Alright boyz, here we go!!! Out of the Park Baseball 13 First Impressions

[Young Drachma]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

I agree. I do get mad when a great prospect doesn't pan out but then I have to think of Wood or Prior. On the other hand, I hated it when you'd have a guy sprain his ankle for a couple weeks and his potentials would drop. Sure if it's an arm problem I get it, but minor injuries like that bothered me.

No, I hate it totally. And fast-sim has ruined me so much that I pretty much play everything now without injuries...so I completely understand. Totally bothers me with those things.

Also, any of you that have storylines on you might want to consider that there are tokens in the XML of those things that affect market sizes and crap. Some OOTPers were talking about it. I've always kept them disabled, but for those who don't realize what havoc they potentially wreak, there's something to file away.

[SackAttack]

Originally Posted by DanGarion

A guy did that to me to.

Wonder if it was the same asshole.

[korme]

First game of a fictional league 1990 playoffs... my SP throws an 11 IP, 0 hit 4-BB 5-K no hitter. Pretty sweet.

[Young Drachma]

Finally diving into OOTP13 solo post-beta and I have to say that the feature that enables you to create association playoffs between multiple leagues is pretty awesome. It's something we've wanted in OOTP for ages and it's finally here and working. It's not the easiest feature in the world to discover truthfully, because I knew it existed but didn't really see how it worked until now.

and so, now if you play a more traditional setup you can have Japan v. USA true world series or some other scenario with leagues playing playoffs against each other or just make them "conferences" and have them playing. It's cool.

The new UI still doesn't feel intuitive after months with it, either. I got so used to finding things in a particular place and now I feel like there are a ton of random ass icons aimed at making stuff easier but it doesn't feel easier at all, just more convoluted.

Perhaps that'll get better. Not sure.

[Johnny93g]

Originally Posted by Dark Cloud

Finally diving into OOTP13 solo post-beta and I have to say that the feature that enables you to create association playoffs between multiple leagues is pretty awesome. It's something we've wanted in OOTP for ages and it's finally here and working. It's not the easiest feature in the world to discover truthfully, because I knew it existed but didn't really see how it worked until now.

and so, now if you play a more traditional setup you can have Japan v. USA true world series or some other scenario with leagues playing playoffs against each other or just make them "conferences" and have them playing. It's cool.

I tried setting up a baseball world like this, where different league champions could play, but I haven't found the options, or how to actually do this. Care to share what it is you need to do to set this up

[Young Drachma]

Originally Posted by Johnny93g

I tried setting up a baseball world like this, where different league champions could play, but I haven't found the options, or how to actually do this. Care to share what it is you need to do to set this up

Go to the Game menu, click on League Associations and then click on Associations setup & options.

Make sure that you have all of the leagues you want to be associated from the start, because it doesn't seem like you can add new leagues to the association on the fly.

[RainMaker]

Does anyone get a lot of parity after a few decades? Playing with the MLB Quickstart and I notice that there is almost never a 100 win team anymore. Not sure what would cause that.

[MikaV84]

A couple of baseball-newbie questions again... I'm trying to get into OOTP, but many aspects kinda require knowledge on how MLB works. But i'm getting there. So any help is appreciated.

I get an injury on one of my active players, and put him on 15-day DL. Im guessing at this point, i should put someone from the 40 man roster into active roster to replace him. Is this the, i guess, "common" way to go about this?

And if it is, for the life of me i cant find a screen where this would be easy. The transaction screen looks like a bomb exploded in microsoft excel 95. So i guess im looking for a screen that lets me easily see people who are on the 40, but not on the 25.

Also, if im trying to do something abnormal, please let me know also.

Thanks!

[MikaV84]

Also, i just passed the rookie signing deadline... is there any screen where i could see which minor leaguers are under contract?

[MikaV84]

Aaaand, a third one: Should i try to lock up my upcoming free agents in mid-season? Or wait and see?

