Suggestions for OOTP

kevina · 10-19-2010, 08:54 PM

OOTP Wishlist

While I’ve found OOTP to be a very nice game overall, replacing Strat-O-Matic as my game of choice mostly because you can see the stats while you play without having to fuss with the cards (or spend hours gathering the statistical meaning of all the dice rolls), I have compiled a wish list I hope the manufacturer sees and considers for the next upgrades:

It’d be nice to have a notice in the dialog box to notify the manager when a pitcher is getting tired. It’s easy to miss the little change that appears in the pitcher’s box.

I’d also like to see when a defensive team is holding on the runner. The computer manager knows, but the human manager doesn’t.

In four seasons I never once saw bunt for hit work for the computer. I’m guessing it’s about 0-50 on the attempt.

I’d like the option to play the All Star game just for fun.

On many of the screens showing offensive capabilities, it’d be nice to see the defensive capabilities as well, maybe listed as 2B-12, SS-13, etc. Sometimes there are too many clicks necessary to get the information you need to make lineup decisions. This is especially true of the starting lineup list where the defensive rating could be part of the position on the drop-down fields.

The same holds true for the rested information. I like to know if a player is at 98% without having to click through, and the battery icon doesn’t show up unless they’re listed as tired.

When adjusting the lineup in the lineup screen, I’d prefer that the positions selected don’t actually go into the player’s record until you start the game again. I’ve ended up with position players listed as pitchers and vice versa just because I’ve futzed around with replacements in that screen. I’d also love to have an undo button there, because I’ve accidentally dropped a player over the wrong guy more than once, and then I’m stuck.

On that same screen, the opposing pitcher being listed would eliminate to click back and forth trying to remember if we were up against a righty or a lefty.

Continuing with that screen, it’d be nice if it defaulted to the same view as when you were last in it. A click over to the opposition and then a return resets it more often that not, and then you have to click around again to get it back to what you were looking at. Also, if it goes back and All Batters are showing, it shouldn’t stick with the pitchers’ ratings, as it sometimes does or vice versa.

Also be nice to select a default screen of your own preference. It would also save some time to put a list at the bottom of the positions that are missing; it takes a bit sometimes to figure out what position the guy who was just injured was playing. The game should also stop on an injury without going to to the replacement screen where you then have to figure out who was injured.

Once in a while a bug occurs whereby the right-handed batter on the BNN Broadcast screen mysteriously disappears. Over time, often by clicking around to whatever else, it mysteriously reappears. And no, I don’t accidentally drag it off the screen to make that happen… I did that only once.

The righty and lefty rating seem to very nearly be the same for pitchers; seems to me that the differences should often be greater, but I rarely see that.

I personally would prefer the game controls all stayed the same and just became active if it was an appropriate action. I’ve hit 4 for steal more than once when it had turned into a squeeze bunt or something else.

While in the game, when you click on the player, it would be nice to have access to the Profile screen, and the historical stats, etc.

When the dialog comes up asking if you want to take an additional base, I’d like to know what the speed of the runner is. The dialog obscures the screen so you can’t see the runner ratings on the field as well.

Strategically, the computer manager has tried a sacrifice bunt when down by 5 runs in the 8th inning and one out, or tried to steal a base when losing by a fair amount of runs, neither strategy particularly sound, and that’s with those settings set to average.

It appears that DHing creates the same tired impact as even a catcher. I experimented with making a good catcher the DH but he got tired as often as when he was catching. The same can be said of pinch-hitting; I would put maybe a 25% (or less) impact compared to actually playing in the field.

I’d like to see a setting whereby the computer manager is as aware of the future as the human manager. I started a draft league from scratch, and through the draft as well as trades, managed to amass a roster with Bonds, Sosa, McGwire, Clemens, Maddux, and more: a veritable all-star team. All because I know the names and future; the ratings at the time are fine for computer manager to computer manager, but I have had five straight seasons of 125+ wins, it’s obvious the human manager has a huge advantage if he or she wants to exploit it, which is hard not to do. The financials being turned on inhibit that, but messing with financials is more time-consuming than some of us want to deal with.

I’d be in favor of a setting whereby any base runner with X amount or better in stealing percentage is automatically held on… sometimes you forget to do it.

I’m curious what the “LP” stands for on the scoreboard. Couldn’t find a reference to it in the manual.

I just downloaded the latest patch, maybe a few of these have been addressed, but I didn’t see any on the list…

Overall this is a very good game- but I think these improvements would make it a great game…

Did I miss any, or does anyone disagree with any of these?

lt2cents · 10-19-2010, 11:20 PM

Much of your list is right on the target for some basic improvements. Several of them have actually been entered into the suggestions part of the forum nearly as you state them.

