# Release naming and replacement policy

## Current public website release — 2026-11-04-r2

Exact already-qualified ROM `89734acf17e7412e4b0aef71039cdcd4737231ba2fa801ccaece72f6eb794355` (CRC32 `2C608F83`),472 native/test sources, source-set `58ff79db84a60e54628e7ac96cbf450f226b3d7984de1af8790f7275da4a772d`.128/128 mandatory groups plus13 supplemental groups pass, with the initial127/128 capture-selector failure and complete18-child affected requalification disclosed.768 footer contexts and real opened H32/H40 pictures pass; grey fields, calibrated Edmonton94→99 OVR, replay continuation and player-centre blue-line penalty rules are included.

Website-only publication: no ROM edits, new test matrix, local/Bodin installation, save reset or user RetroArch operation. Downloads/remaps/progress are preserved. The latest-BIN button is centred first;101-word English introduction precedes the retained4:57 film, accurately labelled as a2026-11-03-r2 recording. Manual controller/live-multiplayer acceptance remains. [Current release, rules, source and QA](H32_FOOTER_RELEASE_20261104_R2.md). Earlier dated sections below are history; the former Nov5 wait was explicitly revoked and the full qualification is complete.


## Final current checkpoint —2026-11-03-r2 (Beta)

Released locally and publicly: SHA256 `20793fce15e640bf60d31c48e95bd0d284105fc07f8ae01ed08b1a579b37e99f`;
CRC32 `966FE68B`. **128/128 required groups pass on465 exact native/test
source hashes**, with the original failed full batch retained and four entire
affected groups requalified through an audited six-file host-test-only closure.
Twenty independent control/rollback builds, extracted-source exact rebuild and
original-base IPS reconstruction pass. No later website task changes this ROM.

Main-menu speed/sequencer continuity, exact root Games credits URL, eligible
downed-skater Y selection and consistent actual-roster team OVR are qualified.
Quickgame retains four human splits; Allstar additionally offers CPU and black/
red uniforms. Preseason transfers and the restored native presentation remain.

The separate image-to-title audit checks123 original image files/232 old placements,
corrects21 explicit bindings and inventories **239 final placements/128 image URLs**.
Fresh same-ROM captures show actual owned purchases, framed centred menu help,
dollar amounts, keeper possession/arrows, faceoff stars, Overall and a matched
172KMH shot/replay pair. Historical originals/notes/audit bytes are retained;
fixture scopes, current captions and manual limits are explicit.
Final public desktop1440/mobile390/320 browser evidence and image/body/link checks
are recorded in [the completed image audit](IMAGE_TITLE_AUDIT_20261103_R2.md).

The public market guide explicitly explains separate cash transactions, Free
Agents, no automatic player swaps/replacements or CPU recruitment, legal squad/
budget guards and a conditional McDavid/Draisaitl example. This is documentation
of existing behavior; the native transfer economy/rules remain unchanged.

Local installation preserves configs/remaps and138 unrelated saves. Three old
matching progress files were cleared only at this new release, after normal user
frontend exit. All three original runtime histories remain hash-preserved and
are merged into the current item. Legitimate new-version play is preserved.
Bodin delivery remains queued while the known host is offline; no remote install
is claimed. Physical controllers, extended human play/audio preference and live
jdc/Bodin multiplayer remain beta acceptance. The older9:33 film is clearly dated
2026-11-02-r2. Earlier dated sections below are historical snapshots, superseded
by this current checkpoint.


## Main-menu, explicit Y and actual-roster OVR —2026-11-03-r2

Main-menu-only sequencer service preserves complete checksums and continuous
music timing; maximum blocked frames24→10 for scrolling and69→57 for mode changes.
Both final traces match idle clock/channels exactly. A literal restart command
was not reproduced. Startup credits show https://games.jdc.se. Explicit Y admits
an eligible downed human's keeper request without healing or bypassing native
guards. Ordinary team presentations now use the actual roster mean before/after
transfers: fresh Edmonton57, improving trades61 (two sales) or62 (four sales).
Player attributes, OVR-based prices/budgets and season accounting remain unchanged.

**128/128 mandatory groups pass on465 exact native/test source hashes**;20 independent
full controls/rollbacks, extracted-source rebuild and original-base IPS pass.
123 actual native originals are opened, refreshing102 existing current picture IDs.
[Behavior/scope](MAIN_MENU_Y_OVR_20261103_R2.md) ·
[Exact qualification](QA_20261103_R2_LOGS.md) · [Native review](GRAPHICAL_FINAL_20261103_R2.md).
Local/public delivery and opened public desktop/mobile review: pending.
Physical controllers/live multiplayer and subjective feel remain manual beta limits.
Older dated sections below are historical snapshots, superseded by this checkpoint.


## Transfer dollars and framed menu controls —2026-11-03

Transfer prices, budgets, purchases and sales now display dollar amounts with dot
thousands separators: one unchanged internal unit is $1.000. Initial $16.042.000
still exactly funds an OVR99 star plus an OVR79 middle player. The native economy,
rosters and save accounting remain unchanged. Main-menu help is centred inside
the existing native frame style; all 26 settings remain selectable through five
visible rows. QG-V01 was already repaired in r2; fresh reproductions correct the
previous stale unresolved label without changing Stars native code.

**125/125 required groups pass on 444 native/test source hashes**, with all original
failed batches retained and complete affected test-only requalification disclosed.
Fifteen independent controls/rollbacks, exact ZIP-source rebuild and original-base
IPS reconstruction pass. All 102 current website picture IDs use this final ROM;
123 native captures and 18 public desktop/mobile screenshots are opened and pass.
718 public HTTPS checks pass; historical assets are preserved.
The sound tour remains explicitly the authentic r2 recording.

SHA256 `7d1fc931f5a5a4958b1eefcc05f00661b5321a6a1b2404d7563c98a22b8eb262`; CRC32 `61F87B0A`.
[Behavior/scale/Stars erratum](USD_FOOTER_20261103.md) ·
[Exact qualification](QA_20261103_LOGS.md) · [Opened graphics](GRAPHICAL_FINAL_20261103.md).
Local/public delivery: installed and verified. Bodin: offline, authorized queue pending.
Physical USB/phone operation and subjective play feel remain manual.


## Final website and native-sound tour acceptance — 2026-11-02-r2

M24 complete:102 opened native images +36 opened public desktop/mobile pages.
M25 delivered with disclosed limits:9:33/71 native-sound clips, highest homepage
player;9 final public playback screenshots opened at1440/390/320. Actual H264/AAC
playback, nonsilent audio graph and71 chapter links pass. All50 public game-feature
sections +4 groups inventoried; not every edge case is filmed.
[Movie/coverage](../../video/) · [Playback report](VIDEO_FEATURE_TOUR_20261102_R2.md).
ROM remains qualified124/124 on443 sources, unchanged c68333a8422b6e3754350ef2abd646951d85f6e2c2cd0f987dff1f184aa53b17.
Local/site released; Bodin offline queued. No user frontend or new progress touched.
Physical USB/phones, subjective play feel/loudness and explicit unshown cases
remain limitations; inherited compact Stars shootout tie remains documented.


## Transfers, Allstar CPU and presentation —2026-11-02-r2

Preseason Transfers On/Off sits directly below Icing. Native OVR² prices and
budget16042 cover one star(85–99) plus one middle(60–79) at both upper bounds;
valid squads, nonnegative funds, Free Agents, atomic storage and played-season
locks are retained. The original native overall/hot-cold presentation is restored
with current ordinary, transferred and Allstar data. Allstar adds1vsCPU and keeps
four human splits with blackA/redB uniforms; Quickgame offers only four human
splits under the latest explicit policy. Ordinary32club uniforms stay exact.

