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Below are quotes from Marc Vaughan regarding aspects of the new designed match engine Championship Manager CM4, due for release in October 2002
Buy players but let them stay at their current club
for another year to gain experience ( PSV with Arjan Robben and Michael Lamey ) are a new
feature in cm 01/02 or cm4, because in the Demo game it isn't ??? can someone tell me
please...
Thats one for CM4 I'm afraid ...
http://community.sigames.com/1/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=21019056&f=06419017&m=3741963882&r=2391953882#2391953882
It would appear that the time it takes for some AI
teams to respond to a transfer bid still has the problem that CM00/01 had... namely
sometimes you have to wait two weeks for a response. Marc, if you aren't going to take
this out, could you please explain what the reasoning behind this is?? We, as managers,
cannot take two weeks to reply so why does the AI have this perogative? Also AI teams
don't seem to have to wait when bidding, their transfers often fly through! Basically the
reasoning is that in real-life these things take time, in the original beta of CM3 (way
back when) human managers could delay things in this manner ... unfortunately we found
that due to human nature this meant that players used this to cheat and prevent transfers
of players to other clubs (by making offers and then waiting around) .... so we had to
change things slightly to stop 'cheating'. CM4 will use a different (and more flexible)
negotiation method which will prevent this 'cheating' and totally level the playing field
again .....
http://community.sigames.com/1/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=21019056&f=20719217&m=6911923782&r=3681903782#3681903782
Manager Contracts - It would be possible to implement this
in the CM3 engine, but it'd take quite a large amount of time and require a lot of tuning
from scratch as currently there is no infrastructure in the game for manager contracts and
also I don't have the same reference data for manager contracts that I have for player
contracts.
As I've stated previously I'm not a great fan of manager contracts (mainly due to my
accidentally declining a contract in a game in the past and finding myself annoyed and
jobless ...) however I am looking into implementing this in CM4 because its proven a
popular idea with the fans. Please be patient however because we want to do it properly
which means researching 'real' manager contracts so that we can make the ones you are
offered as realistic as possible.
http://community.sigames.com/1/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=21019056&f=06419017&m=9271958912&r=7401988122#7401988122
"Enhance the computers ability
to copy your own tactic"
CM4.
http://community.sigames.com/1/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=21019056&f=06419017&m=7601959022&r=7401980222#7401980222
"So does anybody else have
anything to say about the international coaching? Marc, do you have any plans to let us
appoint assistant managers and coaches at international level, as well as arrange our own
friendlies and competitions? What about the under-21 coaching and tournaments? Will that
be in CM4?"
The FA arranges friendlies/competitions for International clubs to participate in irl, I
am hoping that CM4 will allow you to communicate with them and suggest an agenda for the
coming year though (say indicate to them that the teams morale needs building up and you'd
prefer to play against weaker teams or some such).
Coaches etc. will also be present in CM4, we're currently
toying with the idea of allowing human managers to be called up as 'advisors' (as Mr.
Wenger was irl) and being allowed to suggest call-ups to the squad. Too early to say if
thats going to make it in or not ....
http://community.sigames.com/1/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=21019056&f=06419017&m=9271958912&r=2931927222#2931927222
Cm4 will have youth teams and reserve leagues .... and new
leagues.
http://community.sigames.com/1/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=21019056&f=06419017&m=1021962522&r=7731942522#7731942522
Reserve leagues will be present in CM4, as will a youth
team
http://community.sigames.com/1/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=21019056&f=20719217&m=2561968302&r=1651959302#1651959302
"Does that mean you are
committing yourself to making "detailed" reserve team options"
CM4 will contain 'full' reserve leagues etc. and a fledgling youth system (think along the
lines of the current reserve system)
http://community.sigames.com/1/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=21019056&f=20719217&m=4201903642&r=8041934052#8041934052
"Or will it reveal that the game
isn't as in-depth as you would like us to think Marc"
No - but the commentary for a full match would be rather tedious to look through imho
..... I'd prefer to wait for CM4 when you can simply replay the match from whereever you
want and should you really want to watch 90 minutes of football you can.
http://community.sigames.com/1/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=21019056&f=06419017&m=7601959022&r=8871942522#8871942522
"I wrote an earlier post
suggesting and enquiring whether height and/or weight stats will be included in either of
the up and coming games. I think that people below 20 should continue to grow at a
pre-determined heightor something. I'm sure it could be implemented quite easily and would
undoubtedly add realism to the game. Please post your comments."
