GamePlanHockey

Moderators
  • Content Count

    1,626
  • Joined

  • Days Won

    299

Reputation Activity

  1. Like
    GamePlanHockey got a reaction from MattBerserkers in Add Experience to players   
    Yes, experience is very much an important factor in he game. It's an hidden value but it's easy to figure out. Just look at the stats, reputation and age. Experience is used when handling pressure, adopting to new tactics and influence other players, among other things. So don't rule out the old farts :-)
  2. Like
    GamePlanHockey got a reaction from Steve in Pre release v1.1.8   
    A pre release of the upcoming v1.1.8 has been installed on the UAT environment. The release contains the following features and improvements:
     
    Pending contracts
    A complete rework of player contracts extensions. An extension will no longer replace the current contract. Instead it will take effect after the player's current contract ends. This also means that you now have the possibility to handle both this and the next season's finance situation. Once your team has promoted or relegated you'll have the new leagues salary cap available for next season signings. This also comes with a limitation where contract extensions will only be allowed on the last year of the player's current contract. But it you will now be able to offer a contract to player's playing in Europe or in other non playable leagues once the regular season ends. If the player accepts he will join your team next season. Player that you own the rights to will be able to accept a contract offer during the complete season. Note that pending contracts also will be accounted for when releasing a player and they will be included in trade offers just like a normal contract.
     
    General happiness
    The contract happiness has been removed and is replaced by General happiness. This will be extended in the future to include more happiness factors, such as likes and dislikes in the team. But for now it will handle the contract happiness situation and will give more detail regarding if the player wants to move to a bigger club or just is unhappy with his salary.
     
    Computer trading AI improvements
    In a further attempt to prevent cheating or abusing computer teams in trades the following has been done:
    Computer teams will be less likely to agree on trades involving a large number of players and picks Computer teams will be less likely to agree on trades if already been involved in a large number of trades the current season Computer teams will value incoming draft picks less There is also a new feature introduced where newly signed free agents will be on a trade lock for 20 days before being able to include them in a trade offer.
     
    Transactions loading speed*
    Improved loading speed for transactions on the transfer page. Also includes extended filtering for world leagues.
     
    Note. This is quite untested features so please report back any oddities you might find. Just add to this topic. Thanks
  3. Like
    GamePlanHockey got a reaction from rainsilent in Pre release v1.1.8   
    A pre release of the upcoming v1.1.8 has been installed on the UAT environment. The release contains the following features and improvements:
     
    Pending contracts
    A complete rework of player contracts extensions. An extension will no longer replace the current contract. Instead it will take effect after the player's current contract ends. This also means that you now have the possibility to handle both this and the next season's finance situation. Once your team has promoted or relegated you'll have the new leagues salary cap available for next season signings. This also comes with a limitation where contract extensions will only be allowed on the last year of the player's current contract. But it you will now be able to offer a contract to player's playing in Europe or in other non playable leagues once the regular season ends. If the player accepts he will join your team next season. Player that you own the rights to will be able to accept a contract offer during the complete season. Note that pending contracts also will be accounted for when releasing a player and they will be included in trade offers just like a normal contract.
     
    General happiness
    The contract happiness has been removed and is replaced by General happiness. This will be extended in the future to include more happiness factors, such as likes and dislikes in the team. But for now it will handle the contract happiness situation and will give more detail regarding if the player wants to move to a bigger club or just is unhappy with his salary.
     
    Computer trading AI improvements
    In a further attempt to prevent cheating or abusing computer teams in trades the following has been done:
    Computer teams will be less likely to agree on trades involving a large number of players and picks Computer teams will be less likely to agree on trades if already been involved in a large number of trades the current season Computer teams will value incoming draft picks less There is also a new feature introduced where newly signed free agents will be on a trade lock for 20 days before being able to include them in a trade offer.
     
    Transactions loading speed*
    Improved loading speed for transactions on the transfer page. Also includes extended filtering for world leagues.
     
