FOF 8.0b Patch Released

[Ben E Lou]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FrontOfficeFootball?src=hash">#FrontOfficeFootball</a> 8.0b released. <a href="https://t.co/uA4JzizM77">https://t.co/uA4JzizM77</a><br>Enjoy!</p>&mdash; Solecismic Software (@Solecismic) <a href="https://twitter.com/Solecismic/status/824177886676549632">January 25, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Sharkn20]

What does the patch includes?

[Sef0r]

Quick checks doesn't really show anything different for gameplanning or personal set up.

First thing I wanted to test was to see if very average QBs were still putting up good numbers and whether the TE has been nerfed somewhat. My gameplan still puts my TE as top 3-5 receiver across several SP leagues. sub 50 rated QBs were top 5 in QBRating.

[Ben E Lou]

First thing I wanted to test was to see if very average QBs were still putting up good numbers and whether the TE has been nerfed somewhat - nope.Did you send either of these items in to Customer Support? If not, I wouldn't expect them to have been addressed. I've checked; since 8.0a was released, I've sent in at least 8 distinct bug reports (possibly more...but definitely at least eight.) So far, all seven that I've checked were fixed. The eighth is the MP IR bug, and I can't verify that one until someone tries to IR someone, but given that it was a repeatable bug reported through proper channels, I fully expect that it's working properly now.

[Hammer]

Quick checks doesn't really show anything different for gameplanning or personal set up.

First thing I wanted to test was to see if very average QBs were still putting up good numbers and whether the TE has been nerfed somewhat. My gameplan still puts my TE as top 3-5 receiver across several SP leagues. sub 50 rated QBs were top 5 in QBRating.

Has it been established if TEs are doubled as part of the standard process. E.g. if he has the best RR and you put double best does it double the TE.

If so a human GP adjustment could be countered by a defensive human adjustment. Which could put MP on the level at least.

[Ben E Lou]

Has it been established if TEs are doubled as part of the standard process. E.g. if he has the best RR and you put double best does it double the TE.No idea if "double best" is what does it, but logs indicate that TEs can be doubled.

[A-Husker-4-Life]

I noticed you can now load defensive gameplans without it missing the last 3 situations on the red zone section.

[Sef0r]

Didn't send anything in regarding the TEs, primarily because I don't really have a problem with it. I made an assumption that the threads about the TEs in this forum meant someone who had a problem with it would report it.

Targetting my TE in a gameplan 10+ times a game doesn't guarantee a win so I guess it balances out. It might become a highlighted problem should owners in a MP league do this and we end up with 10+ TEs with 180 targets and 1500 yards in the top 15 receiving stats.

In regards to 45/50 rated QBs in the top 5, again not too much of a problem for me as that just means I don't have to invest a high 1st on a QB to be successful. The fact that we have so much control over the gameplan appears to negate the need for a 60+ QB to put up great numbers, though I haven't tested it enough to see if those 45 rated QBs with great stats also resulted in a winning season.

[A-Husker-4-Life]

The Pass rush strength bar was moved up right underneath the Pass rush tech bar.

[albionmoonlight]

Solecismic does not put out a patch list, does it?

[Ben E Lou]

Targetting my TE in a gameplan 10+ times a game doesn't guarantee a win so I guess it balances out. It might become a highlighted problem should owners in a MP league do this and we end up with 10+ TEs with 180 targets and 1500 yards in the top 15 receiving stats.The reality is that we can pump up the targets to a specific player or players in this version with much more ease and precision. That said, I'm far from convinced that getting into the 200-targets-a-year range is a good strategy. The CCFL had one player with >200 targets. His team went 7-9. IHOF has three players on pace for >200 targets. Their teams are 1-8, 1-8 (two on same team,) and 3-5.

[Ben E Lou]

Solecismic does not put out a patch list, does it?Sometimes.

[TroyF]

The Pass rush strength bar was moved up right underneath the Pass rush tech bar.


Yippeeeee

[Dawgfan19]

To add to the targeting discussion, I have a player in the VFL on pace for 272 targets, 160 receptions. His catch percentage isn't bad given he runs a lot of deep routes. I have not been getting familars either.

