HB Studios Next-Gen golf game: The Golf Club

[J_Cauthen]

Is anyone else with the Xbox One expericing extremely fequent disconnects? I am seeing it more and more over the last week. Last night I was just trying to setup a new tournamnet (did they change this interface by the way?), and I finally gave up after the 4th time I was disconnected in the middle of trying to set it up. When I lose connection, the only way back in is to go back out to the main Xbox One Menu, phyiscally log out of Xbox Live, which I am still actively connected to, and then log back into The Golf Club. Very frustrating. A couple nights ago I did finally make it through an entire 18 without a disconnect or freeze, but it was about 3:00am EDT. I have deleted the game completely off the One, and re-downloaded twice now.

I was on roughly around 3AM to 4AM (EDT) this morning playing the XB1 version for the first time in a while. I experienced no disconnects in that time. The only times I've ever lost connection on the XB1 version. I just had to go back to the main TGC menu and select "Reconnect" and got right back online. There's some weird stuff going on with this game and its servers though, on both the XB1 and PS4 versions. I'm actually getting more disconnects on the PS4 version, but not enough to be a game killer.

BTW, HB Studios confirmed that they will submit the XB1 version patch to Microsoft today. I suspect we'll have a much more reliable game, and perhaps one that looks a little better, and possibly even animates a little better once it's been installed.

[J_Cauthen]

Don, this might get your XB1 TGC juices flowing! A new developer blog speaking primarily of the XB1 version patch that was submitted to Microsoft on Friday, check it out here:

http://thegolfclubgame.com/2014/09/12/xbox-one-patch-submitted/.

From the looks of the information contained in this article, it looks like they've made more sweeping fixes and improvements to the XB1 version than most of us would have imagined. The biggest impression I got from reading it was how much the point of "improved frame rate" was emphasized. I agree that it's the area that's in the most need for attention on both console versions of The Golf Club, but as an owner of each, I can easily say that it needs shoring up more with the XB1 version. Improved frame rate is cited as a benefit from changes and fixes in three separate bullets in the blog that are being treated by the patch:

1.) Several Memory Leak Issues

Improved stability.

Improved frame rate.

Course Saving error after a few hours of play – fixed.

Fixed crash that could occur if the user stayed on a certain screens for an extended period of time.


2.) Improved Performance

Optimisations, to improve frame rate.


3.) Audio

FMod Thread affinity fix.

Also improved frame rate of the game.

I think HBS is trying to emphasize that they understand the need for frame rate improvement in the XB1 version and I'm relieved to see that they are putting such a high priority on it. Regarding bullet #3, as a game coding layman, can someone explain to me how one improves the frame rate of a game via a change to the audio? I'n not saying it can't happen, I'm just trying to expand my understanding of the relationship between the two. I'm also unsure or what is meant by an "FMod Thread Affinity"?

One final note I'd like to add here is that I'd recalled that some 'graphics enhancement' would be seen in the XB1 version thanks to the new SDK that Microsoft has put in their hands. The only improvement item listed in the patch blog relating to the new SDK was "This fixed issues with blocky Terrain Editing within course designer." I was hoping that what this might have also meant in terms of graphics enhancement was the implementation of some degree of antialiasing, or perhaps and increase in the level of anisotropic filtering? Maybe it's there and the blog simply didn't mention it?

Nonetheless, I think we're going to have a much more stable and playable game once this patch is applied to the XB1 version of The Golf Club!

[DivotMaker]

Is anyone else with the Xbox One expericing extremely fequent disconnects? I am seeing it more and more over the last week. Last night I was just trying to setup a new tournamnet (did they change this interface by the way?), and I finally gave up after the 4th time I was disconnected in the middle of trying to set it up. When I lose connection, the only way back in is to go back out to the main Xbox One Menu, phyiscally log out of Xbox Live, which I am still actively connected to, and then log back into The Golf Club. Very frustrating. A couple nights ago I did finally make it through an entire 18 without a disconnect or freeze, but it was about 3:00am EDT. I have deleted the game completely off the One, and re-downloaded twice now.

Cost me big time in the PS4 DSP tournament this AM....was on the 17th hole at Ballyntyne and hit a gorgeous 4 iron into an 11 MPH headwind two hops and into the hole for an eagle, my second of the round when I got the lost connection notice. Tried to log back in and couldn't for almost 30 minutes. When I was able to resume, the ball went about 20 yards to the left of the pin into the rough and I left the hole with a double bogey instead of an eagle....a 4 shot swing which cost me as I finished the tournament at -8 when it should have been -12 at the least.....hope they get this crap sorted on both platforms.....

[DivotMaker]

Got screwed again, this time by the interface. Played the other DSP tournament with only the 3 rounds and shot -6 on the par 3 course. Chose to go back to the main menu instead of advancing and it simply canceled my score and progress. I hate advancing because it takes you to the next tee and I would rather have the option to either go to the next tee to go back to the main menu. I should not lose my best ever Par 3 round nor my progress due to the interface not being clear that you will lose your round......

