So...OOTP 15 - Anyone in?

[Huw the Poo]

Here is a section within the manual on it....

http://manuals.ootpdevelopments.com/index.php?man=ootp15&page=designated_for_assignment_dfa

Reading that has started to change my mind about this game.  I think life may be too short to learn this from a position of knowing 0% about baseball...

[Grim.Reaper]

hhmm....so played around with the demo for awhile this morning and I have to admit, might give this game a try for next baseball season (unless gets dirt cheap before then).  It really seems to have a simplistic and "easy/fun" vibe to it where I have to admit sometimes playing OOTP feels like work.  Even though it was a demo, seemed like fun and you could still manage a baseball season without having all the detail.

Just some comments, but keep in mind I am not a baseball guru and only played this for awhile this morning, if you seriously considering, download the demo first since it allows you to play one full season.

Positives
- UI is easy and seems to work well
- Has all the features you likely would want (management, injuries, trades, free agents, drafting, etc.)
- Sim speed is pretty fast on my machine...no idea if it slows down at all after multiple seasons
- Many league start options (start in any year from 1901-2014, can even start as an expansion team)
- Seems like it has a nice balance of setup and preference options, without overwhelming
- It has the real team names
- You can download mods to add logos/pictures
- Has a simplistic minor league system (kind of like it versus having all the detail in OOTP)
- Seems pretty easy to setup lineups/batting orders/pitching rotations
- The basic reports (sortable stats, leaders, etc.) are there, but probably not at the level of OOTP
- Good player card with basic information you would expect
- Retail price is cheaper by $5 than OOTP (unless you pre order or get on sale)

Unknowns
- Since I am not a baseball expert, I can't guarantee everything about major baseball is modeled correctly, like finances
- Trading AI (got a couple of trade offers and seemed reasonable to me)
- Roster management (impossible to know this until you play it extensively)
- Multiplayer - I never play it and didn't see anything readily in the demo
= Stats (have to play more, but didn't see anything too crazy)

My experiences, too.  As of three years ago or thereabouts. 

The complaints last year were of the new simming system and the resulting game & stat outcomes, for one.  The game calculations were all upgraded to a new system and there were some nasty kinks judging by the feedback.  I'm sure it was improved a good deal this year, as there hasn't been as much complaining.   

I'd still like to know whether the stats & general player ability goes awry as your career progresses.  Whether the sim engine outcomes are believable or whether it gets strange.  Pretty sure that was a concern with Baseball Mogul recently.  If they decent, I'll probably pick it up later this year or get the new one next year.  I had really intended to alternate them, depending on sales.

Good to know about the issues...hopefully they will figure it out for the next version because it does look like something I would like.

[Bison]

Here is a section within the manual on it....

http://manuals.ootpdevelopments.com/index.php?man=ootp15&page=designated_for_assignment_dfa

Reading that has started to change my mind about this game.  I think life may be too short to learn this from a position of knowing 0% about baseball...

It's like soccer only...with bats and bases and a lot less injury flopping.

[KyzBP]

Ah crap it's 50% off for all star week.  Guess it looks like I don't have to force myself to play OOTP 14 any longer.  Damn Steam sales.

I finally laid OOTP12 to rest.

We're getting closer to a Groghead Baseball League.  I may take a poll soon to see if there's enough interest.

[Huw the Poo]

It's like soccer only...with bats and bases and a lot less injury flopping.

Looks closer to cricket to me. :)

[Bison]

I was looking at the online league setup too a few months ago.  I'd be interested for sure.

[Bison]

It's like soccer only...with bats and bases and a lot less injury flopping.

Looks closer to cricket to me. :)

Just have some tea and crumpets when you are playing and it'll be ok.

[Grim.Reaper]

Ah crap it's 50% off for all star week.  Guess it looks like I don't have to force myself to play OOTP 14 any longer.  Damn Steam sales.

I finally laid OOTP12 to rest.

We're getting closer to a Groghead Baseball League.  I may take a poll soon to see if there's enough interest.

How does an online league work in OOTP?  Never done one before but wasn't even sure of what the process was keeping the entire league in-sync with the players.

[Grim.Reaper]

hhmm....so played around with the demo for awhile this morning and I have to admit, might give this game a try for next baseball season (unless gets dirt cheap before then).  It really seems to have a simplistic and "easy/fun" vibe to it where I have to admit sometimes playing OOTP feels like work.  Even though it was a demo, seemed like fun and you could still manage a baseball season without having all the detail.

Just some comments, but keep in mind I am not a baseball guru and only played this for awhile this morning, if you seriously considering, download the demo first since it allows you to play one full season.

Positives
- UI is easy and seems to work well
- Has all the features you likely would want (management, injuries, trades, free agents, drafting, etc.)
- Sim speed is pretty fast on my machine...no idea if it slows down at all after multiple seasons
- Many league start options (start in any year from 1901-2014, can even start as an expansion team)
- Seems like it has a nice balance of setup and preference options, without overwhelming
- It has the real team names
- You can download mods to add logos/pictures
- Has a simplistic minor league system (kind of like it versus having all the detail in OOTP)
- Seems pretty easy to setup lineups/batting orders/pitching rotations
- The basic reports (sortable stats, leaders, etc.) are there, but probably not at the level of OOTP
- Good player card with basic information you would expect
- Retail price is cheaper by $5 than OOTP (unless you pre order or get on sale)

Unknowns
- Since I am not a baseball expert, I can't guarantee everything about major baseball is modeled correctly, like finances
- Trading AI (got a couple of trade offers and seemed reasonable to me)
- Roster management (impossible to know this until you play it extensively)
- Multiplayer - I never play it and didn't see anything readily in the demo
= Stats (have to play more, but didn't see anything too crazy)

My experiences, too.  As of three years ago or thereabouts. 

The complaints last year were of the new simming system and the resulting game & stat outcomes, for one.  The game calculations were all upgraded to a new system and there were some nasty kinks judging by the feedback.  I'm sure it was improved a good deal this year, as there hasn't been as much complaining.   

I'd still like to know whether the stats & general player ability goes awry as your career progresses.  Whether the sim engine outcomes are believable or whether it gets strange.  Pretty sure that was a concern with Baseball Mogul recently.  If they decent, I'll probably pick it up later this year or get the new one next year.  I had really intended to alternate them, depending on sales.

Good to know about the issues...hopefully they will figure it out for the next version because it does look like something I would like.

Just found an old article about the sales of Baseball Mogul...back in 2008 it had sold at least 120,000 units...that amazes me...I imagine they are at least keeping up with those numbers each year, if not even more, regardless of the issues it might have.  That is a nice sales number for a small shop when they sale it for $35 (not sure what the cost was in 2008).  I also continue to think that even though BM might have issues reported, if I look at OOTP support forums, they have the same amount and types of issues reported there....starting to talk myself back in:)

[Nefaro]

I figure it will go on sale after the season is over, so I can mess with OOTP in the meantime.

[Grim.Reaper]

Just a reminder for those interested in OOTP, sale ends tomorrow of being 50% off....

[Bison]

I've been looking at how a grogheads league could be setup.  I never realized the amount of work it'd take to get one going. 

[KyzBP]

I've been looking at how a grogheads league could be setup.  I never realized the amount of work it'd take to get one going.

I'll take a look at it in a couple of weeks unless someone wants to try sooner. 

[steve58]

Just an FYI that OOTP14 is part of the latest Weekly Humble Bundle.  Pay what you want (at least $1 USD) and you can give OOTP a "tryout" :P

[tgb]

Not being a big baseball fan, how steep is the learning curve and how close will 14 be to 15?