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19-04-2024 05:10
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Season 90 · Week 3 · Day 18
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Football » English » ManagerZone talk

Is this the end of 3D matches?

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[RAF]
President
For those of you who didn't see the news, Crew just said that:
Both our 3D viewer and our Analyzer were excellent additions to ManagerZone when introduced, but as time went by they both became more and more outdated. Today, most web browsers are blocking the use of NPAPI plugins (needed to power the 3D and Analyzer) and it is just a matter of time before all of them do. As a result of this, we have decided to hide the 3D/Analyzer by default for all users, although you can still opt to make them visible by going to your Gameplay Settings page.

This is part of our long-term strategy of making ManagerZone more accessible and more mobile friendly. Instead of trying to update the 3D and the Analyzer, we will aim to keep improving our HTML5 viewer (the 2D) and possibly update it to include elements from the other two viewers.

As a part of this update we have also made sure goal celebrations that you find in the Player Items store are only buyable if you have enabled 3D/Analyzer from your game settings, since these are only visible in the 3D and nowhere else.


What I understand is that we will have 3D in IExplorer for as long as Microsoft doesn't change it's technical bla bla bla and then GAME OVER for our most prized piece of the game, what made it different from all others in www, the 3D!!!

I don't know what to say, is this true, is this final, there's no going back to 3D? However flawed and sometimes childish it seemed, it was DIFFERENT and SPECIAL and it made MZ better than its competitors.

I'm really curious - is this something Crew has finally gave up on or this is just a step for a new 3D, which can work on new type of browsers?
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Re: Is this the end of 3D matches?

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Sorry mate...I didn't realize you had this thread started but I moved a similar thread from the Simulator forum to the Talk forum...didn't mean to side track the importance of your thread. Anyhow, we will continue to move forward with both threads because I feel this is an important topic to consider in moving forward with the game.

It is my suggestion that maybe we need to focus our attention on the 2d mode of viewing the games...that is, provide input to Crew on how we would like to improve this mode to encompass the features enjoyed in both the Analyzer and the 3D viewing of matches.

Re: Is this the end of 3D matches?

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[RAF]
President
Dowo, I threw a quick glance on the other topic and, far from being so radical, I do believe, like I said, that the 3D was always the core difference of MZ from its peers, marketed as such/u], which brought MZ its value.

What troubles me is a radical change in marketing and ingame development strategy announced in a small news, like to not be noticed, while blaming everything on HTML editors and other webdesign technicalities, instead of saying why Crew did not adapt to new technologies and software.

So the problems, imo, are:
1. Such a decision, to drop 3D, deserves far more publicity and disclosure.
2. Is this actually a good idea?

Maybe it's not our place to comment on MZ management decisions yet 3D is something which has always offered value to PTs and it's obvious it represents a integral part of MZ, from the very login webpage and up to 3D features purchased (of which almost half were never implemented anyway).

Re: Is this the end of 3D matches?

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improvements need funds

Re: Is this the end of 3D matches?

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[ATG]
President
I believe an external 3d match viewer should be created in order for this problem to be tackled.

You could download your match file and open it with the 3rd match viewer program to watch the match.

I do not know how difficult is this thing to be implemented, but it could be an idea worth trying...

Re: Is this the end of 3D matches?

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[FLUSA]
President
Some people is ok by watching games in 2D, but I know losing the analyzer & 3D is a deal breaker for many users, I think crew should really look for better options or alternatives.

IMO, the problem isn't that the 3D doesn't work with new browsers, the problem is that the 3D is obsolete and was never updated. What we need is a new 3D engine with more realistic games, players should do slide tackles, dibble, plays should be more elaborate and well... the 3D should represent all you expect a football simulation to do.

What I'm thinking is something like a simpler version of Football Manager, I guess it costs money but in the end it'll help attract new users to the game.

Re: Is this the end of 3D matches?

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It just sounds like the next step in taking this game from a predominantly web broswer based game to a mobile game. With the recent redesign of the mobile interface and the layout changes they have been making, they want to start attracting mobile users. (Or making the game more accessible as crew put it).

Makes sense from a financial point of view, the mobile market is huge and the freemium model works well there. Personally I would be happy to sacrifice the 3D for now to see an influx of new users to up the number of players. They need a mobile app first though, and an updated sim while they are at it!

The only problem I see is with the game itself, mobile games are designed to provide instant gratification and to drip feed you rewards to keep you playing. I don't think MZ has any of that as it can take well over a year to put together a competitive team and is much slower pace.

Re: Is this the end of 3D matches?

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matt_293 wrote:
it can take well over a year to put together a competitive team and is much slower pace.


MZ is more like marathon not sprint! :P

Re: Is this the end of 3D matches?

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[WCE]
President
I am going to play devils advocate here.

I always felt the 3D was a hype. It was an efficient tool to get the attention of investors. Benchmark Capitals anyone? I am sure Crew felt optimistic about it, just like they did with the "Head 2 Head challenge".

Online managers in general aren't that interested in 3D presentation of the games. If they were, MZ would have crushed all competition, right? Add to that the fact that 3D looked like Fifa 1997 at best. Whenever I suggested MZ to anyone, I didn't even bother mentioning it had 3D.

