FHM 2015 New Interface

[markmck]

I ran across a write-up at OOTP which I didn't see referenced here at all. My apologies if I missed a post referring to this.

There are a couple of screenshots and write up about the new interface. I'm doing my best to be hopeful about the upcoming game.

http://blog.ootpdevelopments.com/fhm-20 ... interface/

[batdad]

That is likely because we are in a total wait and see mode here re FHM 2015 and anything FHM related.

Anyway...screen shots are pretty, but will wait til I hear about navigation from others who actually buy the next version. I will not be buying another version until I know from a trusted source--Archi, B72, and a few very few select others that this game is worth buying. 2014 was not. I checked it out 3x and it sucks quite frankly.

[B. Stinson]

I agree with batdad - I don't think anyone is actually excited for FHM 2015 at this point. I think most of us are, at best, simply keeping an eye on it.

I do have to disagree, however, that screen shots are pretty in this case ; that Office 2007 "ribbon" interface just doesn't do it for me. And I pray that that FaceGen is actually just a quick Photoshop mock-up.

[batdad]

I forgot my sarcasm emoticon.

[archibalduk]

I think the navigation menu is very good indeed (I have been testing it since about July/August). It is now much easier to navigate the game. I have always been perfectly happy with EHM's menu system, but I think FHM's is an improvement over it. All credit to the devs who have taken on board the testers' suggestions and not simply followed OOTP Baseball's menu system (which is IMO not that easy to use - the Shortcut bar they have on OOTPB feels like a band-aid solution to patch up an inadequate menu bar).

The GUI is an improvement too. The screens that have been completed so far are easier to read and less cluttered. However, it is a work in progress so we'll see how things pan out. Equally, the nav menu is only one aspect of the navigation; for example, I want to be able to click on team/league/player/staff names wherever they appear and it take me to their profile, etc. Also, I want to be able to right-click on names, etc and have a consistent menu appear.

Obviously it's a work in progress, but two things I'm not too keen on right now (in relation to the screens shown in the public screenshots) are:

1. The "Other Leagues" button in the League Menu screen should list the "other leagues" below it. I hope they don't have this as a sub-menu which you then have to click on to see the "other leagues" because then we'll end up with an FHM 2014-style maze of menus within menus (which was my number one issue with FHM 2014). IMO there should be Left and Right arrows within the League Menu so you can scroll through multiple "pages" of the menu.

2. Not a big deal, but I think the Line-up Screen should show the Goalies on the left, followed by the Defencemen and then the Forwards. Currently it has Forwards on the left and Goalies on the right of the screen. Maybe, it's just me but I would find it more natural this way around (because I read from left to right).

P.s. here are the screenshots in case you haven't seen them:

[dave1927p]

For me I prefer F, D, G. Most depth charts I see (http://www.rosterresource.com/nhl-toronto-maple-leafs/) and in the hockey news does it this way as well. Although for The Hockey News is top to bottom in that order. The again, if it was changed to the way you prefer I wouldn't really care.

[Alessandro]

I think that facegen is terrible!

[archibalduk]

The again, if it was changed to the way you prefer I wouldn't really care.

I can't say I care that much either. It's a minor thing and down to personal preference.

I do agree with Alessandro. The FaceGen doesn't really look that great. I really like the idea behind it but at the moment it looks like a criminal e-fit image!

[SkierP20]

I'm starting to think that the best way to do the stat layouts for example is to take the statistical order and layout from a site like Hockey Reference.. Standardize things in a form that is already used. Obviously, I am sure someone might have a better option out there but that is just an example.

I also kind of raised my eyebrow at the use of PPG/Game and SHG/Game as "chief stats" that will exist on an overview page. I had to dig pretty deep to find those stats actually reported anywhere.

[archibalduk]

The GUI and the unusual display of stats have been my two pet hates when it comes to FHM 2014. It's nice to see some advanced stats, but IMO it can't be at the expense of showing stats in the tried and tested fashion (i.e. like any hockey website, publication or TV show).

[SkierP20]

Have they asked for any input from the researchers on this?

Also, I think the new GUI looks beautiful. That said, they still havent solved the HUGE "Team" column...