Interestingly, the player is the top rated overall WR in the league, with an endurance bar of 9.

The team is 7 - 0. We'll know more after a few seasons. This, as well as other examples sited, are a small sample size.

[AlexB]

:) Pleased to see a patch.

:( No change list. As someone that has parked FOF8 until it's more 'fine tuned' shall we say, impossible to know without a change list whether it is worth investing time to see if it is now more appealing to me than FOF7...

[chinaski]

What is it with Jim and not posting patch notes?

[yabanci]

Here is a list of various things I reported (bugs/suggested changes/personal annoyances) and whether at first glance they appear to be fixed:

move pass rush strength rating up next to technique - fixed
flanker and split end designations backwards on roster view - fixed
defensive tackles with pass defense ratings - not fixed, apparently design decision, now both defensive ends and defensive tackles have pass defense ratings
special teams encouraged or not was not listed on player card under status - fixed
AI teams never used Tampa-2 defense - fixed
film room always showed zero spies when there were many - fixed
game logs, RDE was shown in short zone rather than rushing passer - fixed
game logs, incorrectly showing up to five spies on one play - fixed
plays for last three defensive situations not being saved properly - fixed
exact blitzer wasn't identified in play-by-play - fixed (before it would only say Smith is blitzing, now it says M.Smith or S.Smith)
in generating playbook, plays were not matching QB's style - fixed
full 60 man roster should be active in preseason - not fixed (design decision)
preseason, in first game on list of games, QBs play every snap - not fixed
preseason, starters not getting subbed properly - too soon to tell
team that wins the toss always elects to receive (NFL almost always defer) - not fixed
teams never burn a time out, always have all three in last 2-3 mins - not fixed
teams never release horrible long snappers when there are many superb FA LS - not fixed
some non-QB 2nd-year players were showing up on green page - fixed
can't release player with injury settlement in first week of season - not sure yet
minor salary cap calculation errors when releasing with injury settlement - fixed
very minor typos in help file - fixed

injured players not being replaced with proper backups - not fixed grrr - example, DE Khalil Mack gets injured and is out of game, instead of replacing him with backup DE, game moves SLB Bruce Irvin to DE and CB Sean Smith to SLB rather than the appropriate backups:

http://imgur.com/a/nMTSL

[Ben E Lou]

Here is a list of various things I reported (bugs/suggested changes/personal annoyances) and whether at first glance they appear to be fixed:

move pass rush strength rating up next to technique - fixed
flanker and split end designations backwards on roster view - fixed
defensive tackles with pass defense ratings - not fixed, apparently design decision, now both defensive ends and defensive tackles have pass defense ratings
special teams encouraged or not was not listed on player card under status - fixed
AI teams never used Tampa-2 defense - fixed
film room always showed zero spies when there were many - fixed
game logs, RDE was shown in short zone rather than rushing passer - fixed
game logs, incorrectly showing up to five spies on one play - fixed
plays for last three defensive situations not being saved properly - fixed
exact blitzer wasn't identified in play-by-play - fixed (before it would only say Smith is blitzing, now it says M.Smith or S.Smith)
in generating playbook, plays were not matching QB's style - fixed
full 60 man roster should be active in preseason - not fixed (design decision)
preseason, in first game on list of games, QBs play every snap - not fixed
preseason, starters not getting subbed properly - too soon to tell
team that wins the toss always elects to receive (NFL almost always defer) - not fixed
teams never burn a time out, always have all three in last 2-3 mins - not fixed
teams never release horrible long snappers when there are many superb FA LS - not fixed
some non-QB 2nd-year players were showing up on green page - fixed
can't release player with injury settlement in first week of season - not sure yet
minor salary cap calculation errors when releasing with injury settlement - fixed
very minor typos in help file - fixed

injured players not being replaced with proper backups - not fixed grrr - example, DE Khalil Mack gets injured and is out of game, instead of replacing him with backup DE, game moves SLB Bruce Irvin to DE and CB Sean Smith to SLB rather than the appropriate backups:

http://imgur.com/a/nMTSL
Here are the things I reported that appear to be fixed that aren't on yabanci's list

"Hashed failed" message for teams that didn't export for a stage is gone.
Error in team_statistics.csv fixed
Crash upon generating HTML in multi-converted MP leagues fixed
Sorting bug on the trade screen fixed. (Player name sorting was not working.)
Starters WRs on roster screens are now properly reflected in their correct positions
Blank play names error when commish opens up his participant team and has used custom names.
"Commish set contract" feature is now fixed.

