The FOF7 Steam Release Thread

[Ben E Lou]

Starting a new thread to discuss the release, Achievements, etc. Old thread closed. The game has been unlocked and is available for purchase here:

<iframe src="http://store.steampowered.com/widget/344340/" frameborder="0" width="646" height="190"></iframe>

[Abe Sargent]

Purchased and d/ling right now

[Shoveler]

downloaded and installed through steam with no problems.

[Ben E Lou]

I posted a quick review. How important are user reviews? I see one place where you can sort by best reviews. Would it help getting eyeballs on the game to get more positive reviews, or are the user tags the key for that?

[Shoveler]

I posted a quick review. How important are user reviews? I see one place where you can sort by best reviews. Would it help getting eyeballs on the game to get more positive reviews, or are the user tags the key for that?

For indie games like this one, I think user reviews are really important, and steam has made it easy to see the overall review scores right at the top of the product store page. I dont believe user reviews will get steam users to the FOF7 store page, that will be through tagging and how the individual searches. Once someone gets to the store page, the overall user reviews will be right in their face (see below).

http://i.imgur.com/qQ30Ulq.png

However, short and vague reviews look fishy, so if folks are going to write a review they should put some time into it. Just my two cents anyhow.

[Templar]

Steam is finally active.
:party:
What a fight this was.

To all new customers!
Please do not hesitate to check out the MP leagues.
I'm not the greatest MP enthusiast - but with FOF in a MP league, hell that's great!

[Shoveler]

The user review you wrote is not showing up for me. I'm getting the, "There are no public reviews for this product in your language." message.

Update: I was able to find your review in the community hub, but hopefully it will start to show up on the bottom of the store page like most store pages.

[Darkside]

So if I am reading this right, unless I stop playing FOF and unlicense my games I can not convert to steam which is almost impossible for MP players as according to the Solesismic website this will take some time. If that's the case all of us who voted for Greenlight basically have to buy a new licence or stop playing MP for a good period of time if we wish to use Steam? Wow!

[korme]

So if I am reading this right, unless I stop playing FOF and unlicense my games I can not convert to steam which is almost impossible for MP players as according to the Solesismic website this will take some time. If that's the case all of us who voted for Greenlight basically have to buy a new licence or stop playing MP for a good period of time if we wish to use Steam? Wow!

I unlicensed at 11AM and requested a steam key. I'll post when I get one. This is in the 'busy' period, too, so maybe in a week or 2 or it could be a matter of hours.

[korme]

Alas, apparently I was emailed an hour ago - so, in this busy period it only took 4 hours:

Thank you for your request to convert your ViaTech license for Front Office Football Seven to a Steam license.

We were unable to disable your ViaTech license because it is still in use. We're sorry, but we cannot process your request.

Hmm.

http://i.imgur.com/L641IKr.png?1

[Ben E Lou]

Did you remove both licenses?

[Darkside]

Another question, one of my licenses is on a dead laptop so i can't remove it, Like i say also how can we upload for MP games etc if we unlicence our copies?

[Ben E Lou]

Another question, one of my licenses is on a dead laptop so i can't remove it, Like i say also how can we upload for MP games etc if we unlicence our copies?.Before making a request, unlicense Front Office Football Seven. There are two licenses available. Both must be unused, or the conversion won't go through. While we realize that unlicensing the game may be impossible for some customers because of computer failure of some sort, there will be no exceptions to this policy because we have no way of determining why a license is shown as in use.

Maybe you can get Viatech to restore that dead license first?

[korme]

Did you remove both licenses?

I removed the one I've been using. Like Darkside, I think I may have had one on my dead laptop. It died right around the time FOF7 was released, so I can't be sure if I installed on that or not. If that is the case though, that's really depressing, as I can't do anything about it - be it because the laptop is dead and gone or the fact that I used my only one chance.

[Lonnie]

Woohoo, finally got FOF 7. I've been holding out until the Steam release.

[aston217]

How does Steam work for MP? Just making sure, wanted to ask those of you who have already done it. Do you have to be "online with Steam" to download/export files? Or does it still work exactly the same way, i.e, manually entered server settings? Does the steam client have to be running?

Also, for those of us who are participants or commishes in a MP league -- and I am both -- is moving to Steam going to be necessary? Not that I'm a huge fan of Viatech, but it's never caused me problems and I may not move if it's not necessary. Though I may join the ranks of the folks who buy another copy anyway. I really like the new price point, by the way. Think it's very sensible and will get a lot of people here.

[Darkside]

I'd be interested to know how quick it has taken people to be registered on steam?

[Ryan S]

Ben - How on earth do you have 155 hours in game already? Testing?