HUD/menu/default refinements include right-side Momentum bars, framed above-clock
powerplay, clean replay, shared shot/pass charge, KMH/MPH, optional fragile glass,
permanent painted dots/OT rules, consistent readable page help and five native
0:40 beeps. Real Draisaitl line editing is repaired and permanently regression-tested.
The friendly planned-catch guard preserves native movement/physics and general
busy-shot exclusions; no new Hard strength search or win-rate claim.

**124/124 required checks pass** on **443 native/test source hashes**.
The complete same-ROM matrix plus complete affected test-only observer rechecks
and strict host-timeout retry are separately recorded, with original failed
batches retained.14 independent controls/rollbacks, byte-exact source/ZIP rebuild
and original-base IPS reconstruction pass.102 native originals are opened; current
website images replace77 old slots, while32logos/115historical assets are retained.
Local installation and public browser checks are tracked separately; Bodin delivery
requires connection/normal exit. Physical USB/play feel/audio salience stay manual.

SHA256 `c68333a8422b6e3754350ef2abd646951d85f6e2c2cd0f987dff1f184aa53b17`; CRC32 `4B82D65A`.
[Current behavior/pricing](TRANSFERS_REFINEMENTS_20261102_R2.md) ·
[Exact qualification](QA_20261102_R2_LOGS.md) ·
[Opened graphics](GRAPHICAL_FINAL_20261102_R2.md).
M25 native-sound video remains LAST after release and M24 public review.


## Replay HUD, Quickgame CPU option and menu texture — 2026-11-02

Automatic replay retains the measured shot's coloured bar, both speed units and
pre-replay lower-left clock/frame. REPLAY uses its own native VCR pattern bank,
so the speed text no longer corrupts the heading. Power-play captions retain
ownership of their clock interior, including during a temporary native redraw.

The mode is displayed as **Quickgame**. Its four human splits remain, alongside
**1 vs CPU** (P1 home; entirely CPU away), using ordinary pads or the adapter.
Allstar retains its four human-only splits and black A/red B uniforms. Games,
OT/shootouts and returning to an existing season retain native results/progress.

The supplied image 78 is used only for the menu background. The NHL94/Season
Edition startup picture and routine remain byte-identical, with matching real
startup screenshots. Native club/logo/font/panel palettes remain in use. P3 now uses bright neon
green; P1 blue, P2 red, P4 yellow and the red goal retain their entries. The
fixed green entry is shared with a few small crowd/background details, which
also brighten. Ordinary club and Allstar jersey palettes remain unchanged.

All **112 mandatory suites pass** on this exact ROM and **353 hashed sources**. The whole matrix ran freshly. Nine independent builds, exact R7 rollback, the pre-neon control, six matched controls and original-base IPS reconstruction pass. Original AutoReplayOn scenes: **38/40 raw-exact**; every partial native decoder sample is recorded and proven against the same packed record. Separate declared AutoReplayOff scenes: **40/40 raw-exact**. Ten active negative controls reject invalid changes. Physical USB/four-person play feel remains manual. No new Hard win-rate claim. Preseason transfers and the original season overall/hot-cold screen remain ordered next work.

ROM SHA256: <code style="overflow-wrap:anywhere">b29af4d9300da2f4d989e9537a0c94f2da43f701fdb6054f4c5b9ce5040fc3d8</code>; CRC32: `887FFBD3`.
See [REPLAY_QUICK_MENU_20261102.md](REPLAY_QUICK_MENU_20261102.md),
[exact QA](QA_STATUS.json), and [opened native images](../../audits/replay-quickgame-menu-20261102/).


## Native Allstar teams — 2026-11-01-r7

**ALLSTAR MODE** uses the same human-only 1v1, 1v2, 1v3 and 2v2 flow as Quickgame.
Two virtual teams contain 52 unique players selected by the actual native
zero-hot/cold overall calculation: best 6 G, 16 D, 10 C, 10 LW and 10 RW. A,B,B,A snake
allocation within each natural position gives each team 3 G, 8 D, 5 C, 5 LW and 5 RW,
with 8 valid native lines. Base attributes, names, portraits and critical-shot
ratings follow the real selected players. Ordinary 32 club records stay intact.

Allstar A/B replace inherited city-title bitmaps. Team overall is the floor of the mean of all 26 actual native zero-hot/cold player overall values (82/82); ordinary club ratings remain unchanged. Allstar A wears all-black uniforms and Allstar B wears all-red uniforms, in both native uniform banks. Original rink/centre-logo artwork remains. Native AI teammates fill
other positions; there is no entirely CPU opponent option. All four human
splits, B/Y control and actual pad rotation in tied-OT shootouts are checked.

All **106 mandatory suites pass** on this exact ROM and **339 hashed sources**. The entire matrix executed freshly. Independent rebuild, exact R6 rollback, six fresh matched controls and original-base IPS reconstruction pass. **36/40** ordinary 600-frame scenes are raw-exact to fresh R6; every difference and the complete older comparison chain remain recorded. No new Hard win-rate claim. Physical USB hardware and subjective play feel remain manual tests.
No new Hard win-rate claim. Transfers and the original overall/hot-cold screen
remain dependent work, not implemented by this release.

ROM SHA256:<code style="overflow-wrap:anywhere">6e66c0afe2496eb3f6a688c29888ca62b17aee0b0f51efec96d11dce5e842b31</code>; CRC32:`9F6EBE75`.
See [ALLSTAR_R7.md](ALLSTAR_R7.md), [exact QA](QA_STATUS.json), and
[opened native screenshots](../../audits/allstar-r7-20261101/).


## Human-versus-human Quickgame — 2026-11-01-r6

Native **QUICKGAME** offers exactly **1 vs 1,1 vs 2,1 vs 3,2 vs 2** human
controllers. P1 is home; P2 is away in1v1; P2–P3 away in1v2; P2–P4 away in1v3;
P1–P2 home/P3–P4 away in2v2. No CPU-only opponent option is offered. Native AI
teammates fill the other positions. A four-player adapter is required for3/4pads;
without it the menu/actual sides use1v1. Modern Y keeper selection and immediate
B switching cover both human teams. Tied-OT shootouts rotate real physical
pads on each side, including P3/P4, preserving native attempt/keeper/score rules.

Quick pregame, pause and result menus exclude Simulate Match, Abandon Season,
Season Standings and Scoring Leaders. Existing season records are preserved by
Quick matches and by return to Full/Light/Mini; this differs from the mandatory
fresh-progress reset performed when installing any new ROM release.

All **103 mandatory suites pass** on this exact ROM and **333 hashed sources**. Full matrix plus an independently repeated maintenance-report aggregation correction; unchanged checks retain their exact executed source bytes. Independent rebuild, exact R5 rollback, six fresh matched controls and original-base IPS reconstruction pass. Eight of40 ordinary600-frame scenes are raw-exact to fresh R5; every difference and the complete older comparison chain are retained. No new Hard win-rate claim.
ROM SHA256:`49c8b23b940a9c5368580dfcad11626a3ffbd4a51cdcae10ca8c9ce01f642487`;
CRC32:`F137D497`. See [QUICKGAME_R6.md](QUICKGAME_R6.md),
[exact current QA](QA_STATUS.json) and the
[dated native screenshot gallery](../../audits/quickgame-r6-20261101/).


## Momentum, lower-left shot meter and native positioning — 2026-11-01-r5

**Momentum: On/Off**, default On, controls the existing earned up-to-±10% boost.
Off removes scaling, consumes events and hides bars; Easy100/20/full energy is
independent. The dual-unit shot meter replaces the lower-left NHL badge, with
an automatic power-play-caption fallback. Native receiving and Hard defensive
arrival now retain actual tracking and braking without writing motion/results.