MZ had a crew of probably more than 30 people back then. Now there is what, like 6 or 7 people working in Power Challenge AB. They need to use their resources wisely.

It is time to let 3D go to the same place PowerSoccer went, in my opinion.

Re: Is this the end of 3D matches?

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evosa wrote:
MZ is more like marathon not sprint! :P


Very true and that's not a criticism of the game, in fact I think that's why a lot of people like MZ!

Re: Is this the end of 3D matches?

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The last 3D match I've watched was probably in 2011. I don't care for 3D.

But what I DO CARE for is the number of new managers coming in. 3D brings exactly that.

Re: Is this the end of 3D matches?

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3D was main reason I started playing MZ, ability to watch matches this way was unique and still is. 3D was the main reason why I invested so much time, effort, and yes, money too, why I was national coach at the time and so on... To drop it off remains to remove staple of the game which was present for the whole existence.
I understand there are reasons for it, but I am afraid that without 3D, this game is losing its identity. And for every company, to lose its identity is sentence to death, no exception to the rule.
So guys , move your ass and work on new 3D compatible with new technologies, otherwise you are sending MZ to hell...

Re: Is this the end of 3D matches?

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matt_293 wrote:
It just sounds like the next step in taking this game from a predominantly web broswer based game to a mobile game. With the recent redesign of the mobile interface and the layout changes they have been making, they want to start attracting mobile users. (Or making the game more accessible as crew put it).

Makes sense from a financial point of view, the mobile market is huge and the freemium model works well there. Personally I would be happy to sacrifice the 3D for now to see an influx of new users to up the number of players. They need a mobile app first though, and an updated sim while they are at it!

The only problem I see is with the game itself, mobile games are designed to provide instant gratification and to drip feed you rewards to keep you playing. I don't think MZ has any of that as it can take well over a year to put together a competitive team and is much slower pace.


This is probably the most accurate take, at least from Crew's perspective

Still that last paragraph is what worries me, especially if Crew go all in on the mobile platform

Re: Is this the end of 3D matches?

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[RAF]
President
psykkoman wrote:
without 3D, this game is losing its identity. And for every company, to lose its identity is sentence to death, no exception to the rule.


matt_293 wrote:
It just sounds like the next step in taking this game from a predominantly web broswer based game to a mobile game.


Two of the best quotes so far.

And I don't know why, how Hanz put it, MZ with 3D did not crush all competition, but on the other hand MZ with 3D attracted most of its 2005 - 2010 users and reached to a level of actual competition to Hattrick. It was the game, including the vital component of 3D, which made MZ what it used to be, not an efficient and super-invested-in marketing.

So, to change the perspective now is a valid option in nowadays telephone-run society, yet to lose a core value of MZ just because some INAPI plugin can not be re-written to accomodate 3D... I think that's an effort worth taking by Crew.

Re: Is this the end of 3D matches?

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Last time I watch 3D game end to end, was... never.
Last tome was I watch a game in 2D/Analyzer was.. a few years ago.
I'm to bored to arrange friendlies.. select date challenge, back, select date, challenge etc.. How do you guys still care about 3D ?

Re: Is this the end of 3D matches?

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romanasu wrote:
Last time I watch 3D game end to end, was... never.
Last tome was I watch a game in 2D/Analyzer was.. a few years ago.
I'm to bored to arrange friendlies.. select date challenge, back, select date, challenge etc.. How do you guys still care about 3D ?


The important games, some users prefers to watch in 2D/3D to "live" the game:)
About friendlies, MZ will improve in that section, probably with the start of the new season. Welcome back. Last time i checked you were on 9th in Liga 1 All Time, while civilu is only 10th :D

Bl: Is this the end of 3D matches?

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Last time i watch 3D match maybe 2-3 years ago because always failed to download.
I am using browser google chrome or mozilla firefox, not use IExplorer.
When i have time to watch important match i always use Analyzer/2D.
For unimportant match i just see game statistics to see the formation and numbers.

Re: Is this the end of 3D matches?

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3D was one of the most attractive parts of the game for me in the beginning, especially for watching those important cup games or end of season play-offs..but one thing removing the 3D aspect has done is take away the ability to see the bad way the sim performs... rewind 5 years, the main topic of conversation in the forums was the sim, and the way the sim makes players behave..remember the dreaded backpass ? top striker in front of goal didnt shoot he backpassed !! remember the keepers that wouldnt pick up the ball ?.. all these issues have been removed now as you just cant see them anymore.. big bonus for Crew no more sim headache. This game needs the 3D, it needs a good visual draw to potential new managers. But maybe they are winding the game down.. This game was fantastic 5 or so years ago.. now its just another online game. I used to spend hours and hours per week on this game, now i log in for 10 mins twice a day. Just my opinion.

Re: Is this the end of 3D matches?

