aqualizard

Doesn't look like it. Above Brutus says he will keep rotating GDL every 3-4 months (if the participation is there) and in this thread http://forum.nhl94.com/index.php/topic/17490-gdl-xv-season-season-ends-wednesday-june-8th/he says: And I think this is awseome! Having to wait until Fall for my NHL94 league fix would suck, plus this time around I really know what I am doing as far as drafting is concerned, finally! (Note: I think that every time!. Bottom line, I can't wait for the draft to start!)

Sounds good, Skip. Good to hear you tweaking things and trying new approaches. VHL is fun, but maybe these tweaks (especially quarterly checkpoints) will make it even better! Looking forward to it!

Geeze, I can't believe an SNES port thread gets more attention than the Jim Simmons thread. Simmons started it all, guys!!! Anyway, I hope everyone took a look at Mr.Wong's interview from this thread: http://forum.nhl94.com/index.php/topic/17390-interview-with-amory-wong-lead-programmer-for-snes-nhl-94/ Based on that thread I just have a couple questions. He mentioned that the SNES '94 was actually ported from the GENS '93 (because '94 for GENS ans SNES were coming out very close together). So.... 1a. When he says "port", are we talking function by function (or even line by line) copying/translating over, as much as possible? Or was it more like playing the game, and trying to code it so it had the same feel? 1b. How much code is based on '93 code, and how much was wholly original? 1c. Can he comment on some things that SNES '94 had that GENS '93 did not have, where porting was not possible? (Manual Goalie control, one timers, etc.) Was that more fun because it was creating instead of re-creating? 2. How familiar was he with GENs architecture, and how similar was coding for the two systems? Thanks Mikey!

Coach, why don't you start an invitational league with those guys you just mentioned, plus a few more? I think there ARE 8 reliable B level guys that would play? Hell, maybe even a couple A guys would come if they know the league is going to be run efficiently? (I doubt this, but you never know?)

You know, this thread does have a lot of great points and ideas, but this point in particular should be highlighted. Nobody has a problem with guys dropping out, like J&J, who got replaced with someone in a timeley fashion. The problem is with the guys that *don't* drop out, and wait til the end to do > 50% of their games. These are the Slackers. When these Slackers fail to complete their games too, so they have effectively dropped out AND slacked, and not allowed time to be replaced (like J&J did), that is a really selfish act. It leaves the guys that get their games in shaking their heads? Why? Those guys should NOT be invited back. But the Slackers that DO get their games in, or most of them in, in the last week, they seem to feel like they honored their agreement. And don't seem to appreciate how frustrated everyone is all around them? These are the guys that should be on probation, and have weekly checkpoints enforced next league, IMO. Yes, they got the games in, in the end, but they did so on their schedule, showing zero flexibility and consideration for others. That is being a me player, not a team player. In short: 1. Slackers that slack and do not even finish a bunch of games should be banned 2. Slackers that slack and finish most of their games at the last minute should be on probation 3. Dudes that quit, but do so well before season ends, and let the Commish know, are a-ok

Hey Bassist, I hear what you are saying. I just think Coach has been here a long time, seeing the same problems and frustrations over and over, and is fed up. And while "You catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar", if you are nearing the point of leaving altogether, you probably don't care so much how you come off. (Especially to the guys that have "frustrated you"/"drove you away".)

Actually, Canadian's can use the App, it is just not easy to download. I will dig up a link Atomic Raven sent me and add it to a suitable thread. Also, I used to think AIM was total crap because I couldn't login. But I googled and found out if you uncheck save password, and retype your password when you login, it works 99% of the time (for me).... Bottom line is AIM is only a medium-sized turd, not the humongous steaming pile I thought at first.

That sounds like a good idea. I know I love when a season starts and there are tons of games, and am always bummed when it wanes. Yes, Brutus, Halifax, Chaos and Raph keep it together. Even though this thread might give a different impression, their effort is appreciated. Without them we have nothing. And while I agree with you that it is up to people to take personal responsibility, and I know you in particular make a special effort playing at a friend's place to get games in, I still think we can try new things to "grease the wheels" or use a carrot (or stick!) approach to improve things. That's what I am hoping in this thread, just to toss ideas around for the Commish's. Maybe some stick, some don't, or none do? Doesn't hurt to have a dialogue. That is all I am asking. Let's try some new and different tweaks? Nothing wrong with trying something new? Maybe it works, maybe it doesn't, but anything is worth a shot. Note: I finally figured out multi-quote!!!! Woohoo!