All **100 required suites pass** on this exact image and 325 hashed test/build
sources. The formerly retained receiver geometry check passes. Independent
rebuild, exact Nov1r4 rollback and original-base IPS reconstruction pass.
7/40 ordinary 600-frame scenes are raw-exact to fresh r4 controls; every
difference and the complete older comparison chain remain recorded. No new
Hard win-rate series. Earlier 90/100, 95/100 and 99/100 failures are retained.

See [MOMENTUM_LEFT_R5.md](MOMENTUM_LEFT_R5.md),
[MOMENTUM_LEFT_RESULT.json](MOMENTUM_LEFT_RESULT.json), and the additional
[request-by-request audit](FINAL_AUDIT_R5.md). Human keeper-outlet confirmation,
retained-variant preferences and unreachable Bodin delivery remain explicit.
ROM SHA256: `db244dd005f960a9923c44f0dc4168fb938af227a5e9aa97f24d376fd295291e`; CRC32: `99166AFE`.

## Optional painted-dot faceoffs — 2026-11-01-r4

Independent start-menu **Faceoff Dots: Off/On**, default Off. On maps the final
native stoppage point to the nearest painted point within its native region.
Off retains the inherited free neutral-zone point policy. Native formations,
puck placement, line selection, camera and renderer remain responsible.
Native and Full/Light/Mini save separately and seasons lock after match one.

The whole-formation displacement is reproduced on exact unmodified old/current
ROMs after a declared native queued minor: point(-14,-12), centres(-14,-27) and
(-14,3). On gives point(0,0), centres(0,-15) and(0,15). This matches the reported
appearance; the exact original incident history is not authenticated. Earlier
centre-only observers excluded displaced points. This is an optional coordinate
policy, not a claim of full NHL faceoff-location rules or a renderer repair.

All 97 suites execute:96 pass; retained finisher_hold remains failed with current
measurements disclosed. Strict gate FAILED. New geometry/ABI/save/menu/native
foul/lifetime tests pass. Independent rebuild, exact Nov1 r3 rollback, five matched
AI controls and original-base IPS reconstruction pass. 38/40 ordinary scenes
are raw-exact to fresh Nov1 r3; every difference and older comparison is retained.
See FACEOFF_DOTS_R4.md and FACEOFF_DOTS_RESULT.json.

ROM SHA256:c32a79e34127757b52cd488c124c9247bf7b875088bac89956a6b7ca2b132cf6; CRC32:AD52D7BA.

## Optional Hard AI shot planning — 2026-11-01-r3

Independent start-menu **AI Shot Plan: Off/On**, default Off. On lets a quiet
Hard CPU carrier defer a covered middle-distance ordinary shot, preserving
native passing and using two lateral approach targets when space permits.
Real keeper openings, close finishes, useful long shots and already buffered
one-timers retain native decisions. Pressure keeps native steering/evasion;
after 96 actual carrier-target observations the deferral ends. Native movement,
attributes, shot/pass physics, ownership and results remain responsible for play.

Native and Full/Light/Mini preferences save separately and lock after match one.
Normal/Easy and every active human pad are guarded. The accepted38-win base
remains complete; this optional experiment makes no new win-rate claim.

All 96 required suites execute:95 pass; the retained receiver-hold test remains
failed, with changed measurements explicitly recorded. Strict gate FAILED.
The original complete matrix and its Easy test-observer failure are preserved;
the entire Easy suite passes after correcting its loaded-actor packet predicate,
with256 native observer ABI cases and an active bad-skill negative control.
No cartridge byte changes for that correction. Independent rebuild, exact Nov1 r2
rollback, five matched AI controls and original-base IPS reconstruction pass.
21/40 ordinary scenes are raw-exact to fresh Nov1 r2; every difference and the
entire earlier chain remain recorded. See AI_SHOT_PLAN_R3.md and
AI_SHOT_PLAN_RESULT.json for behavior, all hooks, tests and limits.

ROM SHA256:0b4b104cf31e3b78d5f686349bbaad73ed54ba491c23c6ac661aca02eca396ca; CRC32:BD66F658.

## Optional overtime shootout roster and spin rules — 2026-11-01-r2

Independent start-menu **OT SO Rules: Off/On**, default Off. On rotates the
available native skaters before reuse, excluding every actual goalkeeper
and native injury states. Both clubs may reuse when the smaller eligible pool
has shot. Actual native roster/attribute loading, attempt advancement, goals,
keeper paths and single-miss accounting remain responsible for the result.
A full signed body rotation before the shot ends the attempt. Facing uses its
complete native16.16 angle, so a nearly complete spin remains legal.

This applies to the tied-overtime extension; native standalone Arcade Shootout
keeps its original roster behavior. Native play and Full/Light/Mini save
separately; seasons lock after match one. Existing auto-start, progress,
single-shot and controller behavior remain independent.

All 95 required suites execute:94 pass; only the inherited receiver-hold
geometry failure remains. Strict gate FAILED. 4 complete affected suites
were requalified after scope/navigation test corrections; the first full matrix
and every original failure remain retained. Independent rebuild, exactNov1
rollback, five matched AI controls and original-base IPS reconstruction pass.
40/40 ordinary scenes are raw-exact to fresh Nov1; every earlier comparison
and retained difference remains recorded. No Hard win-rate search.
See STRICT_SO_R2.md and STRICT_SO_RESULT.json.

ROM SHA256:984854649bb9528f9dfc2200d43237cb2a3ab2cbe5cc847fde1ef10d375e660f; CRC32:95D98D33.

## Optional alternative goalkeepers — 2026-11-01

Independent start-menu **Alt Goalies: Off/On**, default Off, implements an
experimental reach21 and catch/rebound model from floating#217606. On keeps
native keeper animations, ownership, saves and outlets; real released shots
may produce cornerward, short/long rinkward or slow/fast goalward rebounds.
Distance and screening change the explicit experimental outcome distribution.
Rebound speed is conservatively capped by incoming horizontal speed. A same-shot
rebound entering the net counts one native goal, one SOG and one keeper SA.
Native play and Full/Light/Mini save separately; seasons lock after match one.

All94 required suites execute:93 pass; only the inherited receiver-hold
geometry failure remains, so the strict gate is FAILED. One complete pass-mode
suite was requalified on the sameROM after extending its actual-input window;
the first full matrix and its P3 coverage failure remain retained. Independent rebuild,
exact r11 rollback, matched AI controls and original-base IPS reconstruction
pass. 19/40 ordinary scenes are raw-exact to fresh r11 controls; every
difference and earlier parent chain remain recorded. No Hard win-rate search.
See ALT_GOALIES_20261101.md and ALT_GOALIES_RESULT.json.

ROM SHA256:331a12164cd1102d4dbbaecea21d7ea12d7f710b79d9c6eaa971cb7d31bc1840; CRC32:C1A1B3B5.

## Optional pass pickup delay — 2026-10-31-r11

The start menu now has an independent **Pickup Delay: Off/On**, default Off.
On adds a minimum six native updates of contact cooldown to active skaters on
both teams when an ordinary human B pass is actually released. During this
short interval skaters cannot take stick possession or make body deflections.
Goalkeepers, boards and nets retain their native response. Existing longer
cooldowns stay intact; CPU passes and requested CPU keeper outlets stay native.
This is an experimental passing choice, separate from all other pass settings.
It saves separately for native play and each season and locks after match one.

