CM4 FAQ

This FAQ applies for CM version 4.0.8 (EP5). Any exceptions will be noted.

Contents
1. General CM4 Questions
a. What is CM4
b. What are the minimum specs
c. What are the recommended specs?
d. How can I make CM run faster?
i. What is the difference between Full and not full detail?
ii. What difference does database size make?
e. Will CM4 worth with AMD processors?
f. How do I play CM4 windowed?
g. How do I play CM4 at 800x600 resolution?
h. Other "hidden" commands.
i. What about "ARSE"
i. How do I add pictures to appear in the background?
k. Can I have someone find me a small club to manage?
l. Can clubs make move to a different ground?
m. Have you started a new game?
n. What is a "first option"?
o. Why can't I release any media stories?
2. Strange Features
a. Why is there a Norwegion reserve league?
b. Why does the scoreline sometimes change mid-match?
c. Why do Northwich have have 200,000+ capacity staduim?
d. Why does the German version of the game have no real players?
e. How many players can I get in one team?
f. Why can I not loan players between premiership teams?
3. Downloads
a. Where can I get the patch?
b. Where can I get tactics/training sceduals/skins/pictures
c. Where can I get data/savegame editors
d. Where can I get independent data updates?
4. "Enhancement Pack" details
a. Will there be another pack release?
b. Should I add the patch or play without it?
c. Do I need to install any EPs before the latest EP release?
d. What are the data patches?
e. What will be included in future releases?
f. What will CM03/04 include?
5. Problems running CM4
a. What do I do if I have a problem?
b. NOCD2 copy protect problems
c. Running slow under Windows NT
d. The score changed when I went to the tactics screen

1. General CM4 Questions

a. What is CM4?
Some sort of football management game or other.

b. What are the minimum specs?
Intel P3 600 Mhz or equivilent
Windows 98/ME/XP
64Mb RAM
800x600 resolution
This will run one league on the minimum small database.

c. What are the recommended specs?
Something above 1Ghz and preferably an Intel P4 processor.
256Mb RAM
This should be capable of running several leagues on a bigger database. CM4
is scaleable so the number of leagues, the level of simulation and the
number of divisions of each is changable.

d. How can I make CM run faster?
Taking a league off Full Detail and using the smaller databases will make CM
go faster. Patches 4.0.3+ patch will run faster than the 4.0.1 version.
i. What is the difference between Full and not full detail? *
Making a league run in not full detail uses a slightly different simmulation
model that is considerably faster. The only noticable difference will be
that 2D replays will not be available in the majority of games in those
leagues. If the league in which you are playing is not set to full detail
the competitions you are playing in will be in Full detail while the
competitions you are no longer involved with will be on the lesser detailed
setting.
ii. What difference does database size make? *
The database for CM4 is approximately twice that of CM01/02. Around 250,000
people will be included if you run a maximum database. It is recommended
that only machines that are truely top end specifications run on a maximum
database.

e. Will CM4 work with AMD processors?
CM4 is optimised for the use of Intel processors. It still operates fine
with AMD chips but an equipilent P4 will run CM faster than an Athlon.

f. How do I play CM4 windowed?
You need to have a resolution higher than that in which CM4 is running
(800x600 or the default 1024x768). Putting "-windowed" at the end of the
command line will force the game to run in a window.

g. How do I run CM at a resolution of 800x600?
You need to stick "-small_screen" at the end of the command line.