[miked]

Originally Posted by MikaV84

A couple of baseball-newbie questions again... I'm trying to get into OOTP, but many aspects kinda require knowledge on how MLB works. But i'm getting there. So any help is appreciated.

I get an injury on one of my active players, and put him on 15-day DL. Im guessing at this point, i should put someone from the 40 man roster into active roster to replace him. Is this the, i guess, "common" way to go about this?

And if it is, for the life of me i cant find a screen where this would be easy. The transaction screen looks like a bomb exploded in microsoft excel 95. So i guess im looking for a screen that lets me easily see people who are on the 40, but not on the 25.

Also, if im trying to do something abnormal, please let me know also.

Thanks!

You can replace him with anyone you want. If you see a guy in AAA with a * next to his name, it means he's on the 40-man...if he's in AAA, it also means he's not in the majors. But as long as you have room on your 40-man, you can promote somebody who isn't on it as well.

[MizzouRah]

Organizational overview is the screen you are looking for.

[Young Drachma]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

Does anyone get a lot of parity after a few decades? Playing with the MLB Quickstart and I notice that there is almost never a 100 win team anymore. Not sure what would cause that.

Talent creation? OOTP's playoffs tend to have a lot of variability especially in solo mode.

If you have a cap, that could help too.

[Scoobz0202]

I know that it is recommended that you do manual award voting if it frustrates you, but I was just curious as to what selects the winners. This is the recent season I had and the award was given to Kemp. For those who are going to ask, his team was 81-81 and missed the playoffs.

hxxp://i.imgur.com/99POy.jpg

I don't get my panties in a bunch over a video game giving out a MVP award, just more curious. I assumed the game would lean heavily on WAR but that appears to not be the case.

[stevew]

It typically uses VORP

[Young Drachma]

What he said. The game uses VORP. The best way to avoid OOTP's awards process is to do it yourself otherwise, you're going to be consistently annoyed.

[Swaggs]

I have been playing this a lot lately (kind of late to the part), but can someone refresh me on who to trust more when scouting? My team scout (provided he is good/excellent/outstanding/etc) or the OSA ratings? Or take both into consideration?

Also, maybe the has been improving over the last few versions and I have missed it, but I really like how players' careers seem move varied with age now. There used to be a predictable, age-related drop off, but in my current league I am seeing productive 40+ year old players (catchers seem to be the exception, but that seems realistic enough). Good job on that. In the past, I would never give a multi-year deal to a guy that was around 35, but now it is within the realm of possibilities.

[Young Drachma]

Originally Posted by Swaggs

I have been playing this a lot lately (kind of late to the part), but can someone refresh me on who to trust more when scouting? My team scout (provided he is good/excellent/outstanding/etc) or the OSA ratings? Or take both into consideration?

Also, maybe the has been improving over the last few versions and I have missed it, but I really like how players' careers seem move varied with age now. There used to be a predictable, age-related drop off, but in my current league I am seeing productive 40+ year old players (catchers seem to be the exception, but that seems realistic enough). Good job on that. In the past, I would never give a multi-year deal to a guy that was around 35, but now it is within the realm of possibilities.

OSA, always. Team scout is aimed at fog of war. The consensus is that most people don't bother playing with scouts (and for others, no coaches or scouts) because they're not implemented especially well. But that's all about taste, ultimately.

The player career arc thing was something that got worked on in beta for this version.

[Big Fo]

If you have a good scout they will typically be more accurate than the OSA.

[Swaggs]

Originally Posted by Dark Cloud

OSA, always. Team scout is aimed at fog of war. The consensus is that most people don't bother playing with scouts (and for others, no coaches or scouts) because they're not implemented especially well. But that's all about taste, ultimately.

The player career arc thing was something that got worked on in beta for this version.

Thanks. I remembered (from whatever version I last played) that one of them was pretty useless and thought it was OSA, but my drafting was so spotty early on, I thought I might have had it backwards.

