So that’s it then. The game that we’ve spent so much time playing over the past few years has finally come to an end, and we can all have our lives back.
I have to say - and I never thought I would - that I’m not going to miss it. Some of the people I’ve met maybe, but the actual game itself, I really wont. Game world Lemerre finished on Monday morning at 5:00 am, with my last login coming on Friday evening, just showing how much I really couldn’t be bothered to go in and play the game. I couldn’t even tell you my finishing position in the final mini season World Cup. The last time I looked I was around 11th, but I’m not sure where I finished.
Some people have questioned the point in taking screenshots, but I wanted to, to remind me of those virtual players that I had grown so attached to. So, on the other pages on this blog, you can see the squad I finished with, my all time 11 and also some various screenshots that I wanted to take. More for myself than for others to read, sort of a museum dedicated to Fiftyfifty and, in part, Lemerre.
That’s it for this blog, no more ramblings will be posted here. Feel free to follow my other blog though, a footballing one and also on Twitter @Pricep87.
I’d just like to finally thank everyone who has visited this blog, took the time to read my posts and some even comment. Without visits, there would be no point in posts, so I thank you all and wish you good luck for the future.
Tuesday, 24 May 2011
Tuesday, 17 May 2011
Going, Going...
In what is probably going to be my penultimate post, I’d like to start off with a bit of a rant. Now it’s not very often that I have a dig at SI, in fact this may even be the first time ever, but I was not happy last week when they took another £4.99 out of my bank account to continue playing the game. The reply I got from support…
“Actually, according to our records, the latest payments were taken before the beginning of the final season. This explains why you were billed.”
So, probably my fault, but I was under the assumption that anyone with an active, rolling sub, would automatically play for free until the end. As it turns out, if a payment was due before your final season started, then they would still take the payment, and then extend your sub until the end from then. In that case, your not actually getting anything for free, as you’re still paying for that final season. Particularly annoying is the fact that Lemerre’s final season is just 6 days long, finishing on 22nd May. So I’ve paid £4.99 to play the game for 6 days. If I’d have known, I would have cancelled my sub as soon as they made the announcement of closure. You know what they say about assumptions being the mother of all fuck ups…
Anyway, on to this last 6 day season. Not a lot can be done inside 6 days that is going to keep the game world active and playing live, but the mods have done a good job at trying. What we are having, is a World Cup season. All participants have restarted during the off season, and been given £50m + to build a squad for their selected nation. All nations are assigned based on numbers, 32 nations each given a number.
Choosing number 18, I was given Ivory Coast. So with a huge transfer budget, and with the mods willing to release players from inactive teams and remove and unretire players from the returning stars list, I’d like to think I have built a fairly decent squad. Equipped with the likes of Drogba and the Toure brothers I’m going to give it a good bash, and although there are better teams out there, more importantly I, along with the rest of the game world, are having fun.
More screenshots to follow on the other pages here, but after a final goodbye I think I will be closing this blog and concentrating on my footballing one. Expect that on or shortly after Sunday.
“Actually, according to our records, the latest payments were taken before the beginning of the final season. This explains why you were billed.”
So, probably my fault, but I was under the assumption that anyone with an active, rolling sub, would automatically play for free until the end. As it turns out, if a payment was due before your final season started, then they would still take the payment, and then extend your sub until the end from then. In that case, your not actually getting anything for free, as you’re still paying for that final season. Particularly annoying is the fact that Lemerre’s final season is just 6 days long, finishing on 22nd May. So I’ve paid £4.99 to play the game for 6 days. If I’d have known, I would have cancelled my sub as soon as they made the announcement of closure. You know what they say about assumptions being the mother of all fuck ups…
Anyway, on to this last 6 day season. Not a lot can be done inside 6 days that is going to keep the game world active and playing live, but the mods have done a good job at trying. What we are having, is a World Cup season. All participants have restarted during the off season, and been given £50m + to build a squad for their selected nation. All nations are assigned based on numbers, 32 nations each given a number.
Choosing number 18, I was given Ivory Coast. So with a huge transfer budget, and with the mods willing to release players from inactive teams and remove and unretire players from the returning stars list, I’d like to think I have built a fairly decent squad. Equipped with the likes of Drogba and the Toure brothers I’m going to give it a good bash, and although there are better teams out there, more importantly I, along with the rest of the game world, are having fun.
More screenshots to follow on the other pages here, but after a final goodbye I think I will be closing this blog and concentrating on my footballing one. Expect that on or shortly after Sunday.
Monday, 25 April 2011
So What Now
I was just wondering what other bloggers were planning on doing with their blogs once the curtains finally come down on the game. I've enjoyed reading all the blogs and getting people's views on the game, and I only wish I had of started blogging myself a lot earlier instead of only since the reset. But I suppose now, with the game going, there won't be much point nor reason to continue writing on these pages.
I thought of turning this into an FM blog, stories of how I do with certain teams in certain countries (I am currently Santos in Brazil on one save) but they are never going to be as interesting as the FML posts and will never attract the same numbers to these pages. Maybe I shall just come back here every now and then with the odd nostalgic post, we shall see. It's a shame, because this blog has started seeing a fair number of hits over the past couple of months.
I just wanted to find out what everyone else plans to do with their blogs...
I thought of turning this into an FM blog, stories of how I do with certain teams in certain countries (I am currently Santos in Brazil on one save) but they are never going to be as interesting as the FML posts and will never attract the same numbers to these pages. Maybe I shall just come back here every now and then with the odd nostalgic post, we shall see. It's a shame, because this blog has started seeing a fair number of hits over the past couple of months.
I just wanted to find out what everyone else plans to do with their blogs...
Friday, 22 April 2011
A Final Farewell To Lemerre
I still plan to play out this final month, but with the game world becoming less active by the day, I thought I would send out a farewell mail to say thank you for the good times and wish everyone well...
So, as we approach the final days of a game that I can safely say is the greatest I've ever played, I thought I would send a final farewell mail. To everyone and everything that made it so great.
It's amazing how we all become so attached to virtual players, fall in love with the way a 3D figure moves around a green screen, become good friends with people you are never likely to meet in real life. Try and explain it to someone who hasn't played, and they look at you gone out. Yes, it is just a game, but it feels so much more in these final days.