[Ben E Lou]

Oh...and for converted leagues, the DC/OC stuff has a fix.

[korme]

Right before clicking on Advance to FA (last chance to set franchise designations), I usually click on my roster to make sure I don't want to designate anyone. Every say, 20 or so attempts, when I click on 'Scout Overview' I will get a crash. I guess I should report.

[AlexB]

Here is a list of various things I reported (bugs/suggested changes/personal annoyances) and whether at first glance they appear to be fixed:

move pass rush strength rating up next to technique - fixed
flanker and split end designations backwards on roster view - fixed
defensive tackles with pass defense ratings - not fixed, apparently design decision, now both defensive ends and defensive tackles have pass defense ratings
special teams encouraged or not was not listed on player card under status - fixed
AI teams never used Tampa-2 defense - fixed
film room always showed zero spies when there were many - fixed
game logs, RDE was shown in short zone rather than rushing passer - fixed
game logs, incorrectly showing up to five spies on one play - fixed
plays for last three defensive situations not being saved properly - fixed
exact blitzer wasn't identified in play-by-play - fixed (before it would only say Smith is blitzing, now it says M.Smith or S.Smith)
in generating playbook, plays were not matching QB's style - fixed
full 60 man roster should be active in preseason - not fixed (design decision)
preseason, in first game on list of games, QBs play every snap - not fixed
preseason, starters not getting subbed properly - too soon to tell
team that wins the toss always elects to receive (NFL almost always defer) - not fixed
teams never burn a time out, always have all three in last 2-3 mins - not fixed
teams never release horrible long snappers when there are many superb FA LS - not fixed
some non-QB 2nd-year players were showing up on green page - fixed
can't release player with injury settlement in first week of season - not sure yet
minor salary cap calculation errors when releasing with injury settlement - fixed
very minor typos in help file - fixed

injured players not being replaced with proper backups - not fixed grrr - example, DE Khalil Mack gets injured and is out of game, instead of replacing him with backup DE, game moves SLB Bruce Irvin to DE and CB Sean Smith to SLB rather than the appropriate backups:

http://imgur.com/a/nMTSL

Thanks yabanci for this. Looks like I'll stick with 7 still until at least the substitution issues are resolved.

[yabanci]

Thanks yabanci for this. Looks like I'll stick with 7 still until at least the substitution issues are resolved.

I sent him another report today on the last issue about substituting injured players.

On the one hand, it's not a huge issue because it's relatively rare and usually an OLB should do fine at DE for part of a game (maybe even better than a backup DE depending on your front and personnel). Moreover, I've only noticed it when a DE gets injured, so it might be a problem limited to injuries at that position. The subbing a CB in at OLB surprised me a bit because I hadn't seen that before, usually it's a backup LB so no big deal.

On the other hand, if you've put months into a multiplayer campaign and your defense falls apart in the super bowl because of something like this, you'll probably go through the roof to say the least.

[yabanci]

If anyone happens to sim forward a bunch of years, can you check whether the hall of fame distribution has gotten any more realistic.

[wustin]

I forgot to check that when I did a 50 year sim this morning woops

[Young Drachma]

If anyone happens to sim forward a bunch of years, can you check whether the hall of fame distribution has gotten any more realistic.

How so? I simmed fast into the future, but didn't pay super close attention. Is it inducting too few/many of a position?

[korme]

Pass Rush Strength bar still in original position during draft.

[wustin]

Didn't know where to post but ran across this (haven't seen this bug before), took some screenshots.

http://imgur.com/a/Zwf7Z

Was offered a 1st round pick by the AI. They don't own the pick at all and there's no team in Akron in my game. I get that pop-up window when I press offer trade.

