Front Office Football 2004

[Solecismic]

Solecismic Software is proud to announce the upcoming release of Front Office Football 2004.

New features include multi-player league support, a revised amateur draft and a greatly extended statistical almanac.

Please visit http://www.solecismic.com for details.

I hope to have a few screen shots ready in the next few days.

The game is in beta right now, and should be ready for release within weeks.

[GrantDawg]

Multi-player. Who'd thunk it?

[JeeberD]

Shit. Gotta start saving the bucks now...

[Ben E Lou]

http://www.solecismic.com

New Features for Front Office Football 2004
The new version of Front Office Football includes dozens of new features, designed to bring as much information as possible to your fingertips. The new game features the following:

• Multi-Player League Support. Choose a commissioner to run the games for your league. Your commissioner will simulate the games and process every team's instruction set for each stage during the game. Up to 32 people can compete in each multi-player league.
  
• Player Holdouts. Both veterans and rookies can hold out for a better contract offer. Watch your underpaid veteran refuse to take the field until he gets the big bonus he's always wanted. Watch your rookies haggle for a few extra dollars under the league's rookie signing system.
  
• Extended Post-Draft Free Agency. A new eight-stage free agency period, starting after the amateur draft, ensures that you won't easily grab all the players you need to fill your roster.
  
• Career Statistics. You'll have access to every piece of data generated by every player who played as much as one single down during your entire career.
  
• Player Linking. Whenever a player is listed in the game, you'll be able to access his playing record directly from that list.
  
• Revised Amateur Draft. Rookies will be tested in a league scouting combine, including the 40-yard dash, an agility drill, a strength test and an intelligence test. Scouts will know a little less about the rookies, so you'll have to learn to read these numbers and separate the workout warriors from the true players.
  
• League Analysis. Draft experts grade each team's performance in the draft and feature the top young players in the game.
  
• Quarterback Comparison. A new screen features the record of every current starting quarterback and every quarterback with at least 50 starts in the league.
  
• Long Snappers, Holders and Gunners. On special teams, you can designate which players take these important roles.
  
• Offensive and Defensive Coordinators. You'll be able to bid on the services of coordinators as well as coaches. Every staff member has his strengths and weaknesses, and some will be suited to different jobs.
  
• Game Summary Screen. View the top passer, rusher and receiver for every team in every game ever played in your universe.
  
• Game Plan Profiles. Load and save complete game plans, allowing you even tighter control over your team's on-field performance.
  
• Customized Screen Display. Maintain complete color control over just about every element of every screen in the game. Keep different color profiles for each team you control.
  
• Player file generator and Draft file generator. Construct player files and draft files in your favorite spreadsheet program, export them to comma-delimited text files, then use the generator to create files for use with the game.

[Ben E Lou]

Once again, Gindin cometh like a thief in the night.

[JeeberD]

Dola-

This sounds great. More stats, multi-player, better draft. Should be loads of fun!

[JeeberD]

Long Snappers, Holders and Gunners. On special teams, you can designate which players take these important roles.

Gunners?

[EagleFan]

Dam, where's my kleenex?

[Tigercat]

I knew being up at 4am had to be good for something someday! I've never bought a FOF before, only played TCY. I might start with this addition, sounds pretty sweet.

[SunDancer]

Hmmm...I wonder about customiziation of the multi-player leagues...Expansion included?

[JeeberD]

Oh, and I claim the Cowboys in the inaugural FOFC FOF2K4 league...

[JeeberD]

Originally posted by SunDancer
Hmmm...I wonder about customiziation of the multi-player leagues...Expansion included?

I as wondering about that myself. Does it have to be a 32 team league? I'm assuming that it will be possible to start in any year we want, so historical leagues will be possble (thanks to 3ric, lytic, Senator, etc).

This could be great...

[Ben E Lou]

OK, OK, OK.

Looks like Ol' SkyDog is gonna have to get in a multiplayer league after all....

[Ben E Lou]

Originally posted by EagleFan
Dam, where's my kleenex?

Dat game look so good, it make your....

