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tXtFL 2 | tXtFL 3

Changelog for tXtFL 3

Download tXtFL experimental releaseThis release channel delivers selected snapshots via Java Web Start, which will automatically detect your platform to deliver you the correct version of tXtFL. Please note that as this is the "cutting edge," things will be rough around the edges. We appreciate your testing and feedback!

Looking for all the new features in tXtFL 3.2? See below.

Summary of changes for 3.2.1 (released 2012-04-14)

  • Fixed crash when auto-selecting from saved games or seasons lists
  • Fixed small portions of commentary and other text
  • Fixed crash under certain conditions when choosing quickly from the answer tables
  • Small performance fixes

Summary of changes for 3.2.0 (released 2012-03-08)

User interface:

  • Manager tab for viewing your team's player stats and making player substitutions during the game, as well as viewing other teams' players
  • Player game stats are now organized in a more compact, readable table format
  • Completely new scoreboard layout
  • All columns are now completely resizable

Database:

  • Backs up database prior to upgrades
  • Better feedback when resetting database
  • Fixed potential mis-assignment of players to teams in different leagues with the same team name
  • Fixed missing FGLG and FGBlk stats during stats import
  • Fixed missing punt inside-20 stats records

Under the hood:

  • Seasons can now be automated over multiple successive weeks
  • Small performance/stability fixes

Summary of changes for 3.1.0 (released 2012-02-18)

User interface:

  • Reorganized stats and drives into tabbed area
  • Stores user preferences through new options pane
  • Allows multiple connections to the database for running multiple instances of the app or connecting from a database editor
  • Reset database button
  • Icon refresh

Engine:

  • Supports new rule settings: goal post width and position; end zone length; kickoff, touchback, and missed field goal yardlines; clock stoppage periods
  • Improved clock management
  • Supports missed field goal returns and singles
  • Place kick accuracy and pass vs. run model updates
  • Better handling of extreme coaching points
  • Finds more player substitutions for missing positions
  • Performance optimizations for automated games (up to 25% faster)

Stats:

  • Records player game stats from automated games and writes totals to file
  • Option to turn off writing game stats to file
  • Improved play-by-play summaries

3.0.1 (released 2012-01-29)

  • Game Guide updated for tXtFL 3
  • Fixed recording of PAT stats
  • Fixed recording of defensive INT/INT TD stats
  • Fixed receiver target stats on INTs
  • Fixed unnecessary addition of stock players
  • Fixed crash when space precedes player name
  • Fixed position of kickoff at start of 2nd half
  • Fixed crash when issuing empty command via URL bar

Summary of changes for 3.0.0 (released 2011-12-25)

Engine:

  • Dramatic performance improvements for automated simulations
  • Modularized to allow for greater flexibility and long-term improvements
  • Many, many game model enhancements and fixes for improved realism
  • Completely revamped stats engine to track many more stats for each player (eg sacks, INTs, fumbles, and returns)
  • Many new teams included by default, including the complete Canadian lineup
  • Run multiple automations for each game in a season
  • Call timeouts
  • Play onside kicks

User interface:

  • Slightly streamlined, more "comfortable" interface
  • 3-column play selection for more intuitive play-calling
  • Download and import entire leagues from the web
  • Import custom files through the built-in browser
  • View season match-ups and scores
  • Fixed window layout for smaller screens

Installation:

  • Launches via Java Web Start, which also updates automatically
  • Compatible with 32- and 64-bit Windows, Linux, and Mac (new for 64-bit Linux)
  • Runs on Java 1.4+ (fixed compatibility for Java 1.4, tested on Java 7)

2.99.11 (released 2011-12-09)

Interface:

  • Download and import new leagues from the web
  • Import custom spreadsheets from the built-in browser
  • Fixes to down and yardage format

Game Model and Stats:

  • Complete overhaul of how stats are recorded internally
  • New recorded stats, including sacks, INTs, fumbles, and returns
  • Better player assignments during each play