The career arc improvements are huge for single player. Before, I knew within ~1-2 years when my guys would drop and knew not to sign and/or trade for them (while the CPU obviously didn't). This makes it a lot more challenging and fun, with the style I play (fast sim - act as GM only).

[MizzouRah]

Originally Posted by Big Fo

If you have a good scout they will typically be more accurate than the OSA.

Much more accurate than OSA. In fact, OSA is useless IMHO.

[Swaggs]

Doh!

Back to square one?

[Young Drachma]

Originally Posted by Swaggs

Doh!

Back to square one?

Turn off scouts. Then OSA will be accurate.

[MizzouRah]

I've had the same scout for 12 years and there's a reason for that.

[Swaggs]

Hmmm... Playing now and saw a player with the nickname "Grand Wizard."

Seems a little inappropriate, unless that phrase means something other than my initial thought.

[SackAttack]

Originally Posted by Swaggs

Hmmm... Playing now and saw a player with the nickname "Grand Wizard."

Seems a little inappropriate, unless that phrase means something other than my initial thought.

Is he Southern?

[Ajaxab]

Originally Posted by Swaggs

Hmmm... Playing now and saw a player with the nickname "Grand Wizard."

Seems a little inappropriate, unless that phrase means something other than my initial thought.

There was a big controversial thread on this one at the OOTP boards a few years ago. For me, I don't see it as appropriate so I removed it from the nicknames file. But if you're playing a historical southern league, then I could understand how someone might want to leave it in.

[Young Drachma]

Originally Posted by Swaggs

Hmmm... Playing now and saw a player with the nickname "Grand Wizard."

Seems a little inappropriate, unless that phrase means something other than my initial thought.

Oh wow. Never saw that one before. Maybe it's a poorly translated German compliment.

[Swaggs]

It was a black starting pitcher.

I did a google search to see if "Grand Wizard" had any other meaning and there was apparently a character in the WWF (WWE) with the nickname "the Grand Wizard of Wrestling," so I'd guess (hope) that they might have just pulled a bunch of wrestling nicknames into the file and maybe the German development team didn't realize its significance and insensitivity.

[Young Drachma]

Originally Posted by Swaggs

It was a black starting pitcher.

I did a google search to see if "Grand Wizard" had any other meaning and there was apparently a character in the WWF (WWE) with the nickname "the Grand Wizard of Wrestling," so I'd guess (hope) that they might have just pulled a bunch of wrestling nicknames into the file and maybe the German development team didn't realize its significance and insensitivity.

I was joking.

It's absolutely inappropriate, but surely given how many random "HOW DO I GET RID OF BLACK PLAYERS THREADS AND/OR NON-WHITE SOUNDING NAMES" threads pop up over there from time to time, I suspect this isn't all that surprising.



But I'm also glad I've never run across the nickname. I usually just nuke the nicknames file anyway when I start, because most annoy me..though this year I haven't yet.

[Ben E Lou]

Well, and Slick Rick referred to himself as The Grand Wizard MC in at least two records that I can think of, one that was pretty well known. (La-Di-Da-Di) Also, I recall a DJ Grand Wizard as well...

[MizzouRah]

La Di Da Di we like to party, we don't cause trouble, we don't bother nobody

[stevew]

Originally Posted by Swaggs

Hmmm... Playing now and saw a player with the nickname "Grand Wizard."

Seems a little inappropriate, unless that phrase means something other than my initial thought.

Was there a white hood on his player image?

I wouldn't worry unless nicknames such as Exalted Cyclops and Final Solution show up, but that's just me.

[DanGarion]

Originally Posted by Swaggs

I have been playing this a lot lately (kind of late to the part), but can someone refresh me on who to trust more when scouting? My team scout (provided he is good/excellent/outstanding/etc) or the OSA ratings? Or take both into consideration?