So before the gameworld becomes empty, I'd like to say a goodbye to all the members that have made my stay here a pleasurable one, and to those that have given me the enthusiasm and the opportunities to become first of all FAO, then a gameworld moderator. To everyone, from Aaron Burnage to Yuan Yao I thank you and I bid you farewell.
Special mentions go to all of the friends I've made in here. From the people I've known previously (Philip Anderson, Justin Eaton, Dan Taylor, Rob Barker) to the ones I met in here (Chris Rowe, NVD, Anders Olsen, Da Vinci and most notably Azza).
Also to the best moderator I've ever shared a gameworld with Brian Cousins, along with another legend Drew Warburton. But mostly to the one person who has kept me playing since pre reset, Steven Scott (yes I know he is a Scot but we will ignore that just for once) a true legend of the game.
So a thanks to everyone, a big thanks to anyone who has or still is in the CFA, and a mahoosive thanks to the aforementioned. I wish you all good luck in rediscovering that thing they call the real world, and who knows, maybe our paths will cross again at some point.
Peace out
Paul
On top of this, and away from the game world, I just want to say thanks to the outside community. I very much enjoy reading people's blogs and getting a sense of how they see the game. It's easy to write a blog based on how your team has been playing, all your achievements, but the ones that really interest me are the ones that give views and opinions on the game, and the occasional rant of course. A couple of favourites have been Rik Stewart's and the "I am Spartacus" blogs, but i thank all writers for giving me something interesting to read away from the client.
Once again, it's sad and disappointing to see such a great game fail.
So, as we approach the final days of a game that I can safely say is the greatest I've ever played, I thought I would send a final farewell mail. To everyone and everything that made it so great.
It's amazing how we all become so attached to virtual players, fall in love with the way a 3D figure moves around a green screen, become good friends with people you are never likely to meet in real life. Try and explain it to someone who hasn't played, and they look at you gone out. Yes, it is just a game, but it feels so much more in these final days.
So before the gameworld becomes empty, I'd like to say a goodbye to all the members that have made my stay here a pleasurable one, and to those that have given me the enthusiasm and the opportunities to become first of all FAO, then a gameworld moderator. To everyone, from Aaron Burnage to Yuan Yao I thank you and I bid you farewell.
Special mentions go to all of the friends I've made in here. From the people I've known previously (Philip Anderson, Justin Eaton, Dan Taylor, Rob Barker) to the ones I met in here (Chris Rowe, NVD, Anders Olsen, Da Vinci and most notably Azza).
Also to the best moderator I've ever shared a gameworld with Brian Cousins, along with another legend Drew Warburton. But mostly to the one person who has kept me playing since pre reset, Steven Scott (yes I know he is a Scot but we will ignore that just for once) a true legend of the game.
So a thanks to everyone, a big thanks to anyone who has or still is in the CFA, and a mahoosive thanks to the aforementioned. I wish you all good luck in rediscovering that thing they call the real world, and who knows, maybe our paths will cross again at some point.
Peace out
Paul
On top of this, and away from the game world, I just want to say thanks to the outside community. I very much enjoy reading people's blogs and getting a sense of how they see the game. It's easy to write a blog based on how your team has been playing, all your achievements, but the ones that really interest me are the ones that give views and opinions on the game, and the occasional rant of course. A couple of favourites have been Rik Stewart's and the "I am Spartacus" blogs, but i thank all writers for giving me something interesting to read away from the client.
Once again, it's sad and disappointing to see such a great game fail.
Wednesday, 20 April 2011
Lemerre's First World Cup
Amidst all the doom and gloom with the impending death of the game, this past weekend saw Lemerre's first ever fully blown World Cup. I'm pretty sure everyone in FML circles know what this consists of, but for anyone that doesn't it's like a Trialist World Cup, only it isn't limited to trialists. You can use your own squad players, as well as loans from other teams. At the end of the competition all loanees are released and returned back to their clubs, so no one is without their senior squad for longer than 24 hours or so. The theory is that everyone is willing to loan out their star players for the sake of the community, giving a high quality competition.
The truth, in Lemerre anyway, was a little different. Aside from the members not willing - for whatever reason - to loan out their players, there was the people that had become inactive because of the big announcement. It was therefore difficult to get a squad together and eventually it was announced that each squad would be allowed up to eight players who had the second nationality of the nation you had selected. Pre-empting the difficulty, I chose Mexico. I already had 6 players who I had brought up from my old academy, including the awesome centre back Eder Saavedra (see screenshots) and two accomplished strikers to build my team around. I managed to get in another 4 loans and one signing before turning to the free agents list for trialists.
I thought it was going to end early, after losing my first game and drawing my second, but because of the generous qualification needs for the next round, I scraped through after winning my final group game 3-1. I then proceeded through the Last 16 Round 4-2 and the Quarter Finals 3-2. Not particularly dominant, but after my overload strategy worked in my final group game, I decided to stick with it. Entertaining was an understatement.
So onto the Semi Final then where, ironically I met the team that I beat 3-1 in that deciding group game. Final score? 3-1 again with a brace from my tournaments top player, loanee Marco Fabian. In the Final I met the manager that loaned me Fabian. Unfortunately I lost the game 3-1, but it was very close with most stats straight down the middle. Floriana Fc were simply more clinical than my team were.
World Cup Final:
Mexico 1 - 3 Italy
The truth, in Lemerre anyway, was a little different. Aside from the members not willing - for whatever reason - to loan out their players, there was the people that had become inactive because of the big announcement. It was therefore difficult to get a squad together and eventually it was announced that each squad would be allowed up to eight players who had the second nationality of the nation you had selected. Pre-empting the difficulty, I chose Mexico. I already had 6 players who I had brought up from my old academy, including the awesome centre back Eder Saavedra (see screenshots) and two accomplished strikers to build my team around. I managed to get in another 4 loans and one signing before turning to the free agents list for trialists.
I thought it was going to end early, after losing my first game and drawing my second, but because of the generous qualification needs for the next round, I scraped through after winning my final group game 3-1. I then proceeded through the Last 16 Round 4-2 and the Quarter Finals 3-2. Not particularly dominant, but after my overload strategy worked in my final group game, I decided to stick with it. Entertaining was an understatement.
So onto the Semi Final then where, ironically I met the team that I beat 3-1 in that deciding group game. Final score? 3-1 again with a brace from my tournaments top player, loanee Marco Fabian. In the Final I met the manager that loaned me Fabian. Unfortunately I lost the game 3-1, but it was very close with most stats straight down the middle. Floriana Fc were simply more clinical than my team were.