These will probably be included in CM4
http://community.sigames.com/1/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=21019056&f=06419017&m=1501999822&r=8901999822#8901999822
The manager taking over at the end of the season will NOT
be present in CM01/02 (because the engine can't accomodate it), but I like it and I'll try
and put it in CM4.
http://community.sigames.com/1/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=21019056&f=06419017&m=7901979022&r=4541928232#4541928232
Feeder Clubs - I've stated previously that I'm quite happy
to implement this in CM at some point (not commiting to a certain version) ... however to
do it we'd need to know the exact details of the links between the clubs (preferably from
an official source).
http://community.sigames.com/1/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=21019056&f=06419017&m=4071994802&r=4921961902#4921961902
Exhibition Games - This is something thats been on my 'to
do' list for a couple of years now, unfortunately implementing it within the CM3 engine
would be a huge task (ie. you probably wouldn't get any other features if I'd put it into
CM01/02) .... however I AM planning to put it in CM4.
http://community.sigames.com/1/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=21019056&f=06419017&m=6951932922&r=5211921332#5211921332
Goal of the month will most likely be included in CM4
....... 'cos you'll be able to see the goals in that version (in glorious 2D
http://community.sigames.com/1/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=21019056&f=06419017&m=1251950932&r=5171994932#5171994932
"player agents - that has been
completely overlooked so far in this discussion"
These will be included for CM4 .... including the annoying agent who sends you video's of
his player playing (in glorious 2D) once in a while
http://community.sigames.com/1/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=21019056&f=06419017&m=9651948732&r=1281920252#1281920252
Development time permitting both manager attributes and
contracts will be present in CM4.
Contracts mainly because (1) It seems quite a popular feature with people and it won't
really affect those who aren't fond of the idea (ie. its not the msot intrusive feature in
the world), (2) certain clubs may hang onto a manager if he's doing badly and they're
skint simply because they'd have to pay him a large amount in order to sack him (ie. pay
off his existing contract). Manager attributes will allow people to set their
'personality' onto a manager (and have this change slowly over time if they don't manage
according to the personality they initially setup) .....
http://community.sigames.com/1/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=21019056&f=06419017&m=9671948732&r=9031981042#9031981042
For CM4 we'll try and integrate a commentary editor into
the game database editor .....
http://community.sigames.com/1/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=21019056&f=06419017&m=6131910242&r=2971944242#2971944242
Much is planned for the international side of CM4,
obviously I can't go into it too much but:
* You'll have some input into the types of friendlies you play (ie. you'll be able to
suggest things to the FA).
* There'll be a fair few media items specific to International management especially
around large tournaments.
* There'll be staff for International teams
... various other stuff which I can't mention ...
http://community.sigames.com/1/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=21019056&f=20719217&m=9961924632&r=7241916632#7241916632
Training - this is TOTALLY revamped to CM4, you'll like it
- it might even be educational (as it is based on 'real' training techniques) ..... but
beyond that I can't comment - sorry ...
http://community.sigames.com/1/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=21019056&f=20719217&m=5251997732&r=2441976142#2441976142
We're planning on revising the training wholesale for CM4,
for cm3 we're trying to 'gradually' evolve the game as people tend to react better to
large changes when we change engines rather than in updates (look at the uproar we caused
with a simple small change with AM/F C's ...).
http://community.sigames.com/1/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=21019056&f=20719217&m=472192663&r=601194663#601194663
"It would be useful to be able
to export players visible attributes to a text file to help monitor development of a
player"
Possibly for CM4 ...
http://community.sigames.com/1/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=21019056&f=20719217&m=276192883&r=411197293#411197293
Renting/Sharing players (and feeder clubs) etc. will be in
CM4 ..... unfortunately it isn't possible to fit them into the CM3 engine
http://community.sigames.com/1/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=21019056&f=20719217&m=541196934&r=591196934#591196934
"I don't know if i'm just
missing this option in the game but i think it would be good if you could use your reserve
team to play your first team in friendlies. This would allow you to make observations on
the strength of your squad"
You'll be glad this is already on my ever growing list of features to add (around page 72
on a collection of around 75 pages currently) ...:D
http://community.sigames.com/1/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=21019056&f=20719217&m=885197544&r=848197544#848197544
"I think that when you are
signing a player you should have the option to set the transfer date to 1 month later, 6
months later, a year later or any other time "
this was originally in the beta of CM3 (oldsters may remember this) - however it had too
many knock on problems to retain I'm afraid. I'll try and design CM4 to include this ....
