TheManxMissile wrote:
More communication and Cooperation between the Managers and Reporters. Even above it is obvious that discussion happens in their thread that has a wider impact on the managers and the game, and it would be nice to be involved in some of these discussions. Or at least kept in the loop, like earlier in the year when it all went very quiet and slow for a couple of months and none of the managers knew why, it was very frustrating.
Most of us didn't know either but yeah I agree, more communication would be better as necessary. Though most of the stuff behind the scenes is either unimportant stuff like fixing narrow roads in races or technical support.
Stage races -
I have moved to averaging less than 10 screenshots per stage on a stage race. I still feel that it could be streamlined further to possibly summing up stage races in two or three sections rather than stage by stage. Similar to what Avin suggested.
However I understand SN isn't so keen - since he said that on the reporters forum virtually none of the stage races have been picked up by any reporters, several indicating they do not have enough time to do stage races. Clearly for me there is a problem there.
Reporters -
SN has asked a couple of times for more reporters - it hasn't really helped. I do think some of us current reporters, perhaps just myself simply have less time to do them which has really slowed things down. A solution is to make reporting quicker.
If only I had PCM 12... Could help next year tho...
For the ideas:
The calandar needs optimizing, now there are too many races with 9 or less teams competing. I know making the calandar is somewhat trial and error and you have to streamline it season by season, but I think some races could be removed, others added to meet the goals and strenghts of the teams.
The AVG 72.00 for PCT teams in CT races should be lowered imo. If you take my team you'll see some of my key riders (Polivoda) don't even meet that, eventhough they're on the sub-top of the division. 71.00 seems more reasonable.
Manager of Team Popo4Ever p/b Morshynska in the PCM.Daily Man-Game
Should be somewhere in the region of 10-12 months IMO. For a PT team the essential part of the season is transferperiod, and raceplanning. We don't have that extra set of work that PCT managers do, and for us to stay active, we need the speed to be rather high. I'm absolutely okay with the fact that there isn't a new stage ready for me every day, but there are periods where there are 5-6 PCT and CT races in between a PT race, and in that time we're just waiting.
Including PT managers more:
A way to make the wait more worthwhile could be to allow PT teams participating in 2-3 HC, or whatever they are called, races pr. season. IRL PT teams also use less interesting races to gather form, experience and money for the team, despite it doesn't count on the PT/WT rankings. If we give the PT teams eg 2 lower races pr. season to join, then it would also upset some of the PCT teams that have to pick races very carefully. I would probably go to Tour of Greece because of my greek riders and stuff like that. It would be possible for PT teams to earn budget for next season by performing well in the PCT/CT rankings, but obviously they would have too look out for race clashes and stuff like that. By doing so, the PT managers would also be more interested in looking through the PCT and CT races to check out how their competitors are doing, and to analize which races they should join.
World Cup B:
I kinda like the idea of this race, but I don't feel it should be something that should take a lot of time for the game. Perhaps we could use the B-WC races as a sort of qualifiers for next seasons real WC races. If Tzortzakis for example wins the B WC RR for Greece, then Greece would be accepted into the real WC RR the season after. It could be something like, if you win Gold your team are allowed to next season with 6 riders, if you win silver your team is allowed with 4 riders and if you get bronze you get 1,2 or 3 riders to the A WC next season. Obviously the same should go for TTT and TT. That way the B WC isn't just some random extra thing without any purpose.
Reports, and the lengths of them:
I like reading reports, and I wouldn't watch the replays if they were uploaded, or part of the race. If I had any say that is. I love the game for the history part, and the fact that everyone can put the text into their own minds and dream about how it actually went. It also makes for some interesting HQ stuff, which the videos would take out, because everyone can see what is actually happening.
The lengths of the reports are not important to me. If there isn't anything to report, it seems absolutely pointless, and a waste of time to write a long report. The reporters should do what they want, and take into consideration what happens in the race, and not try to fit it into a pre-determined box. I really enjoy reading both the long, the mediumsized and the short reports, and I kinda love how you don't know exactly what to expect when opening a report. So keep up the good work.