All 93 suites execute: 92 pass; the inherited receiver-hold geometry failure
remains failed. Strict gate: FAILED. Four affected complete suites were
requalified on this unchanged ROM after observer corrections; the first complete
matrix and every original failure remain recorded. Rebuild, exact r10 rollback, matched AI
controls and original-base IPS reconstruction pass. All 40 ordinary scenes are
freshly compared with r10: 40 are raw-exact; every difference and the earlier
comparison chain remain recorded. No Hard win-rate search resumes.
See PICKUP_DELAY_R11.md and PICKUP_DELAY_RESULT.json.

ROM SHA256: 3d1f54ae96b0308163474b8c138be9ed880fa96d2213e871a8e77e71bdbcccc5; CRC32: E07B3785.

## Hold/release passing and corrected controller stars — 2026-10-31-r10

Start-menu Pass Charge Off/On, default Off. With On, ordinary owned human B
passes wait for release. Holding increases native pass power from25%to100%,
capped after30 owning input updates; the cap never auto-releases. Aim can change
while held. Assisted/Directional, both teams, P1–P4 and manual keepers are
covered. CPU keeper requests and B switching without puck stay immediate.
Height/Speed/Cone/Mode/Penaltys remain independent. Native and each season save
separate charge records; the first-match season lock still applies.

Physical stars: **P1blue, P2red, P3green, P4yellow**. This is jdc's final mapping,
superseding the earlier P2green/P3red request. The original red goal is restored.
All fixed rink palette bytes and the native rendering instructions are original;
P3 uses its own identical-shape green art in proven low-ROM padding. Its signed
native tile key is validated through actual cache/DMA/VRAM/SAT rendering.

All92 suites execute;91pass and the retained finisher_hold geometry failure
remains failed. Strict gate:FAILED. Six complete affected suites were
requalified on the same ROM after test-only record, observation and report
corrections; every original functional criterion stays covered. Fresh rebuild,
exactr9rollback, matched AI controls and original-base IPS reconstruction pass.
All40 ordinary scenes are freshly compared with r9;40are raw-exact, with
all earlier r8-and-prior comparisons retained independently. No Hard win-rate
search resumes. See PASS_CHARGE_COLORS_R10.md and PASS_CHARGE_COLORS_RESULT.json.

ROM SHA256:5e3d4aedcf006f2c92dacdae965f79b15dfd078fae6a0862f77b6520a60d1eee; CRC32:0301E4D0.

## Easy assistance and distinct controller markers — 2026-10-31-r9

Easy gives the entire human club maximum skills (100-equivalent), the CPU-only
opposition fixed20-equivalent skills, and refills all26 human roster energies
to4096 every game frame. Keepers, AI teammates, co-op and native roster
substitutions are covered. Native energy/physics routines are unchanged.
In-game skill/Overall columns actually draw100/20, bypassing the native low-
rating lift only in Easy. Weight/jersey/handedness retain their native identity;
awareness uses the correct inverted timers. Normal/Hard, Crit Off, defaults and
season settings locks retain their established behavior.

P2 green, P3 red, P4 yellow; P1 retains its original appearance. Static star art,
source indices and three fixed rink palette entries change. No runtime drawing
hook or new RAM/SRAM. All869 native sprite frames retain their shape; only the
three requested marker frames change indexed artwork/attributes. Team uniform
and palette0 rink-line colors are untouched; edge pixels sharing those three
palette1 entries take their new hues.

All91 exact-source suites execute:90pass, only the retained finisher_hold
geometry failure. The strict release gate remains FAILED. All original positive
criteria pass on the final image. The first complete91matrix was rejected for
7new failures; its exact ROM/source/results remain recorded. Rebuild, exactr8
rollback, matched AI controls and original-base IPS reconstruction pass.
All40 ordinary scenes are recorded against fresh r8 controls;33 are raw-
exact and every difference plus the complete earlier audit chain is retained.
No Hard win-rate search resumes. See EASY_COLORS_R9.md, EASY_COLORS_RESULT.json
and QA_STATUS.json for precise field scales, native tests and limitations.

ROM SHA256:443c96a23923e96529120cd19c486db1483101896787c76a8d2082e5836e6186; CRC32:9108C83B.

## Separate penalty frequency and preserved native rules — 2026-10-31-r8

The new final start-menu row is Penaltys: 100% / 50% / Off, default 100%. The original
combined Penalties option is renamed Rules and keeps Off/On/On except offside.
The percentage affects ordinary foul admission and whole new fighting incidents;
icing, offside and penalty-shot eligibility retain their existing controls.
A suppressed injury foul uses the native injury-only stoppage instead of losing
its report. Existing pending calls are not rerolled or erased.

All five independent percentage/pass choices save per season and lock after the
first match; native play has separate preferences. No extra SRAM bytes are used.
Buffered human contact-to-shot setup now runs as one protected transition, so an
intervening native sprite update cannot change the measured stick hotspot. The
old42px failure is reproduced independently; native register/CCR/IRQ-mask/stack
contracts are compared at every IRQ level. All 89 exact-source suites execute: 88 pass, only the retained finisher_hold geometry
failure, strict gate FAILED. Independent rebuild, exact r7 rollback and original-
base IPS reconstruction pass. See PENALTYS_R8.md and PENALTYS_RESULT.json.

All 40 ordinary 600-frame scenes are recorded against fresh exact r7 controls;37 are raw-exact. Every difference and the complete earlier audit chain remain retained. No Hard win-rate investigation resumes.

ROM SHA256:501da8aaf8fc1fb4f5fdd22f4d8f8d893a8fe06de9ec28cb4ecaf0a6e18297eb; CRC32:F2C8334E.

## Optional directional passing and vector targeting cone — 2026-10-31-r7

Two new start-menu rows: Pass Mode Assisted/Directional (default Assisted), and
Target Cone Default/15 degrees/30 degrees/45 degrees (default Default).
Directional sends ordinary human B passes along the actual eight-direction aim,
without selecting a receiver or transferring control at release. The explicit
cone choices limit Assisted receivers using actual vector half-angles; Default
retains the previous native octant policy. P1–P4 and manual keepers are covered;
CPU keeper outlet requests retain their requested receiver. Height and Speed
remain independent. Seasons save all four choices and lock after the first game;
standalone preferences are separate. Hold/release charging remains research.

The first shared-path prototype reduced AI finish releases in the gameplay test
and was rejected. The final design hooks human B input and existing human-only
scan branches, preserving the CPU pass/scan/outlet instruction paths exactly.
All 40 ordinary 600-frame scenes match fresh r6 controls byte-for-byte; the earlier
comparison chain is retained. This is bounded regression evidence, not a claim
that every possible game is identical. No Hard win-rate investigation resumes.

All 88 shared suites execute: 87 pass and the retained receiver-hold geometry check
fails, so the strict release gate remains FAILED. No new regression is waived.
Independent rebuild, exact r6 rollback and original-base IPS reconstruction pass.
See PASS_MODE_R7.md and PASS_MODE_RESULT.json for code, tests and delivery.

ROM SHA256: 8172a7e4b3d55754076d4f31de2def263d423bad832b2057538fa3b5c1ca86c7; CRC32: 5DC93C86.

## Fair automatic co-op pickup control — 2026-10-31-r6

When a free CPU skater on your team takes possession, eligible active human pads
now share a random chance to control that skater. Native P1 priority no longer
wins every such co-op pickup. Only actual accepted pickups are considered.
Already controlled receivers, requested keeper outlets, manual keepers, pending Y,
locked skaters, single-human teams and special modes retain their native paths.
Other pads keep their existing skaters. There is no new menu setting here.

