Where to start?

Unca $crooge · 10-12-2020, 09:05 PM

For the fourth time, I have purchased OOTP and have vowed this time to play more than just a couple of games. Last year when I bought it, I couldn't remember how to actually play a game so I thought I would "watch" one play out. The Cubs used Quintana as their starter and were behind when he was scheduled to hit. The CM pinch hit for him and I was shocked to see Quintana head out to the mound for the 7th! He faced one batter but a game that would leave him in after he had been pinch hit for isn't worth my time. So I have a bunch of questions to see whether it is worth my time (and $20) to see if this can work.

1) Are obvious errors like that still part of the game?

One of my desires is to play complete season replays where I play all of the games, managing one team while the CM handles the other.
2) Is that possible?
3) Can I easily turn off the annoying GM feature?
4) Are real-life transactions and lineups included in the past seasons?

My other desire is to possibly replace DMB with OOTP. Our league has been around since 1969 starting with APBA. We have 24 members, play a 160-game season, and over 90% of our games are played FTF.

5) Does OOTP offer a viable FTF platform with easy transfer of game results.
6) Is the CM any good?

7) Where is the best place to get started without getting bogged down in the myriad of detail? Are there tutorials that would help? Online resources?

8)Any word of advice to make this thing work without spending hours just to get started?

Thanks for any help that is offered. I

thehef · 10-13-2020, 01:11 AM

1. No. Based upon my experience (been playing OOTP since v6) and being on the forums for a long time, this would be highly unusual occurrence.

2. Yes, you can play out all of the games for your team and let OOTP handle the rest.

3. Not sure what feature to which you are referring, so I can't answer.

4. Yes, real life transactions and lineups are included for prior seasons, going back to 1901.

5. No clue. Others might have an opinion.

6. Probably depends up on who you ask. My opinion is that it's pretty good.

7&8. Since you seem to be into historical, my suggestion is to start a historical league using primarily the defaults that the game gives you. Pick a season that represents the early part of an era that interests you, and start with that. Don't worry about logos, facegen, ballparks, etc. Just go with it. Let the OOTP autoplay the games for awhile. Then jump in a play a couple of games with your favorite team. But don't stress over the details. Don't let this particular league become your main league, the one you immerse yourself in. Just treat it as a test league, and nothing more.

Do a lot of prowling around the game to see what reports are out there, how you can view and sort different things, etc., etc. Then, as you find things that you are curious about, start investigating them, search the manual, these boards, etc.

Good luck!

BirdWatcher · 10-13-2020, 07:32 PM

I guess to me when I read a question like "can I easily turn off the annoying GM feature?" I find myself wondering what you mean exactly. If I am understanding you correctly (and there is a decent chance I'm not) it sounds like what you mean is can I play OOTP like it isn't a sports management sim.

I suppose there are ways that you certainly can, but then I wonder, why choose a game like OOTP anyway then? (Hey, I don't mean to discourage anyone from buying, or playing, OOTP. But I do wonder sometimes what people think they have purchased when they ask questions like this one.) Again, unless I am completely misunderstanding you, I believe that the annoying GM feature you refer to is what sets OOTP apart from the rest of the pack, what makes it special, what makes it an amazingly immersive and addictive game.

You are absolutely right about the learning curve with this game. If you are looking for simple then again I have to wonder, why OOTP? I guess I would argue that the hours spent getting started, the complexity and depth of this game, the range of options, the challenge of it all, well, those are the things that draw the OOTP target audience to the game. If that isn't for you, no problem. And yes, as thehef mentioned, there are ways to strip the game down a bit, to remove the elements you aren't as interested in. And everyone plays the game a bit differently. I think it's not too much of a stretch to say that each hardcore OOTP gamer finds their own particular sweet spot. But if you are just looking for it to be some sort of replacement for a game like DMB (or Strat, or APBA, or Replay, etc.- all good games, but very different animals than OOTP), well, again I have to wonder if this is really the game for you.

I've said something much like this before and I'll probably say it again, but you could buy a Ferrari just to drive it back and forth to your local grocery store once a week, but why would you? That annoying GM stuff, that is the Ferrari as it hugs the curves on a winding mountain road at speeds that might just be bit excessive, but boy is that ride worth it.

timmcdonald · 10-13-2020, 09:43 PM

On question 7&8 I would agree with thehef. Go start a game (or games) and try out the features. The first league I created I learned a bunch of things I wasn't expecting - but then I wasn't strictly playing a historical league - I severely modified it.
I'm on at least my 6th league, learning something new each one.

I find that the GM features are the most intriguing feature of the game, esp. in historical context - trading, drafting. I turn the ability to trade draft picks on which I find makes it more interesting if unrealistic.

Unca $crooge · 10-13-2020, 10:53 PM

My primary interest in any baseball simulation is that it is reasonably statistically accurate, that it is relatively easy to play, and is fun to play. But when I play a game and the game (not a CM issue) doesn't automatically remove a player that has been pinch-hit for, it does not instill a lot of confidence in the game's accuracy. With version 17 game, I played a handful of 1920 season games and saw a bunch of in-the-park homeruns, including four in one game. I'm sure that happened but not often so it stretches the credibility of the game engine.

