Alright boyz, here we go!!! Eastside Hockey Manager 2007 First Impressions Thread!

[riz]

Originally Posted by Draft Dodger

for some reason, only a few player photos are showing up, even though there are tons in the directory.

We have only been able to put in the player pictures provided by the licensed leagues. Most of them will be from the minor pro's and some european leagues.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by Hurst2112

By the way HB, I quit smoking.

Excellent!

Less talk. More "impressions."

[riz]

Originally Posted by Joe Canadian

The trade features are awesome... it's so easy to dump a player now... and so far teams respond almost right way to offers.

Glad you like it

[Joe Canadian]

I made this comment last year and it seems no one saw it... Michael Ryder on the Canadiens is not from St. John's, Newfoundland. He is from Bonivista, Newfoundland. And the abbriviation for the province of Newfoundland is not NF... it is NL.

[Icy]

Originally Posted by Draft Dodger

for some reason, only a few player photos are showing up, even though there are tons in the directory.

I was wondering the same, i also copied all the extra pics i had from 2k5 but still tons of players without pic, and i'm talking about big stars not just rookies.

[JeffR]

I've seen Ryder's birthplace listed as both places - Bonavista's the correct one, then? (And you'd think a Newfie would know not to spell it with an 'i'. )

[Ksyrup]

Originally Posted by Joe Canadian

I made this comment last year and it seems no one saw it... Michael Ryder on the Canadiens is not from St. John's, Newfoundland. He is from Bonivista, Newfoundland. And the abbriviation for the province of Newfoundland is not NF... it is NL.

That's it, I was going to buy this, but NO MORE!

[SirFozzie]

When will it be released to the general public?

[JeffR]

Originally Posted by SirFozzie

When will it be released to the general public?

6 PM Eastern.

[Marc Duffy]

In about an hour.

[SirFozzie]

Cool Marc.. I just put an order in.. and hope to get a head start on downloading it while I'm at work

[KJDelaney]

Thank you Riz, Marc, et al.

Great Work.

From a long suffering Boston Bruins fan, thank you.

[Galaril]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

That's it, I was going to buy this, but NO MORE!

Yeah, I know don't take this the wrong way but who gives a fuck it is just a text sim hockey pc game.

[SirFozzie]

Originally Posted by Galaril

Yeah, I know don't take this the wrong way but who gives a fuck it is just a text sim hockey pc game.

Um.. Galaril.. your sarcasm detector is on the fritz again.

[Galaril]

Originally Posted by SirFozzie

Um.. Galaril.. your sarcasm detector is on the fritz again.

Sorry... wrong emoticon

[sabotai]

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

Excellent!

Less talk. More "impressions."

By the way HB, I started smoking again.

[Young Drachma]

Wow, it's already out. I don't keep up. Awesome.

[dervack]

I'm getting ready to dl the demo now, and probably purchase it later tonight.

[Capital]

Questions to those who have played previous versions:

1. Is there a way to have the computer control the scouts? That's part of the game that I don't think I want to control. I never really liked that part of FM/CM. Although I haven't played those games in a couple of years.

2. Fog of War...I understand the concept...but do people use it? Correct me if I am wrong, but would I even need to use scouting (assuming I have to control it), if I turn off the fog of war.

3. If anyone is using the fantasy draft concept, are you including prospects?

Back to trying to understand the interface...I wish there was an easier way to alter your lines. Unless I'm missing something, and that's certainly possible, the only to do it is to click on the player's number and then move the mouse back to the appropriate line. Is that correct?

[JeffR]

Originally Posted by Capital

1. Is there a way to have the computer control the scouts? That's part of the game that I don't think I want to control. I never really liked that part of FM/CM. Although I haven't played those games in a couple of years.

Nope, no way to assign them automatically. But give it a try...the scouting system is one place, IMO, where EHM outshines FM. You get better feedback, and once you've set the scouts up initially, you don't necessarily need to keep going back and sending them out over and over again.

2. Fog of War...I understand the concept...but do people use it? Correct me if I am wrong, but would I even need to use scouting (assuming I have to control it), if I turn off the fog of war.

Yup, you'd still need to use it. Without fog of war on, you'll see attribute values displayed properly, but still no more than a basic idea about overall ability - and nothing about the player's intangibles.