[Ben E Lou]

How does Steam work for MP? Just making sure, wanted to ask those of you who have already done it. Do you have to be "online with Steam" to download/export files? Or does it still work exactly the same way, i.e, manually entered server settings? Does the steam client have to be running?

Also, for those of us who are participants or commishes in a MP league -- and I am both -- is moving to Steam going to be necessary? Not that I'm a huge fan of Viatech, but it's never caused me problems and I may not move if it's not necessary. Though I may join the ranks of the folks who buy another copy anyway. I really like the new price point, by the way. Think it's very sensible and will get a lot of people here.[/QUOTE]I haven't noticed any differences at all for MP. It shares savegame folders with the Viatech version, so if you do decide to just buy the Steam license, you can use either version interchangeably.

I'd be interested to know how quick it has taken people to be registered on steam?Do you mean when you buy the game? That's pretty much instant.

[PilotMan]

Reviews are very important because games can be sorted by them. Many games that get panned drop pretty quick because let's face it, once the word is out that's it. Players don't have a whole lot of patience for shitty complicated games so good reviews, especially from established players or high time players will serve the game well.

My review is posted and showing in the store.

[Abe Sargent]

Gave it a review too

[PilotMan]

Hey guys FOF7 is on the front page of popular new releases! This is a big fucking deal!

[aston217]

I haven't noticed any differences at all for MP. It shares savegame folders with the Viatech version, so if you do decide to just buy the Steam license, you can use either version interchangeably

Oh, nice! That answers a question I had forgot to ask, which is if everything gets put into some steamapps folder now. Great!

[chinaski]

Hey guys FOF7 is on the front page of popular new releases! This is a big fucking deal!

Front page AND top of the list! So awesome.

[Alf]

Update: I was able to find your review in the community hub, but hopefully it will start to show up on the bottom of the store page like most store pages.
I am seeing benelou,pilotman and euplatious reviews on the game's page

[Dutch]

I bought it, installed it, check the version (it was A previously and now says B), clicked PLAY, saw my 3 MP leagues, downloaded new files for them and uploaded changes. All with 5 minutes. Perfect!

[Dutch]

Hey guys FOF7 is on the front page of popular new releases! This is a big fucking deal!

America! Fuck yeah!

[corbes]

I own a viatech version. I play MP. I want to buy it again on steam. #supportjim

If I buy steam, what are the steps to get up and running with the existing MP?

[Ben E Lou]

I own a viatech version. I play MP. I want to buy it again on steam. #supportjim

If I buy steam, what are the steps to get up and running with the existing MP?
1. Buy game.
2. Install game.

Your leagues will be there. No other steps. It uses the same savegame folders as the non-steam version.

[PilotMan]

The game will install and find your leagues right off the bat (it worked for my sp games). I'd say just unlicense your Viatech version and then reinstall with the Steam version and it should all be right there for you without changing anything. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

{edit:ben beat me to it. dammit ben!}

[Ben E Lou]

If you are *buying* the Steam version, you don't have to unlicense Viatech. They can live together just fine.

[Marmel]

I sent my request to transfer my viatech license to steam at about 5:45pm (probably closer to 6:00). I received an email at 6:28 pm that it has been completed. I entered the steam code and I am up and running.

[Marmel]

So if I am reading this right, unless I stop playing FOF and unlicense my games I can not convert to steam which is almost impossible for MP players as according to the Solesismic website this will take some time. If that's the case all of us who voted for Greenlight basically have to buy a new licence or stop playing MP for a good period of time if we wish to use Steam? Wow!

dole...it seems this is an over-reaction.

[Lonnie]

Posted a review as well.

[PilotMan]

America! Fuck yeah!

Currently on page 3 of the "Top Sellers."

[stevew]

Anyone got any thoughts on how to find the Mac saved game folder.

[Coffee Warlord]

Be curious to hear from Jim as to how sales have gone since it was released.

[gstelmack]

The game will install and find your leagues right off the bat (it worked for my sp games). I'd say just unlicense your Viatech version and then reinstall with the Steam version and it should all be right there for you without changing anything. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

{edit:ben beat me to it. dammit ben!}

I just went through this process and it worked fine. Unlicensed, uninstalled, bought Steam version, installed, FOOL and WOOF both came up without incident.

[chinaski]

Just sent in my request *crosses fingers*

[bstar]

Just sent in my request *crosses fingers*

Where do we send in these requests?

[stevew]

Search for posts by the user "solecismic". It's detailed there.

[Germanicus]

Wow, that the e-mail made me forget about a long, long day at work. Had a couple friends who wouldn't buy till it dropped on Steam, time to go yell at them.

[PilotMan]

Where do we send in these requests?