h. Other "hidden" options
"-fullscreen" at the command line level - Forces the game to run in full
screen.
"-safe_match" at the command line level - Reduces the probability that
scoreline will change when you go to the tactics screen. Does slow the match
down slightly.
"BIG_BALL" added to Init.cfg - The ball appears bigger on the match screen
making it easier to see.
"INCREMENTAL_SAVE" added to Init.cfg - Autosave will automatically change
the file name it saves the game to.
"GROUND" added to Init.cfg - Clubs can purcase/build new grounds or their
own if they were ground sharing. Clubs that have pre-programmed moves are
already included in CM without this command.
These can all be found in the readme file. init.cfg needs to be created
yourself with a text editor (such as notebook) and added to the
cm4/data/config directory. The effect that the gameplay options has on
pre-existing savegames is less than it would be on a new save.
Team details such as capacity and total cash can be changed by creating a
plain text file called .edt in the data file. If it read as
follows it would give Manchester United Ł200M, 10000 reputation, and give
Old Trafford a capacity of 100K:
BOOST_TEAM" "Man Utd" 200000000 10000 100000
It is also possible to switch teams divisions by using the SWITCH_TEAM
command in the same file. An example of how it works can be seen in the EP5
boost.edt changing Chelsea's financial situation.

h.i. What about "ARSE"
After initial reports that ARSE was't included in CM4 some people have found
that it is. Place ARSE into the self-made init.cfg file and it will give you
the features such as real-life players acting unprofessional, getting
negative reports on the behavour of players from scouts, showing the manager
stats of the board and other similar things.

i. How can I add a picture to the background?
Put them into ***/cm4/data/graphics/backgrounds/default for them to appear
anytime in background.
Put them into ***/cm4/data/graphics/backgrounds/clubs/ for them to
appear in background on that club's squad screens
put them into ***/cm4/data/graphics/backgrounds/stadiums/ for
them to appear in background during a game at that staduim.
Put them into ***/cm4/data/graphics/backgrounds/players/ for
them to appear in background during when a set players details are viewed.
WARNING: If there are a lot of added picture files (especially for players),
the game will slow down due to the extra work load).

k. Can someone find me a small club to manage?
If you are a LLM (lower league manager) then we recommend
http://www.mitchellsclose.co.uk/LLM/LL-Team-Generator.html for finding small
obscure clubs that need to to take them into the top flight.

l. Can clubs make move to a different ground?
Pre-programmed moves that are due to take place are in the game. Adding
"GROUND" to init.cfg will give other clubs the chance to make moves that are
not programmed. For more details see 1h.

m. Have you started a new game?
Well have you? Save games started under prevous patch versions are likely to
not have the fixes applied by that patch and can pick up other bugs and
problems.

n. What is the first option transfer?
A first option is an offer to a deal whereby if the club decide to sell the
player, they have to offer him to you, and cannot reject your offer without
rejecting everyones.

o. Why can't I do any media releases?
Media stories can be released on players who have played 5 games in relative
succession, you can release one a week, and if you pick the
right story, and you're respected enough by the club/player/fans (ie 3 years
of good management of them should be enough) then you'll get a positive
response...

2. Strange Features
a. Why is there a Norwegion reserve league?
In real life there is no reserve league in Norway, only U19s. Some B teams
do play in lower divisions. In real life the teams play a lot of friendlies
to get all their players onto the pitch throught the season. Due to public
demand a reserve league has been added to make things easier.

b. Why does the scoreline sometimes change mid-match?
This is down to a bug that SI are unable to find. It's frequency is much
decreased if CM4 is loaded with "-safe_match" in the command line.

c. Why do Northwich have have 200,000+ capacity staduim?
It's a pre-version 4 bug and not because 1/3rd of the population of Cheshire
watch their matches.

d. Why does the German version of the game only have fictional players?
Licence problems in Germany meant that they couldn't use the real player
data. It is still included with the game though and rumours abound that
adding German to the Init.cfg file will enable real player mode.

e. How many players can I get into one team.
Unlike past versions with a 50 play limit, a limit of 63554 players is in
place for CM4.

f. Why can I not loan players between premiership teams?
After the first season in the game the loan rules in the English Premier
League change from only loaning keepers between rival teams in the same
division, to being able to make full loans between the clubs.

