Let's talk about OOTP 6 until it comes out...

[mtaystl03]

I know a good number of us here have pre-ordered the game and are looking forward to it. I am interested in how this game stacks up compared to last year's version in terms of how much better it is.

What is your personal favorite new addition to the game? The thing you are looking forward to the most? I really like the rule 5 draft, that adds so much!

We can also used this thread for the latest rumors on when the game is coming out. Who knows some of the guys here have some knowledge that the general public doesn't. Last I heard, April 15th is the latest it should be out. Im sure that has changed.

[MizzouRah]

i'm going to die if the game doesn't come out tonight d00d! frigging markus has my $$ and is using it for beer and women. this is bs all of this ootp6 and the game is vaporwarzzz.





Todd

[Ben E Lou]

I didn't pre-order... they're not getting my money until I get my game.
I'll pay a few extra dollars and keep my dignity. It's the principle.

[mtaystl03]

You don't want to save $9 by pre-ordering it and getting it in a couple of days? I don't feel any less of a dignified human being for doing it. I feel like a cheap ass, yeah but definately still have my dignity.

[Ragone]

I preorder games all the time (madden/ncaa series for ps2) so i figured saving nine bucks and getting full game now was worth it.. even with my inherant distrust of viatech

[MizzouRah]

Skydog is rich, you should see his house!! woot!

He takes $9 and tips the mailman with that.



Todd

[Cuckoo]

Originally Posted by SkyDog

I didn't pre-order... they're not getting my money until I get my game.
I'll pay a few extra dollars and keep my dignity. It's the principle.

Nine bucks is a lot of money. I can't afford my dignity.

[Ragone]

Any opening's in the Postal offices in tucker?

[Ben E Lou]

Some of y'all must have missed this thread.

[Ragone]

I thought like you did at first skydog.. but i knew i'd end up buying the game anyway.. so saving the 9 bucks seemed like a logical choice.. who knows though

[mtaystl03]

Anybody on that April 15th date? Sound about right? Did I just make that up? I swear I saw that somewhere but can't find it now.

[Ben E Lou]

Ok....let me spell it out. MY FIRST POST IN THIS THREAD WAS A JOKE!

[Ben E Lou]

Originally Posted by mtaystl03

Anybody on that April 15th date? Sound about right? Did I just make that up? I swear I saw that somewhere but can't find it now.

Markus said that he HOPED to get it out by April 15th. He hasn't said anything more to my knowledge.

[RPI-Fan]

So what are the biggest differences in V6 over V3? 3 was the last version I played, and I really wasn't a big fan. What kind of things might I look forward to in the new edition?

[Ryche]

I know it's coming out on the 15th because I'm leaving for a long Vegas weekend that day.

[Cuckoo]

Originally Posted by SkyDog

Ok....let me spell it out. MY FIRST POST IN THIS THREAD WAS A JOKE!

[kcchief19]

I'm very intrigued with the additional roster management options. I think those are a nice touch and add more "hot seat" action. However, my fear is that in single-player the AI may not manage these options properly, and in multi-player some of the options may not apply without tweaking. For example, the waivers rule is nice, but I'm not sure how it will work in a league simming two weeks at a crack.

And while I know I risk having Bucc come in here and knock me over the head with the cane given to him personally by President McKinley, I'm apprehensive of some of the new customization options. I don't necessarily have anything against customization, it's just that I want a game like OOTP or FOF or Madden or what have you accurately portry "real life" without having to move a bunch of sliders or calculate algorithms or do math in my head. It's great that Markus is giving his consumers the option of speeding up the harvest or whatever, and if people want to tinker with settings so that you have guys retiring at 27 or you want the Devil Rays to play in the dead ball era, fine.

I bought two versions of OOTP with the hope that I could make historical play work, but it's just too exhausting for me. If the customization settings work for others and they are willing to spend the time, bully for them. I'm just a little afraid that with some of the new custom settings for player development and such, we're going to find ourselves fine tuning settings so that hitters don't develop too fast or that every pitcher won't retire by age 35.

I hope I'm worried over nothing.

[MizzouRah]

If this game gets sliders, I'm done.

Some of the new settings to tweak - weigh stats vs ratings, etc.. have me a tad worried. I hope Markus has the the default settings tweaked for 'normal' play?!?!?!

Meaning, how do I know what the computer should weigh when evaluating players? I just want a realistic game of baseball.


Todd

[mtaystl03]

Originally Posted by MizzouRah

I just want a realistic game of baseball.

I second that.

[CraigSca]

Originally Posted by MizzouRah

If this game gets sliders, I'm done.