The hook at1538A calls a bounded helper at2EFC00. It uses the real controller-side
map, native RNG and native C0F8 handoff, with temporary eligibility data on the
stack. No RAM/SRAM field, forced pickup, rating or movement change is added.
Native tests cover316 assignment contexts,36 unchanged guards,112 paired ABI cases,
32 full collision contexts and48 physical-pad input branches.24 advancing-RNG series
exercise 144000 controlled native pickup draws, exactly matching the native RNG
control. These are automated fixtures, not 144000 matches or a hardware playtest.

All 87 shared suites execute;86 pass and the retained finisher_hold geometry failure
remains, so the strict gate is FAILED. All 40 current ordinary scenes and fresh r5
controls are recorded, including timing differences. Rebuild, exact r5 rollback
and original-base IPS reconstruction pass. No new Hard-strength claim.
See FAIR_PICKUP_R6.md and FAIR_PICKUP_RESULT.json.

ROM SHA256: 548615ad01079d6a93fc62a0409b4a8d6ec4e53676f8a629081f8cc34da712fa; CRC32: 26911EBB.

## Independent pass speed and safe standalone preferences — 2026-10-31-r5

The last main-menu row now offers Pass Speed: Normal / Slow, default Normal.
Slow reruns the native intercept calculation at80%of nominal pass power, keeping
receiver movement, native time bounds and catch timers in the calculation.
It never chooses an earlier arrival. Fast receivers outside that lower-power
range retain their native pass. This is not an exact20%reduction for every pass.
Pass Height Normal/Low remains independent, using the original arrival estimate
and preserving native fractional lift. Both teams and keeper targeted B passes
share these settings; A flips, C shots and blind-pass code retain their paths.

Each season saves both choices and locks them after the first completed match.
Standalone play has separate preferences. A paired native test also exposed
r4's standalone height record at2E20overlapping Full-season goalie data. Both
standalone preferences now use4D20in Light's excluded shared-profile gap; menu
writes preserve Full goalie bytes and survive slot circles and cold boots.

Native tests cover120direct clamp ABI cases,1152Normal/invalid full solver ABI
comparisons,384Slow comparisons against the original native lower-power solver,
34real menu/lifecycle cases, paired r4/current goalie-storage reproduction and
four co-op input games covering both speeds and heights. All86shared suites run;
85pass and the retained finisher_hold geometry failure remains, strict gate
FAILED. All40current ordinary scenes and fresh r4controls are recorded; additional
instructions may change native HV-counter decisions. No unchanged-gameplay,
pass-completion or new Hard-strength claim. Rebuild, exactr4rollback and original-
base IPS reconstruction pass. See PASS_SPEED_R5.md and PASS_SPEED_RESULT.json.

ROM SHA256:40f388dc0beaedbd0883fdd4101a30debfb0fbbe62aab9d7a382e61476d513e0; CRC32:F82519B6.

## Optional pass height — 2026-10-31-r4

The main menu now has Pass Height: Normal / Low, default Normal. Low lowers the
vertical lift of targeted B passes on both teams, including keeper passes.
Short passes retain their existing lift. The native horizontal velocity,
arrival-time estimate and receiver intercept arithmetic remain unchanged.
A flips, C shots and blind passes retain their code. Lower lift can change
landing and interception; no pass-completion or competitive balance claim.

Full, Light and Mini save their own setting, which locks after the first
completed game and survives a reboot. Native exhibition/playoffs have a separate
preference. Missing/corrupt records default Normal without unlocking a season.
Confirmed season restart resets only that season to Normal.

Native tests cover80paired register/CCR/stack/fraction contexts,64moving-target
contexts across5profiles,28controller/menu/slot/boot/lock/restart cases, and real
co-op directional/B input with both Normal and Low passes above the lower cap.
The full85-suite exact-source matrix has84pass and the retained finisher_hold
geometry failure; the strict gate remains FAILED. Forty ordinary native scenes
and fresh r3 controls are recorded; added dispatch timing may change HV-based
decisions, so no identical-gameplay claim. The earlier strict chain is retained.
Independent rebuild, exact r3rollback and original-base IPS reconstruction pass.
No Hard win-rate investigation is resumed. See PASS_HEIGHT_R4.md and
PASS_HEIGHT_RESULT.json for the exact evidence, scope and delivery status.

ROM SHA256:0f7f080a30b52e536d7107ffc75044c21c1c617aa5d0007ad6203349604e2a69; CRC32:4B4E78D6.

## Downed pass receivers — 2026-10-31-r3

Falling/downed skaters are no longer selected by the native B-pass search or
keeper fallback, and cannot take stick possession while the fall/recovery
animation remains active. A receiver knocked down after launch is protected too.
The puck can still hit the body and deflect. Standing windups/one-timers, keeper
dives/catches and skaters who have recovered retain their native eligibility.

Two pass-scan eligibility tests and the existing actual stick-contact gate call
one small helper. No general frame/animation hook, RAM field, forced movement,
physics, rating or RNG write is added. The original pickup/crit gate and native
body response remain. Additional instructions can alter native HV-counter timing,
so ordinary game trajectories are recorded rather than claimed byte-identical.

The paired native tests cover84CCR/register/stack contexts,114real receiver
searches and44full stick/body collision cases. A native co-op input test injects
only a synthetic receiver fall after an actual pass: the parent shows6downed
possession episodes (579observations); current has zero. Recovery and subsequent
legal possession occur naturally. These are not physical-controller recordings.

All84shared suites execute:83pass and the retained finisher_hold geometry failure;
the strict gate remains FAILED. All40current ordinary scenes and fresh exact
r2controls are recorded, including every difference. The complete earlier strict
comparison chain remains on those parent controls. Rebuild, exact r2 rollback
and original-base IPS reconstruction pass. No Hard win-rate search is resumed.
See DOWNED_RECEIVER_R3.md, DOWNED_RECEIVER_RESULT.json and QA_STATUS.json.

ROM SHA256:40b3a5700ae7c3ce6f0536b878a22b2e7284a8e418231ed6a6ea4ce891fb3548; CRC32:16DD6925.

## Shootout puck progress and automatic start — 2026-10-31-r2

Shootout attempts now start without a controller shortcut. The tied-OT fixture
reaches the first live human attempt with no input in180frames (about3seconds),
previously619frames. A player may react before starting the approach; the normal
attempt timeout still applies. Human and CPU countdowns both use60native ticks.

Before a shot, the puck must keep moving toward the opponent's goal. Substantial
retracement, a stopped approach or crossing the goal line outside the mouth ends
the attempt through the existing native miss event. Body orientation alone is
not a foul: an unshot loose puck still moving forward may be recovered. Stick
movement uses an8-world-unit retracement allowance and12non-forward native
observations of stop tolerance. These are game tolerances, not literal NHL units.

Native shot/windup, loose-shot retouch, keeper ownership and shot-flight handling
remain. The native post-shot retouch queues one ending; no general pickup or
physics hook was added. This is an attempt-control fix, not complete NHL roster,
spinorama or eligibility parity. Custom OT lengths and season formats remain.

All83 exact-source suites execute:82pass and the identical inherited
finisher_hold geometry failure; strict gate remains FAILED.54paired native
boundary/ABI contexts,28both-end native-input cases and the no-input starts pass.
All40 ordinary raw scenes match40fresh2026-10-31 controls exactly. Earlier net
impact differences versus r13 remain independently audited. Rebuild, exact
2026-10-31 rollback and original-base IPS reconstruction pass. No Hard search.
See SHOOTOUT_RULES_R2.md, SHOOTOUT_RULES_RESULT.json and QA_STATUS.json.

ROM SHA256:dc279e63f35b2607ebba4eb5fb439eeb47f36239bddcfaae7c3d24e29f99cb08; CRC32:90081498.

