o6's HOF Sliders - 10 minute periods

[original6]

Alrighty then. Since 2k9 followed much of 2k8's gameplay, it was easier this year for me to come up with some challenging sliders. Surprisingly, I find myself playing on HOF for the first time. Keep in mind, the following sliders are a work in progress.

My goal is to simulate the pace and flow of hockey as much as possible, while also trying to get some reasonably realistic stats. Another focus was to get the goalies to make the saves they should yet keep them human. The sliders have limitations on how much they can affect the cpu ai, so bear this in mind. Most importantly, I wanted to come up with sliders that were challenging and rewarding, with the opportunity to increase the challenge, should I master the game more. So, here goes. As always, feedback and suggestions are more than welcome.

GAME SETTINGS

Difficulty: Hall of Fame
Period Length: 10 minutes
Game Speed: Slow
Puck Friction: 75
Ice Friction: 0
Goalie Puck Freeze: 10

Penalties: 100
All penalties set to 100 except the following:
-Tripping *80
-Charging *60
-Spearing 50
-Penalty Shots 50


SLIDER NAME: HUMAN/CPU

Goalie Skill: 50/30
Offense Skill: 50/30
Defense Skill: 50/30
Speed Burst Effect: 50/35
Speed Burst Time: 50/25
Speed Burst Recovery: 50/40
Fatigue Resistance: 50/50
Fatigue Recovery: 35/25
Fatigue Time: 90/100
Hitting Power: *15/15
Shot Accuracy: 50/30
Pass Accuracy: 50/0
Pass Speed: 35/35
Pass Interceptions: 50/40
Rebound Distance: 50/50
Shot Blocking: 0/0
Puck Retention: 50/*30
Puck Control: 50/40
Goalie Anticipation: 50/40
Goalie Saves: *55/*55

So far, I've had competitive games and had the better offensive teams typically outshoot and outscore the other team. I've seen the cpu actually shoot and score from outside as well. However, they still love to crash the net, but I have yet to find a fix for that. The cpu is aggressive and will pressure you in your own zone and force you to make quick decisions in the offensive zone. I've also noticed they love to come out each game guns a blazin', so be prepared and weather the storm. Things seem to level out once you get through that. In my franchise as the Wild, I'm 2-0-1 so far, winning 3-2 against both Boston and Atlanta, while losing in an OT shootout to Florida, 4-3. Both Boston and Florida outshot me but I managed to outshoot the Thrashers. So far, I haven't seen any cheap goals from the cpu. They've set up some nice plays and even scored from the circles with snipers like Kovalchuk. My only gripes thus far are the fact that the cpu seems to get away with more uncalled penalties than me, I suck at slappers (can't get them off with any consistency), and often I can't get a shot off because the cpu bumps me, causing my player to momentarily be 'locked out' until the collision animation completes. Oh, and I have moments where I pull off a nice manual deke, but get off no shot. Grrr... Other than that, I've been enjoying 2k9 and really love the atmosphere.

I hope these work out for some folks or at least helps some with their own tweaks. Enjoy!

[BIG CAROLINA]

I was waiting for you to post these. I will definately give these a shot. I am just worried that my stick skills are not suited for HoF though. Thanks

[daflyboys]

Gave a pretty good game, but I ended up putting it on normal and zero'ing some sliders to help with the looseness (puck control, retention, etc.) and turned down shot accuracy.

Still getting that "forced drive" up the middle by the cpu. Just must be hard programmed. I didn't realize this until trying your sliders, but when I went in to make coaching changes, you can toggle between team w/o going out and actually switching sides.

...and HTH do you pull the goalie on the fly?

[original6]

Quote: Originally Posted by daflyboys

Gave a pretty good game, but I ended up putting it on normal and zero'ing some sliders to help with the looseness (puck control, retention, etc.) and turned down shot accuracy. Still getting that "forced drive" up the middle by the cpu. Just must be hard programmed. I didn't realize this until trying your sliders, but when I went in to make coaching changes, you can toggle between team w/o going out and actually switching sides. ...and HTH do you pull the goalie on the fly?

Thanks for the feedback, daflyboys. I'll be trying out adjustments to puck retention and control as well. My concern with reducing those was the cpu offensive effectiveness being drastically watered down because it would be so easy to knock them off the puck. On the other hand, I don't like the fact that the cpu's sticks seem to be magnets around the puck.

I'm also looking at tweaking cpu hitting power ever so slightly because I suspect, as in the past, that it is strongly tied to penalty calling. My last couple of games the ratio of human to cpu penalties has been 3 to 1. Lo and behold, the ratio of hitting power is........3 to 1. It just irks me that each year I have to put up with an unrealistic amount of 'big' hits just to get penalties balanced.

I tried playing at normal speed, but the game flow seemed too fast. However, it appeared shots were a bit zippier. If that is the case, I may try to readjust the speedburst settings and try some games at normal. I really wish 2k would add a shot power/speed slider one of these years. Tying shot speed to the gamespeed is just lazy and wrong.

One more aspect I'm looking to tweak is the often overaggressive cpu ai. This year they do a great job of breaking up passes and shots, but they are still too check-happy and I will still catch them from time to time sending 2 or even 3 guys after my skater. Therefore, I'll be playing around with the cpu defensive slider as well. My concern again with that is it is usually tied to penalties as well and I am leary it will reduce the penalty calls on the cpu. We'll see.......