[Sef0r]

Hahahaha....surely you are trolling. How is that even possible to trade offer a pick that you don't own. Then for Jim to build this wording in for the error message...

...this can't be real.

[wustin]

I assure you it's real lol

[SocratesJC]

I give the game a couple more points with the fixes (primarily the defense fix for me that allows me to call my own plays on defense).

[wustin]

Okay there is definitely something wrong since the patch. I've gotten two trade offers in FA1 and both of offered picks look like this. And I get the same message from earlier if I accept the trade.

http://i.imgur.com/21GyzYj.png

edit:

now there's this weird symbol

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

[adso]

Bug where game loaded a Defensive Game Plan different than the one saved - fixed

[Ben E Lou]

Okay there is definitely something wrong since the patch. I've gotten two trade offers in FA1 and both of offered picks look like this. And I get the same message from earlier if I accept the trade.

http://i.imgur.com/21GyzYj.png

edit:

now there's this weird symbol

http://i.imgur.com/fhMHgzB.pngSounds like you need to report that.

[Ben E Lou]

If anyone happens to sim forward a bunch of years, can you check whether the hall of fame distribution has gotten any more realistic.Kicked off a 50-year sim before heading to bed last night. Here's what I have:

QB: 32
RB: 8
FB: 0
TE: 8
WR: 7
C: 6
G: 5
T: 5
P: 0
K: 1
DE: 11
DT: 1
ILB:4
OLB: 16
CB: 5
S: 7

So apart from QB, it looks to be fairly even, with the exception that the AI is probably moving its best D7 pass-rushers to DE and OLB. (A quick scroll through the stats of the HoF DEs and OLBs indicates that most are getting in on their sacks, not their tackles or interceptions.) Looking at the RB/TE/WR stats, I'm certain that MP leagues will see higher instances of those than SP; the AI doesn't appear to get the ball to the playmakers as much as we do. For example, the leader WR has a little under 13K yards and only one season with more than 10 targets per game. In 50 seasons, there were just 21 instances of over 160 targets. The CCFL had 9 guys in its first season with 160+. I guess only time will tell if that's a good thing or a bad thing. My guess is that the AI should be doing it more than it does, and that humans should be doing it less than we do.

[wustin]

One thing to remember is that if a player's status is Probable, the AI is going to bench him if there's a backup at that same position. So even if a receiver is a little sore, he might not see any action. The AI does the same thing with QBs and it's a little frustrating.

[PackerFanatic]

Here are the things I reported that appear to be fixed that aren't on yabanci's list

"Hashed failed" message for teams that didn't export for a stage is gone.
Error in team_statistics.csv fixed
Crash upon generating HTML in multi-converted MP leagues fixed
Sorting bug on the trade screen fixed. (Player name sorting was not working.)
Starters WRs on roster screens are now properly reflected in their correct positions
Blank play names error when commish opens up his participant team and has used custom names.
"Commish set contract" feature is now fixed.

Did you happen to report anything with the Export Playbook functionality (in terms of making it so we can export more than one at a time)?

[adso]

Somebody else is having 2 FG plays?

[MizzouRah]

One thing to remember is that if a player's status is Probable, the AI is going to bench him if there's a backup at that same position. So even if a receiver is a little sore, he might not see any action. The AI does the same thing with QBs and it's a little frustrating.

I've noticed this in my SP league, Aaron Rogers and Green Bay on a playoff run and he's probable, but they keep playing his backup who's like an 18 overall. They are winning though... hopefully they keep him benched in the Super Bowl vs my Cleveland Browns who have been food poisoned!

[RD]

Oh...and for converted leagues, the DC/OC stuff has a fix.

This has not been fixed in our MP league.(TFL)

[QuikSand]

This has become a very peculiar thread.

[Ben E Lou]

This has not been fixed in our MP league.(TFL)
And you are telling us this...why?

[Julio Riddols]

I've noticed this in my SP league, Aaron Rogers and Green Bay on a playoff run and he's probable, but they keep playing his backup who's like an 18 overall. They are winning though... hopefully they keep him benched in the Super Bowl vs my Cleveland Browns who have been food poisoned!