Some of the new settings to tweak - weigh stats vs ratings, etc.. have me a tad worried. I hope Markus has the the default settings tweaked for 'normal' play?!?!?!

Meaning, how do I know what the computer should weigh when evaluating players? I just want a realistic game of baseball.


Todd

I understand this, completely. I'm not a "tinkerer" either. I just want a game that simulates real baseball out of the box.

Regarding some of the sliders...Markus and I discussed this - the whole "ratings" vs. "performance" thing. When I was developing FB, I didn't want the user or the AI to see ANY of the internal ratings for a ballplayer. I wanted the AI to make lineups and GM decisions based on performance of the ballplayer in the game (just as in RL). Sure, you did have some scouting (you obviously couldn't evaluate players blindly, you needed some help) but about 95% came from seeing how your players performed on the field. Markus' game, however, caters to a lot of different tastes. Whereas my game was trying to be an accurate sim of modern day baseball (you want to re-sim the 1950's? NO WAY! - :lol) Markus gave OOTP the ability to do a lot of things - play any era, play historical leagues, etc. Because of this (historical sims in particular), Markus felt that he couldn't abandon the ratings-based approach (and I understand this, you can't fundamentally change a game so much that you alienate your customer-base). Finally, we talk one day, and he tells me that he's made the addition of having performance count not only at the field management level, but GM level as well. Not only that, but he made the whole thing customizeable. I almost did cartwheels (which really isn't a pleasant thing to see).

In my sims in the beta, I haven't touched the defaults at all. The defaults take the current year, year before and year before that into account, along with the player's ratings. I personally have not done an in-depth study of the before's and afters when it comes to how the AI is treating it's players. However, from a macro level, I can say that it has been working great.

I know I'm with the company now, so you can take this with a grain of salt - but I was never a big fan of OOTP's stat engine. I always felt I was playing a "pretty" game, and it was obvious the developer was an excellent programmer, but I never could really sink my teeth into the game as much as I wanted. It had all the bells and whistles, but I couldn't tolerate some of the statistical inconsistencies. All that has changed for me. Like the other's on the OOTP boards, I'm actually really looking forward to when the beta ends, because I really want to play this game.

I know people like to tweak this stuff to their hearts content, and Markus makes allowances for that. However, if you're looking for a pretty good sim of today's baseball, I've found the defaults do a pretty good job.

To answer a couple of other questions:

Waiver claims - MLB has them set at 3 days. We know a lot of people sim weeks at a time, so the claim period can be set to any length of time.

Oh, and another thing we've found - I think in the past we've found players usually begin their career's late and end them when their ratings decline at 35. We're finding in this version that the great players tend to play earlier and later. Just as in RL, there are 40 years olds in OOTP who are not only serviceable, but very good ballplayers. I think it was fashionable to think that players hit a wall at 35 in MP leagues, so players would quickly release them. Continuing that philosophy may cause you to give up a tad too early on a good ballplayer.

[GoldenEagle]

Can we turn free agnecy off for historical purposes?

[mckerney]

Originally Posted by mtaystl03

We can also used this thread for the latest rumors on when the game is coming out. Who knows some of the guys here have some knowledge that the general public doesn't. Last I heard, April 15th is the latest it should be out. Im sure that has changed.

I think the issue there was that Markus said their return plane from Cancun left on the 14th, so unless their flight is cancelled or something I think it'll probably be out on the 15th.

[CraigSca]

I am by no means an historical simmer, but it's my understanding that in OOTP5 you couldn't go back to a reserve system and that hasn't changed in OOTP6. Sorry

-Craig

[GoldenEagle]

OTP6 will be my first attempt at history. I really think not being able to turn off free agency defeats the whole purpose.

[CraigSca]

Well, let me just state that although I am associated with the company, there are a great many in the user community who know more about playing this game in the multitude of different ways than I do. Your best bet would probably be to ask on the OOTP forums about this. Just because I don't have the answer doesn't necessarily mean it's not "do-able".

-Craig

[ISiddiqui]

Yes you CAN turn off free agency (just 'Disable' Finances). In fact, I'm doing it in my OOTP5 historical league right now.

[GoldenEagle]

Originally Posted by ISiddiqui

Yes you CAN turn off free agency (just 'Disable' Finances). In fact, I'm doing it in my OOTP5 historical league right now.

Thanks. I will try that.

[CraigSca]

LOL, told ya I'm not a "tinkerer" . Thanks, ISiddiqui.

-Craig

[GoldenEagle]

Is there anyway I can set a max offer in OOTP5 for example lik ethe max offer would be $100,000?

