New FM 2013 Update available, a few match engine fixes included

A new update for FM 2013 is now available! It is fully save-game compatible, so you won’t have to start a new game after updating. There are no changes to the database in this update. All you have to do is close your game, re-start Steam and the game should update automatically. Here is the changelist:

Match Engine

• Further refined engagement of ball player
• Toned down speed players can run with ball a little
• Slight toning down of run with ball probability
• Fine-tuned kick and header accuracy a little further

These changes should help to fix the following issues:

• Players dribbling through the middle of the pitch too easily, too often
• High number of goals per game
• Teams winning games by margins of 5+ goals far too often

Other match engine changes:

• More improvements to on ball decision making and pass choice
• Improved central midfielder starting position when team is in possession
• Tweaked midfielder and attacker positions when team is defending
• Fixed a couple of bugs causing players to fail to turn to face required direction properly
• Improved facing direction of player marking opponent who is moving onto a pass
• Fixed bug allowing players being able to partially «go through» other players to get ball without being penalised
• Small tweaks to improve the way players move onto passes or loose balls
• Reduced some instances of closing down of keeper when clearly illogical in context of player and his instructions
• Cleaned up a few bugs that delayed retrieval of ball at set pieces or kick offs
• A bunch of ball physics fixes mainly related to collisions and ball spin after bounce
• Reduced slightly unrealistic ball to player deflections
• More improvements to pass choice AI
• Tweaks to run with ball and first touch AI
• Reduced tackles that end in own goals
• Some tweaks to basic central midfielder positions
• Fixed some dodgy marking at mid pitch free kicks
• Improved full back positioning when waiting for short keeper distribution
• Improved near and far post corner aim point
• Some further ball physics fixes and refinements
• Fixed goal not always given if ball stops just over goal line
• Fixed some rare instances of player collision avoidance failing
• Further refinements to pass AI
• Improved pass, shot or header accuracy logic
• Further improvements to player reactions to the ball
• Fixed defences staying to deep just after corner taken
• Refined player positioning when defending free kicks from wide
• Made players press more collectively and aggressively when required
• Improved positioning of defenders against attackers running at pace
• Refined tackling AI a bit
• Improved facing direction while marking opponent around own area
• Fixed some more keeper AI bugs
• Improved collision avoidance AI slightly
• Fine tuned ball trajectory chosen by player for kick, header etc.
• Fine tuned kick and header accuracy logic
• Fine-tuned pass and general on ball AI
• Tuned long shot frequency and AI
• Toned down pressing slightly in certain situations
• Improved marking and engagement of ball player in wide areas
• Tuned tackling AI further
• Couple of small fixes to player reactions
• Fixed some small player pathing anomalies
• Fixed a couple of goalkeeper AI anomalies
• Improved marking and engagement of ball player further
• Fixed some instances of risky keeper distribution
• Fine-tuned kick/header accuracy

Performance

• Fixed rare history crash in edited databases
• Fixed crash when closing game
• Fixed crash when changing language with holiday prompt on screen
• Fixed rare crash when asking backroom staff for team talk advice
• Fixed crash when using ‘Set for Release’ button

General

• Fixed very low and negative attendances
• Fixed player becoming unhappy when promise is met
• Fixed takeovers disproportionately boosting club reputation
• Fixed erroneous fluctuation of tactic familiarity
• Improved long term lower league AI squad balance

Competitions and rulegroups

• Fixed Austria Cup final and EURO Cup final clash
• Fixed fixture congestion when reaching final of Bulgarian Cup and EURO Cup
• Improved confidence handling Belgian Pro League
• Fixed Brazilian State Championship start dates
• Fixed English league playoff venues
• Fixed Irish Premier and First Division format and scheduling
• Fixed Polish Ekstraslasa schedule
• Fixed Swedish pre-season scheduling

User Interface (GUI)

• Dark Skin added
• Improved speed when viewing previous fixtures
• Fixed skin reload clearing manager profile picture
• Fixed refreshing of coach star rating when coach leaves club
• Improved speed of team line-ups appearance pre-match
• Improved distinction between ‘Needs a rest’ and ‘Rested’ status flags
• Fixed scrollbar losing focus on individual training screen
• Fixed international shortlist being populated by player search
• Fixed international jobs not appearing in Job Centre

Editor

• Fixed seeding by division reputation in custom cup
• Added ability to create leagues with uneven sub-divisions
• Fixed addition of Danish lower divisions
• Fixed sorting of German regions in custom competitions

Finances

• Improved balance of lower league wage budgets
• Improved balance of non-league match day expense & income
• Fixed Italian tax levels in new games
• Fixed players increasing wage demands after user adjusts budgets
• Improved wage balance in Sweden

FM Classic

• Added Financial Storm and Unrest at Home Challenges to Store
• Fixed cut off on Player profile Transfer Price tag graphic in certain currencies
• Added Player Training Progression graphic to the Player Profile screen
• Fixed Player silhouettes being recoloured on news items
• Added string to FMC Store to indicate unlockables are for FMC only.
• Fixed news item cut off for Team of the Week items
• Fixed old media inbox questions being asked incorrectly
• Fixed Transfer and Loan Listed status text appearing correctly on the player profile
• Fixed Progression Bar always being in the middle on Player Coach Reports
• Added reason for failing a challenge on the Challenge Result screen
• Fixed the possibility of being able to start new games or Challenges in 2011
• Fixed player wage demands when applying All players interested unlockable
• Fixed Squad Registration panel incorrectly appearing for clubs
• Fixed New Stadium Unlockable so that no loans are taken out to cover its costs

News

• Fixed calculation of “shock” cup defeats
• Fixed calculation of first league goal in news items

Network

• Fixed client being unable to join game with edited database
• Fixed assistant taking charge of team when loading save on match day

Scouting

• Fixed scouts with full knowledge returning with no results

Transfers and contracts

• Fixed DoF repeatedly targeting uninterested staff
• Fixed rounding of figures used in clauses
• Improved balance of player interest in club vs wages
• Improved sale prices of low valued youth players
• Fixed club withdrawing loan offer when negotiations are met
• Fixed DOF not adhering to maximum amount when adding players to transfer targets
• Fixed exploit allowing acceptance of £0 bids
• Fixed trigger of wage after international appearance clause
• Fixed career games clause including appearances when out on loan
• Fixed being able to offer automatic one year contract extension in final season to young players

Tutorials

• Fixed ‘Tutorial Master’ achievement
• Fixed ‘Learning the Ropes’ achievement

That’s about it, enjoy the game!