Worth it to play games?

[Crawdadbud]

Some frustration here but is it worth it even to play the games over simming? It seems as though the scores are predetermined before the game starts.

Example: I am facing the Pirates with a decent hitting team, up against a pitcher who through 4 games has a 13.0 ERA. I have won 3 games in a row. He strikes out 6 of the first 6 batters and gets 13 strikeouts throughout the game. I get a total of 5 hits and he shuts me out. Many of his innings are extended due to errors or walking in runs.

I can usually tell in the first couple innings on whether I am going to win on how bad my team is playing with errors or just giving up dumb plays.

Anyone else seeing this or is it just my paranoia?

[pgjocki]

Paranoia.

I've played out hundreds of games and can't tell you how many times I play like crap for 6 innings then put up a crooked number and pull out the win. In a recent save I came back and won two games in a row in the 9th inning against the Dodgers after being completely dominated by their starting pitching.

It is hard to be an agnostic observer in the sim weit large when playing games as you are most likely only playing your team games and not the whole league.

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[jmolony3]

Agreed, I recently scored 10 runs in the bottom of the seventh to snatch a victory after trailing by 8 since the four inning.


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[jimmysthebestcop]

I don't play out many games maybe 2 or 3 dozen I just enjoy the overall organizational management aspect better. There isn't much one can do with the DH during the game. I don't feel like clicking space bar a million times each game. Or just sitting back and watching highlights.

The biggest thing about playing out vs simming to me is the bullpen. The AI handles my bullpen horrendously. I can tell when simming you will see a string of games where you give up crazy amount of runs you check the bullpen and everyone's is under 15% red. So I have stop the sim and do some AAA carpooling to get fresh arms up for a couple games.

In my last season I actually went to 14 pitchers. Only had to do the carpool 1 time the entire season and my team won 110 games.

Now some players have fun and get entertainment from playing out the games so for them it's worth it. You have to determine if its fun or not for. If its not then only skip it. I usually only do like milestone, rival games, or 1st mlb player games.

[Tony820]

I find that it’s worth it, but I’m also ok committing a large chunk of time to the game. I like playing in the modern universe and don’t want to get to like 2055 overnight, so I take my seasons slow. I play one pitch mode every game. A season can take as long as you want it depending on how many hours you want to log. I just feel like I’m in more control of everything that way.

[Mat]

It is just your paranoia

[Vegas Vic]

I take a hybrid approach. I'll play out the first, seventh and ninth innings during the regular season. If I make the playoffs, I play out the entire game.

[Eugene Church]

In one of my dynasty leagues with 64 teams in 8 divisions I sim the regular season and then play out the last 4 innings of each playoff game... that way I can control most substitutions in the game... I play 1950-style baseball and don't like all of the changes the AI will make.

In my 24-team dynasty with 4 six-team leagues I play a 20-game schedule... it's modeled after semi-pro leagues in the 50s... I play out the last four innings of every game.

Playing out the games you get to know the teams much better... and the animation is a big added plus... it make the game come alive.

Playing out the game, you also keep down some of the bad decisions the AI will make in substitutions... using a lesser hitter to pinch hit (lefty-righty switch)... taking a pitcher out when he has a shutout in the late innings and is not tired... taking your best batters out for defensive purposes in the late innings.

[cmaug]

I think playing out the games really helps with immersion, if that's what you're looking for...

I get really attached to some of those little pixels

[IanIachimoe]

Originally Posted by cmaug

I think playing out the games really helps with immersion, if that's what you're looking for...

I get really attached to some of those little pixels

THIS^^

I've tried simming & never felt connected with the team.

have to play out every game.

[MizzouRah]

I only play out key games, opening day, prospect call up, big trade and all playoff games.

Just had the first game of the NLDS, trailing 5-4 in the bottom of the 9th and my 1st baseman hits a walk off, 3 run homer! I think I woke the house up!!

[Bobbyraz49]

I play all my games. First time with OOTPBB(21). I like the ability to walk a batter, steal a base, hit and run, and change players the way I wish. I am playing as the 2020 Mets.
I have a record of 61-60. So this seems realistic to me.
My issue may be the amount of injuries. I played the season opener with Syndergard on the bump. He won ..then went on the IL for the remainder of this season. Just past the all-star break deGrom was injured and done for the year. At that time I had the first wildcard spot. Now I an 9 games out.
Some evenings I play 3 games. Anxiously awaiting the off season mode. I've never played OOTPBB before so I don't know how to handle contracts etc., so suggestion would be helpful !!! TY I have a 24 year old pitcher in AAA and offered him a contract. Now it show I offered him $ 0 per year for 0 years. He is 12-3 currently in AAA.
I like seeing gate revenue, merchandising, and contracts.
Really digging this game even with the "bugs" in it.
Be safe. Bob in Buffalo

[CBeisbol]

Originally Posted by Crawdadbud

.
Example: I am facing the Pirates with a decent hitting team, up against a pitcher who through 4 games has a 13.0 ERA. I have won 3 games in a row. He strikes out 6 of the first 6 batters and gets 13 strikeouts throughout the game. I get a total of 5 hits and he shuts me out. Many of his innings are extended due to errors or walking in runs.