Also, maybe the has been improving over the last few versions and I have missed it, but I really like how players' careers seem move varied with age now. There used to be a predictable, age-related drop off, but in my current league I am seeing productive 40+ year old players (catchers seem to be the exception, but that seems realistic enough). Good job on that. In the past, I would never give a multi-year deal to a guy that was around 35, but now it is within the realm of possibilities.

If you are playing OOTP13 you need to join the PCJBL...

Originally Posted by MizzouRah

I've had the same scout for 12 years and there's a reason for that.

But who scouts the scouts?!?!?!?


SCOUTCEPTION!

Originally Posted by Swaggs

It was a black starting pitcher.

I did a google search to see if "Grand Wizard" had any other meaning and there was apparently a character in the WWF (WWE) with the nickname "the Grand Wizard of Wrestling," so I'd guess (hope) that they might have just pulled a bunch of wrestling nicknames into the file and maybe the German development team didn't realize its significance and insensitivity.

Not everything revolves around the South though. Me being someone from California wouldn't see that nickname as an issue until I really put some thought into the background of it. I hear Grand Wizard and I think of D&D or Fantasy stuff way before I think of racism and the KKK...

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by Swaggs

I did a google search to see if "Grand Wizard" had any other meaning and there was apparently a character in the WWF (WWE) with the nickname "the Grand Wizard of Wrestling,"

The late Ernie Roth was excellent


Managed The Shiek (under the name Abdullah Farouk) before joining the WWWF and leading Stan Stasiak to the world title just 9 days after arrival. He would go on to manage/ally with a vertiable who's who's of heels: Don Muraco, Pat Patterson, Ken Patera, Greg Valentine, Killer Kowalski, Luke Graham, Sgt Slaughter, Ernie Ladd, Ox Baker and Bob Orton.

[RomaGoth]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

The late Ernie Roth was excellent


Managed The Shiek (under the name Abdullah Farouk) before joining the WWWF and leading Stan Stasiak to the world title just 9 days after arrival. He would go on to manage/ally with a vertiable who's who's of heels: Don Muraco, Pat Patterson, Ken Patera, Greg Valentine, Killer Kowalski, Luke Graham, Sgt Slaughter, Ernie Ladd, Ox Baker and Bob Orton.

awesome

[SackAttack]

Originally Posted by DanGarion

But who scouts the scouts?!?!?!?

You could probably keep the original Latin there. Scouts are, technically, men-who-watch!

Originally Posted by DanGarion

Not everything revolves around the South though. Me being someone from California wouldn't see that nickname as an issue until I really put some thought into the background of it. I hear Grand Wizard and I think of D&D or Fantasy stuff way before I think of racism and the KKK...

I'm also from California, and the KKK is the first thing I think of when I hear 'Grand Wizard'. Wizard by itself, no. But those two words together? Absolutely.

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by Dark Cloud

Talent creation? OOTP's playoffs tend to have a lot of variability especially in solo mode.

If you have a cap, that could help too.

Not the playoffs, more the regular season. I had one team win over 100 games in a 12 year span. Not many break 95. I'd have to run actual numbers compared to real MLB, but it feels like the best team finishes with 92-95 wins instead of 97-100.

I also don't see a lot of long term success for any team. Usually have a good 1-2 year run and then fade. I don't want the same team to dominate every year, but would like some Yankees style teams popping up down the road and just not sure how to configure that in the settings.

[lcjjdnh]

About to pick this up, I think, and had a few questions:

1.) Haven't played OOTP in years. Is it easy enough to pick up and follow everything that's going on?

2.) Are there recommended settings people play with for solo play? I've seen a bunch of talk about player progression, injuries, scouts, etc.

3.) What are the must-have logo packs, etc.?

Thanks!

[lcjjdnh]

Originally Posted by lcjjdnh

About to pick this up, I think, and had a few questions:

1.) Haven't played OOTP in years. Is it easy enough to pick up and follow everything that's going on?