    Note. This is quite untested features so please report back any oddities you might find. Just add to this topic. Thanks
  4. Like
    GamePlanHockey got a reaction from xZhou in Biscuit Abuse   
    There are some more improvements on the way regarding computer team trading AI. This will include computer teams less likely to agree on trades with unrealistic number of players involved. Computer teams will be less likely to get involved in too many trades each season. They will value incoming trade picks less but will still demand great value for their own. I'm also thinking of introducing a lock down period for free agents before being able to trade them. This is not decided but maybe would prevent quite a lot of abuse.
     
    Can't say when this will be ready since I'm in the middle of another update at the moment. But I will really try to speed things up or perhaps pause the other update and squeeze this one in before.
     
    Thanks for all your comments and commitment of making this game better!
  5. Like
    GamePlanHockey got a reaction from Keskustankeisari in Biscuit Abuse   
    There are some more improvements on the way regarding computer team trading AI. This will include computer teams less likely to agree on trades with unrealistic number of players involved. Computer teams will be less likely to get involved in too many trades each season. They will value incoming trade picks less but will still demand great value for their own. I'm also thinking of introducing a lock down period for free agents before being able to trade them. This is not decided but maybe would prevent quite a lot of abuse.
     
    Can't say when this will be ready since I'm in the middle of another update at the moment. But I will really try to speed things up or perhaps pause the other update and squeeze this one in before.
     
    Thanks for all your comments and commitment of making this game better!
  6. Like
    GamePlanHockey got a reaction from rainsilent in Biscuit Abuse   
    There are some more improvements on the way regarding computer team trading AI. This will include computer teams less likely to agree on trades with unrealistic number of players involved. Computer teams will be less likely to get involved in too many trades each season. They will value incoming trade picks less but will still demand great value for their own. I'm also thinking of introducing a lock down period for free agents before being able to trade them. This is not decided but maybe would prevent quite a lot of abuse.
     
    Can't say when this will be ready since I'm in the middle of another update at the moment. But I will really try to speed things up or perhaps pause the other update and squeeze this one in before.
     
    Thanks for all your comments and commitment of making this game better!
  7. Like
    GamePlanHockey reacted to fangwall in New Trade Rejection Option Suggestion   
    Anders please add the following option when rejecting a trade:
     
     
    "Smarten up and don't waste people's time with rip off offers."
     
    Cheers,
     
    Jamie     
     
     
  8. Like
    GamePlanHockey got a reaction from Bryan Tirva in New UAT world created: Mitts3   
    Finally there is a new UAT world available called Mitts3. The speed is currently set to Fast (every 6 hours) and it contains a couple of new features (see separate topic). I've also enabled both extended logging and versioning in order to get some valuable clues if we encounter similar problems in the future.
     
    To join either resign from your teams in the old Mitts world or create a new account.
     
    Thanks for your patience this far!
  9. Like
    GamePlanHockey got a reaction from koekefix in Biscuit Abuse   
    There are some more improvements on the way regarding computer team trading AI. This will include computer teams less likely to agree on trades with unrealistic number of players involved. Computer teams will be less likely to get involved in too many trades each season. They will value incoming trade picks less but will still demand great value for their own. I'm also thinking of introducing a lock down period for free agents before being able to trade them. This is not decided but maybe would prevent quite a lot of abuse.
     
    Can't say when this will be ready since I'm in the middle of another update at the moment. But I will really try to speed things up or perhaps pause the other update and squeeze this one in before.
     
    Thanks for all your comments and commitment of making this game better!
  10. Like
    GamePlanHockey reacted to Steve in Biscuit Abuse   
    Per Reggie's comments, I think one solution to this would be to have a league that is designed differently, ie not and up and down, but more an NHL static level with equal leagues/divisions.  Some prefer that, some this.  If you want to jump in and be competitive in a season or two, then that style of league makes it possible, but not the current promotion/demotion style.  Each have their pros and cons.  
     
    Like Erzac said, moving from SHL to GHL really requires most of us to spend 3 or more seasons before we have a realistic chance at the Finals.  My biggest challenge is not screwing up my plan and being impatient in the interim, haha.  
     