Solecismic Software: Home of Front Office Football (http://www.solecismic.com/conversion.php)

http://www.solecismic.com/cgi-bin/conversion.cgi

[MizzouCowboy]

Trying to unlicense, but FOF keeps crashing. If I remember correctly I had to do the offline licensing or whatever it was, not sure if that matters.

[Abe Sargent]

I am seeing benelou,pilotman and euplatious reviews on the game's page

I'm Euplatious!

[chinaski]

Just sent in my request *crosses fingers*

aaand just like that im good to go.


Thank you for your request to convert your ViaTech license for Front
Office Football Seven to a Steam license.

We have disabled your ViaTech license ID. Your Steam Key is: xxxxxxxxxxxxx

[Dutch]

There are 25 games per page on the best sellers list. FOF7 is up to #52.

[chinaski]

Selling better than NBA2k15!

[corbes]

What do I do?

1. Buy game.
2. Install game.

Your leagues will be there. No other steps.

Bought, installed, looks good. Thanks.

FOF was the first item listed in the featured section.

[Julio Riddols]

I've added my review as well. Great to see the game rocketing up the boards!

[Julio Riddols]

We really ought to put together a guide for the new people over on Steam.. I know the game can be daunting for a fresh user. I'm thinking something short that sort of highlights points of interest for each stage in the game, like a quick guide. Eventually a nitty-gritty guide that covers everything in depth, down to how to read combines and judge player development and maybe a few game planning hints/strategies would be cool too.

[bstar]

Solecismic Software: Home of Front Office Football (http://www.solecismic.com/conversion.php)

Front Office Football Seven Steam License Conversion Request (http://www.solecismic.com/cgi-bin/conversion.cgi)

Thanks!

[Lonnie]

The EULA opens up the Steam homepage instead of the usual text when installing. Is that on purpose? It did it on my desktop and Surface Pro 3.

[da0ud]

We really ought to put together a guide for the new people over on Steam.. I know the game can be daunting for a fresh user. I'm thinking something short that sort of highlights points of interest for each stage in the game, like a quick guide. Eventually a nitty-gritty guide that covers everything in depth, down to how to read combines and judge player development and maybe a few game planning hints/strategies would be cool too.

Oh yeah, that would be lovely !
Some help about the flow and what you usually look at at each phase in a regular one year cycle.

[Templar]

I miss the Steam tag "NFL"!

[3ric]

Ended up buying the game again on Steam instead of going through the license conversion... what the heck, Jim deserves the sales

[Alf]

Ended up buying the game again on Steam instead of going through the license conversion... what the heck, Jim deserves the sales
I'll probably end up doing it your way.

[Templar]

Shouldn't someone create a good FAQ for FOF gameplay on Steam?

[Julio Riddols]

I'm putting together a quick step by step basic walk through of a season now. It will take some time, but I hope to have it finished in a few days. The plan is to cover each phase of the game step by step and give the beginner a basic straight forward run through their first season, getting them acclimated with the points of interest for each phase.

[Templar]

I'm putting together a quick step by step basic walk through of a season now. It will take some time, but I hope to have it finished in a few days. The plan is to cover each phase of the game step by step and give the beginner a basic straight forward run through their first season, getting them acclimated with the points of interest for each phase.
Sounds good.
Do everything to beginners not to be afraid!

[gelat]

Has anyone gotten the steam version to launch after using reshack on the bitmaps?

[nilodor]

Ended up buying the game again on Steam instead of going through the license conversion... what the heck, Jim deserves the sales

Already did the same.

I hope sales do well, I'd really like to see this series continue and TCY pick up again.

[lions_fan]

Just purchased on Steam! Thank goodness. I am tired of buying (3 copies) this game because of e-license issues. :)

[Gallifrey]

Just wondering...

I have played this game for so many years. I play the latest version almost every day for at least a few minutes.

What is the point of Stream? Why would I want to play it there and not the way I have it now? Just wondering.

[stevew]

If you have to reinstall it's 1000 times easier.

[gstelmack]

Auto-patching as well when Jim releases a new version.

[MizzouRah]

I don't see much of a bonus for a steam install to be honest. You'll still get patches directly from Solecismic's website and typically that's faster then when it gets on Steam. Plus, FOF doesn't really release a ton of patches. :)

It's good for Jim to reach a much wider audience though.

[korme]

If you're not using Steam you're living in the past, that's why :)

[NawlinsFan]

I don't see much of a bonus for a steam install to be honest. You'll still get patches directly from Solecismic's website and typically that's faster then when it gets on Steam. Plus, FOF doesn't really release a ton of patches. :)

It's good for Jim to reach a much wider audience though.