I think things can be improved, and welcome suggestions here: http://forum.nhl94.com/index.php/topic/17584-random-ideas-for-stopping-slackers/ I thought by making a "Suggestion Thread" good ideas wouldn't get lost in a sea of rants and belly-aching.

Here are a bunch of different ideas (most proposed by others) for lessening the impact that slackers have on a season. Feel free to add your own ideas, even ones that are contradictory. BAN SLACKERS If you get deemed a slacker, you don't play in future leagues (or do so under probation) NEVER EXTEND SEASONS No extensions. Ever. ENFORCE CHECKPOINTS (NOT JUST FINAL DEADLINES) Take a tough stance on meeting checkpoints THE WHOLE TIME. For instance, if "7 games" milestones are required per week, if someone EVER gets a full week behind (without an exemption due to a vacation or illness, that they have communicated to the Commish), they get replaced. Period. HAVE LOTS OF WAYS TO REPLACE GUYS This ties in with getting tough on checkpoints. To do so, you have to have easy means of replacing duds. There is the traditional waiting lists. But there is also having guys already playing step in, so they control two teams, with the understanding that they will be disqualified for the playoffs with new teams. (Guys like me just like playing games, so I wouldn't mind just getting the games in without the lure of playoffs.) HAVE SMALLER LEAGUES Cut the slackers out and focus on the smaller, but more dedicated guys. HAVE LESS SIMULTANEOUS LEAGUES As has been noted, there are currently 3 big leagues happening (Classic, GDL and VHL.) At a minimum, the newcomer VHL should be placed at some "down time" between the other two. There should be some communication between Commissioners of different leagues regarding start and end times, to mitigate overlap. (Again, I am looking more towards VHL here. But possibly Classic and GDL could be staggered or arranged better, too?) MAKE SEASONS SHORTER Shorter seasons could force the high participation we see at start and end of seasons by compressing everything together. (There would be no time to slack.) (Note: I personally would like longer seasons *if milestones were enforced* but I have seen shorter seasons mentioned, so wanted to include it.) ... I don't have all the answers, and I 100% appreciate what the organizers do for us! I don't blame them. Just trying to get some different ideas on the matter...

For whatever reason things are really coming to a head with people being fed up with slackers. First Coach, now FPB are saying they are done participating. (I am assuming this is what Coach is saying, based on his last post here, him quitting the Classic AIM group, and a terse AIM we exchanged.) Thing is, this means we are losing guys that DO NOT miss games, in favor of people that DO miss games. Which, I think most would agree, is the opposite of what is good for the community? I would suggest that we: 1. Say from now on a deadline is final 2. Take a hard line on people that have slacked off for next GDL and Classic (i.e. ban those that slacked) 3. Ask FPB, Coach and any other good participators that ar fed up to re-consider in view of points 1 & 2 I think most of the good contributors, like FPB and Coach, would be fine if the group size is smaller, as long as all participants are dedicated. I know that is the case for me. (I am new-ish, but have always hit 100% completion.)

I can be a sub and play that many games (if people are available) this weekend. My GDL record was pretty crap (.200 I think) but it is better than having no shows, right? (Or is this offer only for people not in GDL already?)

I personally hope not, because it only rewards people who did a poor job getting their games in. We should be rewarding good behavior, not bad, IMO.

I like the format as is, too. I strongly believe in the motto "If it ain't broke, don't fix it". Why replace something simple that works and the vast majority of people are fine with, with something more complicated?

There was a Sic sighting last night! He played 4 of his Classic games! Unfortunately it was after midnight EST, so I was asleep. (He now has 3 days to do > 50% of his games.) Sic, can we do our games tonight? As I say, I am busy this weekend so can't commit. Tonight I will check in at 8pm again and see if you are around...

