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avsfan96 · 04-04-2020, 01:37 PM

I have been playing FHM Hockey for a couple versions now and enjoy it. But FHM version 5 and 6 have some of the same flaws that prevent this simulation from truly being outstanding. I am not trying to criticize or bash the FHM staff or programmers with this post. As a customer of FHM and OOTP, I am simply trying to voice my opinion on issues I see could use improvement. This is mainly the Computer AI algorithm. I started a new standard game, added an expansion team (to 32 teams) on July 1st and have played one season. My league is currently sitting on Oct 4th opening night in season two (2020-2021). Teams just sent down players to farm teams and passed them through waivers. I’m currently using the Fastspring version 6.8 Build 78. Here are some issues I’ve noticed.

TEAMS ROSTERS AND PLAYER USAGE – I flipped through AI controlled teams on Oct 4th and found 17 teams with only 20 players on their roster for opening night. Why? No team would do this. There are 23 roster spots, use them. While I was playing last season I noticed the Computer AI using players at all 3 levels (NHL,AHL,ECHL) with their fitness below 60% in some cases even though there were other players available. I saw in one thread the FHM staff mentioned you shouldn’t play players down in their 70’s rating.

TRADES AND WAIVERS – Many users have mentioned through various posts the Trade system needs more interaction. You can get an idea if a trade will go through by reading what your scout has to offer (ex. I hardly think……..well balanced offer… they will most likely….). But it needs more from the other GM. Also some trades made by the AI with AI are heavily influenced by position of need and don’t take in account that most GM’s would not trade a younger asset with upside and lower cost for an much older one with no upside, same rating and worse contract. Waivers are this way also. The NHL has about 20 to 35 waiver pickups a year in the real world. My last season saw over a hundred. Plus the player who was picked up was immediately placed on the farm team in over 90% of the cases. Doesn’t he have to go through waivers again if not put on the NHL Club?

SCHEDULE – The schedule maker still makes over 20 back to back games and some with only 1 day off in between. I have seen 3 back to backs with a day off in between each. That’s 6 games in 8 days. How about an editable schedule or better yet, the ability to import your own schedule.

FARM TEAM CONTROL – There is none in FHM6. You have no control over how your farm team plays, who they hire, tactics or what prospects play or don’t play, etc. I had a young goalie on the AHL farm club with a 2.5 rating and 4 star potential. But since an older 30 year old 1.5 rating and potential got hot, he played most of the games during the season and the prospect never had a chance. There is less control now than in FHM 5 where you could at least dress the players you wanted to play. Plus you have the problem of fitness because of overplaying as mentioned above.

The issues above are all part of the games core system. Hopefully, one or more of these will be addressed with FHM7. Keep up the good work and may the programming gods smile down on you.

04-04-2020, 01:37 PM	#1
avsfan96 Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: Jun 2019 Posts: 38	FHM6 issues and improvement I have been playing FHM Hockey for a couple versions now and enjoy it. But FHM version 5 and 6 have some of the same flaws that prevent this simulation from truly being outstanding. I am not trying to criticize or bash the FHM staff or programmers with this post. As a customer of FHM and OOTP, I am simply trying to voice my opinion on issues I see could use improvement. This is mainly the Computer AI algorithm. I started a new standard game, added an expansion team (to 32 teams) on July 1st and have played one season. My league is currently sitting on Oct 4th opening night in season two (2020-2021). Teams just sent down players to farm teams and passed them through waivers. I’m currently using the Fastspring version 6.8 Build 78. Here are some issues I’ve noticed. TEAMS ROSTERS AND PLAYER USAGE – I flipped through AI controlled teams on Oct 4th and found 17 teams with only 20 players on their roster for opening night. Why? No team would do this. There are 23 roster spots, use them. While I was playing last season I noticed the Computer AI using players at all 3 levels (NHL,AHL,ECHL) with their fitness below 60% in some cases even though there were other players available. I saw in one thread the FHM staff mentioned you shouldn’t play players down in their 70’s rating. TRADES AND WAIVERS – Many users have mentioned through various posts the Trade system needs more interaction. You can get an idea if a trade will go through by reading what your scout has to offer (ex. I hardly think……..well balanced offer… they will most likely….). But it needs more from the other GM. Also some trades made by the AI with AI are heavily influenced by position of need and don’t take in account that most GM’s would not trade a younger asset with upside and lower cost for an much older one with no upside, same rating and worse contract. Waivers are this way also. The NHL has about 20 to 35 waiver pickups a year in the real world. My last season saw over a hundred. Plus the player who was picked up was immediately placed on the farm team in over 90% of the cases. Doesn’t he have to go through waivers again if not put on the NHL Club? SCHEDULE – The schedule maker still makes over 20 back to back games and some with only 1 day off in between. I have seen 3 back to backs with a day off in between each. That’s 6 games in 8 days. How about an editable schedule or better yet, the ability to import your own schedule. FARM TEAM CONTROL – There is none in FHM6. You have no control over how your farm team plays, who they hire, tactics or what prospects play or don’t play, etc. I had a young goalie on the AHL farm club with a 2.5 rating and 4 star potential. But since an older 30 year old 1.5 rating and potential got hot, he played most of the games during the season and the prospect never had a chance. There is less control now than in FHM 5 where you could at least dress the players you wanted to play. Plus you have the problem of fitness because of overplaying as mentioned above. The issues above are all part of the games core system. Hopefully, one or more of these will be addressed with FHM7. Keep up the good work and may the programming gods smile down on you.