http://community.sigames.com/1/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=21019056&f=20719217&m=873196328&r=158199268#158199268
One of the plans for CM4 is to allow a lot more
configuration on which news items you're interested in (for example, ignore all transfer
news which doesn't involve players on my team or shortlist) and also when the game stops
after you've pressed continue.
http://community.sigames.com/1/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=21019056&f=20719217&m=8411993841&r=4531931941#4531931941
Don't worry CM4 is going to be an online game and we've
everything in hand .... trust me, I'm a programmer
http://community.sigames.com/1/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=21019056&f=20719217&m=1491938681&r=1511914781#1511914781
I'm hoping that CM4 will start to begin the introduction of
more 'personality' to the non-player side of the game.
Initially this is likely to be through the CPU managers and eventually extending to your
non-playing staff.
http://community.sigames.com/1/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=21019056&f=20719217&m=6141930212&r=1061920212#1061920212
Unfortuantely hooking keyboard controls into CM3 isn't
possible (without major surgery on the code) - it is in CM4 already though.
http://community.sigames.com/1/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=21019056&f=20719217&m=5881912312&r=8021954312#8021954312
I am hoping to make the media more pro-active in CM4, with
the manager being able to hold press conferences.
http://community.sigames.com/1/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=21019056&f=20719217&m=2401940432&r=4141950432#4141950432
Press Conferences and more man-management will be very
likely to make an appearance for CM4
http://community.sigames.com/1/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=21019056&f=20719217&m=2401940432&r=8511954342#8511954342
International Management - Much is planned for the
international side of CM4, obviously I can't go into it too much but:
* You'll have some input into the types of friendlies you play (ie. you'll be able to
suggest things to the FA).
* There'll be a fair few media items specific to International management especially
around large tournaments.
* There'll be staff for International teams
http://community.sigames.com/1/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=21019056&f=20719217&m=9961924632&r=7241916632#7241916632
"Do you still have to tediously
"drag" players off & on training?"
You'll be glad to know that CM4 will incorporate multiple selections for dragging and
dropping which might make this more painless for you (although obviously for CM4 the
training will be much different anyway).
http://community.sigames.com/1/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=21019056&f=20719217&m=8681980642&r=9741913842#9741913842
"will this top down 2d view be
included as an option???"
Yes it'll be something you can choose to use or ignore ...
http://community.sigames.com/1/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=21019056&f=20719217&m=7111988252&r=7011995352#7011995352
CM4 will have no limit on the number of players you have at
the club, the 50 player limit is part of the CM3 sub-structure though and unfortunately
can't easily be changed (or more accurately can't easily can't easily be changed without
making the game 'crawl
http://community.sigames.com/1/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=21019056&f=06419017&m=4611916642&r=8601936642#8601936642
CM4 is being designed for use on a 56k modem, we're hoping
it'll be around the same speed for that that CM3 is on a LAN (it is currently in our test
bed) .....
http://community.sigames.com/1/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=21019056&f=06419017&m=8221968642&r=5861920742#5861920742
"What about adding our names to
the list of names used by CM for the Re-Gen of players??"
I've mentioned before that time permitting I'll try and put a feature like this
into CM4, for obvious reasons though it won't be the highest priority of my list of things
to do ....
http://community.sigames.com/1/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=21019056&f=06419017&m=6421996842&r=1991976842#1991976842
CM4 will support multiple resolutions (and multiple windows
if desired) ....
http://community.sigames.com/1/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=21019056&f=06419017&m=1791988152&r=4791920252#4791920252
"You should be able to sign
players to pre-contract agreements for various reason and not just when they are out of
contract. Take Milan Baros for instance in real life. Liverpool want to buy him but cant
actually get a work permit for him yet due to an insufficient no. of international caps.
But instead of running the risk of losing him to other clubs they have signed a
pre-contract agreement with him which states that he will sign for them once he has enough
caps to get a work permit."