Yeah, I had constructed different graphics setups in separate .exe files for various leagues (kinda anal I know!). Don't think you can do that anymore. Or can you? Wonder if you could log on to steam but start the game through a shortcut to the steam game folder.

Still, I think I have purchased FOF 3-4 times because of PC issues and elicensing. May keep it like it is for now since I recently bought it again.

[Julio Riddols]

I'm putting together a quick step by step basic walk through of a season now. It will take some time, but I hope to have it finished in a few days. The plan is to cover each phase of the game step by step and give the beginner a basic straight forward run through their first season, getting them acclimated with the points of interest for each phase.

Quick update on this, I am about 60% done with the text part of the basic guide, after which I will be adding images to highlight what the text is detailing. I am hoping to be done with it this weekend, after which I will submit the guide and make tweaks based on any feedback I am given. I will also probably add some "intermediate" sections down the line to go into a little further detail on certain aspects of the game, like setting depth charts manually and game planning basics.

[NawlinsFan]

Quick update on this, I am about 60% done with the text part of the basic guide, after which I will be adding images to highlight what the text is detailing. I am hoping to be done with it this weekend, after which I will submit the guide and make tweaks based on any feedback I am given. I will also probably add some "intermediate" sections down the line to go into a little further detail on certain aspects of the game, like setting depth charts manually and game planning basics.

You sir are a gentleman.

[mckerney]

I don't see much of a bonus for a steam install to be honest. You'll still get patches directly from Solecismic's website and typically that's faster then when it gets on Steam. Plus, FOF doesn't really release a ton of patches. :)

It's good for Jim to reach a much wider audience though.

Not having to deal with eLicense is a pretty huge plus.

[corbes]

What is the benefit of buying a new copy on Steam?

FOF8 FOF8 FOF8 FOF8 FOF8 FOF8 FOF8

[Ben E Lou]

I like Steam for the Achievements. They add something that FOF has never had--"push" notification (at least the first time) for notable occurrences.

[PilotMan]

Quick update on this, I am about 60% done with the text part of the basic guide, after which I will be adding images to highlight what the text is detailing. I am hoping to be done with it this weekend, after which I will submit the guide and make tweaks based on any feedback I am given. I will also probably add some "intermediate" sections down the line to go into a little further detail on certain aspects of the game, like setting depth charts manually and game planning basics.

Awesome. You kick ass.

[stevew]

FOF8 FOF8 FOF8 FOF8 FOF8 FOF8 FOF8

Yeah. This.

[da0ud]

Quick update on this, I am about 60% done with the text part of the basic guide, after which I will be adding images to highlight what the text is detailing. I am hoping to be done with it this weekend, after which I will submit the guide and make tweaks based on any feedback I am given. I will also probably add some "intermediate" sections down the line to go into a little further detail on certain aspects of the game, like setting depth charts manually and game planning basics.

I will be very happy to read your guide, follow it through a season and give you feedback once you release it.

Thanks a lot, you are awesome !

[Julio Riddols]

I have finished the text version of the guide and published it.. Not sure how long it will take to show up in the guides section. I will be going through and adding pictures to help make things a little more clear, but that may take some time. For now, if anyone reads it and has any suggestions or ideas, feel free to let me know here or leave a comment on the guide on the Steam page for the game.

I figure the text version reads pretty well in my opinion, which is why I have gone ahead and released it without the images. Hopefully it doesn't just read well to me because I have been playing the game for as long as I have.

[Julio Riddols]

Ok, I have dabbled with inserting images, but I am not good with formatting in this environment.. If someone with better formatting skills would like to be added as a contributor in order to add images to the guide, PM me and we'll hash out the details so I can add you as a contributor.

EDIT: The more I look around at guides posted around Steam, the more I recognize that very few employ imagery. I almost think this guide may not need images - I'll leave it up to feedback to tell me whether things are too vague or hard to follow or whether images may indeed be necessary to make the guide more useful.

[3ric]

Ok, I have dabbled with inserting images, but I am not good with formatting in this environment.. If someone with better formatting skills would like to be added as a contributor in order to add images to the guide, PM me and we'll hash out the details so I can add you as a contributor.

EDIT: The more I look around at guides posted around Steam, the more I recognize that very few employ imagery. I almost think this guide may not need images - I'll leave it up to feedback to tell me whether things are too vague or hard to follow or whether images may indeed be necessary to make the guide more useful.

Steam Community :: Guide :: Quick Stage by Stage "Points of Interest" Guide (http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=387236587)

This one, right? Good work!

