EHM FE Question?

[druez]

Will we be able to coach a minor league team in the US and wait for job offers from the NHL?

I like the idea of starting out as a young coach on a minor league team and then earning my job in the NHL.

[Tekneek]

That has not been confirmed yet, but it is expected to be a part of the game.

[Ramzavail]

Will you be able to change lines on the fly or at faceoffs or just watch the game simulate?

[BreizhManu]

you will (probably)

[Easy Mac]

Will other leagues become better than the NHL? More exactly, are the top players drawn to the NHL? I don't think it would be realistic if the British league suddenly drew the top stars. This isn't like soccer where the top leagues tend to rotate in terms strength.

[Easy Mac]

And the Canadian teams (Vancouver, Montreal...) will be listed as Canadian and Not as a US team, right? This always irked me about CM.

[Bee]

Do you have something against the state of Canada?

[sachmo71]

Will other leagues become better than the NHL? More exactly, are the top players drawn to the NHL? I don't think it would be realistic if the British league suddenly drew the top stars. This isn't like soccer where the top leagues tend to rotate in terms strength.

Probably not. The players in the other leagues will have a sort of max rating, and the money will be a lot less than the NHL.

[Ramzavail]

I just want to option to change lines while watching the game simulate and I would be happy.

For instance, if I am blowing a team out, I would play my 3rd and 4th line more - to get some of the young guys on the team some extra ice time.

I already know that if this game is similar to CM, it will be a fantastic hockey game, I just want this little addition - which Im sure is a huge one :)

[mordhiem]

I just want to option to change lines while watching the game simulate and I would be happy.

For instance, if I am blowing a team out, I would play my 3rd and 4th line more - to get some of the young guys on the team some extra ice time.

In the magazine preview it stated that you had control over your lines mid-game. I think you could have up to 6 lines?

[Chubby]

In the magazine preview it stated that you had control over your lines mid-game. I think you could have up to 6 lines?

I think they meant that you could juggle your lines during a game.

[druez]

Entry Draft, I wonder what data we will be shown on the available draftee's? Like college stats if they played in college, or high school stats? Does our scouting staff effect how we view a player or if we will have any info on them? What about foreign players outside north america?

[riz]

Some general answers:

-Can manage teams in other leagues and wait for offers from other leagues

-The actual line changes (ie. players jumping in and out) are controlled by AI. You can still juggle lines during the game and change the ice time distributions as well as any other tactical instructions.

-Betterness of the leagues does not fluctuate much at all. So the realistic balance of leagues should prevail all the while.

-Canadian teams are Canadian, US teams are US. As IRL.

-Draftees (regardless of nationality) are no different than any other players in the game. Same stats are available for every player. Level of detail in stats is naturally greater if the player is playing one of the leagues selected to be ran in your game. Scouting staff can give you their opinions on players and outside the ranked (top 200) players you will really need to utilize your scouts to pick up lesser known talent in the later rounds. In our E3 game (with all the available leagues running) there were about 10,000 players available for the first draft so sending out scouts to find some people to shortlist was a must :D

Hope these answers brought some light on the issues at hand :)

[druez]

Some general answers:

-Can manage teams in other leagues and wait for offers from other leagues

-The actual line changes (ie. players jumping in and out) are controlled by AI. You can still juggle lines during the game and change the ice time distributions as well as any other tactical instructions.

-Betterness of the leagues does not fluctuate much at all. So the realistic balance of leagues should prevail all the while.

-Canadian teams are Canadian, US teams are US. As IRL.

-Draftees (regardless of nationality) are no different than any other players in the game. Same stats are available for every player. Level of detail in stats is naturally greater if the player is playing one of the leagues selected to be ran in your game. Scouting staff can give you their opinions on players and outside the ranked (top 200) players you will really need to utilize your scouts to pick up lesser known talent in the later rounds. In our E3 game (with all the available leagues running) there were about 10,000 players available for the first draft so sending out scouts to find some people to shortlist was a must :D

Hope these answers brought some light on the issues at hand :)


Riz, What league would be the best to join if your goal was to join the NHL longterm, but wanted to take the hardest path. Like equivelent to CM's Lower League Manager thing. I usually take Scarborough and try to move then up as high as I can go, or take offers from higher teams, till I make the Premiership.

