Perhaps this has already been covered and I apologize if it is the case (having trouble finding the answer) but how exactly did piracy kill EHM2007. After playing the freeware version years ago and then purchasing the 2005 version I did not return to the 2007 version only because of time constraints with work and my interest in FM which is my primary sport of interest.
Taking the management of these games seriously requires a lot of time and I just couldn't commit to that time which makes the game unenjoyable to me.

Anyway, back to my point, from what I have read about Elicense software it is extremely difficult and next to impossible to crack for mass usage. While I admit that I haven't done an extensive search of all torrent/game copy forums on the internet I did not come across a single site that declared the license as hacked. It is my understanding that without the activation code, the Elicense will maintain the 6 month lock on the game.

All of the pirated* torrents seem to be copies of the demo version that were either strictly from the SI demo download, or of a version that removed the activation warning popup but did not remove the license timer.

I completely understand piracy concerns with previous versions that truly were "crackable" and I fully understand that the sales of the game do not warrant continuation of a series when the cost of licensing outweighs revenues for the game but I am having a very difficult time understanding how pirating is the cause of this. To me, pirating leading to reduced sales would require the full game available for illegal download otherwise this seems no different than someone downloading the demo version and then just never purchasing the activation code to get past the 6 month freeze.

Regardless it is a sad day for hockey gaming especially when you consider the only other option as the incredibly flawed EA NHL series that provides very little in terms of managing capabilities.

quote:

Originally posted by Riz:
I'm currently in almost the same position as I would have been after the freeware if SI had not come into picture. Meaning working full time and having little if any free time for a time-consuming hobby project like the freeware game was. I'm working full time on Football Manager now (still love working on games even if it isn't hockey currently) and with family taking up most of my non-work time, there is little time for any grand-scale hobby projects.

I would love nothing more than working on another EHM project but for the time being, it just has to take the backseat. When the time is right, I'm sure we will look back into a new EHM project but going indy right now is simply not feasible.

I know there won't be a game this year, obviously. And likely not next year. But down the road, maybe three years from now, maybe five, heck, myabe even ten, what do you think the chances are of SI revisiting EHM? Maybe after developing a new marketing strategy, or better anti-piracy features?

I'm probably going to move on to the FM series. I have no doubt it'll be enjoyable, but it probably just won't be the same. And if there's never another EHM game ever again, I still want to say thanks to you, Riz, and the rest of those that worked tirelessy on the game for the countless hours of enjoyment you've given me from the freeware version to the current iteration. Although, I think you guys might owe me for some lacklustre grades in college.

quote:

Originally posted by Butch Moniker:
I'm probably going to move on to the FM series. I have no doubt it'll be enjoyable, but it probably just won't be the same. And if there's never another EHM game ever again, I still want to say thanks to you, Riz, and the rest of those that worked tirelessy on the game for the countless hours of enjoyment you've given me from the freeware version to the current iteration. Although, I think you guys might owe me for some lacklustre grades in college.

Look what you've done to me! I can't even spell "tirelessly" anymore.

I was looking for the release date of the new game and just found out there won't be another one.

Like everybody else, I'm very disapointed, even if I understand that if a game doesn't sell enough, well business is business.

Like many others, I'd like to point out the fact that I think the game was great, that I'lls till play it, and that I think it was never given a fair chance to succeed.

I live in Canada, which is probably the biggest market for any hockey stuff whatsoever, and I had to stumble on this game by luck while surfing the internet. Never saw it advertised, never saw it in a store, never heard of it period.

I have friends who like me are die hard hockey fans and none of them has ever heard of this game from other sources than me.

It's a great game, but you guys can't sell it to people who don't know it exists.

So anyway that's it, great job by the programmers, because this is THE best hockey game ever, but lousy job of advertising it. This game would have sold like hot cakes with proper advertising in Canada. It's so painfully obvious I feel silly mentioning it.

I hope the hockey gods hear my prayers, and that the decision to drop the game will be revised, and the the game will be given a fair chance with proper advertising.

