Alright boyz, here we go!!! The NHL EHM 2005 Discussion

[DaddyTorgo]

okay. thanks. then i'll just wait to DL it until tomorrow or whenever it's fixed. just didn't want to bother DLing it and getting my hopes up if it wasn't going to work. thanks

[sachmo71]

Originally Posted by CHEMICAL SOLDIER

Is the simulation engine fast compared to FM or is it about the same speed? Just wondering since I want to simulate the first 4-5 years.

With all league selected, and maximum database, this game sims as fast as FM2005 with 2-3 leagues selected and minimum database, if that helps.

So, yes it is faster.

[CHEMICAL SOLDIER]

Originally Posted by sachmo71

With all league selected, and maximum database, this game sims as fast as FM2005 with 2-3 leagues selected and minimum database, if that helps.

So, yes it is faster.

I'll probably just do the NHL and all US minor league systems. auto sim when Im at work and school and get immersed during the weekends. To hell with my 1500 word essay The Coyotes need me!

[Galaril]

I want to put htis on my home pc and a laptop for business trips. Do you get more than one license with the download version or do I need to get a CD?

[DeToxRox]

Originally Posted by Galaril

I want to put htis on my home pc and a laptop for business trips. Do you get more than one license with the download version or do I need to get a CD?

You get 5 I believe.

I have it on my home PC but it doesnt load any longer because that PC is so messed up, it only is good for AOL.

I also have it on my laptop and it runs flawlessly.

[riz]

The problem with the Try&Buy season update has now been corrected and a new revised file is available:

Read more here:
http://community.sigames.com/groupee...5/m/5302004261

Sorry for the extra delay people with this specific version.

You can download the different versions of the season update here depending on which version you already own (pc or mac, euro retail or try&buy...):

http://www.sigames.com/downloads.php?type=view&id=355

Just in case it was not already listed here, these are the major changes in the new season update:

2.1.0 = NA retail version including all the season updates
2.1.1 = the season update for euro-versions and also can be used as a patch on top of the NA retail as it includes some extra tweaks

Changes since v2.1.0

News

Tweaked trade inquiry news item

Screens

Tweaked goalie selection display on the roster screen
Tweaked the display of the unit tactics lock icon

Trades/Transfers/Contracts

Tweaked trade values of mid-range players
Tweaked AI to try and trade players if over the cap rather than buying them out if in the off-season

Match Engine

Some additional tweaks to fighting levels across the leagues

Competitions

Fixed some playoff stage identification problems
Tweaked all pre-season and training camp start dates to match new schedules better
Tweaked NHL roster limit enforcement dates
Added the new UK Elite penalty rules on fighting
Enforced Elite league penalty rules on UK Cup as well
Tweaked league winners staff record tracking for minor leagues

Other

Fixed a rare regeneration bug that caused duplication of player stats

Changes from v2.0.2 to v2.1.0

Main season updates

Updated all leagues to use 2005/06 league rules and schedules where information was available at the time
Updated database according to offseason transactions up to the last week of August
Updated database with the 24% rollback on NHL salaries
Updated the officially announced key elements of the new NHL Collective Bargaining Agreement
Added new AHL team logos for the new teams
Updated new NHL shield logo

News

Fixes to All Star news
Fixes to OHL Priority Selection news item
Fixes to ban appeal and referee complaint news items
Fixes to player/staff regeneration news items
Fixes to some news items that never came up before
Tweaked contract signing news item

Screens

Fixed a scouting report crash on retired players
Star players shown on human team screen as well
Added notifications for human players to get back under the cap if over
Fixes league info screen navigation when league in question is inactive
Updated standings layouts for different leagues
Added the national team nationality even for small nations to the search filter menu to help search for available players
Changed "View Team Report" to appear disabled in the Actions menu if no Assistant GM available, instead of it not being shown at all
Updated waiver eligibility screen according to new CBA
Added notifications for human GM's who let the Head Coach control games but leave the roster in violation against certain league rules (veteran rules, overage rules...)
Added the option to switch goalies on the roster screen without going to tactics
Fixed U20 national team name display on a few screens
Added a contract view to non-player staff search screen
Most Team Ties in League History now hidden for leagues where there's a shootout in regular season games

Trades/Transfers/Contracts

Disabled cash from NHL trade offers according to the new CBA
Updated the Russian post-season transfer window
Tweaked NHL salaries to fit the new financial landscape
Updated all entry drafts according to new number of teams and eligibility rules
Removed NHL waiver draft according to new CBA
Tweaked trades to consider salary caps and finances better
Added option to set prospects as untouchable
Roster management tweaks for NHL teams regarding new CBA
AI teams can now make inquiries as well
Fixed a contract bug where try-outs (and possibly loans) did not end on time
Updated NHL trade deadline and roster freezes
Tweaked trade negotiations
Contract unhappiness tweaks
Tweaks to NHL team trade modes at the start of the game due to the missed season and new CBA
Updated the NHL/Europe transfer agreement
Tweaked NHL roster management for sending players back to juniors
Increased the chances for a team not wanting to trade a player to a rival team
Tweaked roster management for junior teams with overage players
Disabled cash from major junior trade offers