## Less sensitive goal nets — 2026-10-31

Goal nets now require a50%higher impact-speed component before the existing
native dislodgement can trigger:8192→12288 in either direction on either axis.
Ordinary collisions keep the solid-net response; a heavy burst can still move
it. Both ends and every skater/keeper use the same rule. Four threshold immediate
bytes change; instruction timing, random gate, puck proximity, native release
velocity, stoppage, scoring and reset code remain exact.

A genuine CPU-play sequence reproduced one old dislodgement with40moving-net
observations; the corrected sequence has none. A real human burst reaches13868,
above the new threshold, with its input/motion trace exact to r13. The native
helper passes368paired boundary/actor/end/direction/guard/ABI contexts. No user
recording or physical-controller playtest is claimed.

All82 exact-source suites execute:81pass, only the identical inherited
finisher_hold geometry failure. Strict gate remains FAILED. All40 scenes are compared with fresh r13 controls: raw-exact, or exact until
a verified native net release. Post-impact differences are recorded. Rebuild,
exact r13 rollback and original-base IPS reconstruction pass. No new Hard win-rate series. See NET_CONTACT_20261031.md,
NET_CONTACT_RESULT.json and QA_STATUS.json.

ROM SHA256:aa035e55db8b43d1d38f3b178a739cc0edfab1fb8ef7837de718248fde5721f1; CRC32:BF43956E.

## Manually controlled keeper passes — 2026-10-30-r13

A fresh pass press while your manually selected keeper holds the puck now
reaches the native keeper passing routine. The immediate B-switch correction
previously treated an owned keeper as a switch request. Owned skaters retain
their native pass path; without possession B still switches to an eligible
skater nearest the puck. Automatic keeper catches and P1–P4 CPU-outlet requests
retain their established behavior.

Only the early ownership branch in switch.s and fourgoalie.s changes. There is
no new RAM, global hook, pass target override, physics, AI or season change.
Mini remains seven games. Native control may move to a receiver when the pass
is released; this is separate from switching away before executing the pass.

All81 exact-source suites execute:80pass, only the identical inherited
finisher_hold geometry failure. Strict gate remains FAILED. All40 current raw
ordinary-game traces match40 fresh r12 controls. Independent rebuild, exact
r12 rollback and original-base IPS reconstruction pass. No Hard strength series.
See MANUAL_KEEPER_R13.md, MANUAL_KEEPER_RESULT.json and QA_STATUS.json.

ROM SHA256:3070c2bbac4ec9fe6cf578c7fd0a3260869371a232b05ed76f33e44ca71ea899; CRC32:4D62BA8E.

## Mini is seven games — 2026-10-30-r12

Mini now has seven regular-season games: one against each of the seven other
clubs in your division. The new-game menu shows1/7, the saved length is7 and
all32 clubs finish with7GP. The eighth return fixture is no longer scheduled.
Single-player home/away alternation and co-op home games retain their policy.

Qualification and the season-summary boundary use the seventh game. Mini
retains one game per playoff pairing; Full remains best-of-seven and Light
retains its own schedule. Existing played legacy eight-game saves retain their
original length, lock and eighth-game cursor limit. Changed releases still use
fresh progress; an already running older ROM is left alone.

All80 exact-source suites execute:79pass, only the identical inherited
finisher_hold geometry failure. Strict release gate remains FAILED. All40 raw
ordinary-game traces match40fresh r11 controls exactly. Rebuild, exact r11
rollback and original-base IPS reconstruction pass. No new Hard strength series.
See MINI_SEVEN_R12.md, MINI_SEVEN_RESULT.json and QA_STATUS.json.

ROM SHA256:2ca0be4ef69f1d875c5a25e1ef91e42bda6b87396c5471fa8a417eb652ec8d60; CRC32:FB7FA2F0.

## Fouled player keeps the penalty shot — 2026-10-30-r11

P1–P4 now retain the penalty shot awarded for a foul against their controlled
breakaway attacker. Native setup can move the shooter to another object slot;
the physical controller is captured when getBAplayerInfo accepts the award,
then used when the two penalty-shot participants are assigned. Other attacking
pads cannot claim the shooter first. Existing team-side settings are restored
before returning from setup; normal assignment resumes after the attempt.

This release addresses priority1 only. Manual-keeper passing, downed receivers,
fair random unassigned pickup ownership, Penaltys100%/50%/Off and seven-game
Mini remain queued in TODO.md. Mini currently still has eight divisional games.

The native capture/setup, both teams and P1–P4 input/return regressions pass.
The full79-suite exact-source matrix has78pass and the identical inherited
finisher_hold failure; strict gate FAILED. All40 current ordinary-game raw
traces match40 fresh r10 controls exactly. Independent rebuild, exact r10
rollback and original-base IPS reconstruction pass. No new Hard strength
series or39/50 qualification is claimed. See PENALTY_OWNER_R11.md,
PENALTY_OWNER_RESULT.json and QA_STATUS.json for exact evidence and limits.

ROM SHA256:8f84f537ab945ea849ffc69eeba6794e9e1651556d3f878648ed846f8ebc4703; CRC32:41B60F46.

Canonical project (jdc, 2026-10-29):
`/home/jdc/mount/truenas/www/dela.jdc.se/nhl94`.
The canonical ROM directory is now `.workspace/` inside this project; private
release/evidence work is `.workspace/work/`. The old `roms/claude` directory
is a compatibility symlink. This filesystem move does not create a new release
or require clearing progress. Use the new canonical paths for future releases.

User instruction,2026-10-25: always remove the preceding current release and
replace it with the newest, under a fresh name/version. Apply the same rule to
Bodin, jdc's Downloads folder and the website. This supersedes older notes that
kept the2026-10-24 filename to match saves. Do not accumulate a playlist entry or
visible download for every incremental jdc update.

## Current save policy — updated 2026-10-28

jdc explicitly requires **fresh progress on EVERY new version**, starting with
2026-10-28-r3. Clear the current and preceding jdc game's battery saves and
savestates locally and on Bodin. Keep controller mappings/configuration.
This supersedes all earlier save-migration requirements below; historical
release reports describe what happened at those times.

## Current release

Version **2026-10-31-r8**.

## Human one-timer stick contact — 2026-10-30-r10

jdc reported that receiving a pass while repeatedly shooting launched the puck
far from the stick. Native co-op input tests reproduced buffered releases up to
36.8 game pixels from GetHot's stick hotspot, with the shot animation at0.
The human buffer now waits for actual stick contact (radius4), then starts the
native contact/follow-through phase24. A fresh owned C cannot start a competing
ordinary windup while that request waits, and another pad's C cannot erase it.

The request stays responsive to native movement and possession loss. No puck
teleport or pickup-radius change is used; AI and normal shot physics retain
their code. Mini's divisional schedule, OT, momentum, defaults and locks remain.
See HUMAN_CONTACT_R10.md, HUMAN_CONTACT_RESULT.json and exact QA_STATUS.json.
The inherited finisher_hold geometry limitation remains failed; no new Hard
strength series is claimed. SHA256:b28fa2c8f42bd792f3118bc3d71df2fed5f959957d4adc60f372f2d4863c2038; CRC32:F157EFEB.