World Cup Final:
Mexico 1 - 3 Italy
Friday, 15 April 2011
Armageddon
14.8%
That is the percentage of my life that I have spent in Lemerre, not to mention pre reset. What on earth am I going to do with that extra 14% of life that I will gain as of the end of May? Take up a hobby maybe?
I can't say I am completely surprised though. A little of out the blue as it was, the lack of activity from the people that matter over recent months suggested one of two things. Either - as Mr Spartacus (sorry I don't know your real name) said here - they were about to announce something big, the introduction of International management maybe, or they were going to announce the end. Unfortunately for everyone involved with Football Manager Live, Mr Spartacus was wrong and we are staring at the death of such an addictive game.
It's almost upsetting, that a game that I have given up so much time to over the past few years is about to end. Almost every night i would come home from work and stick the game on, slowly falling out with the FM series as the Live version took over. I'm going to miss the community big time, all the people I've met over the time I've spent playing. All the friends, all the foes. If reset was bad enough, this time it's going to be a killer.
It's disappointing to see so many people hell bent on causing trouble during this final month. Yes, a lot of us are upset, but talk of suing SI and going to the papers about "how badly" we've all been treated is maybe a bit too much. Also some of the names I've seen members use under the same breath as SI are quite appalling. I think if anything we should be congratulating SI for creating such a game that has left us addicted for such a long time. Yes it's had it's problems, but what game doesn't?
I'd like to sign this post off with a comment I heard from one of Lemerre's trouble makers, a statement that I half agreed with: "FML has always had a JP reading of 5*, but a current ability rating of 2*"
That is the percentage of my life that I have spent in Lemerre, not to mention pre reset. What on earth am I going to do with that extra 14% of life that I will gain as of the end of May? Take up a hobby maybe?
I can't say I am completely surprised though. A little of out the blue as it was, the lack of activity from the people that matter over recent months suggested one of two things. Either - as Mr Spartacus (sorry I don't know your real name) said here - they were about to announce something big, the introduction of International management maybe, or they were going to announce the end. Unfortunately for everyone involved with Football Manager Live, Mr Spartacus was wrong and we are staring at the death of such an addictive game.
It's almost upsetting, that a game that I have given up so much time to over the past few years is about to end. Almost every night i would come home from work and stick the game on, slowly falling out with the FM series as the Live version took over. I'm going to miss the community big time, all the people I've met over the time I've spent playing. All the friends, all the foes. If reset was bad enough, this time it's going to be a killer.
It's disappointing to see so many people hell bent on causing trouble during this final month. Yes, a lot of us are upset, but talk of suing SI and going to the papers about "how badly" we've all been treated is maybe a bit too much. Also some of the names I've seen members use under the same breath as SI are quite appalling. I think if anything we should be congratulating SI for creating such a game that has left us addicted for such a long time. Yes it's had it's problems, but what game doesn't?
I'd like to sign this post off with a comment I heard from one of Lemerre's trouble makers, a statement that I half agreed with: "FML has always had a JP reading of 5*, but a current ability rating of 2*"
Thursday, 7 April 2011
Famous Last Words
"Expect more frequent updates..."
At the end of my last post, I stated that I would be updating this blog a lot more now that I have given up my moderating role. That was 2 weeks ago now. The fact is that I have lost a little bit of interest in the game. Maybe the modding and the organising and running of Fed events was keeping me going, keeping me logging in. Maybe it's because I am a little disappointed in all the moderating changes recently (6 out of the 12 current mods were on the team when i joined it, with another 2 possibly set to leave), but I really am finding it hard to enjoy the game. I log in, chat to a few of my "friends," play one or two games, then what? After this, I find no real need to continue logged in. Sad days...
It's not just me though. Take a look at the left hand side of this blog where you will find a list of any FML blogs that I have come across (please advertise yours if you have one and it's not on the list) and you will find that a lot of them are updating a lot less frequently than they used to. It appears a lot of the more active members of the FML community are enjoying the game less and less, and therefore contributing less and less. I'm not sure how things are in other game worlds, but Lemerre in particular is suffering community wise. It's a shame, because the community is one of the main reasons I play this game, and I thoroughly enjoy reading up on people's blogs and websites. I hope that future updates from SI can get us more involved with the game again and bring in fresh blood. Just how far away is 1.7...
At the end of my last post, I stated that I would be updating this blog a lot more now that I have given up my moderating role. That was 2 weeks ago now. The fact is that I have lost a little bit of interest in the game. Maybe the modding and the organising and running of Fed events was keeping me going, keeping me logging in. Maybe it's because I am a little disappointed in all the moderating changes recently (6 out of the 12 current mods were on the team when i joined it, with another 2 possibly set to leave), but I really am finding it hard to enjoy the game. I log in, chat to a few of my "friends," play one or two games, then what? After this, I find no real need to continue logged in. Sad days...
It's not just me though. Take a look at the left hand side of this blog where you will find a list of any FML blogs that I have come across (please advertise yours if you have one and it's not on the list) and you will find that a lot of them are updating a lot less frequently than they used to. It appears a lot of the more active members of the FML community are enjoying the game less and less, and therefore contributing less and less. I'm not sure how things are in other game worlds, but Lemerre in particular is suffering community wise. It's a shame, because the community is one of the main reasons I play this game, and I thoroughly enjoy reading up on people's blogs and websites. I hope that future updates from SI can get us more involved with the game again and bring in fresh blood. Just how far away is 1.7...
Wednesday, 23 March 2011
Too Much Too Soon
Since my last post, my jobs have been as follows:
Organise and run inter fed events 2-3 times per week
Do reports and Fed Point awards on each event
Do reports and Fed Point awards on 15 inter fed competitions, including updating the table after each one
Keep the fed blog up to date
Senior CFA screenies, and org senior leagues
Oversee all other CFA orging
These have pretty much been my tasks ever since becoming mod back on Xmas Eve, so you can see why I sometimes don't post here all that often. It does get too much sometimes, and I think I bit off a little more than I could chew by taking on the mod role. Therefore yesterday i resigned as org from all FA's aside from the CFA and asked to be removed from my role as moderator. I shall still continue in my role as CFA org, because it is something that i do enjoy, plus the team we have is a good one.
