cutting them, the whole thing works out ok.

Would have been better if it didn't happen obvioulsy, but that is life.

[Suicane75]

According to Jim, rookies should not have been able to be signed while free agency is still going on (ie: some leagues run the draft and Free Agency at the same time and allow people to sign rookies while still in FA). Thats what we did in our league and as you can see in this thread http://dynamic2.gamespy.com/~fof/forums/showthread.php?t=33004 the bizzare situation that Cringer refers to happened to me.

Player signed a deal but was still listed as an unsigned rookie and there was no way to negotiate. I'm surprised more people didnt run into that trouble.

[Flasch186]

and it didnt resolve itself ever? thats wierd, I wouldve thought it wouldve when you finished the draft in game. hmmmm, well I only have one person who had this happen so Ill follow your fix for it.

[Hates_Cakesniffers]

I've renegotiated several deals differently from what the player wanted with the new patch, both in single and multiplayer.


I hope that's true and its merely a random streak for me.

[Young Drachma]

::applauds::