[Ben E Lou]

Dola--

It is nice to see that despite Jim "selling out" to the multi crowd (couldn't resist there Jimbo.... ), some SERIOUS additions have been made that should greatly enhance the single-player experience.

[EagleFan]

Jim flies in under the radar and has stolen some thunder. I think my funds will be redirected, once I get the needed funds. This should really get this forum hopping. I see multiple FOFC leagues forming.

Once I get back to work (still waiting on the company that offered me the job to get it approved by their CFO in Vegas before I get a start date), I'll be getting my site set up for a league of some sort, and getting the others rolling again. Sorry, had to throw that plug in.

[SunDancer]

I love to get league sign-ups going.

[Masked]

Originally posted by JeeberD
Shit. Gotta start saving the bucks now...

Well you already got $5 if you bought FOF4 (see Jim's site for info about the coupons).

[JeeberD]

Woohoo! I like coupons!!!


Hmmm, wonder if he got some FOFC names in the file. He showed some interest last week when someone mentioned it. That would be cool as hell...

[SunDancer]

With the multitude of FOFC leagues expected, I really like to see some sort of system created. Sorta your franchise worth and your net worth. Can use it to "swamp" franchises and spots in leagues, but have to match that value.

[Neuqua]

I kid you not, here's the transcript of my AIM conversation with Marmel tonight (minus the dirty, kinky stuff)

Me: I'm bored
Marm: something blah blah
Me: I'm more in a football mood now, why can't Jim just release a multiplayer FOF
Marm: I'm a big sweaty gay man.
Me: Marm, please.

[Alf]

So is there a multi-player league already under creation here at FOFC ?

[SunDancer]

Originally posted by Neuqua
I kid you not, here's the transcript of my AIM conversation with Marmel tonight (minus the dirty, kinky stuff)

Me: I'm bored
Marm: something blah blah
Me: I'm more in a football mood now, why can't Jim just release a multiplayer FOF
Marm: I'm a big sweaty gay man.
Me: Marm, please.

Reminds me of Horns.

[MIJB#19]

Time to get me a credit card (or some sort of card to be able to pay on the internet (I heard about prepayed cards like with cellphones though designed for internet.))

[Neuqua]

Btw, I really am excited. I hope the league sizes will be customizable though. I bought FOF4 but have not played it much, but I think adding multiplayer capabilities really gets me back into the FOF flow.

[Masked]

Originally posted by JeeberD
Gunners?

Those are the guys who line up wide (as if they were wide receivers). You often see two defenders blocking each one. They are the only players from the kicking team allowed to leave the line of scrimmage before the kick.

[Alf]

IMPORTANT NOTE: We are in the final testing process for Front Office Football 2004 and hope to have a demo out for the game by the end of October.

We are still selling The Fourth Edition, at a reduced price. The new game will not be available on CD - only through electronic download.

Fourth Edition customers who purchased the game after July 1 and before the price reduction on October 16 are eligible for a $15 coupon against the price of the new game. All Fourth Edition customers are eligible for a $5 coupon.

Right before we release the new game, we will set up the coupon system.

----------------------

Gotta check now the purchase date...

[JeeberD]

Originally posted by Masked
Those are the guys who line up wide (as if they were wide receivers). You often see two defenders blocking each one. They are the only players from the kicking team allowed to leave the line of scrimmage before the kick.

Thanks. I was wondering if it were something like that...

[Markus Heinsohn]

Good luck Jim! If I ever have time to get into football, I'll definitely check it out!

Cheers,
Markus

[JeeberD]

Originally posted by Alf
The new game will not be available on CD - only through electronic download.

Thanks god for my DSL. I remember downloading FOF2 way back in '99 or so on my old modem. Seems like it took hours for me to get the game...

[Ben E Lou]

Electronic download makes me happy on this one, since Jim tends to release his games at like 2AM most of the time. I won't have to stay up to get in the first mailing batch anymore. I'll be able to just download the sucker when I wake up.

[SackAttack]

What I don't understand is why FOF: Multiplayer is going to be available only via electronic download, particularly in light of the ViaTech grievances Jim mentioned (waiting four months to get paid, etc).