Match Engine

Tweaks to scoring levels and tactics according to new NHL rules
Tweaks to player motivation levels in playoff games
Tweaks to player motivation levels during long winning/losing streaks
Fixed playing rules for Russian league playoffs OT
Tweaks to fighting levels in different leagues
Playoff scoring tweaks

Competitions

Tweaked playoff series home venue alteration patterns
ECHL salary cap tweak
Updated the ECHL veteran rule for 2005/6 - NHL/AHL players assigned/loaned are exempt if they are under 24, and the professional games played limit is now 260
Fixes on OHL overage rules
US minor league roster limit fixes
US minor league salary cap fixes
US minor league veteran limit fixes
Small fixes to league team records tracking
Added a one-off special case for an underage player in OHL

Awards

Added some missing ECHL awards
Added some missing OHL awards
Added some missing DEL awards
Added missing NHL award (Saving Grace)
Fixed Russian league best defenseman award
Added missing QMJHL award (Marcel Robert Trophy)
Added Interliga awards
Added some US minor league awards
Tweaked NHL Rookie Allstar selections
Jennings Trophy tweaks for NHL
Added Three Stars Award for the major juniors

Other

Fixed note reminders issue introduced in v2.0.2
Fixed staff record entry on players first international game
Media/player happiness tweaks
Tweaked the generation of random names
Fixed to tracking of team and league records
Tweaked potential ability randomness ranges
Added ability to assign scouts to individual players on your own team
Club history fixes for national teams
Fixed U20 national team roster selection from major juniors in certain cases
Tweaked human manager scoring when applying for new management jobs
Tweaked player development to reflect mental abilities a bit better
Tweaked NHL finances heavily to add local TV revenue and to match real life models better
Leave of absense action fix
Added more pressure on GM's getting fired more often
Tweaked scouting for the draft
Tweaked Head Coach firings
Network games show all highlights when viewing games
User can now search for people born in a city within the fast find
Fixed retirement announcement timings to give the announcement well in advance of the actual retirement
Player stats fix when moving to a non-playing role mid-season
Tweaked player rehab
Tuned finances for all the leagues to reduce big profits
Fixed a scout bug that caused some big name players to be filtered out of the player search results
Retired numbers tweaks to ensure that the player numbers retired are more realistic
Added config to allow configuration of players who should definately have their numbers retired
No player/coaches as captains in European leagues

Translation/Text

Misc translation fixes

[Galaril]

Ok, I can't figure out how to buy the game too many confusing downloads. I guess I am too stupid but has anyone who doesn't own th egame or have the previous version on their computer got it. I thought I had the correct download I got a 406.exe file but it keeps getting an error not finding the specified file.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Now if only I could figure out what the heck I bought in the first place so I could figure out what patch I should get.

Let's see, I've got the game already & all I did was download it & then paid for an e-license back on 8/4/05, so that means I've got the "try-and-buy" euro version & need the patch labeled "Try and Buy Patch for NHL EHM 2005 (suitable ONLY for those who downloaded the European Try and Buy digital version)"?

Or was there a NA download version somewhere along the way too?

Galaril, don't feel too bad, I'm feeling about as confused as you right about now.

[Galaril]

I know and I tried to login to their site and for some god damn reason the site is refusing my password to login which figures. I have always had a hard time registering on SI boards so I am not going to waste hours or days trying to get a new account. I guess I will wait to see if Riz or someone can clarify what the hell is the right one to download. I can't understand why there is more than two downloads. A full version NA and a patch for those that already have the first one.

[Galaril]

Ok, from what I can tell the try and buy full version North American version 2.1.1 for new customers is not up on the SI site still, though they are claiming so.

[Bee]

I don't know what's so confusing...

There's 4 versions.

A patch for the PC release on CD.
A patch for the MAC release on CD.
A patch for the download version. (Try and Buy)
An updated full version download. (Try and Buy)

Seems pretty straightforward to me...

[condors]

Originally Posted by Galaril

Ok, from what I can tell the try and buy full version North American version 2.1.1 for new customers is not up on the SI site still, though they are claiming so.

click on the 2nd link in riz's post, that is how i got to it

[Galaril]

Originally Posted by Bee

I don't know what's so confusing...

There's 4 versions.

A patch for the PC release on CD.
A patch for the MAC release on CD.
A patch for the download version. (Try and Buy)
An updated full version download. (Try and Buy)

Seems pretty straightforward to me...

Bee,
I think you should get a job designing there web page. When you describe it , it does seem straight forward. However, the site descriptions are less descriptive IMHO.

