Yet another OOTP thread. How is it for New Players

[albionmoonlight]

I've never played OOTP before, and while I know the rules of baseball, don't know the ins and outs of the financial aspect of things (like I do in football). I wouldn't know what a rule 5 draft was if it bit me in the ass.

For someone with my level of experience--played a little baseball mogul back in the day, likes stats, knows the difference between a no hitter and a perfect game; does not know how large a major league roster is, does not care how large a major league roster is, does not know how arbitration works, etc.--is OOTP still a good game, or is it just too big and advanced at this point?

Re-reading that, I don't know if I really asked my question well, but any help can be appreciated.

[thomamon]

I understand what your saying and yes, I think you could figure out this game very easily IMO. If you had any questions, I would be glad to answer any of them for you. I can sum up the roster/Rule V in a nutshell if you wish.

[sovereignstar]

Maybe someone could go in-depth about the role the 40-man roster plays, no?

[Godzilla Blitz]

I don't think you'll have any trouble picking up the game, although understanding how the 40-man roster works might confuse you for a few minutes. Some of the salary stipulations will take some time to figure out as well. But none of them are biggies, and you'll figure them out as you go.

The interface will take some time to get proficient at as well.

The financial system is broken and unrealistic, but flexible enough to make things work pretty much the way you want them to. Having said that, I think this area takes the most experimenting to get things to be the way you want them. The nice thing is you can completely disable it if you want.

The game does a great job with its stats, so that will definitely be a big plus for you. I've heard getting the Catobase utility adds even another dimension to this.

[corbes]

I'll try the nutshell version:

-25 players on the active Major League roster.
-40 players on the extended roster. (The 25 active players, and 15 other players in the minor leagues) You must be on the 40-man roster to be promoted to the majors.
-A player may only be demoted from the majors three times. After that, he must be offered to any other team via the "waiver" process.
-In the Rule V draft, which occurs during the offseason, teams may draft any player from another team not on a 40-man roster. However, any player selected in this draft must remain on the 25-man active roster for the entire next season.

How's that?

[albionmoonlight]

Cool--sounds like I will give it a shot.

I'll probably have questions of one sort or another as I get into it.

[thomamon]

He's got one thing wrong. He can be optioned the minors more then three times, however, he may only be sent to the minors for three seasons. A player has something called "Option Years". If you call a player up in 2004 an don't send him down that year, 1 option year is used up. You can send him up and down as much as you want in 2005, if you do, his second option year is used up. If you don't send him down in 2006, you have 1 option year to use. However, if the player is in the league for 5 years, he can refuse being sent down, even if he has an option year left.

[rkmsuf]

Originally Posted by thomamon

He's got one thing wrong. He can be optioned the minors more then three times, however, he may only be sent to the minors for three seasons. A player has something called "Option Years". If you call a player up in 2004 an don't send him down that year, 1 option year is used up. You can send him up and down as much as you want in 2005, if you do, his second option year is used up. If you don't send him down in 2006, you have 1 option year to use. However, if the player is in the league for 5 years, he can refuse being sent down, even if he has an option year left.

All of this is clearly explained in the 572 page tutorial included with the game.

[Bonegavel]

AM, this is the exact situation I am in and was going to post something similar but am glad i didn't as you elucidated my situation perfectly.

Great responses, though I'm waiting to find an online league before I pick up the game. Human v Human would be the only way to do this for fun.

[MizzouRah]

Yep, solo play is ok, but an online league is the way to go for a real challenge.

Setting up the game is the hardest part, imo. Settings galore, rosters, logos, facepacks, stadiums, etc..

I would also wait until the next patch is out before really delving into solo play. Markus said he is tightening up depth charts, etc..


Todd

[thomamon]

I suggest solo play before online league to get the hang of it. Even if it's just fooling around and simming the games. I had played OOTP for a year before playing in an online league and I was still confused for a while in my online league.

Just my Opinion...

[MizzouRah]

I just can't get into solo play. I'm hoping the next patch will really improve how the AI sets up its teams. Seeing a player who is rated 9/9/4 in OF positions play LF while a guy who is rated 7/4/4 play CF baffles the heck out of me. Plus the first guy is faster and has a better throwing arm. Leadoff batters who couldn't steal a pack of gum let alone a base. Power hitters hitting 3rd (not everyone is LaRussa) while medicore ph batting cleanup??

I don't complain much about games, but v6 should be much better in terms of CPU team management.


Todd

[Philliesfan980]

Originally Posted by MizzouRah

I just can't get into solo play. I'm hoping the next patch will really improve how the AI sets up its teams. Seeing a player who is rated 9/9/4 in OF positions play LF while a guy who is rated 7/4/4 play CF baffles the heck out of me. Plus the first guy is faster and has a better throwing arm. Leadoff batters who couldn't steal a pack of gum let alone a base. Power hitters hitting 3rd (not everyone is LaRussa) while medicore ph batting cleanup??

I don't complain much about games, but v6 should be much better in terms of CPU team management.


Todd

I echo your sentiments. The in-game AI is questionable at best. This game is all about MP and joining leagues. Sometimes I think you could sim games with a console game and get better roster management decisions.

[MizzouRah]

Originally Posted by Philliesfan980

I echo your sentiments. The in-game AI is questionable at best. This game is all about MP and joining leagues. Sometimes I think you could sim games with a console game and get better roster management decisions.

Speaking of console games, ESPN still has my attention.


Todd

[Philliesfan980]

Originally Posted by MizzouRah

Speaking of console games, ESPN still has my attention.


Todd

I have both All Star Baseball and ESPN, but haven't really found the time to get into either one. I bought ASB mainly for the manage only option, (which is broke this year again).

ESPN seems good, but after 20 games do you find yourself winning 75% of the games?