[Alessandro]

Have they asked for any input from the researchers on this?

Yes, they did. And while they are well firm on their ideas, they did listen to us for many things.

[MWE]

Looks alot better than the previous version

[Ozil]

It does look a lot better, although I will wait before buying. It wasn't a fun game at all and the initial bugs really hurt the experience for me. It's a really good thing they're taking their time this year releasing it. Having said that, the season is half over and if they do want to capitalize on getting as many people buying the game, they shouldn't take too long

[markmck]

It does look a lot better, although I will wait before buying. It wasn't a fun game at all and the initial bugs really hurt the experience for me. It's a really good thing they're taking their time this year releasing it. Having said that, the season is half over and if they do want to capitalize on getting as many people buying the game, they shouldn't take too long

I agree... but I'd prefer they take their time and work toward releasing a more finished product in October... in time for the 2015-16 NHL season.

Mark

[SkierP20]

They are getting dangerously close to the point where they could actually end up competing with OOTP16. At the anticipated price point, I wonder how many people would spend $80-$100 on this pair of games. The appeal for OOTP is going to be high this year especially with the MLB licensing.

Maybe they're planning a bundle? I dont know..

[Sebastian Palkowski]

They are getting dangerously close to the point where they could actually end up competing with OOTP16. At the anticipated price point, I wonder how many people would spend $80-$100 on this pair of games. The appeal for OOTP is going to be high this year especially with the MLB licensing.

Maybe they're planning a bundle? I dont know..

The group of user that play both, OOTP and FHM, is much smaller then you would think. Our main user base is Europe/Canada with OOTP selling most games in the USA. In addition, people will compare FHM 2 with OOTP 16 no matter what, so thats nothing new for us. And for the price, even if you buy both games on release day (in case of OOTP better to buy a day earlier to save $5) you don't pay $80, not even close.

We will post (newsletter) our plans for FHM 2 later this month but I think we found a good way to handle it and even user who buy both games should be happy and have something to play for a long time.

[m0fownz0r]

I'm not spending a dime on this game until some of the more notable users around here express their satisfaction and actually put aside ehm07 in order to play FHM.

Also, I HATE white backgrounds, I find them to be quite Irritating. Especially when there is just text all over it.

That said, still hoping this game could turn the page.

[Sebastian Palkowski]

I'm not spending a dime on this game until some of the more notable users around here express their satisfaction and actually put aside ehm07 in order to play FHM.

Also, I HATE white backgrounds, I find them to be quite Irritating. Especially when there is just text all over it.

That said, still hoping this game could turn the page.

That is of course your good right. We do our best to make FHM 2 a fun game but you can't satisfy everyone.

[Tasku]

I've taken FHM as my hockey match intermission game, which used to be EHM 07's role. (Meaning I play it while a game broadcast on tv is on intermission). Mainly just because EHM 07 is getting dated, and I like the updated NHL. And it's an okay game. Not great, but not bad either. I will be buying the new FHM, but probably not until it goes on sale.

[MWE]

I dont think they are making FHM 2 available for pre-order

[Sebastian Palkowski]

I dont think they are making FHM 2 available for pre-order

No pre-orders for FHM 2.

[MWE]

Will there be a demo made available then?

[Sebastian Palkowski]

Will there be a demo made available then?

Maybe after release if we have time to do it. But the game will be discounted for the first week after Release as a Thank You to the Community.

[SkierP20]

The group of user that play both, OOTP and FHM, is much smaller then you would think. Our main user base is Europe/Canada with OOTP selling most games in the USA.

This would be an interesting thing to look at. I feel like there are a number of people who are global sports fans. In the fantasy league and OOTP Online leagues I used to participate in, the overwhelming majority of people who were involved were fans of MANY sports and many platforms.

And for the price, even if you buy both games on release day (in case of OOTP better to buy a day earlier to save $5) you don't pay $80, not even close.

The discount on OOTP16 is $5.. so that means the retail after the expires will be $39.99. So are you saying that the list price for FHM with the discount is going to be $20 or less? If both games maintain their price point with previous version(s) at ANY point after release (ie someone waits until a first patch comes out to invest in the game) then buying the pair could cost them $70-$80.