[Young Drachma]

Yeah, the game needs to come out already. I mean, its like waiting for Christmas. Worse though, at least you know when that is.

From what I see, it looks really good though.

[MizzouRah]

In my sims in the beta, I haven't touched the defaults at all. The defaults take the current year, year before and year before that into account, along with the player's ratings. I personally have not done an in-depth study of the before's and afters when it comes to how the AI is treating it's players. However, from a macro level, I can say that it has been working great.

Awesome! Thanks Craig, I was praying for that answer.

One more question, will my ootp5 league migrate over ok? I'm really nervous about that aspect.

Thanks,

Todd

[Ben E Lou]

Originally Posted by CraigSca

I understand this, completely. I'm not a "tinkerer" either. I just want a game that simulates real baseball out of the box.

Regarding some of the sliders...Markus and I discussed this - the whole "ratings" vs. "performance" thing. When I was developing FB, I didn't want the user or the AI to see ANY of the internal ratings for a ballplayer. I wanted the AI to make lineups and GM decisions based on performance of the ballplayer in the game (just as in RL). Sure, you did have some scouting (you obviously couldn't evaluate players blindly, you needed some help) but about 95% came from seeing how your players performed on the field. Markus' game, however, caters to a lot of different tastes. Whereas my game was trying to be an accurate sim of modern day baseball (you want to re-sim the 1950's? NO WAY! - :lol) Markus gave OOTP the ability to do a lot of things - play any era, play historical leagues, etc. Because of this (historical sims in particular), Markus felt that he couldn't abandon the ratings-based approach (and I understand this, you can't fundamentally change a game so much that you alienate your customer-base). Finally, we talk one day, and he tells me that he's made the addition of having performance count not only at the field management level, but GM level as well. Not only that, but he made the whole thing customizeable. I almost did cartwheels (which really isn't a pleasant thing to see).

In my sims in the beta, I haven't touched the defaults at all. The defaults take the current year, year before and year before that into account, along with the player's ratings. I personally have not done an in-depth study of the before's and afters when it comes to how the AI is treating it's players. However, from a macro level, I can say that it has been working great.

I know I'm with the company now, so you can take this with a grain of salt - but I was never a big fan of OOTP's stat engine. I always felt I was playing a "pretty" game, and it was obvious the developer was an excellent programmer, but I never could really sink my teeth into the game as much as I wanted. It had all the bells and whistles, but I couldn't tolerate some of the statistical inconsistencies. All that has changed for me. Like the other's on the OOTP boards, I'm actually really looking forward to when the beta ends, because I really want to play this game.

I know people like to tweak this stuff to their hearts content, and Markus makes allowances for that. However, if you're looking for a pretty good sim of today's baseball, I've found the defaults do a pretty good job.

To answer a couple of other questions:

Waiver claims - MLB has them set at 3 days. We know a lot of people sim weeks at a time, so the claim period can be set to any length of time.

Oh, and another thing we've found - I think in the past we've found players usually begin their career's late and end them when their ratings decline at 35. We're finding in this version that the great players tend to play earlier and later. Just as in RL, there are 40 years olds in OOTP who are not only serviceable, but very good ballplayers. I think it was fashionable to think that players hit a wall at 35 in MP leagues, so players would quickly release them. Continuing that philosophy may cause you to give up a tad too early on a good ballplayer.

This entire post has raised my expectations. Craig, you do realize that now your rep is now very much on the line with this release, don't you?

[spleen1015]

Originally Posted by MizzouRah

Awesome! Thanks Craig, I was praying for that answer.

One more question, will my ootp5 league migrate over ok? I'm really nervous about that aspect.

Thanks,

Todd

Yes, you can convert OOTP5 leagues into OOTP6.

[Draft Dodger]

Originally Posted by MizzouRah

One more question, will my ootp5 league migrate over ok? I'm really nervous about that aspect.

it's been looked at a lot in testing (but not by me), and tweaked a great deal. I think when all is said and done, moving leagues over will be ok.

[CraigSca]

Originally Posted by SkyDog

This entire post has raised my expectations. Craig, you do realize that now your rep is now very much on the line with this release, don't you?

I know, I know

I'm sure there will be some issues at release. We have a great group of beta testers, but I know they/we won't find everything - especially since OOTP can work in a myriad of ways and each one has to be playtested.

Also, there is still work to be done. We'd like to add some additional intelligence to the AI regarding trading (based on the mode the trading team is in) and some other various things. But, all in all, I'm looking forward to starting my own dynasty as soon as I can.