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smiffythebull wrote:
3D was one of the most attractive parts of the game for me in the beginning, especially for watching those important cup games or end of season play-offs..but one thing removing the 3D aspect has done is take away the ability to see the bad way the sim performs... rewind 5 years, the main topic of conversation in the forums was the sim, and the way the sim makes players behave..remember the dreaded backpass ? top striker in front of goal didnt shoot he backpassed !! remember the keepers that wouldnt pick up the ball ?.. all these issues have been removed now as you just cant see them anymore.. big bonus for Crew no more sim headache. This game needs the 3D, it needs a good visual draw to potential new managers. But maybe they are winding the game down.. This game was fantastic 5 or so years ago.. now its just another online game. I used to spend hours and hours per week on this game, now i log in for 10 mins twice a day. Just my opinion.


Quite the opposite, it is full steam ahead. :) 2D is easier for us to build on and wrap an ever improving game around. That allows us to develop the game faster and in the direction that we want to go. That's not to say we're saying no to 3D forever, just this particular version of it.

Re: Is this the end of 3D matches?

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[RAF]
President
Powder,
Please don't say this:
powdersnow wrote:
That's not to say we're saying no to 3D forever, just this particular version of it.

We might understand you are thinking of a brand new 3D and that would only raise the level of expectations to a degree I'm not sure you are actually thinking of.

I'd rather you are fair and say 3D is dead (or is going to be, anytime now - as soon as IE changes) than make us believe you are actually planning a new 3D.

Thanks for understanding and for your straigh-forward honesty!

Re: Is this the end of 3D matches?

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Thanks powdersnow for your reply, there are a lot of words but they dont actually say anything.. my points about the way the sim behaved or the players could be seen quite plainly using the 3D, you have not changed the sim in the last few years so really we cant see how players are behaving because you have removed the easy access to viewing.So in effect you have not improved the game experience but you have removed a major headache for Crew..If 3D was brought back today there would be an avalanche of complaints about the sim...fact.

Re: Is this the end of 3D matches?

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smiffythebull wrote:
So in effect you have not improved the game experience but you have removed a major headache for Crew..If 3D was brought back today there would be an avalanche of complaints about the sim...fact.


3D is still currently available...and the complaints about the current sim have already been made in all the forums.

Personally, I never used the 3D for analyzing the sim but I will miss the Analyzer if/when that is removed/lost.

Re: Is this the end of 3D matches?

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[RAF]
President
dowopado wrote:
3D is still currently available...and the complaints about the current sim have already been made in all the forums.

Personally, I never used the 3D for analyzing the sim but I will miss the Analyzer if/when that is removed/lost.


Dowo,
All these complaints have been mostly ignored during the past years. Made but ignored, great accomplishment!

I personally won everything in MZ not once using the Analyser but my better judgement after spending countless hours on 3D, watching games. So let's please get back to what distinguished MZ from likes of Hattrick... and what was marketed like crazy as the main feature...

By the way, will all the images starting from the login page dissapear as well, along with 3D? I would say it's only fair to do so...

Re: Is this the end of 3D matches?

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civilu wrote:
Dowo,

By the way, will all the images starting from the login page dissapear as well, along with 3D? I would say it's only fair to do so...


Sorry, which images are you referring to? We definitely want to remove images of the 3D from places where new (or prospective) users can get the wrong impression of the game. Takes a bit of time though as new visuals needs to be created. It isn't about what's "fair" really, it's about what makes people want to keep playing the game. We have stopped using the 3D in ads or social media for this same reason.

civilu wrote:
Powder,
We might understand you are thinking of a brand new 3D and that would only raise the level of expectations to a degree I'm not sure you are actually thinking of.


Not sure how you got this from my reply. :) I don't have a glass ball and can't speak about the future in terms of absolute certainty. The current 3D is in poor shape and not deemed as a part of the core of this game. It is telling that since we hid the 3D, there has been no visible negative impact on any of our metrics (although there are hints of positive signs).

Having a 3D as awesome as long as that 3D is awsome. Ours isn't, so we removed it as deafult option. However if there is opportunity in the future to add 3D elements to 2D (or roll out a new and improved 3D) we may look into it. We're neither shutting the door on 3D nor making any promises. All we can say with certainty is that the current 3D will stay as long as there are browsers willing to support in, but we will not "showboat" it or add it back as a default option. 2D is the main viewer now and we like the 2D because it gives us more options.

Hope that was clearer.

Re: Is this the end of 3D matches?

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I started this game thanks to the 3d, I enjoyed this game thanks to 3d, I invested in this game thanks to 3d.
Apparently the only thing that matters is the final profit $$, so I urge all those who think like me to please add to the other thread on this topic - No 3D, No PT
Maybee with enough $ involved they might rethink this policy??

Re: Is this the end of 3D matches?

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supertuteman wrote:
I started this game thanks to the 3d, I enjoyed this game thanks to 3d, I invested in this game thanks to 3d.
Apparently the only thing that matters is the final profit $$, so I urge all those who think like me to please add to the other thread on this topic - No 3D, No PT
Maybee with enough $ involved they might rethink this policy??


We still have 3D.H

Re: Is this the end of 3D matches?

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[COTTON]
President
End of 3D, dead of MZ

***

English language accepted only

Aurel
Edited: 09-10-2017 06:57
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