[10spro]

Got screwed again, this time by the interface. Played the other DSP tournament with only the 3 rounds and shot -6 on the par 3 course. Chose to go back to the main menu instead of advancing and it simply canceled my score and progress. I hate advancing because it takes you to the next tee and I would rather have the option to either go to the next tee to go back to the main menu. I should not lose my best ever Par 3 round nor my progress due to the interface not being clear that you will lose your round......

That's one heck of rounder man. Wow! I didn't know that I would have had to play all the 3 tourneys at once without saving the score at the original Long Par 3 course since I left for my trip. When I came back late last night, the best I shot on that par 3 course was a -1. So I went on to finish the other two courses and I was a disaster. Combination of jet lag and poor course management made me end the tournament in double digits as in +14 for the three tournaments.

Wished there was a save chance after a particular course or two instead of playing it all at once without losing the score.

For others that haven't played the PS4 tourney, it is still good until Tuesday.

[DivotMaker]

Thanks, was a lot of fun. Chipped two in for birds as well.

Now I realize the only way to save your round is to press the advance button at the end of each round. You can save mid round by exiting the round from the options menu.

[DivotMaker]

Server performance on the PS4 is very poor today....constantly losing connection in game and even getting the game to launch in online mode is piss poor.....done for today. Wasted enough time on this crap already....

[J_Cauthen]

I know they said they had server issues with one of the PS4 servers yesterday, but I get the sense that we aren't going to see more reliable online play and consistent tournament scoring until the 1st patches on both the XB1 and PS4 versions.

[DivotMaker]

Got screwed again, this time by the interface. Played the other DSP tournament with only the 3 rounds and shot -6 on the par 3 course. Chose to go back to the main menu instead of advancing and it simply canceled my score and progress. I hate advancing because it takes you to the next tee and I would rather have the option to either go to the next tee to go back to the main menu. I should not lose my best ever Par 3 round nor my progress due to the interface not being clear that you will lose your round......

Update....I did get credit for the round as I went to play this tournament again and it put me in the 2nd round giving me credit for the -6 in round one. Strange interface. Round 2 was the worst I have ever played in this game with a +8. Not sure if you guys who played had 17-18 MPH winds, but that was a beast and I could not get anything going. Server performance was much better last night around 9-10PM CDT. Going to play the last rounds now....

[DivotMaker]

I know they said they had server issues with one of the PS4 servers yesterday, but I get the sense that we aren't going to see more reliable online play and consistent tournament scoring until the 1st patches on both the XB1 and PS4 versions.

Anxious to see this game improve as I really like the gameplay challenge and those who say it is too easy to hit straight....play on the PS4 with a DS4 and tell me that with a "straight face".....but I am making the transition to the DS4 and can see myself moving forward with the DS4 solely after being an MS guy for years. I will say this though, I do miss the XBox Live interface and I do miss playing on the One...wish the systems were more equal and that gap is closing, but will likely never close on the rendering part. If MS can get the One to perform even better, I can see myself picking up a One around the time PGA TOUR comes out in the Spring.....

[J_Cauthen]

Update....I did get credit for the round as I went to play this tournament again and it put me in the 2nd round giving me credit for the -6 in round one.

A 21 on the Long Pond Par 3 course is smokin'... you might have the course record for that because I saw some guys bragging about matching NevadaBallin's 22 there. Are you knocking 'em stiff or rolling some long putts there?

Strange interface. Round 2 was the worst I have ever played in this game with a +8. Not sure if you guys who played had 17-18 MPH winds, but that was a beast and I could not get anything going. Server performance was much better last night around 9-10PM CDT. Going to play the last rounds now....

The highest winds I saw in the DSP Tour was 12 mph, at Ballentyne National. The winds seem to get overly punitive above 15 mph, IMO. I was playing a Links course last night where there were up to 23 mph winds and some of the effects were circus like... can't say I really enjoyed it because it became an extreme physics adaptation game at that point. Server performance was better last night, but I still think we're in for some more rough sailing until they get the first patch done.

[J_Cauthen]

I was thinking of setting up sort of a trial run of a DSP Tour on the PS4, just to gauge interest and a traditional tour functionality. What I had in mind was a three, 72 hole tournament tour at three popular courses of different themes. If we've got a half dozen or more players who would be interested, it would probably be worth the effort to give it a go... any thoughts on this?

[10spro]

Update....I did get credit for the round as I went to play this tournament again and it put me in the 2nd round giving me credit for the -6 in round one.

A 21 on the Long Pond Par 3 course is smokin'... you might have the course record for that because I saw some guys bragging about matching NevadaBallin's 22 there. Are you knocking 'em stiff or rolling some long putts there?

