Patch 5.0C Mirror

[chinaski]

For your downgrading enjoyment...

FOF2004 v5C (http://bmnetwerks.net/~disola/downloads/FrontOfficeFootball2004_v5c.exe)

I tested to see if it was ok to downgrade and then open a league that was saved with the D patch, and it appears everything is a-ok.

Ill mirror the E patch once that comes out as well.

[hukarez]

What's wrong with the D version, that would want one to downgrade to C? :confused:

[Easy Mac]

I'm thinking of downgrading just because Shaun King made the hall of fame in my career.

[Eaglesfan27]

You might want to see the thread that was just below this one...

[chinaski]

What's wrong with the D version, that would want one to downgrade to C? :confused:

oops, sorry. I forgot not everyone will know about the FA bug in D..
http://dynamic2.gamespy.com/~fof/forums/showthread.php?t=21936

Its pretty much a 'show stopper' bug, so ive gone back too using C.

[hukarez]

Ah, so this is primarily in the off season's free agent signing period? Would it still be plausible, for me to continue my career as I'm already in the regular season? But I would imagine that I wouldn't want to do anything after the playoffs have finished, and either apply a future patch or downgrade..

[chinaski]

yea, exactly.

[MizzouRah]

Thanks chinaski!


Todd

[Ben E Lou]

Not so fast on downgrading guys. Look:

Thanks for the support. By risky, I meant that I probably would have heard of crashes by now if something went wrong. There's nothing in 5.0d that should cause anyone to think of staying on 5.0c. The big change in AI FA acquisition was from 5.0b to 5.0c.

Teams in the NFL seem to have a core of 20-30 players that they keep for more than a year. Some go as small as 16 in retention, others as high as 32. Obviously, FOF 2004 is retaining fewer players. If that's what it takes to maintain a competitive AI, that's okay with me. I'll have to see how this issue plays out over the next week or so before I make any decisions on how to proceed.

This looks like the key sentence: The big change in AI FA acquisition was from 5.0b to 5.0c.

It sounds like our best bet is going to be giving Jim feedback on 5.0d. From reading the discussion thread about the FA bug, and from an e-mail conversation with Jim, I'm not yet convinced that we have a "show-stopping" problem here. There is some evidence that the problem comes from third-party rosters, and some evidence that after 15+ years, the problem doesn't exist at all regardless of what rosters you use. Because of the unable-to-cut-players-during-free-agency issue in 5.0c, the process of getting through multiple free agency periods and giving proper feedback would likely be accelerated by using 5.0d.

[Peregrine]

some evidence that after 15+ years, the problem doesn't exist at all regardless of what rosters you use

Skydog, I did notice that in my long term dynasty, at 27 years, I didn't see much of a problem with the FA bug. After free agency a handful of good players were still left, but most of them were either injured or had excessive salary demands, so that seemed about right. But with a new game off HR's utility, the problem was very noticeable.

[amdaily]

After comparing NFL salaries to FOF salaries I don't even know why this is still being debated - salary demands of elite players need reduced. Even if not the direct cause of the FA bug, it is a problem nonetheless.

[amdaily]

Dola,

I'm now up to 2022, the last origional player just retired. The number of "Excellent" and "Very Good" players left on the FA market prior to free ageny has not changed since year 7 when the problem reached it's height. This is not a short term issue.

It should also be noted 15 teams have more than $6 million cap space, and 2 have more than $10 million. Why isn't it being used?

Secondly, some teams go into training camp with only 23 players despite having $9 million in cap room available. As I mentioned in the other thread, they fill those spots with undrafted FA's. This team ended up utilizing 26 1st year players, 10 of them starters.

[Ben E Lou]

amdaily:

Are you using full inflation?

[amdaily]

amdaily:

Are you using full inflation?In that league, no.

But I did end up starting another with inflation to compare the percentage of cap room occupied by elite players, which does remains the same regardless of the cap.

And aside from that, all but a handful of teams in my non-inflation league have plently of cap room available, it just isn't being spent.

[chinaski]

Yes, youre totally right SkyDog. The same problem is occuring with the C patch. I just finished 2017, and the Cowboys ran the table with a perfect 19-0 record. They had 4 major players (all 70+, all starters) that were signed for the league minimum.

[Karim]

Why oh why didn't I save the 'b' patch? :(

[chinaski]

Id post the B patch too, but you cant open any C patch or higher saved games with it.

[Karim]

If you could, please post a link to the B patch. I was looking to start a new career anyway.

[Peregrine]

I'd love to go back to the B patch at this point, this FA wackiness is really skewing the results of new games.

[dann]

I backed up my universe folder prior to upgrading to the C patch, so I would love to go back to B until this is figured out. If anyone has it, please post it.

[Ben E Lou]

Ummm....using the "B" patch does nothing to help assess the seriuosness of the issue and give feedback to Jim to help correct it guys.

[fantastic flying froggies]

I missed the release of both c and d. I am very confused about all the issues, what patch, if any, should I install right now ?

[Ben E Lou]

I missed the release of both c and d. I am very confused about all the issues, what patch, if any, should I install right now ?My opinion is that you should install patch D.

[fantastic flying froggies]

Thank you Mr SkyD.

[chinaski]

I'd love to go back to the B patch at this point, this FA wackiness is really skewing the results of new games.

Here ya go.

FOF2004 v5B (http://bmnetwerks.net/~disola/downloads/FrontOfficeFootball2004_v5b.exe)

[Karim]

Thanks a lot chinaski. Even though it seems patch d works itself out after several years, it's still good to have a backup on hand.