UPDATE 3 - Ball Play Improvements
The ball has purpose now
Four things were making the ball bounce around at random. All four are fixed:
- Nobody plays the sterile return pass any more. A player used to fire the ball straight back to the man who just gave it to him — it was actually the best-scoring option in the old logic.
- Teams keep their shape while the ball is in flight. Before, the moment anyone kicked it, all ten teammates dropped into defensive shape mid-pass. Moves connect now instead of resetting every touch.
- The receiver attacks his own pass — he runs to where the ball is actually going, instead of the ball becoming a 50/50 for whoever happens to be nearest.
- Clearances have destinations. Defenders look for the flank outlet, keepers pick out a real teammate, headers go toward the near touchline. Genuine panic under pressure still looks like panic.
Full seasons in the big leagues
The National League and Premier Division were playing a 9-match single round-robin while the lower divisions played a full 14. The 10-team divisions now play a proper 18-matchday home-and-away season. Your current season finishes on its existing calendar; the full schedule starts from your next season.
Logbook: club names in full
"Redcliff Victoria" was rendering as "Re..". Fixed — the ledger has its own column layout now.
7 new achievements, every one suggested by a player
- As It Began — finish a match without sending anyone off
- I Know What I Saw — go to the monitor and stick with your original call
- That's On Me — overturn your own decision after a VAR review
- I've Heard Enough — send a manager to the stands
- Taking Notes — show 15 or more cards in one match
- Thriller — officiate a match with six or more goals
- Title Six Pointer — referee 1st vs 2nd late in the season
Thanks for the feedback. Keep them coming!