Playing with Netapp its nearly impossible to go for a stage win at Qatar. Maybe you should lower the difficulty for Qatar. When i remember correct, this can´t be a 5 star goal - maybe 1 or 2 star - so forget it
But Netapp is with IAM, FDJ the by far strongest team in this league, you can win a lot of other races to satisfy your sponsor.
TheEquinox wrote:
I started my first career after getting the game with NetApp-Endura in the Conti Pro division. So far I finished the tour of Quatar. Got two stage wins in the Tour of San Luis and one in the dubai Tour, where I also finished 2nd in the overall tour standings with one rider (Matzka).
Now at the tour of Quatar, my sponsor expects a stage win, but it seems to be impossible, because all the CTT teams joined the tour.
Will the CTT opponents be taken into consideration according to the sponsor goals ? Like if I finish 5th in a stage and places 1-4 are only riders from CTT teams, will that count to make the sponsor happy ? Or is it just bad luck if CTT teams join the tours your sponsor wants you to win and you just dont have a chance then ?
Am I the only one not enjoying PCM14 at all? I tried few careers, I tried bascially every possible graphical setting and absolutely nothing suits me, unlike it was the situation in PCM13. I just don't feel like playing this game. Here's my opinion on it after trying to play for more than a month and I'm completely disappointed so far:
Firstly, pixelated numbers and ugly fonts. I know that literally no one gives a fuck about this, but I am so pissed that I can't even explain. Fonts in-game got italics effect and it looks awful, while dossards on back and generally numbers looks pixelated in the game, which ruins the gameplay so much for me.
Secondly, I absolutely hate this R&D system. Why the hell would you implement this in the game, when you have million other things to do? It's not possible to make "normal" equipment anymore, because of a stupid system that does basically nothing. It's not like Sky, Trek or any other WT team are riding bikes with that huge difference it needs something like this. It's not even working properly!
After that, we have interface that everyone claims is better. As someone who is in all that graphic world and plans to actually start doing graphics profesisonally (making sites and stuff like that) in near future, I can't believe that literally 99% of PCM players thinks that PCM interface is actually beautiful. We're in 2014. Simplicity and lights are two main words when it comes to graphics and they've none of them. There are alot of unnecessary buttons, alot of free space, fonts are ugly and it's black.
On fourth place - online gaming. Do I have to say anything about this? It's fucking impossible to play online with this game. The game I paid 40 euros (!), in freakin 2014! How funny and sad in the same time is that...
Then we have crashes. This might be personal issue, but I am really experiencing ALOT of crashes in PCM14, way more than it was the case in previous versions. I was easily able to run PCM13 with very high settings (everything on max, with standard colours, no filters and no blur), while half of the stages crash when I run them on low settings (everything on 1, standard colours, no filter and no blur). F.e. There's no way I can play 2nd and 4th stage of TdU without reducing all graphics to 0. And I am not using that bad PC, after all...
Then we have numerous bugs, like TTTs, some new bugs that didn't even exist in past versions and older ones that are here for years and no one ever wants to solve them... All of this is maybe caused by lack of good DB, so I think I'll have to wait a bit until trying all of this again. So far, I am really disappointed.
Edited by admirschleck on 12-08-2014 08:00
Recently started a career with Kolss using the FCD database. Have to say that despite the bugs the game has, I'm really enjoying this so far. Am up to the Istrian Spring Trophy and after having ridden some unknown races (Vuelta Independencia Nacional, Some classics in Morocco and more).
Buts and Kulyk are really useful in this team, both winning a shitload of races, mainly thnaks to an incredibly strong back-up with Bratashchuk, who also won races already, Krivtsov, Kostyuk, Vasylyuk and Lagkuti. Not even mentioning Golovash and Kononenko yet, as they haven't raced that much yet, their season will start now basically
Am already thinking of some riders for next season. What do you guys think about signing Nepomnyachsniy, Serebryakov, Metlushenko and Gustov? Also Galymzyanov and Vorganov may be options I could consider...
Manager of Team Popo4Ever p/b Morshynska in the PCM.Daily Man-Game
admirschleck wrote:
Am I the only one not enjoying PCM14 at all? I tried few careers, I tried bascially every possible graphical setting and absolutely nothing suits me, unlike it was the situation in PCM13. I just don't feel like playing this game. Here's my opinion on it after trying to play for more than a month and I'm completely disappointed so far:
Firstly, pixelated numbers and ugly fonts. I know that literally no one gives a fuck about this, but I am so pissed that I can't even explain. Fonts in-game got italics effect and it looks awful, while dossards on back and generally numbers looks pixelated in the game, which ruins the gameplay so much for me.
