FHM9 Hotfix 9.1.65 Now Available

[JeffR]

A new hotfix update for Franchise Hockey Manager 9, version 9.1.65, has just been released to fix some issues with the release version (9.1.57) of the game.

To apply the update:

-If you are playing the FastSpring version, just download the setup file and install it over your current installation. There is no need to uninstall or unlicense your current copy. However, you should quit the game before installing it, of course.
-If you are playing the Steam version, the game will auto-update if you have that option active. If you don't see the update in your Steam update queue, you may need to exit and restart your Steam client.
-If you bought FHM from the Epic Games Store or the Mac App Store, the game will auto-update as soon as the update is approved by those sites.

Download link for PC (FastSpring):
Main server: PC Installer Fastspring

Download link for Mac (FastSpring):
Main Server: Mac Installer Fastspring

Your existing savegames will be compatible with the updated game.

This hotfix addresses some critical issues, particularly with college hockey, that became evident after Tuesday's release, as well as a small number of other fixes/changes we were able to make without risking additional complications. Barring any game-breaking issues becoming apparent, our next update will be in a couple of weeks and will address a much larger number of things, as well as including the "Current" start option with updated rosters.

Changes:


-fixed issue where some college teams were releasing senior players on March 15, even if they were still playing at that point
-increased advantage of team holding the player rights (i.e. verbal commitment) on National Signing Day
-teams are much more likely to try to secure their committed players first on National Signing Day
-significantly increased college team staff budgets and increased number of starting staff
-2023 OHL and QMJHL drafts now have more and better players avaialble - they're still fairly weak drafts, but we'll be working on that in the next update
-adjusted early-season college rankings (in news story) to de-emphasize teams who've played very few games
-the text on the buttons in the Steamworks popup are no longer cut off at the top and bottom
-fixed issue where right-clicking on a player to make a trade could result in the trade interface opening with another team in the spot where the user's -fixed issue where right-clicking on a player to make a trade could result in the trade interface opening with another team in the spot where the user's team should be
-FPHL is visible again on the league setup screen at the start of the game
-made more additions to the historical presets (injuries/suspensions) file
-added player name back to the personal details section of the player screen's Bio tab

[Félicette]

Thank you guys, perfect for trying college gameplay this week-end !

[tomkmb]

Glad to see this drop before the weekend, now I can move onto the playoffs in my NCAA dynasty!

Will the additional budget for staff/all of the college changes be available for saves that are already started?

[slytuch]

If I already have a standard game that is going on before downloading the hotfix will these updates will work as I continue playing in that standard game or will I have to start a completely new standard game to have these hotfix active ?

Thx!

[reverist]

Originally Posted by slytuch

If I already have a standard game that is going on before downloading the hotfix will these updates will work as I continue playing in that standard game or will I have to start a completely new standard game to have these hotfix active ?

Thx!

"Your existing savegames will be compatible with the updated game."

[Old School Sports]

If you begin a brand new game after downloading the Hotfix, I think something's not working properly with the college staff budgets.

It looks like teams now start off with more staff members, and more expensive staff members, than before the Hotfix. But their budget amounts don't seem to have increased appropriately, so every team looks to be operating at a fairly large deficit.

For example, right now in a brand new game I just started, Cornell shows a budget of $750,000 and a payroll of $1,376,000, for money remaining of -$626,000, while Michigan shows a budget of $1,250,000 and a payroll of $1,747,000, for money remaining of -$497,000.

Thanks Jeff and the rest of the team for all your hard work on this, really enjoying the new version!

[TyCobbnya]

Originally Posted by Old School Sports

If you begin a brand new game after downloading the Hotfix, I think something's not working properly with the college staff budgets.

It looks like teams now start off with more staff members, and more expensive staff members, than before the Hotfix. But their budget amounts don't seem to have increased appropriately, so every team looks to be operating at a fairly large deficit.

For example, right now in a brand new game I just started, Cornell shows a budget of $750,000 and a payroll of $1,376,000, for money remaining of -$626,000, while Michigan shows a budget of $1,250,000 and a payroll of $1,747,000, for money remaining of -$497,000.

Thanks Jeff and the rest of the team for all your hard work on this, really enjoying the new version!