Aside from that though, I think i'm going to go back into youth management. I've missed it since i dropped it, so now that I will have more time, that's what i'm going to do. I probably won't go all out youth though, still keep some of my senior players and try doing a bit of both. Expect more frequent updates...
Organise and run inter fed events 2-3 times per week
Do reports and Fed Point awards on each event
Do reports and Fed Point awards on 15 inter fed competitions, including updating the table after each one
Keep the fed blog up to date
Senior CFA screenies, and org senior leagues
Oversee all other CFA orging
These have pretty much been my tasks ever since becoming mod back on Xmas Eve, so you can see why I sometimes don't post here all that often. It does get too much sometimes, and I think I bit off a little more than I could chew by taking on the mod role. Therefore yesterday i resigned as org from all FA's aside from the CFA and asked to be removed from my role as moderator. I shall still continue in my role as CFA org, because it is something that i do enjoy, plus the team we have is a good one.
Aside from that though, I think i'm going to go back into youth management. I've missed it since i dropped it, so now that I will have more time, that's what i'm going to do. I probably won't go all out youth though, still keep some of my senior players and try doing a bit of both. Expect more frequent updates...
Friday, 4 March 2011
Tactics? Not A Scooby Doo!
As I previously mentioned, half way into Season 10 in Lemerre, I was struggling, and struggling bad. With the players I had, I thought I should at least get into the top 7, but I was knocking around near the relegation zone with no signs of form turning. My tactical nouse is non existent, and if I had the players, then it was clearly the tactics that were letting me down. So what I decided to do, was turn to the ‘cheat’ tactic of the 4-1-2-3. I know, I know, I’m not proud of it, but I had to do something to save myself from getting relegated to the Championship.
After getting some advice from a few users of the tactic, I set about my revival. Sure enough I avoided relegation, if only just and unspectacularly. So during the off season I set about getting rid of my wingers and getting players in who would fit the new tactic (see previous post). The season started much in the same way that the previous one did, with a lack of form and a lowly league position. Even with “the best tactic around” I couldn’t win games. I choose to yet again switch my tactics.
This time though, it wasn’t something that the whole game world was using, it wasn’t something that a few people said worked, and I don’t think I’ve seen anyone using it since, but it’s my favored formation and it always has been. With a solid back four, 3 midfielders (consisting of a ball winner, a deep lying creator and an original central midfielder), an AMC advanced playmaker and 2 poachers, my old 4-3-1-2 was reborn. Yes, it is similar to a 4-3-3, but the AMC is more of a midfielder than a striker, so I am happy now that I am using my own tactic, however wrongly set up or inefficient it is. Low and behold, form has picked up, although I don’t expect it to be long lived and I am still in and around that relegation zone.
Bottom line, and the whole point of this post, is that I am awful with tactics. If I can’t get success from household names on £70k, then I’m never going to get anywhere. I’ve thought about accepting the inevitable drop, then selling the high earners and signing a side of players on less than £15k wages. I think this would be quite a good project, to search and get these players, then selling them as they go over the threshold. I’ve also thought about going back to youth management, but I really don’t have the time now that I’m modding. And if I’m honest, I’m not sure I really have the time for modding anymore either.
After getting some advice from a few users of the tactic, I set about my revival. Sure enough I avoided relegation, if only just and unspectacularly. So during the off season I set about getting rid of my wingers and getting players in who would fit the new tactic (see previous post). The season started much in the same way that the previous one did, with a lack of form and a lowly league position. Even with “the best tactic around” I couldn’t win games. I choose to yet again switch my tactics.
This time though, it wasn’t something that the whole game world was using, it wasn’t something that a few people said worked, and I don’t think I’ve seen anyone using it since, but it’s my favored formation and it always has been. With a solid back four, 3 midfielders (consisting of a ball winner, a deep lying creator and an original central midfielder), an AMC advanced playmaker and 2 poachers, my old 4-3-1-2 was reborn. Yes, it is similar to a 4-3-3, but the AMC is more of a midfielder than a striker, so I am happy now that I am using my own tactic, however wrongly set up or inefficient it is. Low and behold, form has picked up, although I don’t expect it to be long lived and I am still in and around that relegation zone.
Bottom line, and the whole point of this post, is that I am awful with tactics. If I can’t get success from household names on £70k, then I’m never going to get anywhere. I’ve thought about accepting the inevitable drop, then selling the high earners and signing a side of players on less than £15k wages. I think this would be quite a good project, to search and get these players, then selling them as they go over the threshold. I’ve also thought about going back to youth management, but I really don’t have the time now that I’m modding. And if I’m honest, I’m not sure I really have the time for modding anymore either.
Saturday, 26 February 2011
Out With The Old, In With The New
The off season came and went in a flash this season. So much to sort during with the Federation stuff and the CFA. No time for wage auctions, let alone to update this blog. I'll start just before last season's end then. Remember a certain amazing striker I had, Diego Bustamante? Well, it was decision time. On £50k wages at the time, his demand was £100k. With a fair bit of money now flying around in Lemerre, it would have been a major risk to go with a rebid. So it was either extend at the £100k, or sell before wage auction time. Fortunately, a friend in the CFA had been after Busta for quite some time, and after long discussions in negotiation, I sold him for £4.5m. Considering I had signed him off the free agents list for £2.1m, to make a profit was something I was only too happy to do.
With projection jumping by around £5m, i started searching for a new striker, defender, and whatever else i could find. There was an awesome striker that was in a transfer auction, ending shortly after the sale of Bustamante, but i disappointingly missed out on bidding. A £2m+ TV player going for £1m. Gutted. The next day however, the manager that signed him, put him on the transfer list, with an auto of what he had paid. Without hesitation, Marcio Ferreria was a Fiftyfifty player for just £1.1m
Next up was a DC. I saw a player i liked, and stuck in an offer, hoping that all of the £1.5m up front would be enough to tempt the all French manager into selling. I had to wait a few days while he found a replacement, and also had to pay an extra £200k, but i got my man.
Searching through the transfer auctions i came across a good, solid DM, with the current bid just a fraction of his TV. Wage demand seemed a little high, but with 54 days remaining on his current wage of £55k, i stuck in a maximum bid of £350k. Happy that i had signed him for just £250k, i noticed that he had joined me on a one season contract at £75k. I am sure i clicked "take over existing."
