CM 03/04 - any further feelings

[Vinatieri for Prez]

Now that I have devoted enough time to FOF 2k4 for now, I am turning my head to CM 03/04. I played CM 01/02 and never bought CM 4 with all the problems.

I did some surfing and everything sounded good with CM 03/04 except slow speed times with a large database (not a big deal to me though).

Are any FOFCers out there playing it and what do you think? I see the latest patch came out last week.

One interesting thing I noticed in surfing was the website hxxp://www.cmfaq.com/ that had an "unofficial" update called "CM Sorted," which appears to update transfers, etc., but more importantly ADDS IN THE MLS AND ITS PLAYERS. Anybody know if it is the "real deal" in terms of putting the MLS back in?

Your input much appreciated!

[Desnudo]

It's very good. Most of the improvements from CM4 to 03/04 were tweakings and adjustments, but they add up to a much better game. I enjoyed CM4, but I love 03/04. Specifically - media and player interaction are much better, as is the match engine. Much fewer bugs, and the ones that exist after the latest patch aren't gamebreakers. I'm playing it right now actually.

Edit: As far as I know, to add in the MLS you'd have to replace an existing league structure. It could be done, but I don't know if they'd be able to duplicate the unique structure of the league. They certainly could add the players in (Adu is in the DB, just inactive), but that does create a possible problem with regens related to editor use.

[Vinatieri for Prez]

Thanks Desnudo,

Sounds like I should get it. I don't really care about the MLS league structure, just want to be able to bring the players into Europe. So, sounds like the update might work for me.

Anybody else playing CM 03/04 with some thoughts?

[Glengoyne]

CM 03/04 is the only reason I haven't tried the new FOF or TPF for that matter. Hell the demo had me hooked for a good month. I am going to have to look into the MLS player add on. That sounds interesting.

[Chief Rum]

Any information about this MLS add-on thing would be much appreciated. I don't care if it's run like a European league. I doubt I would actually play in the U.S. anyway. I just want the players there, and I want the league running so I can keep tabs on it. It heightens my interest in the game, even if I am actually playing in England most of the time.

Being able to find some editor's way of getting MLS and adding U.S. players is probably the difference between me buying the game and not buying it at that point (and Marc Vaughan, if you read this, not that it matters any more, but mention to the Eidos lawyers and business people who decided getting the MLS licensing done wasn't worth it that here is an example of a regular American buyer who has to this point not bought the game simply for the reason that the MLS and U.S. players are not in it--heck, mention it to the SIGames guys, so they know when you go into doing the next game with a different publisher or whatever).

CR

[Marc Vaughan]

Regarding the MLS all of us at SI wanted it in (we'd redone the whole draft section specifically for it apart from anything else) .... unfortunately if a publisher blocks it on legal grounds there isn't much we can do (apart from sulk ) .... on the bright side I expect our next soccer game (which won't be called CM - but will be based on our existing game engine) to include it.

[WussGawd]

Originally Posted by Marc Vaughan

Regarding the MLS all of us at SI wanted it in (we'd redone the whole draft section specifically for it apart from anything else) .... unfortunately if a publisher blocks it on legal grounds there isn't much we can do (apart from sulk ) .... on the bright side I expect our next soccer game (which won't be called CM - but will be based on our existing game engine) to include it.

This is good news. I thought the MLS in CM4 was pretty well done. I look forward to plunking down my money for {Insert name here} 04/05.

[kserra]

I too would like to hear how you feel about 03/04. I bought CM4 but was turned off by the problems with the long term playability (attribute issues)...

I still play 01/02 quite often and really think it is the finest sports sim ever created...I've had more long term (over 20 years) games with it than I've ever had with any other...

I rarely visit the CM boards anymore...it's difficult to get information...most often I find the most useful info is stuck somewhere within a 25 page stick thread...and I just don't have the patience to search through it for answers to my questions...

Kevin

edit...great to hear the news Marc...I will be looking forward to the next installment with great excitement...

