2KHS v0.8 (June 5 2020)

[nikethebike]

Re: 2KHS v0.8 (June 5 2020)

The simulated stats seem to be somewhat ok. Not at todays high levels though, but I will need to look at how low I can set some stats. Not sure I need to have pads at 99 for instance.
I still want to have some range for the blocker and catcher without bringing back the cheesy goals.

[DJ NEO]

Re: 2KHS v0.8 (June 5 2020)

Round 2, Gm 3

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[nikethebike]

Re: 2KHS v0.8 (June 5 2020)

I have noticed some bugs in goalie behaviour. For instance I scored a goal where a player shot a very loose puck at the first post and the goalie decided to just move to the other post leaving the entire net open...


Also when the puck ends up under the keeper between his legs he will constantly spin around on the puck without being able to freeze it. This has also resulted in some really stupid looking goals.

[DJ NEO]

Re: 2KHS v0.8 (June 5 2020)

Round 2, Gm 4

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZqqTSBMQs_I" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[nikethebike]

Re: 2KHS v0.8 (June 5 2020)

While the graphics are awesome I'd actually like to suggest an improvement. The back of the jerseys could have a shadow that marked where the pants begin. Looking at some old games footage and the guys in 2KHS that have their pants tucked something about them felt more realistic and it strikes me that it is the "hockey arse" that is missing. I think if there was a shadow on the back of the jerseys marking where the pants start it would create the illusion of a fatter butt.

When I get more time perhaps I will test it myself but I just thought that I would throw it out here...

Here's an example shadow on Jagr:

https://www.theintelligencer.com/sports/article/Barkov-wins-it-in-OT-Florida-tops-New-Jersey-2-1-10663799.php

Kessel:

https://static01.nyt.com/images/2016/03/08/sports/08PENGUINSweb/08PENGUINSweb-superJumbo-v2.jpg?quality=90&auto=webp

Crosby:

https://c.wallhere.com/photos/2d/36/Pittsburgh_Penguins_Hockey_Sidney_Crosby_sport_sports-192018.jpg!d

Crosby and Kunitz with an example also of the front:

https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/NHL-results-May-7-5461463.php#photo-6277879

[DJ NEO]

Re: 2KHS v0.8 (June 5 2020)

you have to be really careful what you draw on the actual "colour" textures.

While the shadows and lighting look nice on the static models from the right angles, once the image start moving it all start to look fake and amateur, so to speak.

In the current modern games, these things are done using separate material maps (Height, Diffuse, Normal, AO) so the light/shadows/occlusion can react dynamically with all these beautiful model details that we are used to in AAA games.

I'm already working on that for some time behind the scenes, but need to improve/fix few things from the guys that made the emulator itself.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nxC0un3tm9g" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[nikethebike]

Re: 2KHS v0.8 (June 5 2020)

I know what you mean.


I think that just a color nyance or soft shade might be enough. I also think that the shades perhaps should not be based on a player standing straight as most of the time the player is leaning forward when you play.


I saw a picture where the back of the jersey with the number was very bright until the pants start where there was a little darker shade as most light when you play comes from above this makes sense as the player leaning forward makes the jersey reflect the light more where it is straight at the light source while the pants made the direction to the light source not straight the jersey was just a little darker. I think it might be possible to use some small tricks like this without it looking too fake. You already have some shades on arms etc so I don't think this would make anything worse. But I'd need to test though ofcourse.

[DJ NEO]

Re: 2KHS v0.8 (June 5 2020)

Round 3, Gm 1

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uWYW0IQp8-8" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[nikethebike]

Re: 2KHS v0.8 (June 5 2020)

An alternative solution to the goalies being weak on high shots issue is to use auto aim. That way you will not have that advantage on the CPU and won't be spamming the high shots.

[DJ NEO]

Re: 2KHS v0.8 (June 5 2020)

I have just found a section of the new (2KHS 0.8) code that causes the goalies' reactions so slow/bad (especially bad looking with long-range shots)

Surprisingly it's not any of the goalie dedicated lines, but some of the added puck physics lines.

You can expect gameplay update/patch in the following weeks.

[nikethebike]

Re: 2KHS v0.8 (June 5 2020)

I have just found a section of the new (2KHS 0.8) code that causes the goalies' reactions so slow/bad (especially bad looking with long-range shots)

Surprisingly it's not any of the goalie dedicated lines, but some of the added puck physics lines.

You can expect gameplay update/patch in the following weeks.

Sounds fantastic but it might make my research on goalies and statistics obsolete. 😋


Working like an animal to tweak the level between goals/SV% ingame and goals/SV% in sim stats...


The good thing is that I now have tools to do this.

[DJ NEO]

Re: 2KHS v0.8 (June 5 2020)

Nothing is obsolete when it makes you or/and someone else happy

[nikethebike]

Re: 2KHS v0.8 (June 5 2020)

Another thing I was wondering about is if it could be possible to make the players automatically go into some turning animation or something when they get to close to the boards. That's one of the still unpolished things when players skate straight into the boards so to speak, in real life they turn their bodies to take the hit with their shoulder, they don't skate face first... Now they skate and stop on their stick like it is a magic wall or something with no reaction on the player.


It's really not a biggie but if this could be improved it would be really cool.






And still, the turning around animation, for example when you press the skate backwards button is still way too fast. I think and hope this could be a fixable issue.




Also, the ice that is shiny and has reflections at the beginning of each period, I would almost prefer that being how the ice is all the game. Can that be achieved?




But every game I play now I find new things, new animations, it feels so generic. It's awesome.

[nikethebike]

Re: 2KHS v0.8 (June 5 2020)

DJNEO have you tried using AI for upscaling textures to HD?
ESRGAN for instance?

[nikethebike]

Re: 2KHS v0.8 (June 5 2020)

I've been experimenting with ESRGAN now and I think that it will be really helpful for face texture modding. It can be hard to find really good high resolution textures with the correct face expressions to fit on a model. Now one can upscale the images without them looking blurry.


Really awesome technique!