2.99.10 (released 2011-10-05)

Interface:

  • Drive selector summaries more concise
  • Reorganized plays based on distance

Game Model and Stats:

  • Play onside kicks
  • Call timeouts
  • Many game model improvements, including:
    • More realistic auto-selection of plays
    • More sophisticated player ratings
    • Improved weighting of player strengths to each play
    • More realistic clock and numbers of plays per game
    • Better distribution of receiver targets
    • Fixed auto-play selection during automated games
  • Updated QB stats
  • Fixed recording of defensive stats for tackles
  • Fixed recording of fumble stats

Under the hood:

  • Started support for importing spreadsheets from the browser
  • Fixed duplicate game entries when automating the rest of a game

2.99.9 (released 2011-08-28)

Interface:

  • 3-column play selection layout
  • Abbreviates player names in stats listing for cleaner layout

Game Model and Stats:

  • Complete Canadian lineup
  • Game model improvements
  • Automates the rest of the game when ended early
  • Imports season schedules
  • Run multiple automations for each game in a season
  • Displays summary of automated games
  • Fixed sacks recorded in pass attempts

Under the hood:

  • Import spreadsheets and run automated games from command-line
  • Fixed 18-week season selection
  • Stability improvements and many other bug fixes
  • Changes not yet fully implemented here:
    • Option to set the length of each quarter
    • Allows for running multiple instances

2.99.8 (released 2011-06-25)

Interface and Installation:

  • Upgraded SWT 3.6 -> 3.7, bringing improved in-game browser support, including browser support on 64-bit Linux platforms
  • Upgraded Derby 10.7.1.1 -> 10.8.2 and improved feedback during browser initialization
  • Updated Game Box layout
  • Fixed window layout when resizing window and for smaller screen sizes

Game Model and Stats:

  • Player skill values have more sophisticated impact on ability
  • Further reduced chance of safety after INT/fumble and negative run yardage
  • Fixed incorporation of reception stats
  • Fixed some play type assignments
  • Fixed errors on duplicate team insertions
  • Fixed field goal distances to include long-snap yardage
  • Fixed PAT/field-goal distances based on field length

Seasons:

  • Added 8 new teams (2 tXtFL, 2 Collegiate tXtFL, 4 Arena tXtFL)
  • Playoffs can now handle odd/unequal numbers of teams
  • Fixed playoffs and display of standings for leagues with conferences only (ie Canadian)
  • Fixed automated season games after loading saved game
  • Fixed wild card team selection

2.99.7 (released 2011-05-05)

Interface:

  • Text styling and colors to highlight key parts of plays
  • Larger fonts and slightly more compact interface
  • Informs user of opponent's special teams formations
  • Clarifies whether user is on offense of defense
  • Game score summary after automated games
  • Improved feedback while loading desktop interface
  • Fixed crash when choosing random selection in options menu

Game model:

  • Incorporates opponent's special teams into automated decision-making
  • Incorporates yardage remaining into auto-play selection
  • Improved 4th-down punt-or-play automated decision-making
  • Improved kickoff/punt/return model and fair-catch decision
  • Improved rushing yardage
  • Updated play formations
  • Fixed additional play after time expires
  • Fixed to allow extra points as 1st half expires
  • Fixed safeties on INT and kickoffs
  • Fixed defensive right-left targeting

Seasons:

  • Shows weekly match-ups before and score summary after games
  • Shows only the seasons and teams available for the league
  • Prompt prior to automating remaining games during a season week
  • Fixed crash on playoffs
  • Fixed incorrect win assignment in some season games
  • Fixed Arena tXtFL division assignments
  • Fixed game reset prior to first automated season game
  • Fixed game save/restore for season games

