What new features do you want to see in FHM9?

[Savoie45]

Originally Posted by jcard

Acknowledging that these matters are subjectiveÂ…

I guess that I am in the minority. My feeling is that the priority should be on refinement and QoL, not additional features and customization options. I believe that the state of the current game reflects a disproportionate emphasis on the latter. Eight complete versions and widespread feedback concerning ongoing issues as fundamental as whether goalies matter, hits, giveaways and takeaways. Similarly, insufficient explanations of how attributes actually work, tactics and roles, etc. Numerous typos, inexplicable interface navigation restrictions, lack of table and view preference accommodation (for example, having to reset column width and so forth every time you switch the reference team or otherwise leave the current table page).
Moreover, it is debatable whether some of the new features are net positives or negatives, given the limited resources with which the team has to work. Introducing a complicated financial model that the AI cannot adequately navigate, for example, just induced an immersion-puncturing raft of unrealistic and senseless front office decisions.
I cannot blame the developers, because threads like this show that they are responding to the desires of a majority of their customer base- each member of whom has an opinion as meaningful as mine. I just feel that layering on top of an incomplete foundation is the wrong way to move forward.

Also have to consider that some bugs are either difficult to replicate or would be troublesome to fix without breaking the game even further.

[redtiger7]

Originally Posted by jcard

As I said, I have no grievance with TV he developers acting in a manner that best meets market demand. I just wish that the market demand was more in line with my own.

I do wonder, however, how large of a silent minority exists that, like myself, represents at least a potential LOST new or previous member of that customer base.

Which raises the issue that while new features draw in new customers, how many old customers do you loose who no longer want to keep dealing with the same unaddressed bugs over and over? Are you growing your customer base, or just replacing it?

[jumpSeat]

Originally Posted by redtiger7

Which raises the issue that while new features draw in new customers, how many old customers do you loose who no longer want to keep dealing with the same unaddressed bugs over and over? Are you growing your customer base, or just replacing it?

It's a very good question, and one I've pondered myself on more than a few occasions. I think you're absolutely right that new bells and whistles drive first time buys, but the real question is: Do they consume an inordinate amount of developer time while many of the old bugs remain unresolved?

For me, I try to stay aware of the need for both, so striking the correct balance becomes the real challenge. That said, as a hardcore player, I too fall on the QOL side when push comes to shove.

For example I would far rather see an overhaul of the goalie system to make their ratings matter, (and give proper control of starters and backups), rather than 22 new features. In other words, I'd be happier with the goalie fix and just 21 new additions.

Among which should be: A subtle hit cue and a 30 second timeout!

[northjersey]

i'm not sure what new features will be in FHM9, including if they made the on-ice presentation more like OOTP, but I sure hope that the great mods, available in these threads, will still work in the new release. keep up the great work by those who have released the great arena, jerseys, facepacks,cards, etc !

[Jaurxe]

Originally Posted by jcard

Acknowledging that these matters are subjectiveÂ…

I guess that I am in the minority. My feeling is that the priority should be on refinement and QoL, not additional features and customization options. I believe that the state of the current game reflects a disproportionate emphasis on the latter. Eight complete versions and widespread feedback concerning ongoing issues as fundamental as whether goalies matter, hits, giveaways and takeaways. Similarly, insufficient explanations of how attributes actually work, tactics and roles, etc. Numerous typos, inexplicable interface navigation restrictions, lack of table and view preference accommodation (for example, having to reset column width and so forth every time you switch the reference team or otherwise leave the current table page).
Moreover, it is debatable whether some of the new features are net positives or negatives, given the limited resources with which the team has to work. Introducing a complicated financial model that the AI cannot adequately navigate, for example, just induced an immersion-puncturing raft of unrealistic and senseless front office decisions.
I cannot blame the developers, because threads like this show that they are responding to the desires of a majority of their customer base- each member of whom has an opinion as meaningful as mine. I just feel that layering on top of an incomplete foundation is the wrong way to move forward.

I agree with a lot of this, especially the interface/navigation issues which are a huge pain. Fortunately for the guys at OOTP this is the best hockey sim now (even though its 2D engine is still quite inferior to EHM's, basically everything else is much better) so I begrugingly re-sort and re-filter pages over and over again and intend to do so again on FHM9's release

[AmCo]

Although this will not happen in FHM 9 but I would love to see these following things in the game one day in Custom:

- Moving franchises from one national league to another

- Promotion/Relegation

- Season champion decided by 1st place in the league and not playoffs and be able to change that during the game (like OOTP) and to be recorded in managers stats

- Change the squad limit number like less than 35 signed players, like in the first NHL seasons (more options)

- Please add a list of Stanley Cup finalists and not only list of champions

- Add list of east/west conference winners

- Please and please add more franchise history stats like how many playoff appearances and finals appearances, also each season should have a history record like 'made playoffs', made conference semifinals' or just 'conf. finals', 'conference champs' etc. (OOTP should do this too), I love how Basketball GM has franchise history for each season and it shows all the lows and highs.

- Let us edit the database like nations, first names and last names, add more, etc.

- Edit finances and start before 1917, probably earliest 1880s or 1890.

- During the game let us delete leagues and customize like in OOTP, add more or delete.

- Also change the league nationality during the game, add more than one or cancel previous ones.

- Delete players in the game like in OOTP and add players more than one player from any nationality, same goes for historical players.

- More tournament options and customization, like editing, changing the numbers of particiopants, adding more tournaments, same deleting.

- Tournaments like world cup, olympics, clubs like Soccer champions league, etc..

Soccer fan (and history fanatic :-)) here, never cared for NHL untill I bought FHM 6 (after browsing the game which loved most of all customization and creating league history, or playing NHL History) and since then became your regular customer :-), love the game, following NY Rangers now because of your game although sympathetic for Mont. Canadiens too, reminding me of sleeping giant heheh. Same goes for OOTP since I got my first in 2019. Appreciate the effort and dedication you've put into the game and also listening to your customers. Can't wait for FHM 9 and more to come :-).

[jacobc679]

Save custom leagues incase need to edit them or make a change that was wrong before

[Raindrops]

I would like to see the full schedule for the playoff series' currently, you can only see the first 4 games on the schedule or just the next game of the series

[jumpSeat]

Originally Posted by Raindrops

I would like to see the full schedule for the playoff series' currently, you can only see the first 4 games on the schedule or just the next game of the series

Agreed. This would be most welcome!

[daves]

Will there be a FH9? Season already started.

[Bluenoser]

Originally Posted by Raindrops

I would like to see the full schedule for the playoff series' currently, you can only see the first 4 games on the schedule or just the next game of the series

I would like to see real play off schedule format, instead of 8 games on opening night, then no games, then 8, then no games, lather rinse repeat. Far too many days with no games during the opening 2 rounds.

[redtiger7]

Originally Posted by daves

Will there be a FH9? Season already started.

Yes. See teh top post in this forum

[jumpSeat]

Originally Posted by daves

Will there be a FH9? Season already started.

Release delayed due to a licensing issue. However, next Wednesday is being teased as a potential announcement day!

[Savoie45]

One feature I hope to see is the ability to choose teams a player can't be traded to for a No Trade Clause. I also hope to see the ability to set team needs before the beginning of a season. So, if I'm looking for prospects and draft picks, I'm not being offered a 35-year-old veteran or vice versa.