So, starting out in a small league in Europe, then maybe getting an offer to a minor league north american team, then move up that way?

[Tekneek]

So, starting out in a small league in Europe, then maybe getting an offer to a minor league north american team, then move up that way?

Hmmm. I would think that you would have to do a few things... like set your nationality to something other than Canadian or American, then choose one of the worst teams in the lowest division of any European league (or maybe just in a British league :)), and play until a club in North America offers you a contract. You could be toiling in Europe for generations, though, but you will learn a lot! :)

[Danny]

Man, I can't wait for this game.

[BishopMVP]

Another question, sorry if it has been answered. Is there any chance we would be able to run a college team, with recruiting, players leaving early and all? I'm guessing no, but if I could run UMass hockey ala TCY or FBCB it would make this even better.

[druez]

yeah college would be sweet

[SackAttack]

I'm guessing no, but I was pleasantly surprised to see that you can hire staff members from the college ranks, so who knows.

[MizzouRah]

Is this game going to be the end all of NHL games? :)

I hope so. I haven't had much fun playing hockey since.... well, heck I don't remember. Maybe the Genesis days?


Todd

[SackAttack]

If you're a joystick jockey? No.

If you're looking for a hockey text sim? Let's just say I've died and gone to Montreal.

[MizzouRah]

If you're a joystick jockey? No.

If you're looking for a hockey text sim? Let's just say I've died and gone to Montreal.
Hehe..:) Nice line...... I knew it wasn't a joystick game, but I don't think I've played a hockey text sim, that I can remember. My days with hockey have always been with a joystick in hand and some inclination of the EA NHL series.

I'm juiced about a text hockey sim as I love hockey. The thing I'm wondering is.. with all the good things I hear about SI, can this game be that engrossing? Maybe surpassing all other text sims I've played up until this point?

This will be my first SI game and I'm a tad anxious about it. :)


Todd

[SackAttack]

I'm juiced about a text hockey sim as I love hockey. The thing I'm wondering is.. with all the good things I hear about SI, can this game be that engrossing? Maybe surpassing all other text sims I've played up until this point?

Yes.

This will be my first SI game and I'm a tad anxious about it. :)

Don't be.

[MizzouRah]

Holy Smokes! Have you read the magazine preview available in the d/l section?

I'm really baffled at the amount of detail in this game. In fact I love this quote: If the devil is in the detail then EHM: FE is downright satanic.

Todd

[SackAttack]

I haven't, no. I'm currently writing my own preview, and to avoid even unintentional plagiarism, I avoid articles on the same topic until I'm finished. Everything I knew about the game prior to today came from what I knew of the original EHM, and what I saw at E3.

[MizzouRah]

I haven't, no. I'm currently writing my own preview, and to avoid even unintentional plagiarism, I avoid articles on the same topic until I'm finished. Everything I knew about the game prior to today came from what I knew of the original EHM, and what I saw at E3.
I guess you can't throw us a bone, sort of pre-preview? :D


Todd

[SackAttack]

I could, but that would defeat the purpose. It'll be on Gamenikki later this week. :D

[Swaggs]

Will NHL (and other league) franchises relocate? If so, what type of frequency can we expect?

[Eaglesfan27]

I'm a new convert to SI games, and I haven't been able to stop playing CM for the past few months since I bought it. I rotate a few other games into my game time, but I find myself playing CM every day since I bought it. I think the only danger is that you may find yourself asking yourself even more why other text sims don't have X, Y, or Z in their game.

I wasn't a soccer fan before this game, but I'm actually watching soccer now on Fox Sports Net to learn more strategy and design ideas for my strategy in the game. I can't wait to try EHM:FE as I actually know a lot more about hockey then I do soccer.