[GrantDawg]

Originally posted by SackAttack
What I don't understand is why FOF: Multiplayer is going to be available only via electronic download, particularly in light of the ViaTech grievances Jim mentioned (waiting four months to get paid, etc).

I would guess he found an alternate source, or they came to an agreement.

[SackAttack]

But if that's the case, why would he need to switch from whatever simulation he was working on to update FOF4? I'm just confused, I guess.

[JeeberD]

I'm sure he went back to Digital River...

[Neuqua]

Originally posted by SackAttack
But if that's the case, why would he need to switch from whatever simulation he was working on to update FOF4? I'm just confused, I guess.

I don't know if those two were ever connected.

[GrantDawg]

Originally posted by SackAttack
But if that's the case, why would he need to switch from whatever simulation he was working on to update FOF4? I'm just confused, I guess.

I don't think those two were connected. I thought the game he switched from was a disagreement or problems with a publisher (a company). He was mentioning this problem (the change in policy) as a more recent delay in this announcement, not why he switched games.

That is how I understood it.

[condors]

this news makes me very happy

[Ben E Lou]

A few comments on some new features…

Multi-Player League Support. Choose a commissioner to run the games for your league. Your commissioner will simulate the games and process every team's instruction set for each stage during the game. Up to 32 people can compete in each multi-player league.

Obviously this is the one that many were hoping/waiting for. Should be a huge sales-increaser, and based on the rest of the list below, will probably even snooker Ol’ SkyDog into an online league!

Player Holdouts. Both veterans and rookies can hold out for a better contract offer. Watch your underpaid veteran refuse to take the field until he gets the big bonus he's always wanted. Watch your rookies haggle for a few extra dollars under the league's rookie signing system.

This sounds like a very nice addition. No more signing that veteran offensive tackle to a three-year deal barely above the veteran minimum, huh?

Extended Post-Draft Free Agency. A new eight-stage free agency period, starting after the amateur draft, ensures that you won't easily grab all the players you need to fill your roster.

This sounds like an excellent way to help close an AI loophole and avoid having to use a house rule. I always hated having a rookie bust, but then due to house rules be unable to sign a vet to a one-year deal to step in and start. This should make me feel a lot better about doing that.

Career Statistics. You'll have access to every piece of data generated by every player who played as much as one single down during your entire career.
Player Linking. Whenever a player is listed in the game, you'll be able to access his playing record directly from that list.

These two sound utterly delicious for us stats junkies. I’m guessing this sucker will be use some resources. Glad I’ve got 512MB on both machines….

Revised Amateur Draft. Rookies will be tested in a league scouting combine, including the 40-yard dash, an agility drill, a strength test and an intelligence test. Scouts will know a little less about the rookies, so you'll have to learn to read these numbers and separate the workout warriors from the true players.

FINALLY!!! This alone could make it worth the purchase price for me.

League Analysis. Draft experts grade each team's performance in the draft and feature the top young players in the game.

This is a cool immersion feature I think.

Quarterback Comparison. A new screen features the record of every current starting quarterback and every quarterback with at least 50 starts in the league.

Interesting. I’m not sure that this interests me all that much, but could be cool for dynasty reports. (“FA signee Henry Wilkins is a proven winner, coming to us with a .645 winning percentage as a starter.”)

Long Snappers, Holders and Gunners. On special teams, you can designate which players take these important roles.

Nice addition of the little things. Incidentally, a kid I know well is/was the holder for Clemson. He had a rough fall. He was a walk-on, and was told this year (his third year on the team, 2nd year of eligibility), that he was going to be given a scholly for this season as the holder/backup WR. A week later, he tears his ACL. No more WR for the year, but they have been playing him at holder with a torn ACL up until last week. When the Clemson team runs into the stadium, there’s a place where they all jump over a significantly large gap in the path. Well, Gene hasn’t been making that jump since the ACL tear, but he decided to go for it this past Saturday while running in to the stadium. He landed on his good leg, which promptly broke in two places. While the rest of the team was playing, he was in surgery.

