Update on the New Match Engine

[Isokron]

This post is intended as a quick summary of the podcast from the perspective of what is planned. If you would like to know any of this in more depth and understand the reasoning why the various decisions have been made and the directions taken please listen to the podcast.

https://youtu.be/5AXatkOKmns

Will the new match engine be graphically represented or will it still be only text based?

Initially it will be graphically represented in an abstract way (i.e. players represented as circles/pawns or similar such moving around on a pitch). In the future we may improve the graphical representation so that it is less abstract (i.e. the players look like players instead of circles/pawns).

Will I just be shown highlight sequences from a library of generic pre-generated match highlights like most other online football management games; or will highlights in my matches actually be simulated during my match?

What you see will actually be simulated during your match. In fact this will be obvious to you as we won’t be showing highlights but rather we’ll be showing you your entire match and you’ll be able to make tactical changes and interact with it live as the action unfolds.

How long will matches take?

TBC. Due to the intention that we have of showing the entire match (albeit not lasting 90 minutes in real-time) matches are likely to be longer than they are in the current match engine but we are aiming to keep them under 30 minutes in length (and as explained in the podcast we hope to keep them considerably under this). However, the quality of the experience is the priority and they will end up being as long as they need to be in order for us to deliver the experience we want to deliver.

Will the initial version of the new Match Engine be the final version of it?

No. The initial version will be limited in scope so that we are able to implement it sooner rather than later. After it’s initial implementation we aim to continuously improve it over time.

What tactical options will there be?

TBC. The initial implementation will have at least as many as there are now. We’ll add more over time and in the longer term we intend to have considerably more tactical instructions than there are at present including individual player instructions.

What stats will there be?

TBC. The initial implementation will have at least as many as there are now. We’ll add more over time and in the longer term we intend to show considerably more statistics than there are at present including more team level stats as well as individual player stats.

When will it be coming?

1st February 2020.

What other major features can I expect in the meantime?

None. Getting the new Match Engine into the game is now the primary focus for the development team. Unfortunately we only have a small team and getting the new Match Engine in the game within a reasonable time horizon requires us to commit all of our development resources to it. We will of course continue to add other features to the game in the future after we’ve implemented in the new Match Engine.

Where can I find updates about how development progress on the new Match Engine is going?

https://steamcommunity.com/games/468070/announcements/detail/2538260142534872422

https://steamcommunity.com/games/468070/announcements/detail/1590255508745280395

https://steamcommunity.com/games/468070/announcements/detail/1588004341473831890

https://steamcommunity.com/games/468070/announcements/detail/1583502647503972605

https://steamcommunity.com/games/468070/announcements/detail/1693846457250883525

https://steamcommunity.com/games/468070/announcements/detail/1688222120324298046

https://youtu.be/8T6QloN8Cuc

https://youtu.be/Gg4-of6nvX0

https://youtu.be/XH44DNKo4ig

[Phantom]

Listening :D

[AfricanFrank]

Thanks for the update guys, will watch the video later. A bit concerned at the mention of the match length, if it's 30 mins then it's very likely that my AI's (collectively) are going to be very very busy!

[stef (FC BAZA) (FC Olympiacos)]

So, is achievments and manager skills postponed for later or the timetable for spring still there?

[Isokron]

Originally posted by stef:

So, is achievments and manager skills postponed for later or the timetable for spring still there?

Hi stef, the initial announcement on this said that manager skills were not currently in development and unlikely to be implemented until mid-2019 at the earliest and this is still accurate (as is everything else contained in that announcement). The announcement was intended to try and involve the user base in the process (so we are still very much open to everyone's suggestions/ideas in this space). When we have further information in this space we will let everyone know. We do still intend to take the game in this direction but they will not be implemented until some point after the new match engine is implemented.

[stef (FC BAZA) (FC Olympiacos)]

thanks for the reply. Spring was my mistake as i didnt refresh my memory by reading that again
(too busy listening full podcast - still 15min to go) . Good to know is still in plans as i can understand ME is far more important and time consuming .
edit : finishing last 15min have to say by asking that, dont mean im not happy with the decision :)

[Lvl1. Slime]

Not had a chance to give the podcast a listen yet, but isn't 30 minutes a bit much?

Between all the competitions at senior and youth level and even international on top, you'll be looking at a good 2.5-3hrs a day during busier parts of the season, not to mention immense boredom if you have a scheduled match that you can't play because everyone else is in a 30 minute match.

[Ulvenk]

this is great. I love the ide of the whole match. And also then the option to suck out as much info you want. Will the beta world open again?

[Ulvenk]

regarding the 30 min. it could be the option to put a faster speed maybe, if both managers agree?

[Razzy]

Great news, thought a 2D ME was still a lot further off than 3-6months so that is promising news.

I do agree that 30mins may be slightly too long for a match and my personal preference would be around 10-15 mins max.

Shall listen to the podcast later on tonight when I get a chance, looking forward to it!

[Isokron]

Originally posted by Ulvenk:

Will the beta world open again?

Hi Ulvenk, currently we are not planning to re-open the beta world in the near term future. The reasons are largely the same as the reasons why we closed the beta world. For reference, the thread can be found here: https://steamcommunity.com/app/468070/discussions/1/1694920442946564504/

[Isokron]

Regarding questions on match duration, this topic is covered in depth on the podcast. Conversation on this specific topic starts around the 1h32m mark and lasts about 11 minutes.



https://youtu.be/5AXatkOKmns?t=5518

[ajmurphy1986]

Originally posted by Isokron:

What other major features can I expect in the meantime?

None. Getting the new Match Engine into the game is now the primary focus for the development team. Unfortunately we only have a small team and getting the new Match Engine in the game within a reasonable time horizon requires us to commit all of our development resources to it. We will of course continue to add other features to the game in the future after we’ve implemented in the new Match Engine.

This is excellent news and I am a man of my word.

I pledged that once the devs were solely focused on a new ME and new ME alone, I would return to the game as a sponser. Hopefully others will fell the same! I'm away on business next week, but Friday night will see the return of Croydon Athletic.

[Phantom]

Originally posted by ajmurphy1986:

I'm away on business next week, but Friday night will see the return of Croydon Athletic.

Welcome Back!

[Slaktern]

Great work Isokron! Appreciate the work you are doing.

[pauldevonport73]

good stuff enjoyed listening.Plenty to look forward to keep up the great work it is appreciated :)