Interesting to see quite a bit of threads on the discussion forum Front Office Football Seven General Discussions :: Steam Community (http://steamcommunity.com/app/344340/discussions/)

[Ben E Lou]

Ok, I have dabbled with inserting images, but I am not good with formatting in this environment.. If someone with better formatting skills would like to be added as a contributor in order to add images to the guide, PM me and we'll hash out the details so I can add you as a contributor.

EDIT: The more I look around at guides posted around Steam, the more I recognize that very few employ imagery. I almost think this guide may not need images - I'll leave it up to feedback to tell me whether things are too vague or hard to follow or whether images may indeed be necessary to make the guide more useful.My one bit of feedback is that it would probably be a good idea to insert links to this sub-forum of FOFC at the top and bottom of the guide and mention something like, "for advanced strategy discussions, you should check out this fansite..."

I say that because I envision--once the newbies start to get the hang of the game and are trying to figure out how to get better--a whole bunch of "reinventing the wheel" type questions where some of us will just end up linking them to various strategy threads here anyway. :p

[Ben E Lou]

Anyone know how they calculate their "Top Sellers?" I ask because FOF is #5 among sports games right now. I'm assuming that some sort of "recent sales" metric and not overall.

[Julio Riddols]

My one bit of feedback is that it would probably be a good idea to insert links to this sub-forum of FOFC at the top and bottom of the guide and mention something like, "for advanced strategy discussions, you should check out this fansite..."

I say that because I envision--once the newbies start to get the hang of the game and are trying to figure out how to get better--a whole bunch of "reinventing the wheel" type questions where some of us will just end up linking them to various strategy threads here anyway. :p

Done.

[Ben E Lou]

Done.Perfect!

This weekend I may take a swing at an "intermediate" guide using the same structure as yours.

[IWWROCKS]

Hey guys, completely new to FOF. Found out about the game through Steam. I had vaguely heard of FOF before, but a while back and I thought the latest version was like early 2000's or something. Was delighted to see an American Football management sim and bought instantly.

Crazy how in depth this game is! Absoloutely love it so far. Feel like i'm only poking at the edges of what I can do, but learning more each time I load it.

So thanks for publicising to Steam because without it, I probably would never have found this game! I see there are posts around about graphical mods and such so will definately be checking these out. If anyone has any tips of the best mods for a newbie to install would be great!

[Julio Riddols]

Perfect!

This weekend I may take a swing at an "intermediate" guide using the same structure as yours.

Yeah, I figured I would leave the in depth stuff up to you - I would probably miss a whole bunch of stuff and end up with a jumbled mess.

[Templar]

Perfect!

This weekend I may take a swing at an "intermediate" guide using the same structure as yours.
Can't wait to learn more from a champion. :popcorn:

[MizzouRah]

Not having to deal with eLicense is a pretty huge plus.

Never had any issues but then again I've only had the latest version on this pc I got a couple of years ago.

If we can't use reshacker to mod the Steam version, I'll just stay with the d/l version.

[Templar]

Selling better than NBA2k15!
... FOF is #5 among sports games right now...l
Surprised me yet.
After all, the Front Office Football series got nearly 16 years "on the clock"!

But hey, isn't this great?

[Chrome]

Hey folks, one of those new Steam people that finally hopped on the bandwagon. Been waiting for a newer version of a football sim to come out and my wait is now over.

So far, I've basically just dove in, simmed some games, clicked all over the place and for the most part, figured out some "rookie" stuff. I thought I had some fun with Coach/Owner modes with NCAA & Madden......but damn, this is obviously way beyond that.

I actually used to run a sim league for NCAA - but was a "No Play". So roughly same concept, just obviously not as in-depth stat wise. The latest NCAA was fun though cause you had to keep up relations with recruits every week or you'd lose them. Gave you something to do with just a coach mode kinda thing.

May or may not join a league (or 2 or 3) soon'ish. I wanna sim a few more seasons on my own before I jump in with others.

Anyways, enough babbling........just sayin hello :popcorn:

[Julio Riddols]

Welcome to the fold, Chrome!

[Firefly]

Hey, Chrome! MP is the only way to play, IMO, and I say this as a guy who almost never plays MP in any games. Take some time to learn the game, but nothing will ever really prepare you for a league

[Ben E Lou]

Hey folks, one of those new Steam people that finally hopped on the bandwagon. Been waiting for a newer version of a football sim to come out and my wait is now over.

So far, I've basically just dove in, simmed some games, clicked all over the place and for the most part, figured out some "rookie" stuff. I thought I had some fun with Coach/Owner modes with NCAA & Madden......but damn, this is obviously way beyond that.

I actually used to run a sim league for NCAA - but was a "No Play". So roughly same concept, just obviously not as in-depth stat wise. The latest NCAA was fun though cause you had to keep up relations with recruits every week or you'd lose them. Gave you something to do with just a coach mode kinda thing.