Frankly, the sports management side of things bores me to tears (more like an Aztek than a Ferrari) so this may not be a good fit for me but I want to do more than play a few games this time before making that decision. In a league environment where we play 160 games over 22 weeks we wouldn't have time to deal with the sports management stuff. So, in leagues and replays, do people look back and say the results seem reasonable? Do ball park factors affect results? Do lefty / righty setups matter?

CBeisbol · 10-14-2020, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unca $crooge

So, in leagues and replays, do people look back and say the results seem reasonable?

yes

Quote:

Do ball park factors affect results?

yes

Quote:

Do lefty / righty setups matter?

Yes

Unca $crooge · 10-14-2020, 08:47 PM

Thanks much, especially for the links.

Chesapeakejet · 11-11-2020, 08:55 PM

Does one have to setup a league before they can play an exhibition game between two historical teams? I'm used to other games where you click on "exhibition game" and then you can pick the two teams based on year and start playing the game. Any easy way with OOTP for us simpletons?

AESP_pres · 11-11-2020, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thehef

4. Yes, real life transactions and lineups are included for prior seasons, going back to 1901.

The transactions go back to 1872 but I'm not sure if the lineups start before 1901.

You just need to manually select "use real life transaction" when you create your league, playing everytime with simulation starting in 1871 I can guarantee you that they are.

Brad K · 11-11-2020, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chesapeakejet

Does one have to setup a league before they can play an exhibition game between two historical teams? I'm used to other games where you click on "exhibition game" and then you can pick the two teams based on year and start playing the game. Any easy way with OOTP for us simpletons?

Set up a league and keep it for this purpose. Also you can import teams from other years into this league. So once you've done the setup its fairly easy.

pstrickert · 11-11-2020, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chesapeakejet

Does one have to setup a league before they can play an exhibition game between two historical teams? I'm used to other games where you click on "exhibition game" and then you can pick the two teams based on year and start playing the game. Any easy way with OOTP for us simpletons?

Choose Historical Exhibition from the main menu. In a few simple steps, you'll be ready to go.

Michael T · 11-12-2020, 08:17 AM

I also have Baseball Mogul, it is a much simpler, more streamlined easier to play game which is why I bought OOTP as I was looking for more depth in a game. You might try BBM, they will send you a free demo that lets you play thru an entire year including playoffs if you ask them.

10-12-2020, 09:05 PM	#1
Unca $crooge Bat Boy Join Date: Jul 2020 Posts: 9	Where to start? For the fourth time, I have purchased OOTP and have vowed this time to play more than just a couple of games. Last year when I bought it, I couldn't remember how to actually play a game so I thought I would "watch" one play out. The Cubs used Quintana as their starter and were behind when he was scheduled to hit. The CM pinch hit for him and I was shocked to see Quintana head out to the mound for the 7th! He faced one batter but a game that would leave him in after he had been pinch hit for isn't worth my time. So I have a bunch of questions to see whether it is worth my time (and $20) to see if this can work. 1) Are obvious errors like that still part of the game? One of my desires is to play complete season replays where I play all of the games, managing one team while the CM handles the other. 2) Is that possible? 3) Can I easily turn off the annoying GM feature? 4) Are real-life transactions and lineups included in the past seasons? My other desire is to possibly replace DMB with OOTP. Our league has been around since 1969 starting with APBA. We have 24 members, play a 160-game season, and over 90% of our games are played FTF. 5) Does OOTP offer a viable FTF platform with easy transfer of game results. 6) Is the CM any good? 7) Where is the best place to get started without getting bogged down in the myriad of detail? Are there tutorials that would help? Online resources? 8)Any word of advice to make this thing work without spending hours just to get started? Thanks for any help that is offered. I Last edited by Unca $crooge; 10-12-2020 at 10:20 PM.