[SackAttack]

Will NHL (and other league) franchises relocate?

I'd guess no, just because the game will feature the licenses for the major hockey leagues. Generally they're not real keen on the suggestion that ownership might desert the fanbase, just like players' associations typically frown on "real" players getting hit with, say, drug suspensions.

[MizzouRah]

I could, but that would defeat the purpose. It'll be on Gamenikki later this week. :D
Great, let us know when it's up.. I'd love to read it.


Todd

[Karim]

Great, let us know when it's up.. I'd love to read it.
I second that.

[SirFozzie]

I sense a FOFC NHLEHM league in the days after July 9 :)

[ice4277]

Hehe..:) Nice line...... I knew it wasn't a joystick game, but I don't think I've played a hockey text sim, that I can remember. My days with hockey have always been with a joystick in hand and some inclination of the EA NHL series.

I'm juiced about a text hockey sim as I love hockey. The thing I'm wondering is.. with all the good things I hear about SI, can this game be that engrossing? Maybe surpassing all other text sims I've played up until this point?

This will be my first SI game and I'm a tad anxious about it. :)


Todd
If the game is anywhere near as involving as CM, you will love it. Personally, I don't think it will be quite as good as the latest version of CM, but, it is only the first version of the game. Nonetheless I am sure it will be a very good, very solid debut, and I'm really looking forward to it, especially since it will probably be the only hockey we will really be able to get excited about in the fall!

[Honolulu_Blue]

If the game is anywhere near as involving as CM, you will love it. Personally, I don't think it will be quite as good as the latest version of CM, but, it is only the first version of the game. Nonetheless I am sure it will be a very good, very solid debut, and I'm really looking forward to it, especially since it will probably be the only hockey we will really be able to get excited about in the fall!

I think that's right. You have to remember that the CM series has been evolving for years and years now. They've been working off the enging, fine tuning it, adding to it, honing it, so it's the best soccer sim it can be.

Though NHL EHM will certainly benefit from some of what SI has learned, hockey and soccer are very different sports on all levels. There will certainly be some growing pains. That said, it's damn exciting to start the growing pains process. The next versions of the game will only get better and better and better. Hell, the freeware version of EHM was fantastic.

[druez]

I think that's right. You have to remember that the CM series has been evolving for years and years now. They've been working off the enging, fine tuning it, adding to it, honing it, so it's the best soccer sim it can be.

Though NHL EHM will certainly benefit from some of what SI has learned, hockey and soccer are very different sports on all levels. There will certainly be some growing pains. That said, it's damn exciting to start the growing pains process. The next versions of the game will only get better and better and better. Hell, the freeware version of EHM was fantastic.


THe biggest disappointment I have is the lack of a 2d engine. I love that feature in CM 03/04. But, I'm sure I'll get over it. Hockey is probably my favorite sport, well that and football.

[sachmo71]

It won't be long now.

[SackAttack]

THe biggest disappointment I have is the lack of a 2d engine. I love that feature in CM 03/04. But, I'm sure I'll get over it. Hockey is probably my favorite sport, well that and football.

I haven't seen CM's 2D engine, so I have no basis for comparison, but there is a map of a hockey rink, with a little purple bar that moves up and down the ice to show you where the action is taking place. The names don't move, though, unless there's a line change.

[Ramzavail]

Here are my next two questions :

Can you control more than team in the season/franchise play?

Will this game be like CM as it takes up SO much memory to run and often times runs slow unless you chop off a bunch of leagues?

I'd love to see a 2D engine in hockey too.

[riz]

Here are my next two questions :

Can you control more than team in the season/franchise play?

Will this game be like CM as it takes up SO much memory to run and often times runs slow unless you chop off a bunch of leagues?

I'd love to see a 2D engine in hockey too.

If you add in more managers, you can control up to 30 teams at the same time with 30 different managers.

