Strat-o-Matic Baseball, Anyone?

Grim.Reaper · January 31, 2016, 04:39:28 PM

Just curious if anyone here are regular players of the computer version of Strat-o-Matic Baseball? I know it is not for everyone since it is a season replay game versus career, but thinking of trying it for the first time this year since I am very curious about it, especially with the new feature this year where you can basically keep your computer season somewhat in-synch with what is happening in real-life as the season unfolds. I have played other season replay games such as ActionPC and Replace Baseball, both good games themselves.....

Strat is on the expensive side and doesn't have a great reputation for support, but interested none-the-less...but prefer to hear a little about it before shelling out the money:)

Anybody?

sandman2575 · January 31, 2016, 08:35:17 PM

Grim, you play OOTP, yes?

I didn't grow up with Strat-o-Matic but I understand the attachment lots of baseball fans have to it.

Still, OOTP has evolved into something so complete and amazing that I can't imagine ever needing another baseball sim to satisfy me. Definitely one of the 10 games I'd take to a desert island, implausible though that scenario ever is... :)

Grim.Reaper · January 31, 2016, 08:38:35 PM

Yep, but ootp is not the same as season replay games...ootp is great for career, but these other games tend to do much better job at actual coaching experience....plus sometimes just want to play the game versus all the other management stuff.

sandman2575 · February 01, 2016, 02:53:43 PM

I see. Sounds interesting, although I think I'll stick to OOTP myself.

It's funny. The calendar turns to February, and it's like I instantly come out of my baseball hibernation. When does spring training start? When does OOTP 17 come out? 8)

KyzBP · February 01, 2016, 04:55:52 PM

I've never played the computer version but as a kid me and 5 of my friends had a league that lasted from 5th grade until 11th. We then got licenses and started paying way more attention to girls so the game disappeared. I'll have to take a look but I'm with Sandman, OOTP seems to offer everything you could want.

Grim.Reaper · February 01, 2016, 06:20:31 PM

Not if you just want to manage the games vs all the gm stuff:)

GibbyG · February 01, 2016, 07:27:08 PM

Strat is a very good single season replay. I have been playing in a league for a few years where the home team will sim the series. Tons of options and seasons to play.

I haven't had any issues with support and haven't really had any gaming stopping bugs.

Grim.Reaper · February 01, 2016, 08:24:11 PM

Quote from: challerain on February 01, 2016, 07:27:08 PM
Strat is a very good single season replay. I have been playing in a league for a few years where the home team will sim the series. Tons of options and seasons to play.

I haven't had any issues with support and haven't really had any gaming stopping bugs.

Thanks for the feedback....really leaning towards trying it this year, although I wish they were a tad bit cheaper....playing the season along with the real world season is very intriguing this year...although that even costs an extra $30:)

Grim.Reaper · February 14, 2016, 06:48:26 PM

Ended up purchasing, figure I would give it a chance this year...didn't buy the daily option yet, I'll see how much I like the game first before investing in another $30 right away....releases on the 16th so hopefully turns out well.

GJK · February 14, 2016, 07:13:55 PM

Quote from: Grim.Reaper on February 14, 2016, 06:48:26 PM
Ended up purchasing, figure I would give it a chance this year...didn't buy the daily option yet, I'll see how much I like the game first before investing in another $30 right away....releases on the 16th so hopefully turns out well.

I'm in a similar position as you - OOTP (as great as it is) is just too much for me and I'm really just wanting to make in game decisions as a manager that then affect a single season. Strat seems like the logical choice but I'm afraid that I'll do with it what I do every time I start an OOTP season...play a half dozen or a dozen games and then get bored with it. So I'll be interested to know what you think of it.