If I'm wrong, I can always deny everything, right?

-Craig

[Ben E Lou]

Originally Posted by CraigSca

I'm sure there will be some issues at release. We have a great group of beta testers, but I know they/we won't find everything

I don't think any reasonable folk expect y'all to find everything. I've said this before, but my personal expectation is that I won't do a "serious" dynasty until after the first patch at the earliest. Anything better than that would be a nice surprise.

We'd like to add some additional intelligence to the AI regarding trading (based on the mode the trading team is in)

That sounds very nice as well.

But, all in all, I'm looking forward to starting my own dynasty as soon as I can.

What do you mean??? I thought beta testers were the select few lucky people who get to have fun and play the game for weeks before the rest of us do!!!

If I'm wrong, I can always deny everything, right?

Nope, 'cause with the new board software, I can undelete any post you've made that you try to delete.

Also, there is still work to be done.

Be careful, those "release-the-game-RIGHT-NOW-or-I'm-gonna-DIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE" people over at the OOTP boards might have their little brains explode if they come over here and read that.

[HornedFrog Purple]

This is all a front by Craig. He is sending these posts from some beach in the Bahamas sucking down some mai-tais. Markus has already moved the preorder money to some Swiss bank account.

[Ben E Lou]

Speaking of having no dignity...

[RPI-Fan]

If very specific details of the AI's trading scheme is all that's left, it sounds like things definitely didn't get pushed out too fast. Let's hope that's the case!

[Draft Dodger]

Originally Posted by SkyDog

Speaking of having no dignity...

that stuff is so embarrassing. I just don't get that at all.

[Ksyrup]

I've got low expectations - I just want Marcus to perfect the game by 2009, so that I'll have a year to play it BEFORE WE ALL DIE....


hxxp://www.exodus2006.com/supervol.html

[CraigSca]

Originally Posted by HornedFrog Purple

This is all a front by Craig. He is sending these posts from some beach in the Bahamas sucking down some mai-tais. Markus has already moved the preorder money to some Swiss bank account.

It's true. I'm finding it hard to type because my hands have a nasty sunburn, and there's a lot of sand in my laptop .

Actually, we'd all like this game released sooner rather than later, and Markus is really working his butt off to get it done. Really, it shouldn't be too far off (how's that for non-commital? ).

-Craig

[Bonegavel]

Not to threadjack, but I am not a huge baseball fan though I do own OOTP4. Lost interest rather quickly. I do, however, love sims (oh my, imagine that) and I was wondering if others in my predicament (not liking baseball) but like playing OOTP could explain why.

It would be less painful for me to get into baseball than Soccer ala CM series. Baseball I've at least played and understand. Can't say the same for Running, i mean Soccer.

[Senator]

Oh, and another thing we've found - I think in the past we've found players usually begin their career's late and end them when their ratings decline at 35. We're finding in this version that the great players tend to play earlier and later. Just as in RL, there are 40 years olds in OOTP who are not only serviceable, but very good ballplayers. I think it was fashionable to think that players hit a wall at 35 in MP leagues, so players would quickly release them. Continuing that philosophy may cause you to give up a tad too early on a good ballplayer

Finally!

I just bought CM03/04, but I have purchased every OOTP game since #1.

preordering is for suckers and losers.

/sucker
//loser

[GoldenEagle]

You have a PM CraigSca.

[Eaglesfan27]

Originally Posted by Senator

Finally!

I just bought CM03/04, but I have purchased every OOTP game since #1.

preordering is for suckers and losers.

/sucker
//loser

Thanks in large part to Pumpy Tudors, as well as some of the other posters on this forum, I just ordered CM03/04. It will be here on Weds. I also preordered OOTP. It will be interesting to see which one gets here first. I'm sure both will be worth the wait

Or at least, I hope they will be.

[Pumpy Tudors]

Originally Posted by Eaglesfan27

Thanks in large part to Pumpy Tudors, as well as some of the other posters on this forum, I just ordered CM03/04. It will be here on Weds. I also preordered OOTP. It will be interesting to see which one gets here first. I'm sure both will be worth the wait

Or at least, I hope they will be.

Ohbytheway, I just got sacked in CM 03/04. Yes, even after the win I was celebrating during the league chat tonight. Oops. See if you can cancel that order?

[Eaglesfan27]

Originally Posted by Pumpy Tudors

Ohbytheway, I just got sacked in CM 03/04. Yes, even after the win I was celebrating during the league chat tonight. Oops. See if you can cancel that order?

Since you talked me into overnight shipping, I think it's too late