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by Marc Vaughan

Regarding the MLS all of us at SI wanted it in (we'd redone the whole draft section specifically for it apart from anything else) .... unfortunately if a publisher blocks it on legal grounds there isn't much we can do (apart from sulk ) .... on the bright side I expect our next soccer game (which won't be called CM - but will be based on our existing game engine) to include it.

Thanks, Marc. I knew you guys all wanted it. I know the employees at SIGames only want to bring the best possible soccer sim out, so not including the MLS (and the big, largely untapped market it might appeal most to) was definitely not your decision.

I just figured as head of programming, you might have to deal with the lawyers from the publisher on occasion, and if you did, you could pass along that little bit o' info.

Looking forward to future products.

CR

[Maple Leafs]

Originally Posted by Marc Vaughan

Regarding the MLS all of us at SI wanted it in (we'd redone the whole draft section specifically for it apart from anything else) .... unfortunately if a publisher blocks it on legal grounds there isn't much we can do (apart from sulk ) .... on the bright side I expect our next soccer game (which won't be called CM - but will be based on our existing game engine) to include it.

Marc, can you do me a favor? Walk down the hall and give those EHM guys a kick in the ass. The winters in Canada are long, and we need something to do.

[Vinatieri for Prez]

Originally Posted by Chief Rum

Any information about this MLS add-on thing would be much appreciated. I don't care if it's run like a European league. I doubt I would actually play in the U.S. anyway. I just want the players there, and I want the league running so I can keep tabs on it. It heightens my interest in the game, even if I am actually playing in England most of the time.

CR

See the website at my above post regarding the update adding MLS (called CMSorted). I have been searching web to see how it works, etc. but haven't found anything yet.

[Vinatieri for Prez]

Just keeping this at the top one more time.

[Marc Vaughan]

Originally Posted by Maple Leafs

Marc, can you do me a favor? Walk down the hall and give those EHM guys a kick in the ass. The winters in Canada are long, and we need something to do.

LOL

EHM:FE is coming along nicely, as with all our games however "it'll be ready when we're happy with it" ....

More information is going to be released upon it in the near future though which should give a lot more info on how its going to end up ... imho its great, now if only I could win the Stanley Cup with the Duck's I'd be a happy man

[ice4277]

Originally Posted by Marc Vaughan

EHM:FE is coming along nicely, as with all our games however "it'll be ready when we're happy with it" ....

I heard a rumor that EHM is going to be released in a special two-pack with the new Duke Nukem game

[WussGawd]

Originally Posted by ice4277

I heard a rumor that EHM is going to be released in a special two-pack with the new Duke Nukem game

That one is cold, very cold. Not sure SI deserved it.

Hmm. Not sure which emoticon is appropriate. or

You decide.

[SirFozzie]

Definitely the rolls of eyes

In fact.. *baps vanilla ice4277 upside the head with a hockey stick*...

Do you really want another "release before it's ready" game?

[ice4277]

Originally Posted by WussGawd

That one is cold, very cold. Not sure SI deserved it.

Hmm. Not sure which emoticon is appropriate. or

You decide.

I was just joking. Hence the at the end of my post.

[Neuqua]

Lynch him!!

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by Marc Vaughan

imho its great, now if only I could win the Stanley Cup with the Duck's I'd be a happy man

You and I share the same dream! (clears tear from eye... )

As I was telling sachmo a few days ago, I keep having to reevaluate the Ducks a little based on this season (although I am trying to limit it--their skills are based on their career work and potential, not just this crappy season). But if they keep it up, you might find it even harder to win with the Ducks in the next build.

Chief Rum
Ducks researcher

[Maple Leafs]

Originally Posted by Marc Vaughan

EHM:FE is coming along nicely, as with all our games however "it'll be ready when we're happy with it" ....

No, dammit. Release it now! Release it now so I can download it, try it, not like it, complain about it, and find an internet forum where I can call you a money-grubbing idiot with no QA or beta program.

Please, try to follow the rules we've all agreed on...