    But more importantly, not doing these types of trades is also part of the sportsmanship of the league.  Anyone from GHL could easily pick off the top 2-3 players in each computer SHL team for a 3rd round pick and/or a bench warmer.  But we don't to not screw the real SHL players and we recognize the game is more fun this way, for us all.  We're all competitive, but we don't want to ruin the integrity of the game just to win a handful more of games each season.  
  11. Like
    GamePlanHockey got a reaction from Erzac in Biscuit Abuse   
    There are some more improvements on the way regarding computer team trading AI. This will include computer teams less likely to agree on trades with unrealistic number of players involved. Computer teams will be less likely to get involved in too many trades each season. They will value incoming trade picks less but will still demand great value for their own. I'm also thinking of introducing a lock down period for free agents before being able to trade them. This is not decided but maybe would prevent quite a lot of abuse.
     
    Can't say when this will be ready since I'm in the middle of another update at the moment. But I will really try to speed things up or perhaps pause the other update and squeeze this one in before.
     
    Thanks for all your comments and commitment of making this game better!
  12. Like
    GamePlanHockey got a reaction from Steve in Biscuit Abuse   
    There are some more improvements on the way regarding computer team trading AI. This will include computer teams less likely to agree on trades with unrealistic number of players involved. Computer teams will be less likely to get involved in too many trades each season. They will value incoming trade picks less but will still demand great value for their own. I'm also thinking of introducing a lock down period for free agents before being able to trade them. This is not decided but maybe would prevent quite a lot of abuse.
     
    Can't say when this will be ready since I'm in the middle of another update at the moment. But I will really try to speed things up or perhaps pause the other update and squeeze this one in before.
     
    Thanks for all your comments and commitment of making this game better!
  13. Like
    GamePlanHockey reacted to Erzac in Biscuit Abuse   
    *Begin wall of text*
     
    -- I started with one of those awful teams that as been managed by the computer for a while.  By the way, I don't think a new manager will ever get a competitive team right away because it either has been managed by the computer (so not competitive) -- I made a lot of trades with computer and signed some free agents.  I wasn't always fair with the way I used free agents to make trades.  My apoligies if I ruined anyone experience --
     
    Part of the reason why computer teams are not competitive off the bat might just be that they're robbed of their picks, and/or young talent. A big problem is the ability to trade freshly signed free agents for "free" assets, especially picks. Maybe one doesn't ruin anyone's experience right away, but making such trades just condemn new players into pilfered teams that will take ages to build up. You might just have started with such a team.
     
     
    -- everyone has the exact same opportunity to trade with computer teams.--
     
    Technically, yes, but every (computer) team has a limited number of assets. Once they're gone, they're gone. Also, just being able to do something doesn't quite equal that it should be done. It can't be a race of "who is the fastest to sign FA's and turn them into computer picks".
     
     
    -- What's keeping new players from joining this game is the huge edge teams from GHL have on any other teams in this world because they get the best prospects (first two rounds so best 30 prospects every season) and the best free agents seasons after seasons --
    --Right now, my best player is 86 overall, and a 85 goalie, I have a few 81-83 and mostly 80 overall players.  If I'm lucky, I might sign 1 or 2 players over 85 overall, a few 83-85 as free agents.  How will I compete with the top 4 GHL teams--
     
    Comparing lower league teams to GHL teams is not a really good practice. Yes, they sign the best FA's. Yes, they get the best prospects. And so will you, if you make it to GHL and stay there. It's now my 3rd season in GHL, and I'm tied for 6th in the standings. The first two seasons I finished 12th. I never expected to compete for the first couple of seasons in GHL, my only goal was to not relegate and gradually build up the team. Maybe I'll even make the playoffs this season. I might even have a shot at the cup in a season or two. Even right now I probably couldn't win a playoff series against a top-4 team. But at some point I will. And the whole process has been, and continues to be, exciting.
     
    Point being, I don't think you're expected to stand up to the best GHL as you come out of SHL. Hell, when I got to the GHL I barely knew a player's overall might be displayed in green (I think I had one, 81). It takes time, and it should, to become competitive when you move up a league level. For me, that's what a sports management game is all about - seeing your long term decisions, trades, signings combine into a hopefully winning package over time.
     
     
     
    I might've ventured a bit off topic - computer trading in itself is not a problem. Computer trading, when used to accomplish trades that wouldn't be feasible between human managers, is a problem. That, and the FA flipping for computer picks.
     
