New update of the match simulator beta.

Although we are currently down to 50% of the workforce due to holidays, work continues on the new match simulator. So, we're kicking off the week with a major new update:

• Goalkeeper tune-up: Goalkeepers have finally got the overhaul they have been waiting for. Among other things, their timing and jumping has been improved so it no longer looks as if they jump before the ball has been kicked. We have also taught them that they can run out and pick up the ball if it's just lying on the grass in front of them, and they can reach it before an opponent. Previously, goalkeepers only reacted to the ball if it was shot directly at the goal. We do still need to do a bit of fine tuning of their animations in the match viewer.

• More action!!!! So much action that a single exclamation mark was not enough ;) Now the highlights are generally shorter, there are more of them, and more exciting stuff happens. We have generally fine-tuned a great many factors that make us better at stopping a highlight before it gets boring. Also, you won't see as often that the highlight ends so quickly that you barely have time to see the ball fly into the net.

• Own goal: Everyone loves an own goal! Ok, maybe not, but now they are handled properly, at least. Previously, own goals were awarded to the wrong team - this has now been fixed, and we make it clear during playback and in the summary if there is an own goal.

• Offside: We've had offsides in the simulator for quite some time, but we have only now added a proper notification when it happens. Previously it could be quite confusing to see players just stop and stare, without knowing why.

• Self-awareness: For the first time ever, our players now have some form of self-awareness. Previously, all player acted completely the same, but now their behaviour can change, based on how good they are at certain things. Right now, this has been implemented for finishing. If a player knows that he is not especially good at finishing, he will no longer attempt the really crazy shot where the ball slips into the net a few inches from the post. Instead, he will aim more towards the centre of the goal, to reduce the risk that he misses it completely. This concept will be added in several more of the players' decisions in the future, and we hope it will give each player his own character and style of play based on his stats.

You can see an example of many of the new features in this match, where I give my colleague Bangs United a well-deserved thrashing. This makes me feel a tiny bit better about him being off on vacation, while I'm left here alone in the stuffy Playonic office.