Unfortunately some of the suggestions were already put in 2 or 3 versions ago and have not yet happened. Since many of them hardly seem anything like major recoding work it is hard to understand why they can't be done. And now especially since a lot of work on other aspects of the program has gone forward it might be time to expect these to finally rotate into attention.

Questdog · 10-19-2010, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevina

OOTP Wishlist
I’m curious what the “LP” stands for on the scoreboard. Couldn’t find a reference to it in the manual.

LP = Last Pitch

Shows the speed in MPH of the last pitch.

MizzouRah · 10-19-2010, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Continuing with that screen, it’d be nice if it defaulted to the same view as when you were last in it. A click over to the opposition and then a return resets it more often that not, and then you have to click around again to get it back to what you were looking at. Also, if it goes back and All Batters are showing, it shouldn’t stick with the pitchers’ ratings, as it sometimes does or vice versa

I've been wanting "sticky" screens for some time now.

Simmo13 · 10-20-2010, 08:41 AM

Some good points....just a few thoughts....

Aren't baserunners held by default?.... I've always thought that the "hold runner" option is the equivalent of the pitcher slide-step.

Regarding the pitcher tiring, I like having to keep an eye on velocity/location to get early warning signs rather than waiting for the OK/Tired message.

Having just lost a 1-0 game against the AI when the lead-off hitter bunted for a hit, stole second, went to third on an error and scored on a flyball I can vouch for the fact that bunt hit attempts can be successful (don't ya just love the deadball era!!)

Could you not play out the all-star game in commissioner mode?

Sweed · 10-20-2010, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevina

OOTP Wishlist

On many of the screens showing offensive capabilities, it’d be nice to see the defensive capabilities as well, maybe listed as 2B-12, SS-13, etc. Sometimes there are too many clicks necessary to get the information you need to make lineup decisions. This is especially true of the starting lineup list where the defensive rating could be part of the position on the drop-down fields.

You can build this view\screen yourself. While OOTP could never include all of the views\screens that each of us as individuals would like to see it does give us the ability, in game without having to edit xml files, to build almost any view we would like to have.

I'm assuming you are new to OOTP so maybe you aren't familiar with this feature? Simply go to view>customize and add or delete any category you want and then save the view. In your case open the view with the offensive capabilities you are talking about and customize the view with the fielding ratings you want to see. Your only limit is the number of columns your monitor can show.

Cornelius McGillicuddy · 10-20-2010, 09:43 AM

A lot of us consider being able to save the game in the middle of pbp to be of utmost importance.

And, secondly, a realistic representation of financials during the reserve clause era.

OmahaBaseball · 10-20-2010, 10:45 AM

To the OP: Thank you for taking the time to consider and list some very good points.

I really find this one to be in need-->

Quote:

When the dialog comes up asking if you want to take an additional base, I’d like to know what the speed of the runner is. The dialog obscures the screen so you can’t see the runner ratings on the field as well.

kevina · 10-20-2010, 11:33 AM

Simply go to view>customize and add or delete any category you want and then save the view. In your case open the view with the offensive capabilities you are talking about and customize the view with the fielding ratings you want to see. Your only limit is the number of columns your monitor can show.

Ooh! Nice one- hadn't seen that. Thanks!