May or may not join a league (or 2 or 3) soon'ish. I wanna sim a few more seasons on my own before I jump in with others.

Anyways, enough babbling........just sayin hello :popcorn:
Welcome!

[Abe Sargent]

Hey guys, completely new to FOF. Found out about the game through Steam. I had vaguely heard of FOF before, but a while back and I thought the latest version was like early 2000's or something. Was delighted to see an American Football management sim and bought instantly.

Crazy how in depth this game is! Absoloutely love it so far. Feel like i'm only poking at the edges of what I can do, but learning more each time I load it.

So thanks for publicising to Steam because without it, I probably would never have found this game! I see there are posts around about graphical mods and such so will definately be checking these out. If anyone has any tips of the best mods for a newbie to install would be great!

WELCOME!!!

[aston217]

Welcome, good to see all you new guys!

[Abe Sargent]

Hey folks, one of those new Steam people that finally hopped on the bandwagon. Been waiting for a newer version of a football sim to come out and my wait is now over.

So far, I've basically just dove in, simmed some games, clicked all over the place and for the most part, figured out some "rookie" stuff. I thought I had some fun with Coach/Owner modes with NCAA & Madden......but damn, this is obviously way beyond that.

I actually used to run a sim league for NCAA - but was a "No Play". So roughly same concept, just obviously not as in-depth stat wise. The latest NCAA was fun though cause you had to keep up relations with recruits every week or you'd lose them. Gave you something to do with just a coach mode kinda thing.

May or may not join a league (or 2 or 3) soon'ish. I wanna sim a few more seasons on my own before I jump in with others.

Anyways, enough babbling........just sayin hello :popcorn:


WELCOME to you too!

[nmain]

I'm trying to unlicense my FOF, but when I do it says I'm not connected to the internet when I definitely am. I have disabled my firewall, but it still telling me that and giving me an error 12.

[3ric]

I'm trying to unlicense my FOF, but when I do it says I'm not connected to the internet when I definitely am. I have disabled my firewall, but it still telling me that and giving me an error 12.

Email support at viatech.com and ask them to unlicense for you.

[Templar]

Hey folks, one of those new Steam people that finally hopped on the bandwagon. Been waiting for a newer version of a football sim to come out and my wait is now over....
You‘ll sure find newer versions of a football simulation. Meanwhile, there are a few out there.

However, you won’t find, by far, a so complete, so deep, extensive and sophisticated football management simulation as Front Office Football Seven.

And that's a fact! No chatter of a fanboy.

[DerkontheOS]

Has anyone gotten the steam version to launch after using reshack on the bitmaps?

I'm having the same issue...

[IWWROCKS]

Ok, new guy question.

I've got Revis who is questionable with Knee Tendonitis. I dont want to risk him so I make him inactive, and activate a backup CB to make sure I have 4 active as required.

I change all my depth charts to make sure Revis is out and the backup is in. I go to simulate and it says I have an inactive player in my depth chart. I go and look, and Revis is active again while the backup is back to inactive.

Any reason why when I deactivate Revis, it seems to revert to him being active again?

[aston217]

You might have a something in your Single Player Options that's like, "Coach resets depth charts".

[IWWROCKS]

You might have a something in your Single Player Options that's like, "Coach resets depth charts".

Ah forgot to mention that bit. Did go into settings and turned off AI automatically setting Depth Chart & Gameplan before each game but it's still doing it after that.

[Julio Riddols]

Do you have the multi player options window open? Sometimes that will cause issues with single player games I think.

[IWWROCKS]

Do you have the multi player options window open? Sometimes that will cause issues with single player games I think.

I dont. After you said it, I just opened up the Multiplayer settings and turned off the depth chart/gameplan as I did for single player, but no difference.

[aston217]

This is really odd, and I'm a little stumped, I admit. One thing I would do is check ALL your depth charts for irregularities.

It's possible you have say, an empty spot at 2nd punt returner, or something. This can cause the AI to take over your entire depth chart, including (maybe?) reorganizing who's active and whatnot.

The "inactive player on your depth chart" message sounds like there is a one spot somewhere in all your depth chart screens that is blank. Make sure to go through all of them.

[garion333]

Can't wait to learn more from a champion. :popcorn:

Damn right. Ben, get a guide up, right now we're depending on some guy named Julio. I hear he's a schlub.

[aston217]

Ben, it'd be really cool if you could set up a MediaWiki. Then the community could pitch in, fill out everything that's needed. I think it'd be probably more accessible than the help files for most people, plus it would be able to tie in the resources out there and explain how they are used.