Can confirm I am experiencing this issue as well

[JeffR]

Originally Posted by Old School Sports

If you begin a brand new game after downloading the Hotfix, I think something's not working properly with the college staff budgets.

It looks like teams now start off with more staff members, and more expensive staff members, than before the Hotfix. But their budget amounts don't seem to have increased appropriately, so every team looks to be operating at a fairly large deficit.

For example, right now in a brand new game I just started, Cornell shows a budget of $750,000 and a payroll of $1,376,000, for money remaining of -$626,000, while Michigan shows a budget of $1,250,000 and a payroll of $1,747,000, for money remaining of -$497,000.

Thanks Jeff and the rest of the team for all your hard work on this, really enjoying the new version!

Yeah, we adjusted the staff budgets upwards, but it looks like my numbers were a little too low for most of the teams, we'll have to change that in the next update. The AI seems to cope with it fine over the long term, though - after 6 years (so at least a couple of rounds of staff contract renewals) the teams are running with staffs comparable to or bigger than the original numbers. So it's not going to have too big an effect on the game right now, other than a human GM maybe having to go for the cheapest options when hiring staff.

[JeffR]

Originally Posted by slytuch

If I already have a standard game that is going on before downloading the hotfix will these updates will work as I continue playing in that standard game or will I have to start a completely new standard game to have these hotfix active ?

Thx!

Should be fine to continue, the main thing that won't get fixed is the 2023 OHL and QMJHL drafts being too light on talent and number of available players.

[tomkmb]

Originally Posted by JeffR

Yeah, we adjusted the staff budgets upwards, but it looks like my numbers were a little too low for most of the teams, we'll have to change that in the next update. The AI seems to cope with it fine over the long term, though - after 6 years (so at least a couple of rounds of staff contract renewals) the teams are running with staffs comparable to or bigger than the original numbers. So it's not going to have too big an effect on the game right now, other than a human GM maybe having to go for the cheapest options when hiring staff.

But does this not meant that new user controlled teams are stuck with their below par default staff for that same cycle? As shown in Old School Sports most recent video, even if you release all the staff currently on your payroll you're unable to replace them due to the lower budgets and higher demands?

[Félicette]

Originally Posted by tomkmb

But does this not meant that new user controlled teams are stuck with their below par default staff for that same cycle? As shown in Old School Sports most recent video, even if you release all the staff currently on your payroll you're unable to replace them due to the lower budgets and higher demands?

Yeah I'm wondering the same thing. I would have loved to start a College save, but not being able to set up a proper coaching staff and scouting team is a deal breaker for now

[igor7111]

Originally Posted by Félicette

Thank you guys, perfect for trying college gameplay this week-end !

+1
Seems a fair few are playing college hockey. Myself included. Go Badgers.

[JeffR]

Originally Posted by tomkmb

But does this not meant that new user controlled teams are stuck with their below par default staff for that same cycle? As shown in Old School Sports most recent video, even if you release all the staff currently on your payroll you're unable to replace them due to the lower budgets and higher demands?

It looks like something's off with the amounts free agent staff are demanding, they seem to be much too high. Going to have to take a look at that.

[tomkmb]

Originally Posted by JeffR

It looks like something's off with the amounts free agent staff are demanding, they seem to be much too high. Going to have to take a look at that.

Hopefully it'll be something that can be resolved. I've got an NCAA save going from before the patch, I was just before the playoffs which I've now played through. Will my budget go up once the new years rolls over to reflect the change?

[jumpSeat]

Originally Posted by JeffR

A new hotfix update for Franchise Hockey Manager 9, version 9.1.65, has just been released to fix some issues with the release version (9.1.57) of the game.

Very good, thank you!

[skoch]

In historical sandbox, I offer a trade, it is then accepted, but I am unable to confirm the trade, it just shows the 'Discuss trade'... so it has no way to go through.

Also why are the 'make this work' & 'force trade' buttons disabled

[belial1134]

Originally Posted by skoch

Also why are the 'make this work' & 'force trade' buttons disabled

Are you in commissioner mode?
I would assume they would be disabled if you aren't.

[JeffR]

Force trade will be disabled if not in commissioner mode, but Make this Work won't be. It should only be greyed out if you haven't added anything to the other team's side of the trade.