Memory requirements are naturally affected by the number of leagues you select to run in one game and the speed of the game is again a relative question and it depends on what you are accustomed to. Running with all the leagues selected, I played through one season (off-season to draft) during the three E3 days at the stand. My days were generally from 9 to 4 and filled with interviews, so I couldn't progress that fast in the game but still managed my target of finishing the season before the end of E3.

We will be doing a gold demo once the game has gone gold, so you can download that and try it out and test it for yourself.

Additionally we are doing an earlier Beta Demo that will be on the new FM mag cover cd and should also be available on the SI website some time tomorrow. Note that this is from about 4 weeks ago and is not the final code but it should give you an idea on what is coming your way :D

[SirFozzie]

The problem with CM that EHM will likely not have is sheer volume of data: In England alone, you havesomething like 120 teams, and that's just one nation! The NHL is the biggest league in the world and only has 30 teams. Most nations will not have 4-5 leagues..

[spleen1015]

Holy Smokes! Have you read the magazine preview available in the d/l section?

I'm really baffled at the amount of detail in this game. In fact I love this quote:

Todd

Do you have a link for this preview?

[Hurst2112]

THe biggest disappointment I have is the lack of a 2d engine.

I have always known this, because of the prior discussions. However, I have never been able to figure this screen out.

http://www.sigames.com/graphics/images/612.gif


What would be the use of this screen if there wasn't a 2D engine? Is it just a highlight screen or something? The hockey sticks remind me of the CM 2D engine and the 'foot nubs' each player has.

[druez]

I think its the first step in putting in a 2d engine. The engine takes a snap shot of what happened when a goal was scored. Showing you player positions etc... I believe Riz said, the engine needs to do a better job at tracking player positions before a 2d engine is put in place. Right now there is a plus or minus 2 ft I think. Maybe it was five he can probably explain it better.

Anyway, I'll be patient and wait NP, but I can still want it.

Question, how are fights going to be handled by the PBP system. Will we see a description of the fight or just the result?

[Tekneek]

That screenshot is a "snapshot" of a "game incident." For example, that particular one shows where everyone was when a goal was scored. These will be a part of the game.

[Hurst2112]

That screenshot is a "snapshot" of a "game incident." For example, that particular one shows where everyone was when a goal was scored. These will be a part of the game.

Seems like a pretty useless screen. Do I need to know why (in this instance) number 10 yellow was facing the wall with nobody around him? I realize there might have been an incident to lead up to this, but without checking the game out (magazine is on it's way), I think that this info doesn't really do much.

[Tekneek]

Seems like a pretty useless screen.

You might not want to look at them, then.

[WSUCougar]

Seems like a pretty useless screen. Do I need to know why (in this instance) number 10 yellow was facing the wall with nobody around him?
Clearly, the guy is spinning around, his stick raised in joyous celebration of his comrade's goal. Sheesh. ;)

[riz]

Do you have a link for this preview?

http://www.sigames.com/news.php?type=view&article_id=884

[druez]

http://www.sigames.com/news.php?type=view&article_id=884

Riz how is fighting going to be handled in PBP?

[ice4277]

I think its the first step in putting in a 2d engine. The engine takes a snap shot of what happened when a goal was scored. Showing you player positions etc... I believe Riz said, the engine needs to do a better job at tracking player positions before a 2d engine is put in place. Right now there is a plus or minus 2 ft I think. Maybe it was five he can probably explain it better.

If I remember correctly from the CM3 days, the game only tracked where a player was to about a five or ten-foot radius, not sure which. Probably the engine from CM3 is not able to track exact location like the CM4 engine can, although I'm sure they've refined it quite a bit since then.

Of course, I suppose this could potentially create more of a problem on a hockey rink, with smaller playing surface.

[Hurst2112]

You might not want to look at them, then.

If I am paying $60.00 for a game, I am gonna look at every single little pixel and bitch about the groups of them that aren't appealing.

:D :p

[MizzouRah]

If I am paying $60.00 for a game, I am gonna look at every single little pixel and bitch about the groups of them that aren't appealing.

:D :p

:D


Todd