[Bee]

I'm sure this is mentioned in the thread someplace, but old save games aren't compatible with the update. No surprise really with all the changes.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Umm ... is that "aren't compatible" as in "it will kill my ability to continue an old save" or as in "none of the new stuff will show up in an old save"?

[Bee]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

Umm ... is that "aren't compatible" as in "it will kill my ability to continue an old save" or as in "none of the new stuff will show up in an old save"?

as in...can't continue an old save game.

[HomerJSimpson]

Originally Posted by Bee

as in...can't continue an old save game.

Ouch! That's bad.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Thanks Bee, wasn't sure which way to interpret that.
Well, hmm ...

[Simms]

Quick dividends from the PR campaign:

http://www.canada.com/sports/hockey/...3-bc4b792ba79c

[JeffR]

Originally Posted by Bee

as in...can't continue an old save game.

Yeah, an unfortunate side effect of making the big changes required by the new CBA. I'm losing a 10+ year WHL-to-NHL career.

[DaddyTorgo]

i

Originally Posted by HomerJSimpson

Ouch! That's bad.

i don't think it's fair to say that's ouch. especially because i think it was basically known by everyone at the time of purchase that a patch would be coming out that would feature all these major changes, i would think most any computer-saavy person would realize it would render their savegames useless. as for me i (along with a lot of other people i think) have just fiddled until now, trying to get the hang of things. now the real playing begins!

[MizzouRah]

Originally Posted by Simms

Quick dividends from the PR campaign:

http://www.canada.com/sports/hockey/...3-bc4b792ba79c

Ottawa, Boston, and New Jersey also had good starts during the simulated NHL season. In the West, Vancouver and Detroit dominated early on with St Louis struggling.

I love this! Means I'm going to have to build St. Louis into a winning team... much different than starting with say, the Rams in FOF.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

i would think most any computer-saavy person would realize it would render their savegames useless.

I'd have to disagree, at least off the top of my head, simply because I'd guesstimate that at least half or more of all patches I can recall for text sports sims in general have not been old-save killers. I'm sure somebody will get curious enough to do the math & figure that out, but that's just my working impression of it -- that it's a long way from being an absolute patch=career killer.

I knew there seemed to be a lot of people who were just basically fiddling around with the game up to this point, but I had figured that was more about wanting the salary cap, rule changes, etc. than anything to do with concerns about compatability.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Any update on the status of the latest patch?

[Joe Canadian]

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

Any update on the status of the latest patch?

Wasn't it supposed to come out a month ago? I'm not downloading the NA patch until the roster update comes out... so it's back to my Rangers Dynasty!

[sovereignstar]

Originally Posted by Joe Canadian

Wasn't it supposed to come out a month ago?

No, there was never a date set. From what I read, they had to wait until each league's season started (ECHL didn't start until around Oct. 20 I believe), then come up with the data and get approval from each league.

[sovereignstar]

It sounds like the update is in the testing process, so it shouldn't be long.

[Izulde]

I can never download the demos or updates or anything on si's site. It always just reloads the download page every minute or two, even after I've logged in.

I *really* hate that about SI's site. And when I finally *do* manage it, I can never figure out later how I did it.

[sovereignstar]

Well, when you get to the actual download page, it will keep loading and reloading until you hit the link below. At least that's how it has always been for me.

[Izulde]

Originally Posted by sovereignstar

Well, when you get to the actual download page, it will keep loading and reloading until you hit the link below. At least that's how it has always been for me.

That did it. Thanks.

[LionsFan10]

Quick question but didn't want to start up a whole new thread about it ...

Is it true that if you let your coach coach the games, and you try to play in a pure GM mode that you will lose a lot more often.

I'm only about 15 games in so far, and I'm letting my coach handle the day to day while I play the role of GM and it would seem that he's just fucking lousy. And I'm pretty sure I read somewhere in this thread that if you let your coach handle things he does a shitty job ...

Is that still true or it me who just sucks?

[RPI-Fan]

Originally Posted by LionsFan10

Quick question but didn't want to start up a whole new thread about it ...

Is it true that if you let your coach coach the games, and you try to play in a pure GM mode that you will lose a lot more often.

I'm only about 15 games in so far, and I'm letting my coach handle the day to day while I play the role of GM and it would seem that he's just fucking lousy. And I'm pretty sure I read somewhere in this thread that if you let your coach handle things he does a shitty job ...

Is that still true or it me who just sucks?

When I played this game that is the experience I had.

[LionsFan10]

Originally Posted by RPI-Fan

When I played this game that is the experience I had.

So that problem was never "fixed"? Phoey.

[General Mike]

Originally Posted by LionsFan10

So that problem was never "fixed"? Phoey.