Secondly, I absolutely hate this R&D system. Why the hell would you implement this in the game, when you have million other things to do? It's not possible to make "normal" equipment anymore, because of a stupid system that does basically nothing. It's not like Sky, Trek or any other WT team are riding bikes with that huge difference it needs something like this. It's not even working properly!
After that, we have interface that everyone claims is better. As someone who is in all that graphic world and plans to actually start doing graphics profesisonally (making sites and stuff like that) in near future, I can't believe that literally 99% of PCM players thinks that PCM interface is actually beautiful. We're in 2014. Simplicity and lights are two main words when it comes to graphics and they've none of them. There are alot of unnecessary buttons, alot of free space, fonts are ugly and it's black.
On fourth place - online gaming. Do I have to say anything about this? It's fucking impossible to play online with this game. The game I paid 40 euros (!), in freakin 2014! How funny and sad in the same time is that...
Then we have crashes. This might be personal issue, but I am really experiencing ALOT of crashes in PCM14, way more than it was the case in previous versions. I was easily able to run PCM13 with very high settings (everything on max, with standard colours, no filters and no blur), while half of the stages crash when I run them on low settings (everything on 1, standard colours, no filter and no blur). F.e. There's no way I can play 2nd and 4th stage of TdU without reducing all graphics to 0. And I am not using that bad PC, after all...
Then we have numerous bugs, like TTTs, some new bugs that didn't even exist in past versions and older ones that are here for years and no one ever wants to solve them... All of this is maybe caused by lack of good DB, so I think I'll have to wait a bit until trying all of this again. So far, I am really disappointed.
I thought I was the only guy who hates the italic format during the 3D race.
About the pixelated numbers... I haven't really paid much attention to them, but it is clearly a problem if they look better in the 2013 version.
I have a gaming card that theoretically should be able to run at max everything, yet with graphics higher than 1, the game stutters from time to time.
About the crashes, they are quite frequent. I am happy that they solved the podium problem, but they did not solve the problem when a rider has a negative time and crashes the time trial.
I can't figure out why they didn't take any action regarding the TTTs. I really am a fan of TTT (in real life).
And about the database... I too wait for the expansion pack from pcmdaily. The riders seem to be a bit strong in the mountains / hills, perhaps because of the 80+ MON/HIL on a lot of riders.
Probably because so far I haven't had any issues running the game (one week), but I'm enjoying it. Probably because for whatever reason PCM14 runs smoother on my PC than PCM13.
It is true that PCM it's interface is horrible, their UI became worse as well and the numbers are horrendous. (Maybe this change eats less resources?)
The R&D format all though interesting and somewhat creative isn't really an useful addition in a cycling game as it would be in a racing game for example.
Even since Cyanide started the TdF series on the console, I don't feel the PCM series has really improved. It's a pity, but with no other game out there this is the best we get. And I don't think there will be much change until Cyanide breaks down the entire framework they're using right now and build back up from the ground. Ever since PCM06 they have expanded on what they had, but never really renewed the series.
Started a career with Orica and ASO DB and I am doing quite well. Won in Australia, TDU and tons of stage wins all around. Gerrans 2nd in the UCI rankings behind Sagan after 3rd, 5th and 2nd in the Ardennes and a strong early season. Still not sure how though when Valverde won both Amstel and La Fleche and is still far below Gerrans. Right now in the Giro where Uran is owning Nibali and Valverde, whilst I keep chugging along with Cam Meyer who is currently in 7th. If all goes well and he isn't destroyed on Zoncolan, which I'm guessing he will, I may be able to get a Top 10 finish.
Edited by Dancycling on 13-08-2014 07:51
silent_control wrote:
[quote]admirschleck wrote:
Am I the only one not enjoying PCM14 at all? I tried few careers, I tried bascially every possible graphical setting and absolutely nothing suits me, unlike it was the situation in PCM13. I just don't feel like playing this game. Here's my opinion on it after trying to play for more than a month and I'm completely disappointed so far:
Firstly, pixelated numbers and ugly fonts. I know that literally no one gives a fuck about this, but I am so pissed that I can't even explain. Fonts in-game got italics effect and it looks awful, while dossards on back and generally numbers looks pixelated in the game, which ruins the gameplay so much for me.
Secondly, I absolutely hate this R&D system. Why the hell would you implement this in the game, when you have million other things to do? It's not possible to make "normal" equipment anymore, because of a stupid system that does basically nothing. It's not like Sky, Trek or any other WT team are riding bikes with that huge difference it needs something like this. It's not even working properly!