[Julio Riddols]

Damn right. Ben, get a guide up, right now we're depending on some guy named Julio. I hear he's a schlub.

I kind of am!

[tpmoon]

How do I convert from my licenses to get a steam key? is there a procedure? Are there instructions anywhere? I've removed the licenses...Thanks

[3ric]

How do I convert from my licenses to get a steam key? is there a procedure? Are there instructions anywhere? I've removed the licenses...Thanks

Front Office Football Seven Steam License Conversion Request (http://www.solecismic.com/conversion.php)

[BreizhManu]

Front Office Football Seven Steam License Conversion Request (http://www.solecismic.com/conversion.php)

:banana:

[tpmoon]

Ok, Thanks, So the real problem is this, How can I remove license without starting the software? See, bought in 12/13, never able to get it to work on home laptop, even after trying all the fixes...so now get same error message when i try to do the remove license tool :mad:

I get the error code (0xc0000005) tried all the fixes long ago to no avail...maybe there was a new one, and I had quit trying...Anyway, I'd just like to enjoy the game, with steam or the original way...any help is greatly appreciated

[stevew]

Send email to [email protected], with order details and briefly explain your situation and ask them to completely reset your license.

Wait for response

Then follow changeover procedure

[MizzouCowboy]

I just want to say that FOF support is second to none. Above and beyond expectations.

[korme]

It is cool seeing people's join dates as Feb 2015 :)

[Sef0r]

Did I miss something or can I still modify the graphics using "resource Hacker"?

I don't like (in fact I hate it with a vengence) the default graphics.

[weegeebored]

I also agree about the graphics and the interface. It looks like only some graphics can be modified in the Steam version. The last few posts in the graphics/interface mods thread mention that the .exe might be checked by Steam for modifications and then the game won't run. Hopefully Jim/Steam will allow the modding community to have at it.

On that note -- is there going to be a sticky thread about what will work with the Steam version (mods, utilities, etc) or is this the place for that?

[beatle]

I read your response on graphics. Can you use your own bans in the Steam version without having problems with the game? I would not make the change if that was the case.

[Sweed]

I also agree about the graphics and the interface. It looks like only some graphics can be modified in the Steam version. The last few posts in the graphics/interface mods thread mention that the .exe might be checked by Steam for modifications and then the game won't run. Hopefully Jim/Steam will allow the modding community to have at it.

On that note -- is there going to be a sticky thread about what will work with the Steam version (mods, utilities, etc) or is this the place for that?

I wasn't surprised that modifying with reshack doesn't fly with the STEAM version as it messes with the .exe. I'm no programmer but I never really understood why so many of the graphics were wrapped up in the exe file to start with?

Helmets, logos, never were and Jim has moved the scoreboard out of the exe so maybe he can move things like numbers etc? Eventually create a "skin" file would be great.

[NawlinsFan]

I read your response on graphics. Can you use your own bans in the Steam version without having problems with the game? I would not make the change if that was the case.

Anything in the picture folder, to include bans, seems to work fine.

[Solecismic]

Just a general response to the bitmaps issue...

Way back when I started, disk access was more expensive (in terms of time) and so it was good programming practice to include frequently used images in executables.

Over time, modding has become more popular and disk access less expensive.

When people first started res-hacking FOF, I was surprised it worked. A simple security check like SHA to ensure someone isn't modifying the executable seems like a basic part of any DRM system. But ViaTech doesn't do that, so res-hacking works. I didn't think about this with Steam, but it makes sense.

When I was working on the Steam version, I read their recommendations that keeping executables down in size really improves their ability to deliver the product. Since bitmaps greatly inflate executables, I went through and moved what was easy to move.

What's left in the executable carries a high risk when moved. I'm sure most or all of it can be done, but it would require a full suite of testing. So it's more along the lines of a once-every-version change. If there's an FOF8, I will do that. But it's not an insignificant amount of work.

I will look into Steam-supported skinning (Workshop) with FOF8 (if there is one). If it's reasonable (both in development cost and what I mention below), I'll try and make everything that's drawn within the game skin-able through that service, though that could be frustrating for modders because of the light/dark issue.

The down-side, however, of relying on Workshop is that it adds a certain responsibility for maintaining copyright. I don't want to get into a situation where I have to police the Workshop every time someone uploads NFL logos (which is probably the first mod many people will want). So, I will have to look into what Steam expects there, and if that kind of policing is necessary, maybe it's best not to have Workshop.

[aston217]

Great! Thanks for the response, Jim.

[Caligari]

Thanks for the clarity, Jim!