So with a new look team, i set about season 11 with a bit of optimism, but that was soon quashed with a poor start to the season, carrying on from where i had left off in the last. More of that, and my complete inability to create a good tactic in a later post.
With projection jumping by around £5m, i started searching for a new striker, defender, and whatever else i could find. There was an awesome striker that was in a transfer auction, ending shortly after the sale of Bustamante, but i disappointingly missed out on bidding. A £2m+ TV player going for £1m. Gutted. The next day however, the manager that signed him, put him on the transfer list, with an auto of what he had paid. Without hesitation, Marcio Ferreria was a Fiftyfifty player for just £1.1m
Next up was a DC. I saw a player i liked, and stuck in an offer, hoping that all of the £1.5m up front would be enough to tempt the all French manager into selling. I had to wait a few days while he found a replacement, and also had to pay an extra £200k, but i got my man.
Searching through the transfer auctions i came across a good, solid DM, with the current bid just a fraction of his TV. Wage demand seemed a little high, but with 54 days remaining on his current wage of £55k, i stuck in a maximum bid of £350k. Happy that i had signed him for just £250k, i noticed that he had joined me on a one season contract at £75k. I am sure i clicked "take over existing."
So with a new look team, i set about season 11 with a bit of optimism, but that was soon quashed with a poor start to the season, carrying on from where i had left off in the last. More of that, and my complete inability to create a good tactic in a later post.
Monday, 14 February 2011
Lemerre And It's Activity Problems
It really came to light on Friday night. All season I have been running community activities on a daily basis, with next to no interest whatsoever. Reward Point Challenges and one match CPU Challenges will attract 4 people at the most. Disappointing to say the least. I do try my hardest to play up "The Federation" but still we really have got an activity problem.
So onto Friday night's event then, a CPU Challenge. The way I run this is by giving the game world a level 5 CPU side to play. Lose or draw and you are out of the competition. Win, and you move onto a level 6 side, and so on. On Friday night, there was 53 managers online, yet only 14 taking part in this challenge, and that was a good number in comparison to other events.
The problem with Lemerre is the fact that it is one of the newest game worlds. Whereas worlds like Voller and Ramos already have good strong communities from pre reset game worlds, Lemerre is completely new. We have a number of 2nd, and sometimes even 3rd accounters. That is the problem with Lemerre. What I, we, need to do, is to get those people to make Lemerre their primary account. How we are to do that i'm not sure. I'm looking at writing another blog, solely for "Federation" events with reports and score updates. As for any other ideas, answers on a postcard please...
So onto Friday night's event then, a CPU Challenge. The way I run this is by giving the game world a level 5 CPU side to play. Lose or draw and you are out of the competition. Win, and you move onto a level 6 side, and so on. On Friday night, there was 53 managers online, yet only 14 taking part in this challenge, and that was a good number in comparison to other events.
The problem with Lemerre is the fact that it is one of the newest game worlds. Whereas worlds like Voller and Ramos already have good strong communities from pre reset game worlds, Lemerre is completely new. We have a number of 2nd, and sometimes even 3rd accounters. That is the problem with Lemerre. What I, we, need to do, is to get those people to make Lemerre their primary account. How we are to do that i'm not sure. I'm looking at writing another blog, solely for "Federation" events with reports and score updates. As for any other ideas, answers on a postcard please...
Sunday, 13 February 2011
Backtracking
My last real update was towards the end of season 9. Wednesday see's the end of season 10, so it's been a while.
So, in that post I mentioned that I would give a Ryder Cup update. One word, fail. I still think it was a good idea, as a few in CFA in Lemerre said, "something different for a change." Truth is though, we always struggled to get games played when it came to the match ups week. We are still unable to create 2 team competitions, so we always had to rely on the managers being active enough, and remembering who they were up against and to both accept a friendly. It was never going to really work in all honesty, so I decided to scrap the competition.
I also mentioned that I had came to the end of the youth experiment. I had reached the top of the youth rankings, and won a number of competitions, but now wanted something different. All youths were up for sale, with most in recurring £1 auctions. This weekend, i have had to release a lot of them. These are the players that took me to the top of the youth world, but i couldn't get £1 for them? The trouble was, that the best of the youngsters were 3.5* maximum. I never built my youth side on potential, more current ability. That's where so much success came from with so little money. I've seen teams full of players on £5k-£10k wages, but the highest i was paying was £2,500. But when it came to selling, no one wanted 2.5-3.5* players, everyone is after 4* plus.
So without a treasure chest from my youth sales, i've pretty much started on the seniors from scratch. My first season in the Premiership was fairly successful, but this season has been a struggle. I'm currently sitting just above the relegation zone, but i think i should be able to steer clear. More on that when the season finishes on Wednesday.
So, in that post I mentioned that I would give a Ryder Cup update. One word, fail. I still think it was a good idea, as a few in CFA in Lemerre said, "something different for a change." Truth is though, we always struggled to get games played when it came to the match ups week. We are still unable to create 2 team competitions, so we always had to rely on the managers being active enough, and remembering who they were up against and to both accept a friendly. It was never going to really work in all honesty, so I decided to scrap the competition.
I also mentioned that I had came to the end of the youth experiment. I had reached the top of the youth rankings, and won a number of competitions, but now wanted something different. All youths were up for sale, with most in recurring £1 auctions. This weekend, i have had to release a lot of them. These are the players that took me to the top of the youth world, but i couldn't get £1 for them? The trouble was, that the best of the youngsters were 3.5* maximum. I never built my youth side on potential, more current ability. That's where so much success came from with so little money. I've seen teams full of players on £5k-£10k wages, but the highest i was paying was £2,500. But when it came to selling, no one wanted 2.5-3.5* players, everyone is after 4* plus.
So without a treasure chest from my youth sales, i've pretty much started on the seniors from scratch. My first season in the Premiership was fairly successful, but this season has been a struggle. I'm currently sitting just above the relegation zone, but i think i should be able to steer clear. More on that when the season finishes on Wednesday.
Thursday, 10 February 2011
Still Here!
I've not forgotten, nor am I neglecting this blog. But it is getting harder and harder to keep it updated. Being a community moderator in game world Lemerre, I am running a community event every night of the week. Whether it be a quiz, a CPU challenge, a beat the mods night or even competition quick plays, i rarely have time to come on here to update my goings on.
I am still here though, and i do hope to update this on what is happening very shortly.
