Football Manager 2014 update 14.2.0 brings more match engine changes

He must have a foot like a traction engine.

We’re not even in the January transfer window yet, but Sports Interactive has issued a promising new talent called Update 14.2.0 to Football Manager 2014. This lad looks like he has the potential to make some changes to the in-game match engine, as well as general stability.

I’m quite pleased to see “Reduced pointless shot attempts slightly” because that seems to have been a problem in Football Manager since … well, since it changed from Championship Manager to Football Manager really. I can’t remember the last time I ever willing bought a player with “prefers long shots” for precisely that reason.

My favourite patch note is probably this one, which should bring comfort to anybody wondering what the hell was happening in Belgium: “Fixed rare example of Belgian season not being scheduled.”

The patch should automatically download through Steam (or ask you first,) and should also be compatible with your current saved games. Here’s the full list of notes and changes:

STABILITY

– Fixed rare crash when continuing game
– Fixed another rare crash when continuing edited save game
– Fixed crash testing rules in Advanced Editor
– Fixed crash when searching invalid latitude value in Editor

MATCH v1439

– Fixed rare occurrence of stats incorrectly showing 255
– Reduced instances of direct free kicks aimed too close to crossbar inflating woodwork stats
– Fixed instances of throw ins taken just on pitch
– Tweaked urgency of engagement of ball player in own half depending on defensive player’s tactical settings
– Improved general logic of when to attempt a tackle
– Tweaked aim direction of sliding tackles
– Reduced wild challenges slightly
– Fixed keeper accelerating out of area after fielding ball
– Fixed player ratings not updated quickly enough in some circumstances
– Some tweaks to player ratings including weighting on headers, interceptions and tackles
– Fixed poor detection of save quality
– Reduced first time keeper clearances under little pressure when he has short distribution PI
– Fixed strange ball movement after some instances of players pushing opponents while going to ariel ball
– Fixed non marking of short corner option player
– Reduced poor attempts to win corner off opponent
– Reduced poor cross attempts that had little chance of completion
– Reduced pointless shot attempts slightly
– Fixed quick free kick direction facing
– Fixed blocked crosses being set as completed crosses in stats
– Fixed short corners being set as crosses in stats
– Fixed players going through bench
– Fixed subs running on pitch after friendly win
– Improved keeper kick out from hands contact point
– Fixed issues with depth and width values after human tactical changes
– Fixed player standing at wrong end of pitch when following “stand in front of keeper at free kick” instruction
– Fixed bad goal kicks when the keeper kicks the ball out for an injury
– Refined counter attack trigger point depending on team mentality setting
– Improved player decision making during counter attack phase of play
– Some general tweaks to on ball decision AI
– Increased chance of player misjudging ball path slightly
– Made it harder for player to kill pace on fast moving ball especially at speed
– Improved ball velocity on some crosses
– Fixed ball contact point issue when putting ball out of play for an injury
– Added cross less often PI
– Fixed some issues with kick off AI
– Fixed some issues defending corners
– Fixed some keeper positioning and facing issues, including coming out inviting easy lobs
– Some tweaks to pass AI
– Tweaked d-line position slightly
– Fixed some further engagement of ball player issues
– Tweaked default cross aim slightly
– Reduced further attempts to buy corner off opponent
– Increased long shots slightly
– Fixed keeper misjudging occasional headed back pass
– Reduced penalty scored % slightly
– Fine-tuned CCC detection very slightly
– Reduced overhit mid-range passes caused by physics interface flaw not player error
– Tweaked player movement at dead balls slightly
– Reduced defensive headers that are aimed too close to own goal
– Small tweaks to shot and pass accuracy

FMC

– Improved Match Plan substitution logic
– Increased individual player training to prevent players becoming unhappy with workload
– Fixed mid-season Budget news item sometimes not appearing
– Fixed user not being able to declare interest in jobs when AI Managers are ‘insecure’

STEAM WORKSHOP & ACHIEVEMENTS

– User can now ‘scan for graphics’ to manually index Workshop graphics
– User can start challenges from Workshop
– Game will now index files without a config
– Kits can now be uploaded to Workshop
– Manually deleted files will no longer produce error for users
– Italian Hero Achievement fixed

UNLOCKABLES

– Fixed rare instance where No Sacking would not unlock
– User can add second nationalities
– Can now move players between AI clubs
– Can now transfer free agents using ‘move to other clubs’ option
– Future transfers cleared when free agents are moved

EDITOR

– Managers can now be set correctly at B/II Teams.
– Improved team selection in custom Nation Rules.
– Advanced competition foreign player rules should now extract into the game correctly.
– Major fixture dates now visible on the Break Periods panel.
– Fixed the 3+GK from 7 substitutes rule.
– Improved loading times when multi-editing certain fields.
– Improved the re-assignment of Fitness Coaches’ attributes when extracted into the game.
– Spanish Third Division may now be added to custom nation rules.
– ‘Directions’ may now be set on the Wage Contributions screen

IN-GAME EDITOR

– Added preference to hide the IGE icon from being displayed in the toolbar
– Added option when starting a new game to stop the IGE ever being usable on that save
– Added a filter on the join network panel to search for games without IGE
– Added Heal All Players in Squad
– Aded Unban All Players in Squad
– Added Change Morale of all Players in Squad
– Added Make Human Unsackable
– Added Terminate contract
– ‘Rushing Out’ attribute can now be successfully edited

COMPETITIONS & RULES

– Fixed rare example of clubs incorrectly failing FFP
– AI will now always register players when user is on holiday
– Stopped Swedish Second Divisions changing number of teams
– Spanish “B” Team Squad Numbers now remembered between matches
– Stopped players returning from their end of season break too early
– Stopped Scottish Premiership Playoff matches being scheduled for consecutive days
– Fixed rare example of Belgian season not being scheduled
– Fixed scheduling of Copa Libertadores & Sudamericana when removing South American leagues
– Fixed Italian transfer window dates
– Fixed overage rules in Russian U21 league
– Fixed Scottish Premiership Relegation Playoff scheduling
– Stopped assistant manager arranging reserve friendlies when already in a reserve league
– Fixed North American Gold Cup attendances
– Fixed Belgian Pro League European Playoff Final scheduling when cup winners qualify
– Set 2015 Asian Cup Qualifying groups as per real life
– Fixed English League Cup / EURO Cup fixture clashes
– Fixed English FA Cup replays being scheduled during international breaks
– Fixed 2015 U20 World Cup scheduling

TRANSFERS & CONTRACTS

– Reduced player bonus demands in contract negotiations
– Stopped former staff generating scout reports
– Stopped AI clubs bidding on players they cannot afford
– Improved AI shortlisting for Spanish B teams
– Stopped out of contract players from being agent owned
– Fixed expiry date being set in the past for transfer targets
– Improved logic of AI co-ownership offers
– Fixed user being unable to Approach To Sign player after deal falls though
– Fixed semi-pro sides being unable to offer non-contracts

USER INTERFACE

– Fixed Continue button disappearing before penalty shootouts
– Fixed text overrun on GK attribute octagons
– Fixed code displayed in board meeting
– Fixed match focus not state saving

TRAINING

– Fixed tactical familiarity not adjusting when some strategies changed
– Fixed formation familiarity being lost in certain circumstances

NETWORK

– Fixed Offer to Clubs screen changing when other users navigate
– Fixed warning message when clients attempt to join network game