I think that sums up my thoughts pretty well. Feel free to ask if I wasn't making my points clear
Despite being one of the managers it has probably hit worst in the PT, I really like the idea of loan caps. It makes for another obsticle to overcome, and another tactical point of view. I would have bought atleast two more quite big talents if it wasn't there, but I had to limit myself, which was quite a task. But it was a nice one! Also by making the cap where it is, it kinda stops talents from going balistics in wages, which I think is fine. And why should the very biggest talents go to the CT and PCT? It doesn't seem all that realistic that they would do so IRL. They would target the PT if they had the chance obviously. So I like it the way it is. Of course there can be tweaks here and there, but the overall idea of it works like a charm.
It's not some 'elite club', its a vital necessity for the game to be run without me having to do everything. It wouldn't be practical to do a lot of those things in the full forum. The majority of is technical behind the scenes stuff. Sorting out races, any issues with stages, or just stuff that needs doing for the game to function. Yes, from time to time there is some chat about what direction to take the game, but that doesn't mean a group of people making decisions. I wouldn't mind if it was to be honest, but it usually boils down to be making the decisions - just with the advantage of being aware of more points of view. And if the game goes quiet for a month or so, its almost always quiet in the reporters forum too!
On reporting, yes I would love to have a) More reporters who are able to regularly report and b) More reporters in general. That would be a way to speed up the game without restricting quality. But I can't force anyone to report!
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Its great that we do have some reporters who will produce long detailed reports out of choice. There'll never be a limit on that - but similarly, I dont want there to be an expectation of that place on those who can't - I am also quite happy with the more shorter, compact reports if that is all that somebody can do to help. The problem is that we dont seem to have many reporters who can even do that. So we're stuffed.
As Smowz says, nobody really wants to report stage races. I'd like to see stage races remain as posted by stage, over a few days, as I think that makes it more interesting to follow. But that doesn't mean to say that each individual stage needs to have as much detail
On the calendar - the fact that we do have races with 9-10 teams is probably a quite obvious case of having too many races. Simply way of solving that!
On stat gains:
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Avin, patience That has not been resolved - and we are not yet at a point where it absolutely needs to be resolved. For those wondering, the issues revolves around loan clauses that were not met.
With replays:
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As I understand it the only requirement there is for a reporter to save a replay, then either upload the whole replay so those with the game can watch the race, or maybe send it to someone who is willing to create a video out of it. The only issues is with the replays itself. In PCM11 they didn't really work on playback, and in PCM12 it seems to increase the chance of the game crashing before the results page if you go to a replay - which is always a bit of a nightmare when reporting.
PT teams in PCT/CT races
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Indeed, it is a problem of the calendar. The gaps in between racing isnt great of activity, and you do see that having an affect on manager activity for a few who have been in the game a long time. But don't let that hide the fact that ProTour teams already get more race days than anyone else. This season weighed in at 208 race days, compared to 175 for PCT and 150 for CT.
But logistically, finding space for PT teams in other races is very hard - even with this season showing that it works to allow PCT teams into C2 races so long as they field weakened teams. There's 30 PCT teams and 20 CT teams. The HC races and many of the C1 races, are already oversubscribed.
@fjhoekie - good point on that, it is definately something to examine. The 72 figure was an approximated, so interesting to see how it worked.
@SotD - Why should talents go to PT just because it is the top division - PT already tends to get the best actual riders. PCT/CT teams have just as much right to get talents - and build up to becoming a much stronger team.
Also Avin also briefly touched upon transfers and its craziness. Perhaps it is time to look at ways of making it more tactical and less manic? Throwing this right off the top of my head, something like a limit on how many bids you can make each day.
@SotD - Why should talents go to PT just because it is the top division - PT already tends to get the best actual riders. PCT/CT teams have just as much right to get talents - and build up to becoming a much stronger team.