Thanks guys for all the hours of fun i've had and will still have with this game.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Locks:
Piracy is not the problem. There weren't many people playing this game even in the times that it was free. Hockey is not a popular sport anymore and overall manager games are not so popular. QUOTE]

A wild guess... You're not Canadian are you ?

quote:

Originally posted by Marc Gagnon:
I was looking for the release date of the new game and just found out there won't be another one.

Like everybody else, I'm very disapointed, even if I understand that if a game doesn't sell enough, well business is business.

Like many others, I'd like to point out the fact that I think the game was great, that I'lls till play it, and that I think it was never given a fair chance to succeed.

I live in Canada, which is probably the biggest market for any hockey stuff whatsoever, and I had to stumble on this game by luck while surfing the internet. Never saw it advertised, never saw it in a store, never heard of it period.

I have friends who like me are die hard hockey fans and none of them has ever heard of this game from other sources than me.

It's a great game, but you guys can't sell it to people who don't know it exists.

So anyway that's it, great job by the programmers, because this is THE best hockey game ever, but lousy job of advertising it. This game would have sold like hot cakes with proper advertising in Canada. It's so painfully obvious I feel silly mentioning it.

I hope the hockey gods hear my prayers, and that the decision to drop the game will be revised, and the the game will be given a fair chance with proper advertising.

Thanks guys for all the hours of fun i've had and will still have with this game.

I second that. I too am from Canada and have played EHM since the freeware days. I too never seen any advertisements around here. I also would ask people about the game, and obviously they never heard of it.

I love the game, and can only hope it resurfaces in the future. Thanks.

I found the game only recently through an outstanding review on Gamespot and I love it! Too bad about the lack of future products. I'm hoping the NHL starts a bit of a comeback here in the states and that perhaps someday a future release of this fine game may resurface.

I'm devestated that this has happened and loved this game, thanks for the many hours of work that you put into it.

However I don't feel that you can blame pirating for the poor sales, I'm very much against the stealing of software however EVERY game goes through this and they still manage to make a profit. Better to focus on your marketing campaign and make sure the sales go out there. A classic example of a company doing well despite illegal downloads is the tremendous sales of the galactic civilization series. That game comes without any copy protection (not even a CD check) and they're working in a field of gaming that's not too popular (Turn Based Strategys, kinda like management sims in a way)

So please don't just give up on this, get round the table and focus on the problems within your company rather than blaming everything on one problem and not recognising other factors which are well within your control.

WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYY too late for the "don't give up on this" part.

quote:

Originally posted by Gilgabob:
I found the game only recently through an outstanding review on Gamespot and I love it! Too bad about the lack of future products. I'm hoping the NHL starts a bit of a comeback here in the states and that perhaps someday a future release of this fine game may resurface.

same with me. they shouldnt be blamming this on Piracy because that is the same for all games. It was horrible marketing. A couple months ago i saw this on gamespot DL the demo and loved it then bought the game. I am sad to hear this but no one has even heard of this game. Perhaps it wouldnt hurt to have the odd comercial or advertisement still because i bet this game will still sell..

quote:

Originally posted by jbsnadb:
WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYY too late for the "don't give up on this" part.

its never too late.

100% right about never too late!

I found out about this game becasue my brother in Sweden is a huge FM fan, and he showed that game to me. I enjoyed it, but started dreaming about a game similar to FM but about hockey instead. It still took me searching before realizing that there was indeed such a game and available from yours truly!

Piracy is a problem, but if you guys were 100% honest, piracy wasn't the biggest problem. The lack of advertising was what killed it, and that is something you could control and come back to do better.

OK.. thx for a great game. Best wishes to all of you!

We really need to have the "beating dead horse" emoticon available to us...

So how did I only JUST find this out?

okay, so I was a little distracted last year and never actually purchased the EHM07 version, but I fully expected it to be there now...as I'm getting warmed up with the new NHL season.

So, gutted...there are so many great bits about EHM that have not been reproduced even in FM (I should know, they would help the MLS part considerably, for which I'm the HR)...but no more?