I will look at putting it into CM4
http://community.sigames.com/1/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=21019056&f=06419017&m=3291971652&r=2861976752#2861976752
CM4 will definitely be released on the X-Box, there is no
guarentee however that it will be a simultaneous release (as its too early to say) ....
http://community.sigames.com/1/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=21019056&f=06419017&m=4761914952&r=3211964952#3211964952
"I think testimonial matches for
players and managers make a good feature in the future of this game"
These will be present in CM4, along with 'custom' friendly matches (ie. All Star teams,
European team vs UK team friendlies etc.) ...
http://community.sigames.com/1/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=21019056&f=39919517&m=575190141&r=759190141#759190141
As for boards giving feedback before big matches this is
something that I seriously want to do for Cm4 (ie. build up before a big match, media
speculating about rivalries between players who dislike each other etc.
http://community.sigames.com/1/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=21019056&f=39919517&m=4741934132&r=8701931332#8701931332
Experience - CM4 has a real experience level for each
player which will increase as they play in matches, this happens to some extent already in
CM3 but has been refined quite a bit for CM4. Abilities - These will still be rated
between 1-20 on CM4, this is a nice scale and easier for people to relate to than 1-100
imho (if we DID change to 1-100 then it'd only be a matter of time before people started
saying 1-200 would be EVEN more accurate ... and so on).
http://community.sigames.com/1/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=21019056&f=06419017&m=2681943572&r=9041993572#9041993572
I'm looking at bringing a managers 'personality' back into
CM4 (please bear in mind this is not definite yet - it'll depend on whether it 'works' and
enhances the game ..).
http://community.sigames.com/1/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=21019056&f=06419017&m=3341941572&r=7241993572#7241993572
Our stance on this is that if the 2D mode enhances the
gameplay then we'll include it if at the end of the day we feel it doesn't it'll go in the
bin. Should it be included it will be an optional view and will NOT replace the text
commentary which will still be present.
http://community.sigames.com/1/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=21019056&f=06419017&m=4161932802&r=8791986902#8791986902
1 When is the xbox coming out?
Early next year.
2 How much will it be
Dunno, thats not my department, just a humble programmer me
3 Will champ be in exactly the same
format
Yes, the game will contain exactly the same engine as the PC one. Certain screen items may
be altered subtly for better viewing on Television screens (this will involve shortcuts on
certain joypad buttons to various options and a possibly a change of fonts to a more TV
friendly one ... don't know exactly until I've finished looking into this).
4 Will the game be fast like other
console games
It'll be on a par with the PC version running on a similar spec PC, its the same game with
the same engine so it don't be 'instant' in the same way as certain console management
games if thats what you mean.
http://community.sigames.com/1/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=21019056&f=06419017&m=4711967902&r=7221957902#7221957902
Yes you'll be able to run multiple leagues, in nearly all
ways it will be identical to a PC.
Main changes will involve different control method (obvious really) and slightly reworked
interface/fonts to make things nice and clear on a TV.
In all important matters (ie. gameplay) it will be IDENTICAL.
Closer to the release date we'll obviously start releasing screenshots etc.
http://community.sigames.com/1/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=21019056&f=06419017&m=2841998042&r=2941909042#2941909042
Marc, do you have any plans to let us
appoint assistant managers and coaches at international level, as well as arrange our own
friendlies and competitions? What about the under-21 coaching and tournaments? Will that
be in CM4?
The FA arranges friendlies/competitions for International clubs to participate in irl, I
am hoping that CM4 will allow you to communicate with them and suggest an agenda for the
coming year though (say indicate to them that the teams morale needs building up and you'd
prefer to play against weaker teams or some such).
Coaches etc. will also be present in CM4, we're currently
toying with the idea of allowing human managers to be called up as 'advisors' (as Mr.
Wenger was irl) and being allowed to suggest call-ups to the squad.
Too early to say if thats going to make it in or not ....
http://community.sigames.com/1/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=21019056&f=06419017&m=9271958912&r=2931927222#2931927222
In Belgium 2 teams have agreements with
English teams: Beveren with Arsenal and Antwerp with Manutd
This will be included in CM4, however one thing I'm still
trying to get detailed information on is the exact nature of the links between all (I've
got some fairly detailed stuff on Ajax - but for other clubs I have very little info) ....
any help would be appreciated.
http://community.sigames.com/1/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=21019056&f=06419017&m=1291908282&r=1851973382#1851973382