    *End wall of text*
  14. Like
    GamePlanHockey reacted to TheWizard in Reduce No. of Leagues/Teams in Leagues   
    Bear in mind, GPHM is still in a beta phase.  I have not seen any marketing of the game (correct me if I'm wrong), and I imagine marketing won't happen until after the beta is ironed out to a full release.
     
    I got lucky and stumbled upon GPHM through a Google search for "online manager hockey game."
     
    Right now, people are finding out about GPHM through searches (like me) and word of mouth.  So, if you to fill up Howitzer with humans, tell your family, friends, colleagues, whoever!
  15. Like
    GamePlanHockey got a reaction from rainsilent in Biscuit Abuse   
    I believe it's much harder today than it was a couple months ago to exploit computer teams. As mentioned above you have to give up valuable players to get your trade accepted. With that said, it's still possible to exploit the system.
     
    I still have a few ideas on how to improve the computer trading AI further without having to introduce any restrictions in trading. I believe we're making progress, even if it's one small step at a time.
     
    Regarding trade moderatorsI have still to decide if it's the best way to go. I like the basic idea and it would probably help the community to get involved. But what happens when there isn't anyone signing up to be an officer? Or even worse, if the officers themselves decides to exploit the system for their own benefit?
     
    How about this instead:
    Maybe we could create a system where you could "up" or "down" vote a trade adding positive or negative value to the managers trade reputation. That way we could easily spot which managers are exploiting the system and avoid trading with them. I could also make computer teams aware of this reputation and therefore more likely to reject trades from those managers.
     
    Thoughts?
  16. Like
    GamePlanHockey got a reaction from Yann Rock in Biscuit Abuse   
    I believe it's much harder today than it was a couple months ago to exploit computer teams. As mentioned above you have to give up valuable players to get your trade accepted. With that said, it's still possible to exploit the system.
     
    I still have a few ideas on how to improve the computer trading AI further without having to introduce any restrictions in trading. I believe we're making progress, even if it's one small step at a time.
     
    Regarding trade moderatorsI have still to decide if it's the best way to go. I like the basic idea and it would probably help the community to get involved. But what happens when there isn't anyone signing up to be an officer? Or even worse, if the officers themselves decides to exploit the system for their own benefit?
     
    How about this instead:
    Maybe we could create a system where you could "up" or "down" vote a trade adding positive or negative value to the managers trade reputation. That way we could easily spot which managers are exploiting the system and avoid trading with them. I could also make computer teams aware of this reputation and therefore more likely to reject trades from those managers.
     
    Thoughts?
  17. Like
    GamePlanHockey got a reaction from TheWeekKnights in Player Loyalty   
    Player loyalty actually exists in the game already. It's a hidden value and make some players go for the highest bidder whilst others might prefer to stay at the team they are playing in. Loyal players (and less ambitious players) may also be more satisfied to stay at a lower league level longer than more greedy players.
     
    I do however understand that it's hard to keep your players in lower leagues. Maybe I have to look over this some more. At the same time you want the game to feel realistic and not to bury great players in the lower leagues.
     
    Great feedback. Thanks.
  18. Like
    GamePlanHockey reacted to rainsilent in General user guide   
    This is a general user guide. For now it will be split up into 4 sections but I am saving room for one more just in case. Please know that this is never complete and is always an ongoing project with the work in progress label as nobody except for Anders knows everything about this game and even the best of us are constantly learning about this game. This will be bare to start with but I plan on having most of it filled to some degree within about a week or two depending upon the time available to me.
     
    The 4 sections will be as follows. Team Basics, Player Basics, Team Advanced and Player Advanced. The 5th I am saving for something unforeseen or not thought of in advanced and may eventually just be used as a frequently asked questions list. If I end up needing more than 5. Umm... Oops. I'll make it work.
     
     
     
    Team Basics
     
    This section is all about the very basics on how to run a team. The topics covered here will be roster, cap, line and tactic basics. The very first thing to do is learn your team. Since player basics is the second part we will be getting more in depth with the player part there and we will skip to the roster in general.
     