[FrogMan]

The try and buy is up on eastsidehockeymanager.net but it send you to sigame.com which is sooooo slooooow. Marc Duffy posted this mirror on the Si Games forum:
http://www.worthdownloading.com/game.php?gid=2196

Downloaded in less than 20 minutes I'd say (set it and went downstairs, got back and it's now finished)... I took the mirror #2 USa...

FM

[Izulde]

How's the sim speed? Yeah I know that's kinda jbmagic-ish, but it's my biggest pet peeve with SI games.

[sabotai]

Just fired up the demo, but I'm heading out soon so won't get much time with it. First thing I notice, Moose Jaw has high expectations and are real contenders, apparently. I don't want to take over a high rated team, so when I do get around to starting my new dynasty, looks like I'll be grabbing a different team. Probably go to the OHL and QJMHL to change things up a bit.

[sabotai]

*sigh*

Damn my social life!!! Damn you SI!!!

Damn it all!!!

Anyway, watching the games on Normal or Slow (seems to be the "real time" setting) is a bit choppy. It is noticable, but acceptable. Besides, you'll probably have it on at least Fast for most of the game if you plan on watching (otherwise games would take over an hour to sim. I know I ain't doing that).

Don't even think of putting it on Fast Forward though (unless you want to get to the end of the period). It took me several tries to select a different speed because the menu kept disappearing.

What surprised me a bit was the sound. It sounds like a hockey game! Even has some good heavy music playing when the game has been stopped! The crowds sound very good as well. (Note: I never watched the games previously so maybe I missed the sound if it was in last year's game)

Anyway....my social life is calling and I have to leave.

[TroyF]

Just fooled around with the fantasy draft feature. This Wojtek Wolski must be one hell of a player. My entire coaching staff wanted me to draft him with the third pick. I drafted Crosby instead.

After the draft, I decide I'll try to deal for him. He's next to untouchable. I offer Crosby straight up for him and my GM tells me I'm an idiot and the other GM tells me my offer can't be serious.

As an Avs fan, I hope he ends up being that good.

[Pumpy Tudors]

My wife just asked me to download the Try & Buy on her computer. Uh oh. If we're both playing, we may never see daylight again.

[Draft Dodger]

Originally Posted by Icy

I was wondering the same, i also copied all the extra pics i had from 2k5 but still tons of players without pic, and i'm talking about big stars not just rookies.

so at least the format is the same?

[sachmo71]

I've been spoiled by all of the pictures added by modders in the last version.

[Ksyrup]

Is there a manual for this game? I downloaded the trial and I want to give this a shot, but I'm not the type of person who just jumps in without a good understanding of what the game entails, what certain parts of the game do, and what certain things mean.

Just from the first couple of screens, trying to set up a basic game brought up these questions:

What is the difference between standard and enhanced?

When it says I can start as an unemployed GM, does that mean this game is set up for me to start in a low league and work my way up to the NHL, or can I start in the NHL and stay there? Is being fired always part of the game, or can that be turned off?

There are so many basic questions like this that are keeping me from even starting to play the demo because there is no explanation of any of this that I can find. It's very frustrating, intimidating, and completely the opposite of how I like to play a game. I need to know the ground rules before I can decide how I want to play.

[Draft Dodger]

2k5 had a pretty decent learning curve. it was a while before I figured out there was a manual and it helped a great deal.

there was no manual with my download. I wonder it that's coming later.

[Ksyrup]

Sadly, I'm just not sure I have the patience for that kind of gaming experience.

[Sweed]

Originally Posted by Draft Dodger

2k5 had a pretty decent learning curve. it was a while before I figured out there was a manual and it helped a great deal.

there was no manual with my download. I wonder it that's coming later.

There's a "manuals" folder in the main game folder with pdf manuals in different languages.

c:\program files\sports interactive\nhl eastside....\manuals

[Sweed]

Originally Posted by sachmo71

I've been spoiled by all of the pictures added by modders in the last version.

Haven't had a chance to play much yet but this so far is a huge disappointment.

Pictures = immersion for me.

I guess I've done without in fof and fbcb, so not the end of the world.

[Ksyrup]

Originally Posted by Sweed

There's a "manuals" folder in the main game folder with pdf manuals in different languages.

c:\program files\sports interactive\nhl eastside....\manuals

Cool, thanks!

[Joe Canadian]

Originally Posted by JeffR

I've seen Ryder's birthplace listed as both places - Bonavista's the correct one, then? (And you'd think a Newfie would know not to spell it with an 'i'. )

And yes, Ryder was born in Bonavista just like his brother Dan who plays on the Petes of the OHL. I should know my Aunt lives across the street from the house he grew up in...