10-13-2020, 07:32 PM	#3
BirdWatcher Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 4,263	I guess to me when I read a question like "can I easily turn off the annoying GM feature?" I find myself wondering what you mean exactly. If I am understanding you correctly (and there is a decent chance I'm not) it sounds like what you mean is can I play OOTP like it isn't a sports management sim. I suppose there are ways that you certainly can, but then I wonder, why choose a game like OOTP anyway then? (Hey, I don't mean to discourage anyone from buying, or playing, OOTP. But I do wonder sometimes what people think they have purchased when they ask questions like this one.) Again, unless I am completely misunderstanding you, I believe that the annoying GM feature you refer to is what sets OOTP apart from the rest of the pack, what makes it special, what makes it an amazingly immersive and addictive game. You are absolutely right about the learning curve with this game. If you are looking for simple then again I have to wonder, why OOTP? I guess I would argue that the hours spent getting started, the complexity and depth of this game, the range of options, the challenge of it all, well, those are the things that draw the OOTP target audience to the game. If that isn't for you, no problem. And yes, as thehef mentioned, there are ways to strip the game down a bit, to remove the elements you aren't as interested in. And everyone plays the game a bit differently. I think it's not too much of a stretch to say that each hardcore OOTP gamer finds their own particular sweet spot. But if you are just looking for it to be some sort of replacement for a game like DMB (or Strat, or APBA, or Replay, etc.- all good games, but very different animals than OOTP), well, again I have to wonder if this is really the game for you. I've said something much like this before and I'll probably say it again, but you could buy a Ferrari just to drive it back and forth to your local grocery store once a week, but why would you? That annoying GM stuff, that is the Ferrari as it hugs the curves on a winding mountain road at speeds that might just be bit excessive, but boy is that ride worth it. __________________ The Denver Brewers of the W.P. Kinsella League-- The fun starts here(1965-1971: https://forums.ootpdevelopments.com/...d.php?t=289570 And continues here (1972-1976): https://forums.ootpdevelopments.com/...d.php?t=300500 On we go (1977- 1979): https://forums.ootpdevelopments.com/...d.php?t=314601 For ongoing and more random updates on the WPK:https://forums.ootpdevelopments.com/...d.php?t=325147, https://forums.ootpdevelopments.com/...d.php?t=330717

10-13-2020, 10:53 PM	#5
Unca $crooge Bat Boy Join Date: Jul 2020 Posts: 9	My primary interest in any baseball simulation is that it is reasonably statistically accurate, that it is relatively easy to play, and is fun to play. But when I play a game and the game (not a CM issue) doesn't automatically remove a player that has been pinch-hit for, it does not instill a lot of confidence in the game's accuracy. With version 17 game, I played a handful of 1920 season games and saw a bunch of in-the-park homeruns, including four in one game. I'm sure that happened but not often so it stretches the credibility of the game engine. Frankly, the sports management side of things bores me to tears (more like an Aztek than a Ferrari) so this may not be a good fit for me but I want to do more than play a few games this time before making that decision. In a league environment where we play 160 games over 22 weeks we wouldn't have time to deal with the sports management stuff. So, in leagues and replays, do people look back and say the results seem reasonable? Do ball park factors affect results? Do lefty / righty setups matter? Last edited by Unca $crooge; 10-13-2020 at 10:54 PM.

11-12-2020, 08:17 AM	#12
Michael T Minors (Double A) Join Date: Aug 2020 Posts: 137	I also have Baseball Mogul, it is a much simpler, more streamlined easier to play game which is why I bought OOTP as I was looking for more depth in a game. You might try BBM, they will send you a free demo that lets you play thru an entire year including playoffs if you ask them. __________________ Sent from my pocket calculator using two tin cans and a string

10-13-2020, 01:11 AM	#2
thehef Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 5,311	1. No. Based upon my experience (been playing OOTP since v6) and being on the forums for a long time, this would be highly unusual occurrence. 2. Yes, you can play out all of the games for your team and let OOTP handle the rest. 3. Not sure what feature to which you are referring, so I can't answer. 4. Yes, real life transactions and lineups are included for prior seasons, going back to 1901. 5. No clue. Others might have an opinion. 6. Probably depends up on who you ask. My opinion is that it's pretty good. 7&8. Since you seem to be into historical, my suggestion is to start a historical league using primarily the defaults that the game gives you. Pick a season that represents the early part of an era that interests you, and start with that. Don't worry about logos, facegen, ballparks, etc. Just go with it. Let the OOTP autoplay the games for awhile. Then jump in a play a couple of games with your favorite team. But don't stress over the details. Don't let this particular league become your main league, the one you immerse yourself in. Just treat it as a test league, and nothing more. Do a lot of prowling around the game to see what reports are out there, how you can view and sort different things, etc., etc. Then, as you find things that you are curious about, start investigating them, search the manual, these boards, etc. Good luck!

10-13-2020, 09:43 PM	#4
timmcdonald Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Renfrew, Ontario Posts: 48	On question 7&8 I would agree with thehef. Go start a game (or games) and try out the features. The first league I created I learned a bunch of things I wasn't expecting - but then I wasn't strictly playing a historical league - I severely modified it. I'm on at least my 6th league, learning something new each one. I find that the GM features are the most intriguing feature of the game, esp. in historical context - trading, drafting. I turn the ability to trade draft picks on which I find makes it more interesting if unrealistic.

10-14-2020, 08:47 PM	#7
Unca $crooge Bat Boy Join Date: Jul 2020 Posts: 9	Thanks much, especially for the links.

11-11-2020, 08:55 PM	#8
Chesapeakejet Bat Boy Join Date: Nov 2015 Posts: 4	Does one have to setup a league before they can play an exhibition game between two historical teams? I'm used to other games where you click on "exhibition game" and then you can pick the two teams based on year and start playing the game. Any easy way with OOTP for us simpletons?