Grim.Reaper · February 14, 2016, 07:29:07 PM

will do...hopefully will get some time with it on Tuesday night

FrontierCybrarian · February 15, 2016, 12:41:12 AM

Grim,

I started playing Strat card/board game in 1966 and it was a lifesaver when I was medically homebound for several years. Three of us started an old-timers league and my 1927 Yanks, 1941 Yanks, and 1935 Cubs did quite well. 1st, 3rd, 4th out of 10 teams playing 154 games each. The 1927 Yanks won by 10 games over the 1948 Indians (a good team) who took second place.

Since 1995 I've played the computer version. Even though I haven't played for several years I purchased enough teams, especially the older ones, to determine the best team per decade, each in 11 different leagues:
+
-1905 to 1919, 1920 to 1929. 1930 to 1939, 1940 to 1949, 1950 to 1959, 1960 to 1969, 1970 to 1979, 1980-1989, 1990 to 1999, 2000 to 2009, 2010 to 2016

I choose a favorite team for each decade, make a computer generated schedule for 154 or 162 game schedule, play all games with my favorites and let the computer play all the rest. Viewing the numerous stats is very thrilling.

Lou Gehrig is my all-time favorite player and it was exciting to watch him lead the league in homeruns for the 1930's decade (his 1936 team). He even hit 4 homeruns in one game, too.

I'm of the belief that it's not possible to determine the all-time #1 baseball team. The game progressed or digressed too much from one decade to another, rules and baseball strategy/emphasis was different at times. On paper and statistically the old-time teams with higher batting averages and lower pitcher era's would most often defeat the more modern World Series champs (I'm still speaking about the Strat-O-Matic baseball game, or Diamond Mind, or Action Baseball, or Pure Sim or OOTP). In reality, however, I think todays baseball players are bigger, stronger, faster all the way around...also richer, more spoiled, etc.) Evolution.

In the decades baseball scenario I'm not suggesting you have all the teams in the decade...only the top ones like World Series winners or playoff teams. Also you can combine a couple decades together if you don't have enough teams. Decades where players had overall similar stats could be combined.

There are numerous baseball books to consult to help you decide on what are the best rated baseball teams (and why). It's a lot of fun.

I'm older now and my son or friends no longer play the games with me. Also, I've taken up fishing and community service so my time is more limited now.

I do prefer computer baseball games where you play and manage the game on the field with real baseball players and teams. The office management and trade aspects don't much appeal to me.

Grim.Reaper · February 15, 2016, 07:08:22 AM

Thanks for sharing....those kind of projects are what make season replay games fun to play versus career games. I typically stick to playing the most recent year with my favorite team or one of their past years where they did something special or came close to see if I could do the same. I have played a lot of the other replay baseball games such as ActionPC. DiamondMind, and Replay Baseball, and they are all good in their own way, but just thought this year I would finally try Strat since it appears to have the largest cult following....I want to find out why:)

The daily lineup add-on has me intrigued because it will allow you to play along with the current year and receive updated ratings/trends, etc....so you can see if you can do better with your current favorite team and compare yourself to them along the way. I'll likely pick it up before the season starts once I confirm I like the base game enough to keep playing it...very curious to see how it works. Although it is more of a subscription since you can no longer use it after December 31st, they'll sell you a new one for 2017.

WYBaugh · February 15, 2016, 04:08:37 PM

Well I bit and pre-ordered 2016, 1988 season and the live update. Looking forward to it and hopefully it will be worth the $$

Grim.Reaper · February 15, 2016, 04:11:42 PM

Quote from: WYBaugh on February 15, 2016, 04:08:37 PM
Well I bit and pre-ordered 2016, 1988 season and the live update. Looking forward to it and hopefully it will be worth the $$

I likely will end up with the live update as well, but I'll see how I like the overall game before the season actually starts. This game series is definitely not cheap, just saw to get hi-res stadium pictures you have to purchase another $30 add-on....although I think some community members do various things for free.

Although minor, what the heck is with the $2 surcharge per order? Haven't see that kind of charge in a long time from companies, most be trying to cover credit card charges or trying to make more money:)

I'll also pick up some old seasons somewhere down the road, have to relive the glory days!