Alpha release is close

It's been a short while since my last post but fear not - there is behind the scenes progress.

I have cracked some pretty significant bugs with the match algorithm and done some extensive testing and tweaking. I think the match part of this program is good enough for release. I will now switch to the menus, team rosters, schedules and other non-match parts of the game to lift the user experience from "awful" to "less awful"!!

I've included an animated gif that shows a game in action. You can see players moving, passing, shooting and there is even one blocked shot. The scoreboard is starting to work - timers are not yet done. The match has simple audio that won't work on a gif.

I think I'll get the menus and user experience lifted and then release to alpha play testers. Be the first to provide emotional support and join the discord =)

https://discord.gg/cRHFqGC4pP

There will be rolling updates after the alpha release to improve:

- all place holder graphics

- audio

- smart algorithm that makes players behave according to their role

- stats

- bug fixes

 I have a new idea I haven't talked about yet - fan factor and fan markets. I'm thinking of having a geographic network of some fantasy country where each team can "capture" a node. This means the fans will support and barrack the team that captures that node. Successful teams will spread across the network and build their fan base. Why? I think more fans = more club income and you can upgrade your home ground with nice equipment. Your home ground might be a local park and then you can upgrade with chairs, then bleachers. You can get shade for your spectators. Water station. Cheer leaders. You might start with few or no spectators and then that builds up.

More wins = more fans = more income = better home ground. Visiting teams experience the awesomeness of your home ground. I don't think I want this to impact the matches/skills/teams/meta but to be a side-quest thing. This is end-state stuff but I thought I'd put that idea out there!

Be the first to join my discord and help influence this game:  https://discord.gg/cRHFqGC4pP