I'm sorry you lost a game

Originally Posted by Eugene Church

Playing out the games you get to know the teams much better...

This

Playing out the game, you also keep down some of the bad decisions the AI will make in substitutions... using a lesser hitter to pinch hit (lefty-righty switch)... taking a pitcher out when he has a shutout in the late innings and is not tired... taking your best batters out for defensive purposes in the late innings.

Those aren't inherently bad decisions. All dependent on the situation

I hate that the AI uses it's best pinch hitter with the bases empty, two-outs in the 7th inning. Use a lesser hitter there

Shutout? Meh

I prefer to take out my best/most important players late in games when I can. If I'm up multiple runs, I'd rather have the better defender in there getting some time and my star player safely on the bench

[HRBaker]

If the question is; "Are the results the same whether you play the game or sim it?", the answer is no.


The same game, played multiple times, whether by you OR the AI will always be different.


Your phrase "It seems as though the scores are predetermined before the game starts." needs to be denied clearly up front.


As far as other comments, I too find I make a personal connection to my players if I actually watch them play.

[DonMattingly]

Originally Posted by Crawdadbud

Some frustration here but is it worth it even to play the games over simming? It seems as though the scores are predetermined before the game starts.

Example: I am facing the Pirates with a decent hitting team, up against a pitcher who through 4 games has a 13.0 ERA. I have won 3 games in a row. He strikes out 6 of the first 6 batters and gets 13 strikeouts throughout the game. I get a total of 5 hits and he shuts me out. Many of his innings are extended due to errors or walking in runs.

I can usually tell in the first couple innings on whether I am going to win on how bad my team is playing with errors or just giving up dumb plays.

Anyone else seeing this or is it just my paranoia?

If you're the manager then it can't be predetermined because it can't know what moves you'll make ahead of time.

[swoboda]

It's not a choice, you can do both. I do.

I always have one game in which I am GM only, and thoroughly enjoy all of the GM stuff, trades, contracts , drafts, etc

and I always have another game going in which I am both GM and Mgr and play 'em all out, a very different experience, almost like being in the dugout calling all the shots for the long grind of the season.

[Sweed]

I play out every inning of every game, including spring training, and have been doing so since v4 (2002). I couldn't do it any other way.

Games are not predetermined. So you lost to a poor pitcher having a good day, it happens. It is a strength of the game, not a weakness that random things that happen in real life also happen in OOTP.

I just won the World Series but it wasn't easy. Won the first two at home, went on the road, game three up 5-1 in the 5th inning. Thinking I'll be up 3 games to none, this is over. Fell apart and lost when still up 2 I brought in my stud LH reliever to face the next two batters, both LH. He gives up back to back HRs to tie the game and it was all down hill after that. I was not pleased but this stuff happens. Series ended up going 7 and I won a nail biter with my closer on the hill and a 2 run lead. He's very good and I expected him to K the side. He gave up 1 run and stranded the tying run on 2b.

Play 'em out and enjoy the ride

[mbologna]

This is my first year playing OOTP. I decided to start in 1970 with a AAA team, then got a GM/Mgr position with the Royals.

Playing out the games helps me learn the players, the other teams, the game itself, and strategy. I just started the 1972 season. I played more of 71 than 70, but simmed more as the season got away.

It’s all personal preference of course, but it feels more immersive when you play the games. For instance, I just shored up my defense at 1B, 3B, and LF. I don’t think I would have noticed those weaknesses as quickly without playing some games.


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[jeffw3000]

Originally Posted by HRBaker

If the question is; "Are the results the same whether you play the game or sim it?", the answer is no.


The same game, played multiple times, whether by you OR the AI will always be different.


Your phrase "It seems as though the scores are predetermined before the game starts." needs to be denied clearly up front.


As far as other comments, I too find I make a personal connection to my players if I actually watch them play.

I agree with what's been said, clearly the games are not predetermined. Teams come back sometimes, that is baseball. Ask Jim Rooker.

That said, I also play out every game of my teams, and have been since I started playing OOTP in v3. I also, find I am more connected to my players when playing every game.

[rjl518]

The AI still cheats!