You misunderstand me mate. I don't mean that PCT and CT teams shouldn't be able to get talents. But it seemed that some PCT and CT managers thought they were unfairly hit by the loan cap. Imo talents come with a risk. Taking in too many means you aren't competitive. Thats the same for the PT, and that is why I say I don't think the cap should be more restrictive for PT teams than for PCT and CT. They have the same mindgames as we do, and if they by mistake buy too many talents, they are stuck or relegated. But so are PT teams. So I can't see why it would be necessary to help CT and PCT teams to loan out their talents cheaper that PT teams. With 500k in cap, it's the same for everyone. I could have spend 500k more on a quality rider and then I would have probably been in the top 5, buut I chose to make a transition season which could have costed me a relegation. Many people have tried that before me, and that should still be a risk. And that is why I like the currenct loan cap.
Also Avin also briefly touched upon transfers and its craziness. Perhaps it is time to look at ways of making it more tactical and less manic? Throwing this right off the top of my head, something like a limit on how many bids you can make each day.
I think it was waaaay less manic this season than previous ones, and too be honest I want it more frantic again. I love the buzz that the transferwindow gives me, and it's the backbone of the entire game. It is absolutely possible to spend only 1 hour pr. day and still get a decent end result, but obviously you need to be concentrated in that period or have very clear priorities when dealing. I tend to have a priority list of about 50 riders and 30 talents, but once they go over what I think is a fair prize, I start looking through the DB for possible bargains. There a plenty of different tactics and I love the transferperiod for exactly that.
I would be very sad if it was boiled down in activity, because that is the one thing I truly love about this game.
What was spoken until now, I think the most important aspect will even try to make a season is held in less time. The issue involves how to get it ..
Increase the number of reporters?? Perhaps, and I'm sorry that my English writing is a misery, otherwise would be delighted to help up because I have time and availability to do so.
Decrease the number of races?? This looks difficult given the number of teams present in all divisions ...
Decrease the time between the choice of races, objectives and transfer period? Here I think it would be possible to do something, although I think the impact would be minimal.
For the rest in my opinion there may be something you can improve, but only minor aspects do not think it is necessary to make major changes ..
@fintas: I think if you have the time, you could try to do some reports to be honest. Your English doesn`t sound too bad to me and as SN said above. There is no need to do reports with lots of text or screenshots neither to catch all actions in a race.
SN used to ask for 1-2 test reports before officially doing a MG race report. So you could try this first of course.
Every possible reporter would be a good addition to speed things up for sure imo.
Agree with Roturn. Eventhough it's obvious that you aren't british, you are easy to understand which is the key point for me. I'm not a mastermind in creating sentenses in english either, so I'm absolutely fine with the level you are writing in.
I believe 3 or perhaps 4 more active reporters would solve a lot, so if you have the capability it that would be awesome.
I am playing a cycling game in danish aswell, where they produce 1-2 stages pr. day - I could ask if one of them would be interested in joining the Man-Game if you want me to. I'm not sure about their english though, but as they are danish, I can hardly believe they are any worse than me.
1. In the race profile threads it would be very helpful with a small continent/country indicator somewhere. It is not needed for most races, but there is enough races where you have no idea where the race takes place.
2. A indicator of race level in the thread name in the Cont. general forum would also be nice. Like it is done here. At least for HC/C1 it is not always easy to now the difference.
Both is information that is easy enough to get for myself, but it would still make things easier.
Stevenag wrote:
Two very small things that somewhat annoys me.
1. In the race profile threads it would be very helpful with a small continent/country indicator somewhere. It is not needed for most races, but there is enough races where you have no idea where the race takes place.
The country for each race was included in the C1/C2 Choices file that you filled in.
Its also in the Excel version of the calendar, but I forget if that got posted this year.
At the moment I'm happy with the way it is, of course I would like more reporters but I am also thinking of disbanding my team to possibly try my hand at reporting for the Man Game
I wish I would have a good enough computer to run PCM and way more free time to help with reporting, even my English is not the best... It would help a lot surely, every one extra reporter is a good thing for this great game.
The most important thing was said here, if there won't be any big changes for the coming season. It is really needed to maximalise number of teams and riders in every single race of this game. If we do that, there will be less work with reports and need for a lower amount of reported races. If not in the way I suggested (that my conti super league concept), than it would be at least great to consider some other changes, which could work really well IMO.