2.) Are there recommended settings people play with for solo play? I've seen a bunch of talk about player progression, injuries, scouts, etc.

3.) What are the must-have logo packs, etc.?

Thanks!

Also, if I do a random historical league, will the game automatically move teams, change nicknames, edit ballparks, etc.?

[lcjjdnh]

Originally Posted by lcjjdnh

Also, if I do a random historical league, will the game automatically move teams, change nicknames, edit ballparks, etc.?

And, sorry, last one: what does it do once it runs out of historical players to import into the random-debut league?

[lcjjdnh]

Up and running and think I've figured out the answers to those questions. Two more:

1.) Does bringing up a player to the majors too early threaten to derail their entire development?

2.) Can a relatively new player jump into an online league? If so, does anyone with a league have openings?

[Young Drachma]

Originally Posted by lcjjdnh

Up and running and think I've figured out the answers to those questions. Two more:

1.) Does bringing up a player to the majors too early threaten to derail their entire development?

2.) Can a relatively new player jump into an online league? If so, does anyone with a league have openings?

1. It can, yes. Depends on the player. Consensus usually seems to be slow growing development, where you move the player up through the levels to let them develop their talent is the best way to go. But I don't necessarily subscribe to it and have had players work just fine as I've managed to bring them up when they are ready. But I know there are lots of opinions on this.

2. Yes, of course. Depends on the league, but totally easy to do and you'll get your bearings in no time. It depends on the quirks of that league. What kind of league are you looking for, exactly? Real players? Fictional? Major league teams? Don't care?

[lcjjdnh]

Originally Posted by Dark Cloud

1. It can, yes. Depends on the player. Consensus usually seems to be slow growing development, where you move the player up through the levels to let them develop their talent is the best way to go. But I don't necessarily subscribe to it and have had players work just fine as I've managed to bring them up when they are ready. But I know there are lots of opinions on this.

2. Yes, of course. Depends on the league, but totally easy to do and you'll get your bearings in no time. It depends on the quirks of that league. What kind of league are you looking for, exactly? Real players? Fictional? Major league teams? Don't care?

Thanks!

Slight preference for a fictional universe, I think. If real teams/players, I prefer historical/random debut.

[MizzouRah]

Originally Posted by lcjjdnh

Up and running and think I've figured out the answers to those questions. Two more:

1.) Does bringing up a player to the majors too early threaten to derail their entire development?

2.) Can a relatively new player jump into an online league? If so, does anyone with a league have openings?

For #1 I only bring them up if their overall and potential ratings are close and they are doing well at AAA - usually at least one full season

[Scoobz0202]

In my Reds franchise I am coming to the end of 2013. Votto sends me a message saying, "I'm coming to the end of my contract, blah blah." I think, "Huh?" I double check the Salary Obligations page and he is signed on there through 2022, but in Votto's player page he has his pre-real life extension contract.

I'm afraid to advance. Which one is right.

[stevew]

you might need to look into his contract in the player editor.

[Scoobz0202]

Forgot about the editor. Just checked and he has the old contract. That's odd that it has two different ones...

[jbergey22]

This damn patch is taking so long this year. Still wanting them to fix the offseason center and some of the in game AI issues. Sort of made me lose interest in the game.

I think the online league watch mode that is being added sounds really cool however.

[Ryan S]

Originally Posted by jbergey22

This damn patch is taking so long this year. Still wanting them to fix the offseason center and some of the in game AI issues. Sort of made me lose interest in the game.

If I did not need to buy the game to play in the FOBL I would never drop another cent on OOTP. I can't believe that a gamebreaking patch was released right before Markus went on a month long vacation, and it still has not been fixed.

Other peoples views may vary, but I am finding the game slows to a crawl, then eventually crashes to desktop in the offseason. This was not an issue before the patch.

The fact that there are extra features coming in the patch pisses me off as it is no doubt pushing back the release. Fix the gamebreakers with an emergency patch before you start adding features!!!!