Patch 11.2.2021

This patch included a few quality updates as well as some needed infrastructure and support upgrades. We are continuing our two-tiered track for development, and are continuing to target development efforts outlined here:

https://www.whatifsports.com/forums/Posts.aspx?topicID=528670

I know this isn’t an update that is knocking anyone’s socks off but we have already completed some larger more exciting efforts that are in testing phases and will be released soon. Thank you again for all that you do, and as always we appreciate this communities feedback, and look forward to continue to build these games back to a product we all enjoy and are proud to play.

Regards,
-Chris
WhatIfSports

Simleague Baseball
-Team Name Change: Small update to allow team name changes by user in season. This alleviates the need to open support tickets and have our staff simply change team names

Hardball Dynasty
-Remove Retired Players in off-season: Seemingly every year we have a problem where a player retires early but is not cleared off rosters. This forces games to fail unknowingly for a lot of players. So this is a bug fix and support tool to fix that.
-Support Tool For Modifying Draft: Sometimes we have to manually adjust draft picks order and comp picks in the database directly which is onerous. This tool allows our support staff to assist commissioners in re allocating and modifying draft slots and adding picks in rare circumstances.
-Players taken off waivers cannot be assigned: In some cases players taken off waivers cannot be assigned to roster because “they are not under contract”. This is a bug fix to correct that error.
-Team Name Change: Small update to allow team name changes by user in season. This alleviates the need to open support tickets and have our staff simply change team names

Hoops Dynasty
Undo-Reservation: We occasionally get players that accidently renew or want to switch worlds etc. The undo reservation process now is onerous so this allows players to unreserve their team prior to job change period.

Simleague Basketball
-Historic Defensive Ratings Upgrades: Boosting players defensive ratings from historic eras where there was not a DPOY or All-Defensive teams (which give defensive bonuses in our games). The altered players are below:

List Of Historical Player Updates:
https://www.whatifsports.com/forums/Posts.aspx?topicID=530090

As always please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns.

-Support Tool For Modifying Draft: Sometimes we have to manually adjust draft picks order and comp picks in the database directly which is onerous. This tool allows our support staff to assist commissioners in re allocating and modifying draft slots and adding picks in rare circumstances.

Thanks for the updates! Curious about the above--is this used only for mistakes, or can it also be used to enforce private world rules (such as penalties for failing to meet min win requirements) ?

Thanks for the updates! Just a suggestion, for Hardball Dynasty wouldn't the "Team Name Change" better fit thematically under the Administration header and not the GM header? Not a big deal, either way.

Posted by redmike on 11/2/2021 12:34:00 PM (view original):
Thanks for the updates! Just a suggestion, for Hardball Dynasty wouldn't the "Team Name Change" better fit thematically under the Administration header and not the GM header? Not a big deal, either way.

If not moved to Administration, I would move to the bottom of the GM page for flow purposes. The Roster Management tab needs to be at the top because it is one of the most used tabs.

Totally agree with rdierkers above. I can't tell you how many times already I've hit "Change Team Name" instead of "Roster Management" while attempting to implement many roster changes. The change would have been less obtrusive if placed on the bottom of the list as I'll rarely use it. It's going to take some muscle memory retraining to hit the right link. Maybe a tweak here guys? But thanks for the effort. I think we all appreciate the forward motion.

Posted by mr_wonderful on 11/2/2021 2:17:00 PM (view original):
Totally agree with rdierkers above. I can't tell you how many times already I've hit "Change Team Name" instead of "Roster Management" while attempting to implement many roster changes. The change would have been less obtrusive if placed on the bottom of the list as I'll rarely use it. It's going to take some muscle memory retraining to hit the right link. Maybe a tweak here guys? But thanks for the effort. I think we all appreciate the forward motion.

+1
nothing but positive sentiment regarding the changes. Moving the change name field down would be appreciated.

Posted by moustachee on 11/2/2021 11:16:00 AM (view original):

-Support Tool For Modifying Draft: Sometimes we have to manually adjust draft picks order and comp picks in the database directly which is onerous. This tool allows our support staff to assist commissioners in re allocating and modifying draft slots and adding picks in rare circumstances.

Thanks for the updates! Curious about the above--is this used only for mistakes, or can it also be used to enforce private world rules (such as penalties for failing to meet min win requirements) ?

It will be able to be used for both.

Posted by redmike on 11/2/2021 12:34:00 PM (view original):
Thanks for the updates! Just a suggestion, for Hardball Dynasty wouldn't the "Team Name Change" better fit thematically under the Administration header and not the GM header? Not a big deal, either way.

This will be a change in the next patch or two. The idea was to get the tool out and known to users by placing it under a more frequently used tab.

I hope the 'change name' option disappears once it is used; otherwise we're going to have wise guys change the names every day.

outstanding news on the basketball sim front - Bill Russell finally has his day! thank you!

Honestly not sure how often a name change is requested -- maybe only when a midseason ownership change happens?

Also, when patch notes come out, a notification linking to the post should be sent out to world chat (HBD) or its equivalent in other games so everyone knows something has changed. Much like when League of Legends and marketing promos have been announced.

Posted by jholthus on 11/2/2021 2:55:00 PM (view original):

Posted by moustachee on 11/2/2021 11:16:00 AM (view original):

-Support Tool For Modifying Draft: Sometimes we have to manually adjust draft picks order and comp picks in the database directly which is onerous. This tool allows our support staff to assist commissioners in re allocating and modifying draft slots and adding picks in rare circumstances.

Thanks for the updates! Curious about the above--is this used only for mistakes, or can it also be used to enforce private world rules (such as penalties for failing to meet min win requirements) ?

It will be able to be used for both.

Will this allow teams to trade a draft pick?

I tested it, and changed my team name twice in a minute. Don't like that. Why not put it only in commissionors tools? That way admin won't be bothered and a commish can keep a lid on a wise guy constantly changing it.

Posted by TheDirtyDog on 11/2/2021 8:23:00 PM (view original):

Posted by jholthus on 11/2/2021 2:55:00 PM (view original):

Posted by moustachee on 11/2/2021 11:16:00 AM (view original):

-Support Tool For Modifying Draft: Sometimes we have to manually adjust draft picks order and comp picks in the database directly which is onerous. This tool allows our support staff to assist commissioners in re allocating and modifying draft slots and adding picks in rare circumstances.

Thanks for the updates! Curious about the above--is this used only for mistakes, or can it also be used to enforce private world rules (such as penalties for failing to meet min win requirements) ?

It will be able to be used for both.

Will this allow teams to trade a draft pick?

I suspect this is only for support to use (not really for everyday players). While trading picks would technically be possible, I doubt they would support it.


Developers: while you are working with the draft function, is there any chance you can throw a bone our way in regards to providing an easier method for us to move players up and down the draft board? a text box next to players name where we can type in our desired draft position for a player would be nice.