10-19-2010, 08:54 PM	#1
kevina Bat Boy Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 2	Suggestions for OOTP OOTP Wishlist While I’ve found OOTP to be a very nice game overall, replacing Strat-O-Matic as my game of choice mostly because you can see the stats while you play without having to fuss with the cards (or spend hours gathering the statistical meaning of all the dice rolls), I have compiled a wish list I hope the manufacturer sees and considers for the next upgrades: It’d be nice to have a notice in the dialog box to notify the manager when a pitcher is getting tired. It’s easy to miss the little change that appears in the pitcher’s box. I’d also like to see when a defensive team is holding on the runner. The computer manager knows, but the human manager doesn’t. In four seasons I never once saw bunt for hit work for the computer. I’m guessing it’s about 0-50 on the attempt. I’d like the option to play the All Star game just for fun. On many of the screens showing offensive capabilities, it’d be nice to see the defensive capabilities as well, maybe listed as 2B-12, SS-13, etc. Sometimes there are too many clicks necessary to get the information you need to make lineup decisions. This is especially true of the starting lineup list where the defensive rating could be part of the position on the drop-down fields. The same holds true for the rested information. I like to know if a player is at 98% without having to click through, and the battery icon doesn’t show up unless they’re listed as tired. When adjusting the lineup in the lineup screen, I’d prefer that the positions selected don’t actually go into the player’s record until you start the game again. I’ve ended up with position players listed as pitchers and vice versa just because I’ve futzed around with replacements in that screen. I’d also love to have an undo button there, because I’ve accidentally dropped a player over the wrong guy more than once, and then I’m stuck. On that same screen, the opposing pitcher being listed would eliminate to click back and forth trying to remember if we were up against a righty or a lefty. Continuing with that screen, it’d be nice if it defaulted to the same view as when you were last in it. A click over to the opposition and then a return resets it more often that not, and then you have to click around again to get it back to what you were looking at. Also, if it goes back and All Batters are showing, it shouldn’t stick with the pitchers’ ratings, as it sometimes does or vice versa. Also be nice to select a default screen of your own preference. It would also save some time to put a list at the bottom of the positions that are missing; it takes a bit sometimes to figure out what position the guy who was just injured was playing. The game should also stop on an injury without going to to the replacement screen where you then have to figure out who was injured. Once in a while a bug occurs whereby the right-handed batter on the BNN Broadcast screen mysteriously disappears. Over time, often by clicking around to whatever else, it mysteriously reappears. And no, I don’t accidentally drag it off the screen to make that happen… I did that only once. The righty and lefty rating seem to very nearly be the same for pitchers; seems to me that the differences should often be greater, but I rarely see that. I personally would prefer the game controls all stayed the same and just became active if it was an appropriate action. I’ve hit 4 for steal more than once when it had turned into a squeeze bunt or something else. While in the game, when you click on the player, it would be nice to have access to the Profile screen, and the historical stats, etc. When the dialog comes up asking if you want to take an additional base, I’d like to know what the speed of the runner is. The dialog obscures the screen so you can’t see the runner ratings on the field as well. Strategically, the computer manager has tried a sacrifice bunt when down by 5 runs in the 8th inning and one out, or tried to steal a base when losing by a fair amount of runs, neither strategy particularly sound, and that’s with those settings set to average. It appears that DHing creates the same tired impact as even a catcher. I experimented with making a good catcher the DH but he got tired as often as when he was catching. The same can be said of pinch-hitting; I would put maybe a 25% (or less) impact compared to actually playing in the field. I’d like to see a setting whereby the computer manager is as aware of the future as the human manager. I started a draft league from scratch, and through the draft as well as trades, managed to amass a roster with Bonds, Sosa, McGwire, Clemens, Maddux, and more: a veritable all-star team. All because I know the names and future; the ratings at the time are fine for computer manager to computer manager, but I have had five straight seasons of 125+ wins, it’s obvious the human manager has a huge advantage if he or she wants to exploit it, which is hard not to do. The financials being turned on inhibit that, but messing with financials is more time-consuming than some of us want to deal with. I’d be in favor of a setting whereby any base runner with X amount or better in stealing percentage is automatically held on… sometimes you forget to do it. I’m curious what the “LP” stands for on the scoreboard. Couldn’t find a reference to it in the manual. I just downloaded the latest patch, maybe a few of these have been addressed, but I didn’t see any on the list… Overall this is a very good game- but I think these improvements would make it a great game… Did I miss any, or does anyone disagree with any of these?

10-20-2010, 09:43 AM	#7
Cornelius McGillicuddy Banned Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Playing the inside game Posts: 763 Infractions: 0/1 (4)	A lot of us consider being able to save the game in the middle of pbp to be of utmost importance. And, secondly, a realistic representation of financials during the reserve clause era. Last edited by Cornelius McGillicuddy; 10-20-2010 at 09:45 AM.

10-19-2010, 11:20 PM	#2
lt2cents Minors (Triple A) Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 212	Much of your list is right on the target for some basic improvements. Several of them have actually been entered into the suggestions part of the forum nearly as you state them. Unfortunately some of the suggestions were already put in 2 or 3 versions ago and have not yet happened. Since many of them hardly seem anything like major recoding work it is hard to understand why they can't be done. And now especially since a lot of work on other aspects of the program has gone forward it might be time to expect these to finally rotate into attention.

10-20-2010, 08:41 AM	#5
Simmo13 All Star Reserve Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: those blue remembered hills Posts: 955	Some good points....just a few thoughts.... Aren't baserunners held by default?.... I've always thought that the "hold runner" option is the equivalent of the pitcher slide-step. Regarding the pitcher tiring, I like having to keep an eye on velocity/location to get early warning signs rather than waiting for the OK/Tired message. Having just lost a 1-0 game against the AI when the lead-off hitter bunted for a hit, stole second, went to third on an error and scored on a flyball I can vouch for the fact that bunt hit attempts can be successful (don't ya just love the deadball era!!) Could you not play out the all-star game in commissioner mode?

10-20-2010, 11:33 AM	#9
kevina Bat Boy Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 2	Simply go to view>customize and add or delete any category you want and then save the view. In your case open the view with the offensive capabilities you are talking about and customize the view with the fielding ratings you want to see. Your only limit is the number of columns your monitor can show. Ooh! Nice one- hadn't seen that. Thanks!