3. Downloads
a. Where can I get the patch?
The fifth enhancement patch is available at the following mirrors.

http://www.champmanworld.com/news/modules.php?name=Downloads&d_op=viewdownload&cid=2
ftp://gamefiles.blueyonder.co.uk/blueyondergames/championshipmanager4/patches/408_enhance_nodata.exe
ftp://gamefiles.blueyonder.co.uk/blueyondergames/championshipmanager4/patches/408_enhance.exe
http://www.cm-hq.co.uk/408_enhance_nodata.exe
or for the Mac
http://gamefiles.blueyonder.co.uk/blueyondergames/championshipmanager4/patches/cm_408_updater.sit

b. Where can I get tactics/training scheduals/skins/pictures
Training sceduals can not be transfered between games.
Skins can be found at the official skins site, www.cmskins.com. You will be
required to register before you can download skins and pictures.

c. Where can I get data/savegame editors?
SI didn't include a pre-game data editor with CM4.
Independent save-game editors can be found at:
Mind Compression - http://www.belangrijk.net/mc/
http://www.casperlab.com/cm4save/cm4saveeditor.zip
Independent pre-game editors can be found at
http://www.nygreen.net
http://www.jonnyrivers.com/

d. Where can I get independent data updates?
Try www.cmeuphoria.co.uk and www.cm4update.co.uk.

4. "Enhancement Pack" details
a. Will there be another pack release?
There are no plans to make further patches for CM4 but CM03/04 is planned
for release in November.

b. Should I add the patch or play without it?
YES. The 4.0.4 patch (Enhancement patch 2) is essential as a bare minimum
and the 4.0.5 is heartily recommended with or without additional player
data. The injury fix for episode 3 is also recommended making the game much
more stable. 4.0.8 makes bugs much harder to find.

c. Do I need to install any episodes before the latest episode release?
No. All patches are cumulative with the latest version fixing all the
problems also fixed in prevous releases. A data update was included with
EP3.

d. What are the data patches?
The with-data patches include a minor update to the player datasets. The
data patches are for Eps3 and 5 and contain the same data.

e. What will be included in future releases?
Future releases of CM will include the ability to loan players with an
option to buy. Tax will also be in a new column in the accounts. Currently
it goes under Other.

f. What will CM03/04 include?

Additions:
Four new leagues over and beyond the original CM4 release (as added in CM4
enhancement packs)
Updated player, team and competition data for the 03/04 season
Pre-game database editor
View previoulsy saved matches

Improvements

Player to player relationships (i.e. indication of players and their
relationships to other players)
Improved media module, the game now gives you more feedback than ever before
Improved match engine (areas such as offside greatly enhanced as well as the
inclusion of visual status indicators)
Goal of the month (and season) awards
Pitches now show the effects of weather and this can affect your teams
performances
Past meetings information screen
Live Cup draws
More intuitive training system
Effects of training now visually indicated on player profile screen
In-game printing
B & U21 International Caps
Improved scout reports (both player and team)
Improved injury news as well as an updated rehabilitation system
Create nicknames for players and managers
New Alternative Skin
Cup Tree View
Coaches now give their own player rankings

5. Problems running CM4
a. What to do if I have a problem.
First check that you aren't running anything in the background that might
disrupt CM.
Second download the latest patch.
Third check the FAQ.
Forth, check the newsgroup asking if you can't find the problem on there.
Finally if you still have no solution then look at the SI support forums and
try their technical support at www.eidosinteractive.co.uk/support/index.html
b. NOCD2 copy protection problems.
This occures when you have a DVD cd-writer combo drive. If you have two
drives then use the other one. This problem is fixed in the 4.0.3 patch.
c. Running slow under Windows XP
Windows XP SP1 has a problem that has been fixed in a patch from Mircosoft.
It speeds the game up a great deal. It can be found at
http://www.iebeta.net/files/Q815411_WXP_SP2_x86_ENU.exe
d. The score changed when I went to the tactics screen
The reason for this bug wasn't found before the release of the last patch,
but it can be prevented by adding "-safe_match" to the command line when you
launch the game. This will cause a fraction of a second pause whenever
leaving the tactics screen during a match but it will prevent the score line
from changing.

6. Why is this FAQ so empty?

Possibly because half the things that could be included in it can be found
at the official CM4 FAQ. They focus mainly on technical problems.
http://community.sigames.com/1/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=21019056&f=66919117&m=5571901826

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