[Capital]

If one elects to not use prospects in a fantasy draft, does that mean that prospects remain with their current team?

If you check the prospects button, the draft goes from 32 rounds to 50.

[Router Help]

Only simmed 2 weeks so far, but so far so good. I really like the interface. There is a lot of info, but I don't feel overwhelmed like I did in OOTP.

[bhlloy]

A lot of 2006 draftees right's are missing... I was able to get Brian Little, Bob Sanguinetti and Ben Shutron and somebody else (Cory Emmerton?) as FA's. Strangely nobody else in the NHL was interested.

Other than that... looks very good.

[SackAttack]

I'm liking the interface and how quickly everything is loading for me. That's a good sign.

[sachmo71]

Originally Posted by SackAttack

I'm liking the interface and how quickly everything is loading for me. That's a good sign.

Yes, it seems to run much faster than 2005.

[SackAttack]

Originally Posted by sachmo71

Yes, it seems to run much faster than 2005.

Yeah it does.

One thing I'm a little put off by, the game mentions season ticket sales, but I can't find anywhere to see what the total capacity of my arena is so I can see whether I'm doing well or poorly in that regard.

[sachmo71]

I'm really liking the improvements to the tactics screen. It's easy to see if you are setting tactics for a position (like 3rd line LW) or a specific player. The sliders are easy to understand, and I really like the addition of the ratings for the lines.

For example, when you first go into the tactics screen, you can set player tactics that will stay with him through all of the lines.
There is an option to set them for all situations, or break the individual tactics down into even strenght, powerplay, and penalty kill. It also shows you every line that a player is assigned to which is a big help.
There are sliders for about ten attributes that you can set:

Mentality
Aggressiveness
Backchecking
Gap Control (new)
Puck Pressure (used to be forecheck, I think)
Hitting
Tempo (new)
Passing
Shooting
Dumping the puck (new)

as well as the old shoot\pass tendancy, fighting orders, carry puck, join rush.
It also allows you to assign the player to check here, which is really great, because you can quickly assign your best defenseman to shadow the other teams top player and avoid the need to go to a specific line screen to do it.

To be honest, I always wanted to do more with tactics in the last version of EHM, but it could get to be such a beating trying to set everything for every line when you are subbing guys in and out all of the time. This way, if you know that your 4th line center will always play defensively, you can set the tactics that way and leave it.

Great improvement.



More kudos...I love the Front Office screen. Having all the info on a single page is going to be a godsend in the doldrums of a season.

Oops...I just discovered the team tactics screen. Mouth watering...must go play!

[sachmo71]

Originally Posted by Johnny93g

Well, so far i feel a little overwhelmed, but im doing ok. Im the Leafs obviously, and the first thing i saw was that Aki Berg' rights were still owned by the Leafs. So i offered his rights all over the NHL.

Got 3 offers:
St. Louis- Lee Stempniak, a 23 year old who scored 14 goals in 50+ games as a rookie straight up for Berg

Phoenix- A 23 year old forward i never heard of who played 9 nhl games last season

Rangers- Colton Orr, a young energy type player, who is still looking to become a regular

Wow, I didnt realize old Aki had value. I will accept the Blues offer, then try to make cap room for the kid

how do you offer the rights?

[Joe Canadian]

Hmmm... DiPietro's contract is only for one year...

[Joe Canadian]

Originally Posted by sachmo71

how do you offer the rights?

Click "Approach to Trade" under any team in the league... don't add any players from that team, just add the rights of the player you want to trade... then click "Offer To All".

[Joe Canadian]

Originally Posted by SackAttack

Yeah it does.

One thing I'm a little put off by, the game mentions season ticket sales, but I can't find anywhere to see what the total capacity of my arena is so I can see whether I'm doing well or poorly in that regard.

It's under the Team Info screen... same as last year.

[jbmagic]

Does team strategy sliders override individual sliders?

[Icy]

Originally Posted by Draft Dodger

so at least the format is the same?

Yes, Riz said at SI forums that 2k5 picture packs would work also in 2k7.

[sachmo71]

Originally Posted by Icy

Yes, Riz said at SI forums that 2k5 picture packs would work also in 2k7.

they do, i've confirmed it!!! good job, riz and company!

[Scholes]

Quick question, does this work like FM, where, if I start out in a lower league like the QMJHL, will I be able to take NHL jobs (if I perform well enough) eventually??