Stats

  • Updated QB stats and added fullback players
  • Added QB sneaks
  • Improved stats column spacing
  • Added team city abbreviation field chosen league
  • Writes game stats to file after each game
  • Writes games summary after each automation series
  • Turns off "retro" plays by default (eg kickoff-dropkicks)
  • Fixed tackle stats for determining player blocking ability
  • Fixed recording of player stats after each game
  • Fixed punter names in safety punts
  • Fixed delayed quarter score updating
  • Fixed tackler assignment
  • Fixed player substitution assignments
  • Fixed punter stats listing prior to punt plays

Installation

  • Upgraded SWT 3.6 -> 3.7M6 on Linux platforms
  • Upgraded Derby 10.5.3.0 -> 10.7.1.1
  • Fixed JNLP launch from 64-bit Linux platforms
  • Fixed compatibility for as far back as Java 1.4

2011-05-05 (updates through 2.99.7 final)

  • Improved database loading
  • Clarified team selection
  • Fixed compatibility for as far back as Java 1.4
  • Fixed game save/restore for season games

2011-04-13 (updates through 2.99.7pre)

  • Improved stats column spacing
  • Updated play formations
  • Upgraded SWT 3.6 -> 3.7M36 on Linux platforms
  • Upgraded Derby 10.5.3.0 -> 10.7.1.1
  • Fixed defensive right-left targeting
  • Fixed safeties on kickoffs
  • Fixed JNLP launch from 64-bit Linux platforms
  • Fixed delayed quarter score updating
  • Fixed tackler assignment
  • Fixed player substitution assignments
  • Fixed punter stats listing prior to punt plays

2010-12-04 (all updates through tXtFL 2.99.2 since tXtFL 2)

  • Modularized game engine and database for significantly improved performance of automated simulations
  • New players/teams and updated plays
  • Fixed loading web links on the Mac
  • Note: does not currently load Draft for downloading teams/players

tXtFL 2 released

2010-08-28

  • Playoffs and tXtFL Bowl now complete
  • Font size adjustments for key text
  • New default teams (player name updates pending)
  • Fixed crash when selected team has no more games in season

2010-08-26

  • League conferences and divisions
  • Playoffs (first round only so far)
  • Customizable leagues and rule-sets (user-defined via spreadsheet)
  • Customizable season length
  • Arena tXtFL and fixes to collegiate tXtFL league
  • Fixed networking mode regression

2010-06-25

  • Updated to alpha4 release
  • Customizable rules sets for each league
  • Canadian rules applied when running Canadian football league, including expanded field and changes to max players and downs
  • Collegiate rules applied when running college football
  • Improved shortcuts for non-graphical ("-ng") mode
  • Database version checking and backup
  • SWT libraries updated from 3.6M6 -> 3.6 (final)

2010-04-21

  • Updated to alpha3 release
  • Fixes crash on season continuation when no season has been been generated
  • Fixes recording of season automated games
  • Safe database shutdown
  • Reorganized controls in the input area

2010-04-15

  • Season standings are displayed
  • Points scored during overtime are properly recorded

2010-04-08

  • Now working on the Mac!

2010-04-05

  • Season games are saved to the database
  • Following a season game, the rest of the games for that week can be automated

2010-03-31

  • The txtfl.jnlp file can now be launched directly from the browser, rather than having to save to file first

2010-03-28b

  • Workaround for running on Ubuntu 8.04 (64-bit Java): disables browser if it cannot be loaded
  • Update on MacOS: apparently a bug in the SWT GUI code prevents Java Web Start or applet launches on MacOS (see http://bugs.eclipse.org/bugs/show_bug.cgi?id=303869)

2010-03-28

  • Initial release, including basic seasons implementation
  • Note that the txtfl.jnlp file should be saved to disk and run from a directory that has permissions for saving the database files. Future releases will focus on saving the database in a standard location.
  • Tested successfully on Windows 7 (32- and 64-bit Java), Vista (32-bit Java), Ubuntu 9.10 (32-bit Java)
  • Tested unsuccessfully on MacOS X 10.6.1 (32- and 64-bit Java), Ubuntu 8.04 (64-bit Java)