I am still here though, and i do hope to update this on what is happening very shortly.
Sunday, 16 January 2011
Busta Move
So much to catch up on then, let’s begin with the end of the youth experiment. Despite another fairly successful season 8, I was always looking more towards seniors. With two of my long time youth stars now starting to mature nicely, I decided to keep them and get in a few others to mount a challenge on some senior honours. All I needed was a quality player to start things off. I already had a quality CB along with some decent midfielders, so I decided to go for a striker. After searching round, I found the best weren’t for sale, so reverted to the free agents list. I found this fella. The signing on fee was £2.1m, but when he signed his transfer value was £230k. He was also only 4 * high profile at the time. He’s improved a bit since then.
A season later and my financial projection is still going down, down, down. I’ve figured out that with all these players asking for more and more each season (look at Busta’s demand for starters) I cannot afford to run both a successful youth and senior team, so from now I’m going more for seniors.
Season 9 ends on Wednesday, with auctions on most (I’m keeping and loaning out a few of the better players) of my youth set to end after that. Hopefully I can get my finances going back in the upwards direction, then I can buy some more reinforcements to go with my new superstar striker.
A season later and my financial projection is still going down, down, down. I’ve figured out that with all these players asking for more and more each season (look at Busta’s demand for starters) I cannot afford to run both a successful youth and senior team, so from now I’m going more for seniors.
Season 9 ends on Wednesday, with auctions on most (I’m keeping and loaning out a few of the better players) of my youth set to end after that. Hopefully I can get my finances going back in the upwards direction, then I can buy some more reinforcements to go with my new superstar striker.
Friday, 7 January 2011
Mod Mail
Wow! What a busy Christmas period it was for me in FML. Not only was the season due to kick off on Christmas day of all days (it was thankfully put back 48 hours until the 27th) but on Christmas eve, I was made moderator of game world Lemerre.
Yes, I had previously said that I could never become a moderator. Too much work involved and it wouldn’t leave me enough time to play the game that I enjoy, but a call from our head mod Drew changed things. He asked me if I would be interested in working on community items, creating competitions, quizzes etc.
I had already previously turned down the job of modding Butragueno, where a few of the old mods from Lineker are currently working, because of family reasons. But Lemerre to me is a great game world, with a whole bunch of ex Linekerites flocking to join now, so after some thought I decided to take Drew up on his offer. So I am now a Lemerre community mod :D
Obviously this has been the main reason why I haven’t been updating this blog much recently, taking time to read the mod guide and learn the job. I will be updating though, hopefully as regularly as ever, so do keep checking back.
The youth plan dwindles as I sign a superstar striker, Ryder Cup updates and the competitions and quizzes we run all to come in future posts
Yes, I had previously said that I could never become a moderator. Too much work involved and it wouldn’t leave me enough time to play the game that I enjoy, but a call from our head mod Drew changed things. He asked me if I would be interested in working on community items, creating competitions, quizzes etc.
I had already previously turned down the job of modding Butragueno, where a few of the old mods from Lineker are currently working, because of family reasons. But Lemerre to me is a great game world, with a whole bunch of ex Linekerites flocking to join now, so after some thought I decided to take Drew up on his offer. So I am now a Lemerre community mod :D
Obviously this has been the main reason why I haven’t been updating this blog much recently, taking time to read the mod guide and learn the job. I will be updating though, hopefully as regularly as ever, so do keep checking back.
The youth plan dwindles as I sign a superstar striker, Ryder Cup updates and the competitions and quizzes we run all to come in future posts
Wednesday, 15 December 2010
Dejavu?
Wow! It didn’t take long did it. Just hours after the update, teams had already started splashing out heavily on players. 24 hours later and I see a young striker (5* potential I admit, but from my own personal experiences, he will never get there) sold for £2m when his transfer value is just £300k. I also see a half decent DC being advertised in the market place for £1.5m, “price will not be negotiated.” Again, this DC has a transfer value of just £300k. Managers see an upward slope on their projection graph and feel the need to spend it.
So who is to blame then? The seller for the asking price or the buyer for paying it? Definitely the buyer. If no one paid the asking price, the seller would have to lower it, but seen as inflated offers are flying around, so are inflated asking prices. In a few months inflation will be huge, with managers not having the money to afford what players have become to be worth. When that time comes, yet again the transfer market will fall into meltdown and activity will once again be low. When that time comes, who will be to blame do you think? I can tell you right now it will be SI’s fault for one reason or another. Not the manager’s, who went out and spent until he (or she, I feel I stereotype a little too much when addressing the FML community, if any ladies read this or any other posts I make, on here or in game, then please don’t take offence) could spend no more.
I urge everyone to enjoy the game and the transfer market, but also to be careful in your spending, as another financial crisis and inactive transfer market is just around the corner. Final word? We are the ones who destroy key elements of this game, not the developers. “Fanboi?” Maybe…
So who is to blame then? The seller for the asking price or the buyer for paying it? Definitely the buyer. If no one paid the asking price, the seller would have to lower it, but seen as inflated offers are flying around, so are inflated asking prices. In a few months inflation will be huge, with managers not having the money to afford what players have become to be worth. When that time comes, yet again the transfer market will fall into meltdown and activity will once again be low. When that time comes, who will be to blame do you think? I can tell you right now it will be SI’s fault for one reason or another. Not the manager’s, who went out and spent until he (or she, I feel I stereotype a little too much when addressing the FML community, if any ladies read this or any other posts I make, on here or in game, then please don’t take offence) could spend no more.
I urge everyone to enjoy the game and the transfer market, but also to be careful in your spending, as another financial crisis and inactive transfer market is just around the corner. Final word? We are the ones who destroy key elements of this game, not the developers. “Fanboi?” Maybe…
Sunday, 12 December 2010
FML Ryder Cup Report
A while back now I wrote about a new idea I had for an inter federation competition. A version of the Ryder Cup competition that I had seen introduced in a number of game worlds. I also said that I would see how it went and publish the results, something which I never actually done. So here is the long awaited report.
Quite frankly it didn’t go well. I’m a member of the CFA and everyone (the active ones at least) in the FA said it was a good idea, something different from your normal inter federation competition, something fun for a change. So I suppose it was a sort of success on the CFA side of it.