Strange interface. Round 2 was the worst I have ever played in this game with a +8. Not sure if you guys who played had 17-18 MPH winds, but that was a beast and I could not get anything going. Server performance was much better last night around 9-10PM CDT. Going to play the last rounds now....

The highest winds I saw in the DSP Tour was 12 mph, at Ballentyne National. The winds seem to get overly punitive above 15 mph, IMO. I was playing a Links course last night where there were up to 23 mph winds and some of the effects were circus like... can't say I really enjoyed it because it became an extreme physics adaptation game at that point. Server performance was better last night, but I still think we're in for some more rough sailing until they get the first patch done.

Saw that and I tried the course. Hated the wind, shot a +16, just brutal conditions. Felt like quitting half way really.

[DivotMaker]

I was thinking of setting up sort of a trial run of a DSP Tour on the PS4, just to gauge interest and a traditional tour functionality. What I had in mind was a three, 72 hole tournament tour at three popular courses of different themes. If we've got a half dozen or more players who would be interested, it would probably be worth the effort to give it a go... any thoughts on this?

I'm in....

[Diablo25]

I was thinking of setting up sort of a trial run of a DSP Tour on the PS4, just to gauge interest and a traditional tour functionality. What I had in mind was a three, 72 hole tournament tour at three popular courses of different themes. If we've got a half dozen or more players who would be interested, it would probably be worth the effort to give it a go... any thoughts on this?

I'm in....

I'd give it a whirl.

[J_Cauthen]

Three more yays and I'll make it happen. I sort of get the feeling that some are biding their time for this game to be patched properly before they commit to it. I know I'm a bit reluctant to engage in any sort of Tour play right now because of it; that's why I'm wanting to do this trial bit.

[Gangrel]

So who plays this on Xbox? I see mostly Diablo Jay and Hogz when I browse for ghost rounds......

[TheTruth]

So who plays this on Xbox? I see mostly Diablo Jay and Hogz when I browse for ghost rounds......

Honestly, I'm waiting for the first patch. Plus I'm out on vacation, so not even near my xbox for another week. I haven't played much at all outside the first few weeks of release. The lag/server issues just put a damper on it too much. Then you have Destiny and then FIFA soon. But I could see playing 6-7 rounds a week with how quick you can get 18 in, especially if we had some weekly tournament/tour set up.

[10spro]

Count me for the trial John.

[RobVarak]

So who plays this on Xbox? I see mostly Diablo Jay and Hogz when I browse for ghost rounds......

I played a fair bit the first week or so. Been trying to polish off Divinity, so I haven't been on as much lately.

[dbdynsty25]

Three more yays and I'll make it happen. I sort of get the feeling that some are biding their time for this game to be patched properly before they commit to it. I know I'm a bit reluctant to engage in any sort of Tour play right now because of it; that's why I'm wanting to do this trial bit.

In...on the PS4.

[J_Cauthen]

I'll set this trial PS4 DSP Tour up later today and we'll see how it goes. I think it would be good to have it set to finish by September 30th, which is a roughly when I expect the PS4 patch to drop. That patch could change things significantly enough to where Tour and Tournament play will make more sense and be more reliable than what we've seen so far.

[J_Cauthen]

So who plays this on Xbox? I see mostly Diablo Jay and Hogz when I browse for ghost rounds......

I played it a good bit the week it was out before the PS4 version launched. It's a reasonably solid game, provided you're playing a course that doesn't bring the XB1 to its knees. I'll be playing it with a lot more interest once the projected September 22nd patch is released. It sounds like it will fix a lot of the major beefs I have with it right now. If I can play Ross Hollow Golf Club after the patch, without feeling like I'm swinging a club underwater, this patch will have been a success.

Ross Hollow is the most extreme example of a quality course that's rendered unplayable because of frame rate lag, but there are plenty of others that are also difficult to unaplayble plays due to slow frame rates. The PS4 version also suffers from frame rate lag, but no to the same extreme as the XB1. I still find Ross Hollow unplayable on the PS4, but I can play Dunwoody Leicht on the PS4, whereas I find it unplayable on the XB1. This patch for the XB1 is going to show me a lot about how well HBS is able to adapt to what I consider to be game crippling issues, both on the software and networking fronts.

[Leebo33]

Three more yays and I'll make it happen. I sort of get the feeling that some are biding their time for this game to be patched properly before they commit to it. I know I'm a bit reluctant to engage in any sort of Tour play right now because of it; that's why I'm wanting to do this trial bit.

In...on the PS4.

Somebody has to finish last...so I'm in too on PS4.

[MERACE]

Three more yays and I'll make it happen. I sort of get the feeling that some are biding their time for this game to be patched properly before they commit to it. I know I'm a bit reluctant to engage in any sort of Tour play right now because of it; that's why I'm wanting to do this trial bit.

In...on the PS4.

I'm in too for PS4.

Going forward, if you decide to setup tournaments and tours in the future can you also set them up for the guys on Xbox1?


-MERACE