Offensive and Defensive Coordinators. You'll be able to bid on the services of coordinators as well as coaches. Every staff member has his strengths and weaknesses, and some will be suited to different jobs.

If the financial system is well-implemented this will be good. Otherwise, it could just end up a place where the human, who has a financial advantage, can hire the best of the best for an on-field advantage.

Game Summary Screen. View the top passer, rusher and receiver for every team in every game ever played in your universe.

Yowza!!! Again, see my 512MB comment.

Game Plan Profiles. Load and save complete game plans, allowing you even tighter control over your team's on-field performance.

This one has been a long time coming. I’d love to have about 4 or 5 game plans ready to roll, depending on the opponent. I hated having to go in and change everything each time. Methinks it’ll be some extra work on the front end, but a huge time-saver in the long run.

Customized Screen Display. Maintain complete color control over just about every element of every screen in the game. Keep different color profiles for each team you control.

Some of you might like this. Ol’ SkyDog couldn’t care less. Solecismic Yellow and Ocean Blue work just fine for me.

Player file generator and Draft file generator. Construct player files and draft files in your favorite spreadsheet program, export them to comma-delimited text files, then use the generator to create files for use with the game.

Another feature that some of you will drool over, but I couldn’t possibly care less about. Give me a fictional universe any day over a fake history.

[3ric]

Player file generator and Draft file generator. Construct player files and draft files in your favorite spreadsheet program, export them to comma-delimited text files, then use the generator to create files for use with the game.

Well, that makes my editor just about obsolete. I couldn't be happier about it.

[JeeberD]

Hmmm...will the old historical draft and roster files still be good or will they need to be created all over again?

[daedalus]

Originally posted by JeeberD
Gunners?

Benny Thompson and Steve Tasker, baby!!!@

[Alf]

Originally posted by JeeberD
Hmmm...will the old historical draft and roster files still be good or will they need to be created all over again?

I guess that with the data already available, the FOF4 files could be "translated" into FOF2004 files.

[Bad-example]

Big thumbs up for the most part!

SO glad it isn't a college game.

Very nice idea to reward FOF4 owners with a coupon discount. Thanks Jim!

Sad to see it is download only.

[JeeberD]

Well, I must get some sleep. I hope this announcement hasn't crashed the board by the time I wake up tomorrow morning...

[3ric]

Originally posted by Alf
I guess that with the data already available, the FOF4 files could be "translated" into FOF2004 files.

Very true. From my editor, you can copy and paste the data to Excel in one go. Then you can edit it further, and save it into the format (csv) that Jim's editor can use. Frogman should have a field day with this.

[Ben E Lou]

Originally posted by JeeberD
Well, I must get some sleep. I hope this announcement hasn't crashed the board by the time I wake up tomorrow morning...

Yeah....45 posts and 222 views in less than 90 minutes, starting at 4am. Its gonna get crazy 'round here as people wake up.

[Havok]

Originally posted by Alf
IMPORTANT NOTE: We are in the final testing process for Front Office Football 2004 and hope to have a demo out for the game by the end of October.

We are still selling The Fourth Edition, at a reduced price. The new game will not be available on CD - only through electronic download.

Fourth Edition customers who purchased the game after July 1 and before the price reduction on October 16 are eligible for a $15 coupon against the price of the new game. All Fourth Edition customers are eligible for a $5 coupon.

Right before we release the new game, we will set up the coupon system.

----------------------

Gotta check now the purchase date...

Sweet.... i bought FOF4 on 9/16.... 15 bucks off for me!!!!!!!!!

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally posted by Bad-example


Sad to see it is download only.

I used to think the same way, I loved having a tangible product in my hands. Given my current status as a resident of Europe, however, I am very excited by this. It means I wont have to wait until Christmas before I can play.

[daedalus]

I like the list of features. My thoughts matched a lot of what Ben said up there.

The ONLY thing that comes to mind quickly that I would've liked to have seen would have been the ability for the game to continue to progress without me having a job at the moment. I don't know how many of you have tinkered with CM but, even if you were, ahem, between jobs, the game would still continue to run. That added a lot to the immersion factor for me. Hopefully, that makes it into the feature set for '05.