However, the second week of the season (the pairings) became a disappointing AI fest, with most teams either not being around or choosing to let their AI play their games. After this, I knew that the third week would be a nightmare. The third week would host the match play, 8 qualifying teams from both FA’s facing each other in a one off match. Of course the most fair way to do this would be to have it as a two legged affair, but it’s tough enough as it is to get one game played, let alone two. Anyhow, I instructed the managers to mail me the match links so I could check the games and update the scores. It all looked good when I received 3 match links by the second day. That was it though, no more were to come all week. The only way I could get the games sorted and finished was to create quick plays, but seen as the game won’t let you create a 2 team competition, it had to enter myself in.
So a success or a failure? Failure I think in it’s first season, although EFA’s massive inactivity contributed largely to that, and so did my format of the competition. The problem with it is that it lasts the entire season. A lot can happen between the start and the end of the season, teams can become inactive or even end their sub. It’s one thing entering the qualifying competition, but it’s another matter being there in the final week for the match plays. When it came down to it, we had an EFA team who’s manager hadn’t signed in for over 2 weeks and also only had 10 players. A prime example. That point was of course awarded to the CFA.
I still think it’s a good idea though, so we have decided to run it again this season, although this time the CFA are up against the DFA. The two most active FA’s in Lemerre against each other, it should produce more live games than AI but I suppose we shall see. Reports on how it went to follow.
Quite frankly it didn’t go well. I’m a member of the CFA and everyone (the active ones at least) in the FA said it was a good idea, something different from your normal inter federation competition, something fun for a change. So I suppose it was a sort of success on the CFA side of it.
However, the second week of the season (the pairings) became a disappointing AI fest, with most teams either not being around or choosing to let their AI play their games. After this, I knew that the third week would be a nightmare. The third week would host the match play, 8 qualifying teams from both FA’s facing each other in a one off match. Of course the most fair way to do this would be to have it as a two legged affair, but it’s tough enough as it is to get one game played, let alone two. Anyhow, I instructed the managers to mail me the match links so I could check the games and update the scores. It all looked good when I received 3 match links by the second day. That was it though, no more were to come all week. The only way I could get the games sorted and finished was to create quick plays, but seen as the game won’t let you create a 2 team competition, it had to enter myself in.
So a success or a failure? Failure I think in it’s first season, although EFA’s massive inactivity contributed largely to that, and so did my format of the competition. The problem with it is that it lasts the entire season. A lot can happen between the start and the end of the season, teams can become inactive or even end their sub. It’s one thing entering the qualifying competition, but it’s another matter being there in the final week for the match plays. When it came down to it, we had an EFA team who’s manager hadn’t signed in for over 2 weeks and also only had 10 players. A prime example. That point was of course awarded to the CFA.
I still think it’s a good idea though, so we have decided to run it again this season, although this time the CFA are up against the DFA. The two most active FA’s in Lemerre against each other, it should produce more live games than AI but I suppose we shall see. Reports on how it went to follow.
Monday, 6 December 2010
Top of the World!
I’ve finally made it. I’ve reached the top spot in the youth rankings in game world Lemerre. It’s took a long while to get there, but I always imagined it would do, especially with my strict policy of not over spending on the wages of my youngsters. A lot of people will say that rankings mean nothing, but to me it’s a bit of a landmark. I’ve never reached the top of the rankings since I first started playing this game during the late stages of beta, and never been around the top either. It was a nice feeling to read my teams name at the top of the list.
Anyway, on to my impressive number of trophies last season, youth trophies of course. To list the titles that I won would probably be the easiest way to explain:
Lemerre Youth Championship League - In Lemerre, the Ladder system has been replaced by a fully tiered league structure, running the full length of the season. The Championship League is obviously the second tier, but still a nice trophy to add to the cabinet.
XFA U18 youth Cup - there’s always a nice feeling when you win a cup tournament, as a lot of the time knockout games can be somewhat of a lottery. One bad decision, one selection mistake or one or two injuries can see you out of the competition, even if you do have the best team.
XFA U17 Division 1 - the third tier of U17 league competition in the XFA
XFA U21 Division 2 - the fourth level of U21 league competition
CFA U17 Premiership - just the one tier in the CFA through lack of participants, but still the winning team out of 25, with some very good sides included
CFA U19 Premiership - again the only level at U19 level in the CFA. This same squad now has won the U17, U18 and now the U19 CFA Premiership’s in consecutive seasons
CFA U21 Premiership - pleasantly surprised by this one, as I didn’t think my U21’s looked that good.
I also managed to finish runners-up in:
XFA U18 Elite League - probably one of my best achievements last season, as this was the top level of U18 league competition and game world wide
CFA U20 Cup - the manager I was due to face in the final of this competition was relatively inactive and hadn’t signed in for over 2 weeks, so I decided to play his AI. It went all the way to a penalty shootout, not one of my squads strong points, so I lost 3-1 after the game finished 1-1
CFA U18 Cup - funnily enough, the team I met in the U20 Cup Final was also my opponent in the final of the U18 Cup. Once again I decided to play his AI, this time losing 2-1. He outplayed me in both games to be honest, so he was the worthy winner.
So a very impressive and surprising season for me then. It’s going to be very hard to top that this season, especially with 3 of my better youth players all hitting 22 making them ineligible. I have thought about selling them on to get a bit of money in, but with the current market I will struggle badly. Also, after finishing 3rd in last seasons CFA Division 2, I am now a level 10 team. With that comes more income, so I can comfortably afford to keep them to help my senior side, whilst still having funds to add to my current youth teams. If the market picks up though, I may have to re-evaluate.
Anyway, on to my impressive number of trophies last season, youth trophies of course. To list the titles that I won would probably be the easiest way to explain:
Lemerre Youth Championship League - In Lemerre, the Ladder system has been replaced by a fully tiered league structure, running the full length of the season. The Championship League is obviously the second tier, but still a nice trophy to add to the cabinet.
XFA U18 youth Cup - there’s always a nice feeling when you win a cup tournament, as a lot of the time knockout games can be somewhat of a lottery. One bad decision, one selection mistake or one or two injuries can see you out of the competition, even if you do have the best team.
XFA U17 Division 1 - the third tier of U17 league competition in the XFA
XFA U21 Division 2 - the fourth level of U21 league competition
CFA U17 Premiership - just the one tier in the CFA through lack of participants, but still the winning team out of 25, with some very good sides included
CFA U19 Premiership - again the only level at U19 level in the CFA. This same squad now has won the U17, U18 and now the U19 CFA Premiership’s in consecutive seasons
CFA U21 Premiership - pleasantly surprised by this one, as I didn’t think my U21’s looked that good.
