So, I've ran my initial tests. So far I've been fiddling with only 1 setting in the team strategy section : stolen bases. This one setting is easy to test because the results are easy to find in the box scores and game logs. Let me first give the results : the OOTP16 team strategy settings do not work. They are broken. The a.i. manger does what he wants regardless of settings. I understand that the development team wants to get away from a "spreadsheet game". But, I want control over how my team performs in important situations, just like it's always been up until now. Here is what I just did to prove that the simulation doesn't care about team strategy settings.
I continued my previously started game. Starting new games is now a long process and I didn't want to go through that again for this test. I went to the team strategy settings tab and hit the reset button. I then confirmed that all situations were in fact reset. I then changed all the "stealing bases" settings for all situation to "never" except for one. The Early(1st - 6th) and Close(+/- 3 runs) situation I set to frequent. I then began simulating 1 game at a time until there was a stolen base. The stolen base occurred on about the 5th game.
Bottom of 1st, kc2 to stl0. So with the KC 2 run lead, the ai decided to steal. Where is the setting for 2 run strategy? There isn't one. And I am guessing that it wouldn't have mattered to the ai if I was up 2 runs or down 2 runs.
If the opposing ai wants to "keep it real" by "mixing it up", I'm fine with that. I'm fine with it in my own organization in the minor leagues. But for the big league team, NO, absolutely not ok.
I love this game. I want it to be the best it can be. But, all the time I spend scouting, recruiting, studying, anjd signing players (which I believe is the most awesome part of the game) is totally and completely thrown out the window because the bench coach or manager is totally incapable of following instructions, or should I say that I am not allowed to give accurate instructions.
This also ties into opposing coaching strategies. I am having trouble convincing myself that this game is better than previous iterations. I can't convince myself that the opposing coach is capable of managing a good game, when my own coach can't do it.
In summary, I like the idea of not being able to see all of the other teams coaching strategies. I don't want to know. But, when I install myself into the role of manager for my own team, yes, I want control over stategy, in all games, both played and simulated. PLEASE, bring back the old team startegy user interface for this years game. Thank you for listening.