## Division-only Mini season — 2026-10-30-r9

Mini now plays eight regular-season games exclusively within the selected club's
own division. Its first seven rounds cover every divisional rival once; round8
is a return against the round4 opponent. All four simulated divisions use the
same eight-team round robin. Every team still plays eight games. Existing
single-player home/away alternation, co-op home fixtures, season locks and NHL
playoff qualification remain. Full and Light retain their league-wide schedules.

jdc reported Edmonton meeting Detroit in Mini. Exact r8 reproduces this from a
saved first-opponent choice; r9 restricts the cursor and actual fixtures to the
Pacific division. See MINI_DIVISION_R9.md, MINI_DIVISION_RESULT.json and current
QA_STATUS.json. The pre-existing receiver-hold geometry limitation is retained;
no new Hard win-rate series is claimed. ROM SHA256:29672052309b0bcad831716cd0edf35b498a265f0063d99173c70dff4df47c3a; CRC32:FD1A8A3A.

## Selected-length overtime and whistle momentum — 2026-10-30-r8

Overtime now uses the selected period length:5,7,10 or20 minutes. Native sudden
death and the existing shootout after a tied overtime remain. Shots/checks while
the clock is stopped, during a faceoff, pause, foreign view, replay or Stars no
longer earn crowd momentum or rating boosts. Blocked counters are consumed
immediately; resuming cannot bank them. Existing earned momentum is retained.
Normal and Hard retain the same earned-meter rules; Easy retains fixed ratings.

Changes are confined to shootout.s and crowd.s, plus release strings/checksum.
Rebuild, exact r7 rollback and original-base IPS reconstruction pass. All shared
checks are freshly run against this image; see OVERTIME_MOMENTUM_R8.md and
QA_STATUS.json for the exact results and retained AI limitation. No new Hard
strength matches are claimed. ROM SHA256:083f45ffbfff3986d55fbe2ea13384916c4c5b4f1d0b6c5e21e39aa80af80e02; CRC32:D813665F.

## Icing On default restored — 2026-10-30-r7

jdc clarified that **Icing must default On**, despite Off in the previous menu
screenshot. Fresh boot, empty Full/Light/Mini formats and explicit restarts now
use On. All other r6 menu defaults and keeper/current-skater outlet behavior stay
unchanged. Manually chosen saved settings and played-season locks still apply.

Only three default immediate bytes change1→0 outside version/checksum fields;
all other game code is byte-identical to r6. The 75 shared checks ran:74pass,
only the known inherited finisher_hold geometry failure; strict gate FAILED.
All40 current raw no-B scenes match fresh r6 controls exactly. The older r6/r5
observation audit remains separately disclosed. Rebuild, exactr6 rollback and
original-base IPS reconstruction pass. See ICING_DEFAULT_R7.md and QA_STATUS.json.
SHA256 48af31f9f7c85766951bf42745360571d6e7bf025bdce936363a58a178ab05f6; CRC32 273334B0.

## Keeper catch handoff and requested defaults — 2026-10-30-r6

A keeper already selected before catching the puck now returns to CPU control
on the accepted catch, and that pad receives an eligible free skater. The native
AI marker follows this ownership change. P1–P4 request an outlet to their current
skater; pass no longer switches that requester first. Explicit Y after the catch,
CPU-only keepers, opposing human teams and special modes retain their rules.

Fresh defaults follow jdc's latest screenshot: Auto lines, Fighting Off, Hard,
Auto Replays Off, Crit Shots Off and Icing Off; Edmonton remains the default club.
The screenshot's Icing Off supersedes the earlier r5 On request in this release.
Existing valid saved choices and played-season locks remain readable.

All75 shared checks ran:74pass,only the inherited finisher_hold geometry failure.
Strict gate remains FAILED. New coverage includes44 native ABI/object guards,
148 four-pad keeper cases (68 added handoff/current-requester cases),5 branches
of the reported r5 catch and6 native default/menu-render cases. All40 current puck/clock/action timelines match fresh controls.35 raw traces
are exact;15 isolated position/cache/render observations across5 traces are
recorded separately with exact whole rows before and after each difference. Rebuild, exactr5 rollback and original-base IPS reconstruction pass.
No new Hard win-rate series. See GOALIE_CATCH_R6.md and QA_STATUS.json.
SHA256 74f099b10459e000b4b50870e41617983641445f83c813328dba019b6b02fd7d; CRC32 25BBB406.

## Icing switch and Edmonton defaults — 2026-10-30-r5

Icing has its own **On / Off** row at the bottom of the start menu, after
Crit Shots. **On is the default**, explicitly confirmed by jdc. Off suppresses
the native touch-icing award. It follows the ordinary season-settings lock
after the first completed match and is saved independently for Full/Light/Mini.
Fresh startup, new empty formats and an explicit restart default to Edmonton;
manual team selection and the identity of an ongoing saved season still work.

All 72 shared checks executed: 71 pass; only the inherited finisher_hold geometry
failure remains. The strict gate remains FAILED. The new suites cover 34 native
menu/persistence/default-team cases and 56 synthetic native rule cases. Forty
current no-B scenes match fresh r4 and r3 controls exactly; all40 fresh r2 controls
still reproduce the immutable original traces. Rebuild, exact r4 rollback and
original-base IPS reconstruction pass. No new Hard win-rate series was run.
See ICING_MENU_R5.md and QA_STATUS.json for scope and exact-source evidence.
SHA256 a7e8bef0e8c78da6d37eacb432769af3f6d4b99e0196e451875c7991656ca182; CRC32 33894753.

## Keeper pass request at the possession deadline — 2026-10-30-r4

A timely pass request could switch the skater yet lose the keeper outlet to the
native possession timeout before it was processed. The first accepted request
now reserves up to four native processing ticks when the counter is still
nonnegative. Holding B does not refresh that reservation. An already queued
native timeout, negative counter or actual whistle retains the native outcome.
On jdc's controller this is physical A, the game's logical B. Y keeps its outlet
behavior. Native passing, target choice, physics, ratings and the r3 keeper
correction remain. No new Hard-versus-Normal strength series was run.

Paired timing tests: 1,792 valid requests per ROM; r3 passed 1,776 and r4 passes
all 1,792. All 128 late/stopped requests remain without a pass. The 1,920 cases
per ROM vary two native catches, timing and 1/2/5/12-frame taps; they are not
independent matches. Shared regression: 38 native ABI/object/guard cases and
108 paired input contexts pass. All 70 matrix checks executed: 69 pass; only the
same inherited finisher_hold geometry failure remains. Strict gate: FAILED.
The affected replay check was rerun after declaring the input modules; all
40 current no-B trajectories exactly match fresh r3 controls, and all 40 fresh
r2 controls still match the immutable original scenes. The original rejected
scope check is retained. Five rebuild/rollback comparisons and original-base
IPS reconstruction pass. See OUTLET_DEADLINE_R4.md and QA_STATUS.json.

SHA256 4dd53440a7a4b4b7920a432b1e70a18e0ddb43e2a57a553b65cd052a0a0dca50;
CRC32 4884D486. Fresh progress for this release; remaps/config/history retained.
The intermittent faceoff alignment report is still open.



## CPU keeper lateral-carry correction — 2026-10-30-r3

CPU keepers follow the actual carried puck instead of the body/stick midpoint.
If an opposing carrier moves across a committed lateral save, its stale final
hold is capped at eight native ticks and its cached movement choice is cleared.
Natural recovery, manual keepers, real loose-shot saves, catches and physics
retain their rules. Crit/B/Stars fixes from r2 remain.

All 69 exact-source checks ran: 68 passed. The inherited receiver-hold positioning check still fails, so the strict release gate remains FAILED. This is the same documented AI limitation retained in the user-selected playtest.
The new keeper suites pass 82 native ABI/object/guard cases and 48 paired live
approaches: r2 10 goals/15 catches, current 4 goals/22 catches. This is not a new
win-rate series. Five independent rebuild/rollback comparisons and original-base
IPS pass; only 219 declared bytes differ from r2, including header/checksum.
All 40 old r2 control traces were freshly reproduced and all 40 current scenes
recorded; current trajectories may differ because keeper behavior changed.
See GOALIE_LATERAL_R3.md and QA_STATUS.json. Fresh progress; remaps/config/history
preserved. The Hard win-rate investigation stays stopped.
SHA256 3453b3fba1a4e3b76c8f859311a499f3f2bf8d9a493280f43ad41eca8b784057; CRC32 A33889B1.