I have to say, I watch around 15 NHL games A WEEK (a combination of getting my money's worth outo of NHL center ice, fantasy hockey and watch any HD broadcast i can find) and in 3 years I never saw this game promoted. I regualrly visit hockey websites - and Canada - for that matter without ever having seen a presence.

Now, I know FM/WSM has a low key status here - but in Canada (and in the right American markets) I don't understand why EHM couldn't have been huge. The market for Canada is phenomenal.

I can't help but think that pirating, if that was the real concern, really was an issue how that couldn't have been worked around for future versions?

You have to speculate to accumulate, and not promoting a product is like asking it to fail. I should know...I run an ad agency.

Still, I guess I need to go out and activate my old demo copy of EHM2007 and hope that there's someone out there who can keep the rosters going....

Sad news.

wow the year they stop making them would be the year i make the WHL i was looking forward to giving myself a free ride into the NHL but i guess i'll have to actually go out and make it now haha then when the obviously will make another one in a couple years i'll still be in it. Also im also obviously from Canada and i've played just the past 2 NHL EHM's and i as well just happened to stumble across the game on the internet and not a single person i know has ever heard of this game in their life. But they guys I played with in the dub who've been around for a bit love it cause its the only game ur in and not in the NHL. You guys made a great game and i wont stop playing it in my freetime for a while im sure! Go Amerks

this game had soooo much potential too. i played to baseball and soccor briefly (i didn't really like it because im not into those two sports as much) but they have alot more features then EHM. If only EHM had all of that....i was thinking they will until i heard this news a few months ago.

And teh lack of sales was advertising. i live in canada and no one has heard about this game even though it is probably the best game i have.

hey guys, now that Football Manager 2008 has been released (it looks amazing by the way) is there any news or possible chance of a new version of EHM surfacing?

quote:

Originally posted by lotto123:
hey guys, now that Football Manager 2008 has been released (it looks amazing by the way) is there any news or possible chance of a new version of EHM surfacing?

Afraid not. It has been discussed to death numerous times, and each time the powers that be state that it won't happen anytime soon. I am certain however that Riz said somewhere that he won't say "never", just that it is not in the foreseeable future.

A few days ago I stumbled across a hockey simulation. It was even Mac compatible. Downloaded the demo … being a Canadian I just had to love it and I bought it. Unfortunately I am finding it is being shelved due to poor sales. This is a really well thought out addictive game. I am having trouble understanding why its existence has been keep so secret. I don’t expect this one sale to bring EHM back but how many sales have been lost by not knowing that this game exists?

I don’t regret the purchase; I have many months of enjoyment to look forward to. I would like to see the game brought back to life.

Hey everyone,

I owned the 2005 version and want to buy the 2007 version even if it's not supported anymore. The problem is I can't seem to find a working ling to purchase it. Does anyone know if it's still possible to buy this?

It really is sad what a bunch of Ahole losers can do to a terrific game.

Thanks in advance.

Erick

Just download the demo on the main page and after installing it and booting it up, you'll have the option to purchase it there. Just fill out a little info and then you'll have the full "purchased" version

I just bought another copy of it since I lost my store bought copy. The only one I have ever found in stores by the way

Long live EHM!!!! PLEASE REVIVE THIS SERIES!!!!!

As a side note, I also purchased Worldwide Soccer Manager 2008. If that game is any indication of what EHM will be like when and if another one is made, (hopefully when) then we have lots to look forward too.

I know I commented on this before. Blaming the pirates is a lame excuse. North Americans want the EYE CANDY. Not a thinking game that is why dumbed down products like EA games succeed here in North America. This game is 1000x better than EA could EVER be but your marketing was a total joke. That is what killed this game.

Meanwhile who else is going to the NHL all star game in Atlanta?

I know I'm going a bit overboard...

But EA did buy the rights for Front Office Football at some point.

Can the 2007 game still be trialed and purchased? Please advise. Thanks.