After that, we have interface that everyone claims is better. As someone who is in all that graphic world and plans to actually start doing graphics profesisonally (making sites and stuff like that) in near future, I can't believe that literally 99% of PCM players thinks that PCM interface is actually beautiful. We're in 2014. Simplicity and lights are two main words when it comes to graphics and they've none of them. There are alot of unnecessary buttons, alot of free space, fonts are ugly and it's black.
On fourth place - online gaming. Do I have to say anything about this? It's fucking impossible to play online with this game. The game I paid 40 euros (!), in freakin 2014! How funny and sad in the same time is that...
Then we have crashes. This might be personal issue, but I am really experiencing ALOT of crashes in PCM14, way more than it was the case in previous versions. I was easily able to run PCM13 with very high settings (everything on max, with standard colours, no filters and no blur), while half of the stages crash when I run them on low settings (everything on 1, standard colours, no filter and no blur). F.e. There's no way I can play 2nd and 4th stage of TdU without reducing all graphics to 0. And I am not using that bad PC, after all...
Then we have numerous bugs, like TTTs, some new bugs that didn't even exist in past versions and older ones that are here for years and no one ever wants to solve them... All of this is maybe caused by lack of good DB, so I think I'll have to wait a bit until trying all of this again. So far, I am really disappointed.
I agree with you Admirschleck. I don´t know much about the graphics. But for sure the online part is REALLY bad. Unplayable. I regret, that I didn´t just dowloaded the game from a Torrentsite. I´ll next year, I think
Stille the goals are so werd sometimes. I made a custom team that could dominate the small tours, sponsor gives me goals like Roubaix and so. Not even selected for that.
And those personal goals, such annoying you can't pick a goal for a while group at once or filter on sponsorgoals. So much that should be still fixed.
I got a question btw, is there anyway you can change the startyear? Want to start in 2015 with a custom team instead of 2014.
Mwuhi wrote:
Stille the goals are so werd sometimes. I made a custom team that could dominate the small tours, sponsor gives me goals like Roubaix and so. Not even selected for that.
And those personal goals, such annoying you can't pick a goal for a while group at once or filter on sponsorgoals. So much that should be still fixed.
I got a question btw, is there anyway you can change the startyear? Want to start in 2015 with a custom team instead of 2014.
The sponsor goals, especially for custom teams, is crap. I just started a career with a custom team, in the PCT but some of the race goals, I can't even participate in. And with Matti Brechel as the best cobbled rider (76) on the team, it seems highly unlike to be able to win the Dwaars Door Vlaanderen, as the sponsor expect.
Is it possible to have less than 8 riders in a training camp when season begins ?
In PCM 2013, it wasn't possible.
So, is it possible to change with an editor ?
Edited by luluvanimpe on 13-08-2014 14:48
Nearly got my first solo victory - had a rider that was one of the youths in my custom Continental teampart of a 3 man breakaway, on a hilly course but a flat finish (Classic sud Ardeche). He was the best of the three riders over the hills, and over the first steeper gradients in the second half of the race on auto and relaying, he just rode away from the two others with around a 4 minute lead over the peleton, and 60k or so to go...
I took over and kept him relaying at around 80 to see if he would last, increasing to 83 up and down the two hills as his flat rating isn't good, hoping he might last on his own, with Voeckler, Nordhaug, Bichot and the like all attacking from the peleton behind.
Over the last hill I was maintaining a near 2 minute advantage, but running out of all bars, and it dropped to 30 seconds fairly quickly.
Bichot came past at 2k to go, so as a last resort I tried to follow hime before sprinting, but could neither get close nor had enough bars to sprint, so I ended up using the follow then auto...
In the end Bichot won by 25 seconds, but my rider held on for a clear 2nd (although he was given the same time as the closing pack on the results page despite being on his own)
Although I lost, it was my favourite race so far in PCM14, largely as it was something different to a sprint (where my riders seem to forget their train orders a lot?) and I was able to control a rider with some relative success Edited by AlexB on 16-08-2014 12:54
Lotto have beast sprint train, but no mountain support, had to make do with just two >70 climbers to help Jurgen (de clerc 77 and armee 73)
Also picked up the sprint jersey with Debusschere.
Got round to doing the TDF, VDB does the double !
I was a little worried at the start since VDB got sinusitis and was down by 2 minutes on Froome but that changed around at Courcheval and it was a fairly easy last week. Absolute carnage on the mountain stages so huge gaps in GC.