## Previous release — 2026-10-30-r2

Version **2026-10-30-r2**.

Crit Shots locks after the selected season completes match 1; Auto Replays and
other options keep their behavior. Fresh B selects the eligible teammate nearest
the actual puck without skater possession, including own-goalie possession and
old pass animation; Y and own-skater passing retain their rules. A native goalie
outlet goes to that pad's newly selected skater. Stars of the Game keeps its whole
native panel; shot/crowd meters retire before it draws.

The selected 38-win AI base is preserved. All 40 original no-B playbook trajectories
(24,000 frames) match byte-for-byte. New regressions pass; all 67 checks executed:
66 pass and the exact inherited finisher geometry failure remains. Strict QA is
FAILED, as already documented for the chosen playtest. The first draft's new AI
timing regression was rejected; no per-frame guards/padding/RNG forcing remain.
Seven independent build/rollback comparisons and original-base IPS pass.
SHA256 f2a6d2ee40f4ac6c7bfe3277fe1859930fc1c579f1cb15aed742c1798f8fd9a3;
CRC32 AD60AF42. Fresh progress per release; remaps/config/history preserved.
See MAINTENANCE38_R2.md and QA_STATUS.json. The win-rate search stays stopped;
blue-line/one-timer/lateral-deke research is deferred, and human variant tests last.


r20: One/Two/Three/Four is selectable in Continue Playoffs and saved per
Full/Light/Mini season, also across cold boots. See [SEASON_PLAYERS.md](SEASON_PLAYERS.md).
Replaces r19 in all current locations; goalie behavior remains unchanged.

r19: four-pad goalie hold/B-to-requester/Y, correct One-player assignment
after changing seasons, P3/P4 disabled/restored during shootouts. See
[FOUR_PAD_GOALIE.md](FOUR_PAD_GOALIE.md) for sources and tests. Replaces r18
everywhere; one private r18 backup ZIP was explicitly requested for this task.
Changes from 2026-10-25: r2 Game-row opponent choice only before game 1 (opponents.s); r3 clean SOG column after the goalie page (teamstats.s); r4 simulated goals/shots scale with Per. Length (season.s); r5 Restart Season renamed Abandon Season; r6 Abandon Season also in in-game pause menus; r7 dialog shows Xbox X + B; r8 no native Continue Playoffs for season playoffs; r9 standalone native playoffs get their own saved context; r10 Season Edition intro, no EA logo; r11 bright red crit puck; r12 crowd momentum meters (crowd.s, +/-10% ratings); r13 meter rows match the score box; r14 team stats screen without CRT and without the title-frame notch; r15 Difficulty Normal/Hard menu row; r16 Team Roster shows the meter effect, meter resets after every game; r17 buffered one-timer for human receivers, meter also scales Crit; r18 a finished season takes no more games; r19 end-of-season summary and whole-run player stats; r20 co-op Game row "(co-op)" instead of at/vs; r21 playoff stats apart, tabs, sorting, scoring leaders, background playoff simulation; r22 B does not switch skaters while your goalie's pass travels; r23 flame trail behind the crit puck; r24 trail drawn first in the sprite list (always shows); r25 automatic goal replay (A + C skips); r26 goalie pass input across a catch and32-team end-of-season statistics browser; r27 selected G/A/PTS heading orange and no redraw at the top/bottom page boundary; r28 explicit Xbox B / Mega Drive C sorting help on both statistics screens; r29 aligned club/goalie headings and a blank row above the controls on both screens; r30 completed-season Team text follows the native selected club and logos. jdc 2026-10-25: save migration is not important for these test releases.
Replaced 2026-10-25 in canonical, Downloads, website and Bodin; saves/states/remaps
migrated with identical hashes. Evidence: work/lock-opponent-20261025/.

## 2026-10-26 finished-season correction

Completed slots say See Old Full/Light/Mini Season and open saved results.
After results, a new selected-slot season can be confirmed without touching
other seasons. No fictitious extra match or self fixture. Retains all prior
features; finished.s, main Start hook, seasonmenu lock/labels and a both-pad
Start-release fix. FINISHED_SEASONS.md contains source/controls/tests.
First release of26 October replaces25-r30 everywhere; remaps and saves migrate
across the date change. Metadata above is current; historical changes below
retain their original dates.

## Controller remap is mandatory

jdc 2026-10-25: save migration is optional for test releases, but the game remap
(`config/remaps/Genesis Plus GX/<basename>.rmp`, libretro device 513 = six-button
pad) MUST be carried to every new basename locally and on Bodin. Without it the
core uses the default pad and A/C land on other buttons. r3/r4 initially missed it;
fixed by renaming the r2 remap to r4 on both machines.

## Every future release

1. Bump release.json before building. First release of a day:YYYY-MM-DD; later
   changed releases the same day:YYYY-MM-DD-r2,-r3,etc. A delivery of the same
   build to another computer does not create a new version. Keep rom_basename,
   header version, visible website labels and download links consistent.
2. Build with experimental/build_test.py, which reads release.json by default.
   --version YYYY-MM-DD[-rN] supports explicit historical reconstruction.
   The builder writes only the supplied output; it does not install anything.
   Never use the older normal tools/build.sh for the current experimental game.
3. Verify the build and generate its IPS against the original base ROM. Record
   SHA256/CRC32 in release.json and the release notes. Historical hash claims
   describe those snapshots; use explicit --version 2026-10-24 when reproducing
   any preceding dated24 profile, alongside its original feature flags.
4. Install under the new basename in jdc's canonical ROM folder, Downloads,
   public download/ (ROM+IPS), and Bodin's current jdc ROM location. After
   verifying the new copy, remove the preceding current ROM/IPS from those
   visible locations. Update the SAME Bodin playlist item, including path,
   label and CRC. Update any matching history/favourites items as well.
5. After any active RetroArch has closed, CLEAR matching battery saves,
   savestates and auto states for the preceding/current basename on jdc and
   Bodin. Never close an active emulator without asking. Do not migrate season
   progress. Preserve and migrate controller remaps/configs, history and
   playtime records with content hashes; keep unrelated games untouched.
6. Update the homepage, team-page version text, Notes, SESSION_LOG and relevant
   source documents. Confirm public HTTPS artifacts and playlist/files match.
   User requested no additional backups for these test changes. Existing backup
   files can be kept in PRIVATE work/cache directories, not visible downloads.

## 2026-10-25 rename delivery

The old24 jdc ROM is replaced by25 locally, in Downloads, on the website and in
Bodin's existing playlist item. Matching active save/state/remap files are
renamed with their exact contents preserved. Existing dated backup copies were
moved out of visible download/ROM folders into private work/cache storage;
no extra backup was made. The older distinct Season/Light/Super Light and
third-party NHL games are separate historical entries and were not deleted by
this replacement instruction. Future jdc releases replace this25 entry.

Private evidence:work/release-rename-20261025-122347/ (exact build, header-only
verification, local/remote migration scripts, save hashes and delivery reports).

## Tools zip (2026-10-26)

`tools/make_tools_zip.py` packs all of tools/ (without __pycache__) plus a README with the current
version/SHA into `download/nhl94-tools.zip`, linked on the site. The release deploy_local.py
template (work/replay-play-20261026/) runs it after every release; run it by hand if releasing
another way.