Yeah, you can't really let the coach handle everything, but if you just pick a tactic and fast sim the game (commentary speed=very fast, highlights=key only), you get basically the same effect as having the coach handle things. That's how I won my Stanley Cup.

[JonInMiddleGA]

So there's actually a difference in results from fast-sim with hands-off versus simming without watching the pbp?

Hmm, this might explain my recent 17 game winless streak.

[General Mike]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

So there's actually a difference in results from fast-sim with hands-off versus simming without watching the pbp?

Hmm, this might explain my recent 17 game winless streak.

Well my tactics totally sucked before my most recent Kings career. Initially I used to go with all kinds of tactics wackiness, but not based around a system, but in my most Kings career, I stuck with the run and gun, and it worked. I did make slight in game changes when fast-simming, such as overloading the lines in the 3rd period, pulling the goalie in the last 2 minutes or switching lines around if a guy got a game misconduct or injury, but nothing major.

[Karim]

I played in pure-GM mode and this was not my experience. Eventually I won the Cup and was one of the best teams in the league.

[LionsFan10]

Originally Posted by Karim

I played in pure-GM mode and this was not my experience. Eventually I won the Cup and was one of the best teams in the league.

That's encouraging to hear, because I have no interest in coaching every single game. I'm not that great at hockey strategy so I'd probably be worse than the computer at this point anyway.

Thanks for your input!

[sachmo71]

I have not seen an inordinate amount of losses as GM. I don't ever play the games and I've made the playoffs often. I always try to have a great coach, though.

[riz]

The issue of losing more when leaving the coach to handle the bench duties is a bit iffy imho. There have been those who have done very well playing only in GM mode and there have also been some people who have felt that they don't do so well when playing GM only. And naturally the quality of your coach behind the bench matters as well. I've ran numerous tests in the past relating to concerns of some people, but so far I haven't been able to find any physical evidence on any of the code hindering human teams under AI coach control. Technically, when you leave the coach in charge but order him to use your set tactics, it does limit the coaches options somewhat during the game and he will not be able to make radical changes if things take a turn for worse in his opinion. Then again, if we allowed him to do that, then people would naturally complain that it is a bug that the AI coach isn't following the human set tactics

[condors]

Riz-

just a thought i know the coach AI must go through a process playing as a GM only i have had both success and horrible failure. It would be very helpfull to be able to "get with the coach" and find out his philosphy. Do we need more team speed? Do we need some physcial hitters? etc

[riz]

Originally Posted by condors

Riz-

just a thought i know the coach AI must go through a process playing as a GM only i have had both success and horrible failure. It would be very helpfull to be able to "get with the coach" and find out his philosphy. Do we need more team speed? Do we need some physcial hitters? etc

More "coach interaction" has been on my to-do list already for this next version, but unfortunately it has been pushed back on the list as I've had plenty of other areas to work on as well this time around. But this is still on my shortlist to tackle in the near future with some upcoming version.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by riz

More "coach interaction" has been on my to-do list already for this next version, but unfortunately it has been pushed back on the list as I've had plenty of other areas to work on as well this time around. But this is still on my shortlist to tackle in the near future with some upcoming version.

You horrible, little tease. . .

[MizzouRah]

Well, vacation and EHM... currently I'm the worst team by far in the NHL.. but we already knew the Blues suck!

[Blade6119]

Originally Posted by riz

The issue of losing more when leaving the coach to handle the bench duties is a bit iffy imho. There have been those who have done very well playing only in GM mode and there have also been some people who have felt that they don't do so well when playing GM only. And naturally the quality of your coach behind the bench matters as well. I've ran numerous tests in the past relating to concerns of some people, but so far I haven't been able to find any physical evidence on any of the code hindering human teams under AI coach control. Technically, when you leave the coach in charge but order him to use your set tactics, it does limit the coaches options somewhat during the game and he will not be able to make radical changes if things take a turn for worse in his opinion. Then again, if we allowed him to do that, then people would naturally complain that it is a bug that the AI coach isn't following the human set tactics

I just won the ohl and memorial cup not coaching the games, and despite this year supposed to be bottom half im 2nd in the whole CHL...my coach is doing great for me.

[Blade6119]

Ok, can anyone explain to me why in the OHL draft like half the players dont have 4 years left. I drafted a guy in the first round, looked like a stud(15, first year in the game), only to realize he was out of junior eligibility. Most of my other picks are 2 years or 3 years left. Whats the deal?

[riz]

Originally Posted by Blade6119

Ok, can anyone explain to me why in the OHL draft like half the players dont have 4 years left. I drafted a guy in the first round, looked like a stud(15, first year in the game), only to realize he was out of junior eligibility. Most of my other picks are 2 years or 3 years left. Whats the deal?

If they are still with their midget/bantam/junior teams, it displays their junior eligibility for their current club team (according to the eligibility limits of that particular league). Not their major junior eligibility.