I've been getting a few questions about an update for the PCM.daily DB, and hopefully, I'll be able to cover them here.
First of all, the current DB (the one for 1.0.3.0) is fully compatible with patch 1.0.4.1. To avoid the pink flags / equipment photos, you need to copy the Local.cdb from Program Files/Cyanide/PCM/PCM.daily DB Backup to My Docs/PCM. When that's done, right click it, select properties and make it read-only.
Secondly, yes, we've been working on an update for a while. But contrary to the previous updates, this one is a bit larger: It will contain most of the teams from the PCM.daily DB for PCM09, including the British and American ones. The amount of teams is currently at 95. It also means that we're adding a whole lot of new races, primarily British and American.
In addition to that, we're expanding the DB in terms of stages and variants. The entire Tour Down Under is now included, and the ENECO Tour has also been updated, so it contains the real stages - along with a few other races. Variants-wise, there'll probably be c. 4 Giros, 3 Tours and 2 Vueltas - and this is not counting the ones that were included with the update for 1.0.3.0 as they have been removed.
We'll also add some variants for the smaller races, e.g. Paris-Nice, Tirreno-Adriatico, Dauphine du Libere, Tour de Suisse and Österreich Rundfahrt.
Concerning the release date, it's currently set for early next week.
As promised by Cyanide yesterday (which, technically in my time zone, was two days ago), the new patch 1.0.4.1 was released today. The patch has been much awaited due to the tweaks and fixes it includes. For example, the sprints should now work properly again (no more Contador winning the mass sprints). In addition to that, a bug that prevented the riders from attacking for mountain points have also been fixed.
Anyway - we're already late on this, so let's skip to the links if you didn't download it already.
As reported on the 19th of August, Cyanide are currently working on a new patch which will fix the reported problems with the AI (weird sprints, too large groups in hilly classics).
While we haven't heard much since, we'll find out on Tuesday whether they have managed to fix the problems. On thet day, they will release a beta patch, making it possible for the community to come up with reports before they release what's hopefully the final patch for PCM10.
Cyanide also mentioned the stage pack which has been postponed. No date was mentioned, but it's quite likely that it won't be released until after the release of the game patch.
Well, we've had our short month of August, and September is just around the corner. More importantly, the Vuelta starts in something like 5 days time, and so now is the time to get your transfers in for that!
Many of you seem to have got your leaders sorted for the Vuelta in the August transfers, so perhaps a changing of your lower priced riders for riders riding the Vuelta might be a sensible tactic, or even cashing in on a few to get one more good bet for lots of points might also work in your favour. Regardless, the Vuelta is the key for the season, especially with so many teams close together on points (or so I'm guessing...)
June and July points should be up shortly, but not before the start of the Vuelta, and I'm not going to blame any participants for losing interest either! Should the game run next season, additional help, and a revised points structure should ease the pressure and time constraints somewhat, but I have my doubts as to it's continued function. Either way, pop up some team transfers here, or PM them to myself [rjc_43] or SportingNonsense before the start of stage 1 (the prologue if I'm not mistaken - which I often am) of the Vuelta.
For other races, check out a cycling calender to work out who's doing what.
In other news, regarding points, the World Championship [road race] will be classified under the "historic/pro tour" classic title, so lots of points up for grabs at the end of the season too.
Cyanide responds to criticism over gameplay issues
For quite a while, there has been complaints about parts of the AI of PCM10 - especially after t became known that patch 1.0.3.0 was said to be 'final' and that the problems therefore wouldn't be fixed. On this forum, the problems have been summarized in 'Contador wins the mass sprint!'.
The discussions heated up last week when Cyanide (or what seems to be the moderators) started deleting critical threads and members from the official forum.
However, today, Cyanide published an official statement on the matter, saying that they are now working on a new patch. The problem with non-sprinters winning flat stages have been identified and will be fixed. They are still having problems with identifying problems with gaps in hills/mountain, but they are working on it.
You can help out by uploading replays of the problems. Use the official DB, make sure to enable replays in the options menu, and play the 'bugged' stages. Upload your replay (My Docs/PCM/Replay) somewhere and post the link here. It will then be forwarded to Talleyrand who forwards it to Cyanide.