Speaking of pulling the goalie, once in a while I'll get that popping up when I try to use the OTF coaching. One time last night I was unaware that it was up because I was engrossed in my attack and mistakingly pulled my goalie. duh oh!! And yeah, that forced drive is pretty much something we're going to have to live with.

Anyway, dfb, I'll be interested to see what you come up for final sliders. You just gotta love the 2k mini-game we all know and 'love' known as Slider Tweak.

[Poro24]

I really liked your 2K8 sliders, so im looking forward to try these today. May i ask what camera angle you are using original6?

Thanks!

[original6]

Quote: Originally Posted by Poro24

I really liked your 2K8 sliders, so im looking forward to try these today. May i ask what camera angle you are using original6? Thanks!

Right now, I'm using 3/4 view.

[Scottdau]

Nice sliders bro. I had a great game with Philly. I like the speed. It doesn't feel as slugish. Have you figure out sliders for normal. The golies look and play great. It was a great battle. They cycle the puck shot from the point. The only thing I did was make the penalties a little higher. That way I can't just poke check I have to think before I do anything.

[original6]

Quote: Originally Posted by Scottdau

Nice sliders bro. I had a great game with Philly. I like the speed. It doesn't feel as slugish. Have you figure out sliders for normal. The golies look and play great. It was a great battle. They cycle the puck shot from the point. The only thing I did was make the penalties a little higher. That way I can't just poke check I have to think before I do anything.

Thanks, bro. I haven't figured out ones for Normal speed yet. Are you looking for something with the same speed but on Normal? If so, I'll see what I can do. Typically it's just an adjustment of the speed burst and offense sliders, since those are the ones that affect skating speed. What penalties did you make higher? The only ones I didn't max out?

[highheatkingsb]

Quote: Originally Posted by original6

Alrighty then. Since 2k9 followed much of 2k8's gameplay, it was easier this year for me to come up with some challenging sliders. Surprisingly, I find myself playing on HOF for the first time. Keep in mind, the following sliders are a work in progress. My goal is to simulate the pace and flow of hockey as much as possible, while also trying to get some reasonably realistic stats. Another focus was to get the goalies to make the saves they should yet keep them human. The sliders have limitations on how much they can affect the cpu ai, so bear this in mind. Most importantly, I wanted to come up with sliders that were challenging and rewarding, with the opportunity to increase the challenge, should I master the game more. So, here goes. As always, feedback and suggestions are more than welcome. GAME SETTINGS Difficulty: Hall of Fame Period Length: 10 minutes Game Speed: Slow Puck Friction: 75 Ice Friction: 0 Goalie Puck Freeze: 10 Penalties: 100 All penalties set to 100 except the following: -Tripping 40 -Charging 50 -Spearing 50 -Penalty Shots 50 SLIDER NAME: HUMAN/CPU Goalie Skill: 50/30 Offense Skill: 50/30 Defense Skill: 50/30 Speed Burst Effect: 50/35 Speed Burst Time: 50/25 Speed Burst Recovery: 50/40 Fatigue Resistance: 50/50 Fatigue Recovery: 35/25 Fatigue Time: 90/100 Hitting Power: 8/3 Shot Accuracy: 50/30 Pass Accuracy: 50/0 Pass Speed: 35/35 Pass Interceptions: 50/40 Rebound Distance: 50/50 Shot Blocking: 0/0 Puck Retention: 50/40 Puck Control: 50/40 Goalie Anticipation: 50/40 Goalie Saves: 70/60 So far, I've had competitive games and had the better offensive teams typically outshoot and outscore the other team. I've seen the cpu actually shoot and score from outside as well. However, they still love to crash the net, but I have yet to find a fix for that. The cpu is aggressive and will pressure you in your own zone and force you to make quick decisions in the offensive zone. I've also noticed they love to come out each game guns a blazin', so be prepared and weather the storm. Things seem to level out once you get through that. In my franchise as the Wild, I'm 2-0-1 so far, winning 3-2 against both Boston and Atlanta, while losing in an OT shootout to Florida, 4-3. Both Boston and Florida outshot me but I managed to outshoot the Thrashers. So far, I haven't seen any cheap goals from the cpu. They've set up some nice plays and even scored from the circles with snipers like Kovalchuk. My only gripes thus far are the fact that the cpu seems to get away with more uncalled penalties than me, I suck at slappers (can't get them off with any consistency), and often I can't get a shot off because the cpu bumps me, causing my player to momentarily be 'locked out' until the collision animation completes. Oh, and I have moments where I pull off a nice manual deke, but get off no shot. Grrr... Other than that, I've been enjoying 2k9 and really love the atmosphere. I hope these work out for some folks or at least helps some with their own tweaks. Enjoy!

They look good man, I think I've settled on my slider set for this year, which I posted in my dynasty thread, but am always open for giving others a run, especially on different levels. I'll check them out.

[Scottdau]

Quote: Originally Posted by original6

Thanks, bro. I haven't figured out ones for Normal speed yet. Are you looking for something with the same speed but on Normal? If so, I'll see what I can do. Typically it's just an adjustment of the speed burst and offense sliders, since those are the ones that affect skating speed. What penalties did you make higher? The only ones I didn't max out?

I put tripping up to 80. It seems to keep me honest. Because the sticks go through players, I notice that I just can't poke check like crazy. Also it seems like the CPU is aware of that too. It could just be me.