BTW this weekend is very busy for me, so I want to get these games done tonight (Thur May 26) or tomorrow night (Fri May 27). Repeat: I will probably not be able to play Sat or Sun, with Sunday being the last day. Tonight I will check in at 8pm and see if there is a Sic sighting, or plz schedule a time wuith me here. Thanks.

My team (EDM) has played all of their games except 3 against LA, coached by Sicarius Fulgur. Can we please schedule our 3 games? I am available almost every weeknight from 8pm-11pm. On weekends I can be available from noon to 11pm, as long as we set a time beforehand. I am a little concerned because you have 27 Games left to satisfy Checkpoint ( 5 ) by May. 29th, and so a ton of people will be looking for you. Can you name a time to play me? Thanks!

Ok, maybe I am missing something, or don't understand how CB works? In Classic, which has the weight bug, you CB check so that heavy guys can check the way they were supposed to, right? So effectively, the CB check behaves like a C check was intended, right? (Or is a CB check in Classic, with Iafrate say, somehow BETTER than a regular C-check with Iafrate in (weight bug fixed) Blitz? Seems to me, the heavy guys will check the same using CB in Classic, and just C in Blitz, right? However in Classic, light guys will still be good checkers, but they will not in Blitz. Is this "light guy" quirk what Plabax doesn't like?)

Hey, congrats Coach Mac! It is cool to catch a glimpse of a real person behind a name here.

I am glad to hear it is the same guys again! (Was afraid Mikey was too busy.) You guys are a great team!! I strongly feel that money should be spent on making sure things go smooth, over Prize money. I am pretty sure the same amount of people will show up regardless of prize money. After all, only 10%-15% of people (or so) even have a crack at prize dollars. I bet you could have NO prize money and the event would attract pretty well the same people. It is the recognition that most people want, and meeting up with other NHL'94 fans that people want, not the money, IMO. I will stay quiet about this after this point, cuz I appreciate what you guys do and don't want to beat a dead horse, but even with the Real Sports Bar being costly, I would stay there (and have less prize dollars if need be) because it will be such a huge advantage building on your familiarity, as well as the familiarity for everyone else who already participated at that venue, versus trying something new and possibly winding up with too many unforseen problems.

So to be clear, Halifax, is Mikey is still involved in Ko94 II? If yes, is he as involved as he was before, or is he more of a consultant now? What other guys made it happen, and are they equally involved? (I know yourself and Smozoma figured big. And I can keep doing the website if need be.) I am worried that without the same crew and the same effort, this thing won't happen? Is the aim still to double the tourney size, or has this been scaled back? I think the easiest thing to do would be to have it at the same place, which had TVs already that worked well enough, and have the tourney the same size. You guys have experience at that venue now, so it may avoid new hiccups if you relocate or try a new approach (providing clunky CRTs, for instance)? (Plus most "trip reports" in this forum indicated the venue was excellent. Kinda think Mikey and the crew hit a home run with their first at bat!)

I am disappointed to hear CBK is acting like a jerk and not finishing games when he is losing, and (possibly) being rude in chat. I played some exis with him, and chatted at length, and he seemed like a good guy to me. (He is around my skill level, so maybe his true colors only come out when he gets beat soundly, which I can't do?) I think I even recommended to King Raph that he be a replacement coach before Mav. Turns out they may have similar "quirks". (And both are replacements now, too.) This community is like real life: 15% really decent guys I would love to grab a beer with, 70% regular Joes, and 15% jerks. I wonder if one of the "difficult types" can turn it around and and at least be civil? (Can a leopard change his spots?)

I am in Toronto, and try to help. (I make the www.kingof94.com website already.) I live downtown. I have little space and no car, so getting TVs would be a problem. But, maybe I can nab a few? Two big things that come to mind are: 1. 32 CRT TVs is a tall order! 2. And if we do nab 32, what are we supposed to do with them after the tourney? If somehow I did provide 3-4 TVs, it will probably be a bigger hassle to deal with them afterward than acquiring them in the first place?

Atomic, does this link help at all? http://forums.darkmystics.com/archive/index.php?t-1157.html (Try hitting F9 and see if it toggles blurriness?)

Tex, did you know that Jim Simmons programmed Bill Walsh College Football, as well as NHLPA 93 and earlier? (And Madden, too.) http://www.mobygames.com/developer/sheet/view/developerId,389039/