    Roster basics: The most obvious thing is that you need 18 skaters and 2 goalies at minimum. In an ideal situation you would also want 2 or 3 forwards and 1 or 2 defensemen as scratches in case of injury. Injuries happen. It is inevitable. It is best to be prepared for when it does happen so you aren't scrambling when it does. Beyond this part, in which many have probably rolled their eyes at, the only other things to really address here is team spirit and team reputation. Team spirit has 3 things underneath it. Confidence shows exactly how confidant your team is in its play. It will be more likely to grow with positive overall team results. Teamwork shows how well your team plays together. Winner instinct is basically a teams "it" factor. Does the team have "it" in them to consistently pull out wins in meaningful games.
     
    Cap basics: A GHL team has a cap of 60 million to play with. SHL 15 million, BHL 4.5 million, IHL, 1.5 million and LIHL 750k. Every player has a contract that lasts a certain number of seasons. Contracts can have clauses as well. a Promotion clause means that the if the player remains on the team and the team promotes to a higher league the salary of the player will go up in proportion with the new salary. A one way clause means that the player will not go down to a lower league no matter what.
     
    Line basics: Each forward line needs 3 skaters. Each defensive line 2 skaters. For the C position any skater can play it so you want to be playing the players with the best face off rating regardless of position. Also you want your best shooter not playing at C to be on the side opposite their handedness. This is called playing the off-wing. It allows this player to get better quality shots on net.
     
    Tactic basics: Team tactics work in a rock, paper, scissors fashion. Each offensive and defensive system has strengths and weaknesses. However these tactics have a say in how your players develop, how your team performs and the team has to get familiar with the team tactic. When it comes to team tactics it is best to choose one based upon how you want you team to play in the long run. This is because when you change team tactics there is a "learning" period that the team has to go through and it will perform worse in the process. The players will adapt to the system. Line tactics (aka line settings) however do not work in a rock, paper, scissors fashion. Rather there basically are instructions to the players on how to play within the team system. Also they can be changed game to game without worry of change in the quality of team play.
  19. Like
    GamePlanHockey got a reaction from Krafty in Team Jersey   
    A couple of releases back new cities from Canada was introduced to the game. Existing managers was then offered a one time opportunity to customize their team in order to get access to these new cities. That's why some managers may still have this option available (if not already used) whilst new managers have not.
     
    The feature to customize your team is planned to be an all star account feature allowing managers to once a season (or similar) update parts of their franchise. Not sure when this feature will be introduced though
  20. Like
    GamePlanHockey got a reaction from MarkZ in Faceoffs skill   
    Players taking faceoffs during games will develop their faceoff skill. Centers will also improve during training. But it improves slower than most other skills.
     
    In a release not far from now (I hope) I'm going to add the possibility to train a specific skill of the managers choice for each player.
  21. Like
    GamePlanHockey got a reaction from jusatin in Live draft   
    I agree with Jusatin, it would be very hard to implement. But I have played around with the idea to create a semi live draft where the draft is divided into several days. This way it's easier to draft in the lower leagues when you actually get a clue on which players that still are available. But this is something for further down the road.
  22. Like
    GamePlanHockey reacted to koekefix in Manager profile countries   
    Woop Woop, very nice! Thanks!!
  23. Like
    GamePlanHockey got a reaction from Steve in Faceoffs skill   
    Players taking faceoffs during games will develop their faceoff skill. Centers will also improve during training. But it improves slower than most other skills.
     
    In a release not far from now (I hope) I'm going to add the possibility to train a specific skill of the managers choice for each player.
  24. Like
    GamePlanHockey got a reaction from EXXEO in Add Experience to players   
    Yes, experience is very much an important factor in he game. It's an hidden value but it's easy to figure out. Just look at the stats, reputation and age. Experience is used when handling pressure, adopting to new tactics and influence other players, among other things. So don't rule out the old farts :-)
  25. Like
    GamePlanHockey got a reaction from TheWeekKnights in Add Experience to players   
    Yes, experience is very much an important factor in he game. It's an hidden value but it's easy to figure out. Just look at the stats, reputation and age. Experience is used when handling pressure, adopting to new tactics and influence other players, among other things. So don't rule out the old farts :-)