Green jersey classement was a lot closer but Greipel took it over Kittel and Cav.
Started a career with CT Team Sparebanken Sør using ASODB.
Sondre Enger (Avg 72) is a great talent, hope he can develop into a Thor Hushovd style rider. Useful team members are Bjørn Hoem (Avg 67), Fridtjof Røinås (Ave 67) and Petter Schmidt (Ave 65). Mountains and TT are gaps to be filled during the transfer window.
Set evloution to 0.6 to move things along a bit as I hope to start a career with PCM Daily database when available.
Started on Hard difficulty but dropped to Normal for a bit after having 2 races where Enger had both bad form and bad freshness. Just managed to save the sponsor Top 10 objective as Petter Schmidt had good form and freshness and managed 9th place.
Off to a good start getting 5 sponsor objectives by mid April including Engers first win in the Grand Prix of Sochi. Time to switch back to Hard difficulty I think.
Overall I am enjoying PCM14, the finances for CT teams were a big issue for me in PCM13 and this has improved. Season planning has some more useful info but still room for improvement. I am ignoring some new features like equipment sponsors and 'behave like AI' command. Jury is out on random freshness, I tend to manually edit the training curve but might need to start adding objectives to avoid the freshness effect in key races!
I hope Enger can get us promoted to PCT on his own!
Finished my first continental season with Sparebanken Sør, played sponsor objective races 3D and simulated others. Missed promotion to PCT by quite a long way not helped by having difficulty getting accepted into enough races.
Here are some observations from my limited experience which might help others starting a PCM14 career.
Freshness
Bad freshness is a killer so needs careful planning to avoid. It appears that when riding objective races riders get excellent freshness but get random freshness otherwise. I also got the impression that daily form is affected by freshness. In races where riders had poor freshness I was seeing hardly any positive daily form including my leader on -5 twice. In a race most riders had as an objective, my sprint chain had 2 on +4 and 2 on +5. In the last 8km we rode off the front of the peloton and my sprinter won by 15 seconds!
This changes riders (as opposed to sponsors) objectives from annoying to a serious liability. I will be using Lachi's Season Planner https://pcmdaily.com/forum/viewthread....rowstart=0 which automatically removes rider objectives and adds the sponsor objectives to the rider if you have scheduled them to ride the race. As an alternative, my experiments show this can also be done using Lachi's editor to update gene_ilist_race in DYN_cyclist_objective with a list of the race ids, just remember to Reset the training curve in game afterwards.
AI - Breakaways
I found it a lot harder to get in breakaways. It appeared to me that any breakaway with more than 3 riders would be aggressively chased down. The way I got in a breakaway was to attack as soon as the flag dropped and ride hard until the break had 2 mins lead. If the break has more than 4 then I sat up to save effort for a later attempt.
AI Chasing
Most of the time the AI chased as expected. When I had a 3 star favourite I always helped with the chasing.
In one race I experienced the no chase behaviour. All breakaways had been closed down and the favourites attacked with about a third of the race remaining, I managed to get a rider in the break. A favourite attacked out of this group and they just let him go, he won by 8 mins. I managed 3rd place which exceeded the sponsor objective but if it had been a stage race the GC would have been messed up. Next time I get this behaviour I intend to quit (possibly with rage) and replay to see if it happens the same way again.
Finance
A great improvement on PCM13. Win bonuses and equipment sponsors made developing a Continental team without editing the budget viable.
Equipment Sponsors
The timetable for this needs close attention. Do not simulate past these dates if you want the best deals. Here is how it went for me.
10th Sept - Frame offers 20k no R&D - ignored
13th Sept - Wheel offers 20k no R&D - ignored
13th Sept - Frame offers 22k with R&D - accepted
16th Sept - Wheel offers 16k with R&D accepted
13th Oct - Groupset offer 20k no R&D - ignored
15th Oct - Groupset offer 16k with R&D - ignored
17th Oct - Groupset offer 8k with R&D - ignored
19th Oct - Groupset offer 5k with R&D - ignored (renewed with Shimano 20k no R&D)
Scouting
Still not worth it unless you are developing a team with a strong region bias. Still getting 'Future Great' reports for riders who are 'Currently Crap', average of 56 in my case. Advice remains to use the U23 races for talent - I managed to pick up 3 riders with avg 70 and one with avg 71.
I am quite jelly how you all guys find those teams for long careers so fast.
Nice post DaveTwoBob, any chance of a video similar to Yates domination in Tour of Britain in near future? I remember that one perfectly, I even watched it quite few more times since you shared it, about a year ago.
using ASODB.