I'd say this is something that really needs to be addressed.

[RD]

And you are telling us this...why?

Sorry Ben, I just thought it needed to be fixed, evidently it didn't get fixed in the last patch, at least in the TFL. Sorry looks like I have over stepped my boundaries..

[Ben E Lou]

Sorry Ben, I just thought it needed to be fixed, evidently it didn't get fixed in the last patch, at least in the TFL. Sorry looks like I have over stepped my boundaries..If your commish hasn't applied the fix, we can't help you here...

[RD]

I believe WilleB has applied it. Is there a thread explaining how to do it.

[Ben E Lou]

I believe WilleB has applied it. Is there a thread explaining how to do it.It's on the conversion page or maybe the FAQ, but I think the former. I doubt he has applied the fix. Or if he did, maybe he didn't follow the pop up that said to save it.

[RD]

ok, thanks

[WilleB]

The fix was applied and saved. Still errors in game log and roster screen.

[Ben E Lou]

The fix was applied and saved. Still errors in game log and roster screen.It has nothing to do with logs and roster screens. It fixes the DC/OC issue.

[henry296]

One thing to remember is that if a player's status is Probable, the AI is going to bench him if there's a backup at that same position. So even if a receiver is a little sore, he might not see any action. The AI does the same thing with QBs and it's a little frustrating.

I wanted to add something to this conversation. I just checked the end of my most recent season and only 9 QBs started all 16 games.

[Dawgfan19]

It has nothing to do with logs and roster screens. It fixes the DC/OC issue.

Ben,

I can clarify a bit as the TFL issue definitely appears to be associated with the DC problem. We have 19 teams with a DC with a 43 front. However, 31 teams are running a 34 defense per the game logs and the roster screens. Kind of bizarre to have that many teams running a 34.

It looks as though Jim applied a cosmetic fix to correctly display a defensive front on the DC profile page. However, the actual setting controlling what front teams use was not fixed. The concern in the league is that we may now have a population DCs where the front you prefer (and view on the DC profile) is not the front you will run, assuming the team hires a new DC next season. BTW, the front in the Staff.csv matches the in game front, so we could not use that technique to determine the front used by the game engine.

This could be a one off issue for the TFL due to file corruption. Wouldn’t be the first time. Jim’s initial attempt to convert the USFL has issues as well. The converted FOF 8 starts 3 season prior to our last FOF 7 season.

[QuikSand]

Red flag players are now visible in the draft preview. (yay)

It looks like potential affinities and conflicts are no longer noted in the fingerprint section in the draft preview. I'm guessing this was the "fix" to that information overwriting the three-tier indication of player personality strength. Not sure which I like worse.

Just seeing these for the first time in a first league - so preliminary.

[Ben E Lou]

Ben,

I can clarify a bit as the TFL issue definitely appears to be associated with the DC problem. We have 19 teams with a DC with a 43 front. However, 31 teams are running a 34 defense per the game logs and the roster screens. Kind of bizarre to have that many teams running a 34.

It looks as though Jim applied a cosmetic fix to correctly display a defensive front on the DC profile page. However, the actual setting controlling what front teams use was not fixed. The concern in the league is that we may now have a population DCs where the front you prefer (and view on the DC profile) is not the front you will run, assuming the team hires a new DC next season. BTW, the front in the Staff.csv matches the in game front, so we could not use that technique to determine the front used by the game engine.

This could be a one off issue for the TFL due to file corruption. Wouldn’t be the first time. Jim’s initial attempt to convert the USFL has issues as well. The converted FOF 8 starts 3 season prior to our last FOF 7 season.Ahh...THAT issue. Got it. I'm not sure that they're related, but I guess it's possible. We're having a similar issue in IHOF and GML, but I assumed it was a combination of something I did and a playbook issue. (Only 6 teams in IHOF are affected.)

[Ben E Lou]

Red flag players are now visible in the draft preview. (yay)Aha! Yeah, that one was on a list of things I sent where I wasn't sure if it was a bug or intended behavior.

[MizzouRah]

I'd say this is something that really needs to be addressed.