Baseball more than any other sport seems to be hard/impossible to get realistic results on consoles because more than any sport it depends on your ability. You only walk if YOU have a good eye, rather than the individual player attributes.

[MizzouRah]

Actually, I just started a GM Mode dynasty after playing alot of exhibition games. The games have been close thus far.


Todd

[Philliesfan980]

Originally Posted by MizzouRah

Actually, I just started a GM Mode dynasty after playing alot of exhibition games. The games have been close thus far.


Todd

Thats what mode I was "playing" I just basically simmed all the games and made the roster decisions , like OOTP. Obviously, I was the Phillies , and was a little startled by my findings. After only reaching the first round of the playoff's for the first 2 years, I went on to either win or finish second (world series) every year.

[MizzouRah]

Originally Posted by Philliesfan980

Thats what mode I was "playing" I just basically simmed all the games and made the roster decisions , like OOTP. Obviously, I was the Phillies , and was a little startled by my findings. After only reaching the first round of the playoff's for the first 2 years, I went on to either win or finish second (world series) every year.

Do we want you in the DKBL?

That's interesting. I'm playing all my games, so maybe my results will vary?


Todd

[Philliesfan980]

Originally Posted by MizzouRah

Do we want you in the DKBL?

That's interesting. I'm playing all my games, so maybe my results will vary?


Todd

oh, I'm sure they will. Like I said , I played multiple seasons. It just seems pretty easy to build your franchise into a "Dynasty" after 4-5 years.

Just curious, but what gameplay settings do you use?

[MizzouRah]

Originally Posted by Philliesfan980

oh, I'm sure they will. Like I said , I played multiple seasons. It just seems pretty easy to build your franchise into a "Dynasty" after 4-5 years.

Just curious, but what gameplay settings do you use?

Legend
> custom sliders on
>
> CPU Run Aggr. 55
> All CPU throw strikes at 45
> Everything else at 50
>
> low wide camera angle for batting
> pitcher view for pitching
> power pitching off
> pitch cursor off
> batting - true aim, 1 button classic
> swing feedback on

[Philliesfan980]

Originally Posted by MizzouRah

Legend
> custom sliders on
>
> CPU Run Aggr. 55
> All CPU throw strikes at 45
> Everything else at 50
>
> low wide camera angle for batting
> pitcher view for pitching
> power pitching off
> pitch cursor off
> batting - true aim, 1 button classic
> swing feedback on

does "batting - true aim 1 buttom classic" disable the "power" swing button? If so thats great!

[MizzouRah]

Originally Posted by Philliesfan980

does "batting - true aim 1 buttom classic" disable the "power" swing button? If so thats great!

Sure does. No more guessing which button to press. You'll get homeruns when you would expect them and hits otherwise. The game is nowhere near MVP as far as polish goes, but the gameplay is superior, imo.


Todd

[Philliesfan980]

Originally Posted by MizzouRah

Sure does. No more guessing which button to press. You'll get homeruns when you would expect them and hits otherwise. The game is nowhere near MVP as far as polish goes, but the gameplay is superior, imo.


Todd

Thanks for the heads up with regard to power swings. I really hate that feature, I just want to swing , and then let the players natural attributes determine what happen, which it seems might happen with this feature turned on. As for MVP, it has alot of glitz, but the player progression bugs, lack of good stat tracking, along with the lefty power glitch really turns me off about the game.

This years ESPN has come close to recreating the classic pitcher vs batter duel that we haven't seen since high heat.

[MizzouRah]

Originally Posted by Philliesfan980

Thanks for the heads up with regard to power swings. I really hate that feature, I just want to swing , and then let the players natural attributes determine what happen, which it seems might happen with this feature turned on. As for MVP, it has alot of glitz, but the player progression bugs, lack of good stat tracking, along with the lefty power glitch really turns me off about the game.

This years ESPN has come close to recreating the classic pitcher vs batter duel that we haven't seen since high heat.

Agreed. I love the way ESPN plays a game of baseball, and that's the bottom line for me. Just lost to the Brewers 11-7, but the game felt realistic to me. Morris made a mistake pitch to Overbay and the game got away from me after that. Lots of varying hits, a smoking hit by Rolen off the 3rd baseman's glove as he dove for the ball, foul balls galore, you can tell when you have a speedy guy in the outfield and one base, etc...


Todd

[MizzouRah]

dola,

Milwaukee just spanked me again, this time 11-4. Of course they started Ben Sheets two games in a row. I do see they have Burba slated for game #3 though!


Todd

[Philliesfan980]

Originally Posted by MizzouRah

dola,

Milwaukee just spanked me again, this time 11-4. Of course they started Ben Sheets two games in a row. I do see they have Burba slated for game #3 though!


Todd

I may have to tone down the difficulty level somewhat. I gave up 20 hits in a game to Pittsburgh and Millwood was hitting the corners pitching 98 with his fastball. Also I noticed that he started getting "fatigued/tired" around 65 pitches in the 4th inning.


It sounds dumb, but I also can't hit! I may have to move it to "timing" just for a few days. Its been a few years since I've played alot of console baseball, they really have jumped the speeds with pitching.

[MizzouRah]

Originally Posted by Philliesfan980

I may have to tone down the difficulty level somewhat. I gave up 20 hits in a game to Pittsburgh and Millwood was hitting the corners pitching 98 with his fastball. Also I noticed that he started getting "fatigued/tired" around 65 pitches in the 4th inning.


It sounds dumb, but I also can't hit! I may have to move it to "timing" just for a few days. Its been a few years since I've played alot of console baseball, they really have jumped the speeds with pitching.

Put the pitch speed down to Fast instead of 'real' or even medium. I'm hitting better now, I just need to be more patient. Computer pitchers will walk you, which takes some getting used to.


Todd