I also managed to finish runners-up in:
XFA U18 Elite League - probably one of my best achievements last season, as this was the top level of U18 league competition and game world wide
CFA U20 Cup - the manager I was due to face in the final of this competition was relatively inactive and hadn’t signed in for over 2 weeks, so I decided to play his AI. It went all the way to a penalty shootout, not one of my squads strong points, so I lost 3-1 after the game finished 1-1
CFA U18 Cup - funnily enough, the team I met in the U20 Cup Final was also my opponent in the final of the U18 Cup. Once again I decided to play his AI, this time losing 2-1. He outplayed me in both games to be honest, so he was the worthy winner.
So a very impressive and surprising season for me then. It’s going to be very hard to top that this season, especially with 3 of my better youth players all hitting 22 making them ineligible. I have thought about selling them on to get a bit of money in, but with the current market I will struggle badly. Also, after finishing 3rd in last seasons CFA Division 2, I am now a level 10 team. With that comes more income, so I can comfortably afford to keep them to help my senior side, whilst still having funds to add to my current youth teams. If the market picks up though, I may have to re-evaluate.
Thursday, 2 December 2010
Serial Blogger
After another couple of busy weeks organising in Lemerre, I can get back on here again and update what I’ve been up to in the game.
First of all then, the news that I have taken on another 2 blogs, now 4 in total! It’s going to be hard to continually update all 4, but the extra 2 that I have taken on are for the community of Lemerre. It’s well known that the community there is some what lacking, so head mod Drew Warburton set up a website for the world, inviting members to create blogs and keep the rest of the world informed and more importantly interested in events. I couldn’t turn down this opportunity to help out so I promptly signed up and created my new blog. It’s going to be pretty much mirrored from the words I write on this one, but be sure to head over and check it out for any other types of posts. Along with that one, I am also an organiser for the CFA, so I have also took on the responsibility of updating the CFA blogs with all that happens in the CFA.
As I say, it’s going to be hard to keep all 4 updated, but I shall do my best, so make sure you make it worthwhile me writing on all these pages by checking them out and commenting where you feel necessary. For those that don’t know, the other blog I have aside from the 3 FML ones, is my general footballing one, with a few old posts regarding FML in there somewhere as well.
First of all then, the news that I have taken on another 2 blogs, now 4 in total! It’s going to be hard to continually update all 4, but the extra 2 that I have taken on are for the community of Lemerre. It’s well known that the community there is some what lacking, so head mod Drew Warburton set up a website for the world, inviting members to create blogs and keep the rest of the world informed and more importantly interested in events. I couldn’t turn down this opportunity to help out so I promptly signed up and created my new blog. It’s going to be pretty much mirrored from the words I write on this one, but be sure to head over and check it out for any other types of posts. Along with that one, I am also an organiser for the CFA, so I have also took on the responsibility of updating the CFA blogs with all that happens in the CFA.
As I say, it’s going to be hard to keep all 4 updated, but I shall do my best, so make sure you make it worthwhile me writing on all these pages by checking them out and commenting where you feel necessary. For those that don’t know, the other blog I have aside from the 3 FML ones, is my general footballing one, with a few old posts regarding FML in there somewhere as well.
Thursday, 11 November 2010
1.6.5 and Lemerre
1.6.5 has hit Lemerre hard. Apparently Lemerre and Nunez were started with a different economic setup to all of the other game worlds, with less prize money and daily income being dished out. Therefore teams haven’t got the money to afford all of these new wage rises. It would - seeming and to a point - be fine in other game worlds, as the money that is shared out is greater than that of these two. Because of this, the transfer market has taken a huge whack
One of the main reasons for Lemerre’s lack of money - as well as the different financial structure - has been the fact that so many managers have left the game world. When a manager leaves a world, he takes with him any money that his club has accumulated. So if a club with a rich status leaves, that is around £5m plus just leaving the game world. Not ideal and it’s always going to create a lasting effect.
Now that wage auctions have become more expensive, there are no longer so many bargains to be had, so teams with little money are no longer able to strengthen their squad as easily. So teams are not only struggling to sign players, but they are also struggling to meet the wage demands of the players they already have, and with no one buying, they also can’t offload their higher earners for good money to finance new players. It really is a vicious circle that has had a few members ranting on the forums. SI have said they are looking into it, but I honestly can’t see that anything will be done about it.
The only people that can do something about it, is the members of the game world. If you have a player with a transfer value of £1m, but are only able to get £500k for him, then this is what his realistic transfer value is. TV is used - as was market value - too much in the pricing of players. It is only there as a guide, and we should accept that, rather than go about asking for 2-3 times more. A players true transfer value, is how much the highest bidder is willing to pay.
Because of the lack of a transfer market, managers are becoming uninterested and therefore inactive. Lemerre is struggling, but I do hope it pulls through the current ‘crisis,’ because I think it’s a good game world, and I really think we could make it work.
One of the main reasons for Lemerre’s lack of money - as well as the different financial structure - has been the fact that so many managers have left the game world. When a manager leaves a world, he takes with him any money that his club has accumulated. So if a club with a rich status leaves, that is around £5m plus just leaving the game world. Not ideal and it’s always going to create a lasting effect.
Now that wage auctions have become more expensive, there are no longer so many bargains to be had, so teams with little money are no longer able to strengthen their squad as easily. So teams are not only struggling to sign players, but they are also struggling to meet the wage demands of the players they already have, and with no one buying, they also can’t offload their higher earners for good money to finance new players. It really is a vicious circle that has had a few members ranting on the forums. SI have said they are looking into it, but I honestly can’t see that anything will be done about it.
The only people that can do something about it, is the members of the game world. If you have a player with a transfer value of £1m, but are only able to get £500k for him, then this is what his realistic transfer value is. TV is used - as was market value - too much in the pricing of players. It is only there as a guide, and we should accept that, rather than go about asking for 2-3 times more. A players true transfer value, is how much the highest bidder is willing to pay.
Because of the lack of a transfer market, managers are becoming uninterested and therefore inactive. Lemerre is struggling, but I do hope it pulls through the current ‘crisis,’ because I think it’s a good game world, and I really think we could make it work.
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