In PCM terms, we can run races with 24 teams with 8 riders teams (we really don't need 9 riders teams for Grand Tours, aren't we?) + control team. I really think we should have a field of that number of teams in every possible race. I really think we should make this game as much fun as possible for maximum possible people and not try to keep too close to reality as much is possible. It should always be about fun mainly.
One way seriously is expanding PT to 22 teams and have 2 wildcards available for every race. I would easily throw out of the team one meaningless rider from every Grand Tour to allow regularly two more people to be part of the ProTour.
And then if we take into the account PCT and CT. They have something around 160 racedays available for their riders in total.
Then we have 50 PCT+CT teams in total, if we move 2 of them up the level, we can have races with 24 teams in each division (yeah, it would mean 4 more teams would relegate from PCT, but there are quite a few of inactive managers, so they could all stay in PCT in the end and no manager would be angry probably because of that). This season there were at the start of the season 488 reports to be made, not counting Avernir, NCs and WCs (we can do nothing with that). I really think we could push that need of reports way down only with doing better job with maximalising the potential what PCM gives to us. The note here is the all following numbers are only an approximate.
In ProTour we have 187 reports needed to be made per season (207 race days). If we won't decrease amount of race days, we can't do anything with number of reports needed. We can only take more teams on the board.
If 2/5 of races in total are classics and an average team from 2nd+3rd level needs 165 race days, then in ideal case every team need to have around 100 reports to be made per season. If we will have every race with 24 teams on the lineup, in ideal case (or in other words with PCT with 24 teams and CT with 24 teams). 100+100=200... We are on 387 reports per season in total, gentlemans. 99 less reports needed to be made with only maximalising the potential the game and really with not less fun, vice versa IMO... More teams and ricers in races means the best possible AI from Cyalogic IMHO as well.
The only question here is, can we not need these 99 reports to be made even with not breaking the system of race selecting and all these continental tours (I am not really big supporter of them tbh)... In my opinion, it can be done quite easily, there is only needed to have the right amount of HC races only for PCT teams, C2 races only for CT teams and C1 races for both categories...
An example, you would have 24 teams in PCT - you would give them 100 race days in HC races (where would only compete PCT teams - they would enter in all of them... Tour of America could be finally an official Grand Tour of Conti level then!) and 75 race days when they would compete directly versus CT teams. For CT it would be 75/75. But what it is way more important than these number of race days which can be decreased/increased really - PCT and CT teams would still compete mainly versus each other, but they would still meet with the other division a lot of times as well - and it would keep the current popular system of selecting race schedules.
And mainly, it would bring 24 teams in every race of this game. The main advantage of this? Everything will be way less about a luck if I get into a race where there are riding only 10 other teams and I can then score a lot of points, that is a bad thing on this game IMO.
I don't know if everything is fully understandable how I wrote that, but I really hope these my suggestions will be taken into an account.
Got to say I really like quite a lot of those ideas Roman. Having 2 more PT teams makes complete sense. Almost cant believe I never really thought to scrap 9 rider GT teams in order to allow that. And any addition to the economy by having two extra 3.5 mill teams is offset by the decrease in PCT numbers.
A system of say 100 fixed divisional races for PCT and CT, with the other races being C1, would reduce some of the choice that many people enjoy - but that factor is still there with C1 so it's not like it is being removed. And it could be a sacrifice worth taking if it ultimately makes for a faster paced season. It's not like the PT system of the teams all regularly facing each other is a bad thing.
It might require a small change to how XP is allocated (but nothing too severe), but yes, I really do like it.
Ste117 wrote:
At the moment I'm happy with the way it is, of course I would like more reporters but I am also thinking of disbanding my team to possibly try my hand at reporting for the Man Game
Whats wrong with having a team and reporting as well? Edited by SportingNonsense on 21-01-2014 23:23
That has not been resolved - and we are not yet at a point where it absolutely needs to be resolved. For those wondering, the issues revolves around loan clauses that were not met. 