Naively, I would think it should be possible to move any resources from within the exe to a dll loaded at runtime, which might be okay with Steam's DRM checks (and of course, might not be). Moving things out into a more easily used separate file for each resource would of course make things easier for modders, but if a separate dll would allow the reshack approach to work with the Steam version in the short-term, I think it would pay dividends with new users (and potential new users) who find the UI to be unrefined in appearance.

Might be worth checking, anyway?

That said, I've always been impressed with the thought and craft you've put in to this product, and I'm sure your way forward from here will be equally impressive!

[MizzouRah]

FOF8, ME WANT!

[IWWROCKS]

This is really odd, and I'm a little stumped, I admit. One thing I would do is check ALL your depth charts for irregularities.

It's possible you have say, an empty spot at 2nd punt returner, or something. This can cause the AI to take over your entire depth chart, including (maybe?) reorganizing who's active and whatnot.

The "inactive player on your depth chart" message sounds like there is a one spot somewhere in all your depth chart screens that is blank. Make sure to go through all of them.

Ok I worked it out. It was due to having the AI signing players switched on. Ever since I turned that off, i've been able to activate/deactivate and set my depth charts with no problem.

Next dumb newbie question - when I offer a new contract to a player, how do I set the bonus money? All I seem to be able to set is the base salary, or is bonus included as some kind of pre-automated calculation?

[Chrome]

Normally what I've seen so far is they'll ask for a certain amount, including bonus money so if it doesn't show any..........I don't give em any!! lol

[aston217]

The bonus is the first column on the contract screen.

[Solecismic]

I wondered if anyone in here who linked the form for requesting a conversion to a Steam Key could remove that link. People are just filling out the form and saying they never saw the instructions for the form.

Also, please don't ask ViaTech to remove licenses. They have no way, either, of verifying that an installation is removed. In some cases, as I state in the instructions, conversion to Steam keys just isn't possible.

I know a lot of the blame lies in sticking with a technology that hasn't improved with the times. But it still works, and they will still support it, and they've done a lot for us over the last 12-13 years. I don't want it to end on a bad note.

[Ben E Lou]

To clarify, I think Jim is saying to link to this page: http://www.solecismic.com/conversion.php

And not directly to this one: Front Office Football Seven Steam License Conversion Request (http://www.solecismic.com/cgi-bin/conversion.cgi)

The first one has the instructions.

[beatle]

NawlinsFan, Thanks for the response. I sent in my request to convert.

[beatle]

I downloaded the game from steam and the bans that I developed are gone. I tried to put them back and they would not take. I have the default bans now. I put them in the same folder, pictures, they were before the change. Is there a new folder? I did not see a folder in the the Steam folder for FOF7.

[beatle]

I found the file under apps!

[tpmoon]

Stupid new to steam Q (if my son wasn't in school, he could tell me) So if I install steam at home and work pc, can steam more or less follow me, with my games? for instance, played a fof7 game last night, can I play my next game today at work? (during lunch of course)

[agrimsley]

For FOF I don't believe you can do this. Some games support cloud saves which is what you've described but FOF saves files locally so it will not be possible.

You could absolutely play the game in both locations, just not the same saved game.

[tpmoon]

Great, Thanks, that'll be nice to play 2 seasons, 1 at each location

[Chrome]

That's what I do, just play 2 different ones from work/home. Figure more experience and more variations on such since I set them up differently.

I thought about just moving the save file to my google drive (or other file transfer if you cared, usb drive, dropbox, email etc.), but decided against for reasons above. (pending it was possible to begin with)

[Ben E Lou]

The week isn't over, but as of this moment, discounting the spambot activity we had in 2008-2010, FOFC has added more new members this week than in any week in the last decade. That includes the weeks right around the FOF2K7 and FOF7 releases. We had double-digit numbers of new members for five weeks in Dec. 2013 and Jan. 2014 around the FOF7 release, the highest number being 21 the first week of January. When FOF2K7 was released, we had 17 double-digit signup weeks in the November 2006-February 2007 range, the highest number then being 24 in the second week of January. We've had 25 new members this week so far. (18 last week.)

[Maynard]

Thanks for all the hard work, Jim. Had FOF not made it to Steam, I likely would have never found it. Great game and great community! I just wish I would quit over paying for players and trading all my draft picks away... also, I suck at drafting, Jim...yet, I'm STILL enjoying it! What does that tell you? ;)

[QuikSand]

Stupid new to steam Q (if my son wasn't in school, he could tell me) So if I install steam at home and work pc, can steam more or less follow me, with my games? for instance, played a fof7 game last night, can I play my next game today at work? (during lunch of course)

There's a cloud-file service called Cubby that works for this, FYI. It allows you to maintain certain folders on multiple computers as synched with one another -- so you can label your "universe" folder (or subfolders within it) as a cubby, and they will stay updated on both locations.