I'm going to play the Super Bowl tonight.. if the backup starts, I'll email support to report it.

[Ben E Lou]

The concern in the league is that we may now have a population DCs where the front you prefer (and view on the DC profile) is not the front you will run, assuming the team hires a new DC next season. Has this been reported?

[Dawgfan19]

Has this been reported?

WilleB has been reporting the issues, but I will check.

[Dawgfan19]

Ahh...THAT issue. Got it. I'm not sure that they're related, but I guess it's possible. We're having a similar issue in IHOF and GML, but I assumed it was a combination of something I did and a playbook issue. (Only 6 teams in IHOF are affected.)

Any additional details so we could possibly avoid this in the USFL?

[Ben E Lou]

Any additional details so we could possibly avoid this in the USFL?I'd start by checking to see if any converted leagues are *not* having a similar issue. The two that I converted are 2 for 2. My guess at this point is that it's a code issue in the conversion tool itself, given that this isn't happening in SP or non-converted MP leagues.

[WilleB]

We're stuck with it this way until the after the staff draft next season. USFL should be ok if you converted after the FOF8.0b was released, but I'd contact support just to make sure. In TFL, we'll be holding a staff draft going forward as it seems coaches have just become that more important.

[WilleB]

Also, according to support this has been going on for two versions now. Like I said, I didn't know it was an issue or it would've been reported a long time ago.

[WilleB]

Any additional details so we could possibly avoid this in the USFL?

If you have the files back. Run the fix before you roll to the new season.

[henry296]

I'm going to play the Super Bowl tonight.. if the backup starts, I'll email support to report it.

Can you see the Performance hit and re injury risk? There are some probably if the performance hit is good or the re injury risk is moderate or high that I might sit the player but probably not in the super bowl.

[MizzouRah]

Can you see the Performance hit and re injury risk? There are some probably if the performance hit is good or the re injury risk is moderate or high that I might sit the player but probably not in the super bowl.

Strained calf muscle.. high risk of re-injury.. and I agree.. but NOT in the Super Bowl.

Playing it now!

[MizzouRah]

He didn't start, but their backup - Ashler Knoblett was 23-29 for 371 yards and 2 TDs, no INTs.

We won the Super Bowl.. but how can the backup QB with an overall of 18 pass for that many yards? I sometimes question this game. I'm not sure FOF 8 is > than FOF 7

[Ben E Lou]

defensive tackles with pass defense ratings - not fixed, apparently design decision, now both defensive ends and defensive tackles have pass defense ratingsYeah, this was one that I reported as well. Out of curiosity, I just ran a db query on the CCFL's 8.0b-generated draft class, and the DEs have significantly better coverage bars than the DTs, at least in this one draft class. It now makes logical football sense. With a caveat of "this is just one draft class," here's what the data shows:

Overall, the best coverage bars are found at CB
CBs are better at both M2M and BnR than safeties
Ss and CBs are virtually identical at zone coverage (avg S = 29.6<-->60.7. avg CB = 29.2<--->60.2...my guess is that )
OLBs are a little better than ILBs at every coverage type, but significantly worse than DBs
DEs are a step down from ILBs, but noticeably better than DTs
DTs are the worst at coverageSo, yeah, I can get behind this.

[Sharkn20]

Yeah, this was one that I reported as well. Out of curiosity, I just ran a db query on the CCFL's 8.0b-generated draft class, and the DEs have significantly better coverage bars than the DTs, at least in this one draft class. It now makes logical football sense. With a caveat of "this is just one draft class," here's what the data shows:

Overall, the best coverage bars are found at CB
CBs are better at both M2M and BnR than safeties
Ss and CBs are virtually identical at zone coverage (avg S = 29.6<-->60.7. avg CB = 29.2<--->60.2...my guess is that )
OLBs are a little better than ILBs at every coverage type, but significantly worse than DBs
DEs are a step down from ILBs, but noticeably better than DTs
DTs are the worst at coverageSo, yeah, I can get behind this.

Does make sense ro leave Coverage bars in DE so they can be switch to OLB like in the NFL and drop back in Coverage... Thanks for the numbers Ben.