Strat O matic

[JeremyB]

Hi Guys

I was wondering if any of you fellas still get strat o matic? I have never got it before and am kind of on the fence about getting it. I just dont know if a card based board game would really hold my interest. I would probably get it If I didnt play the show and OOTP thats why I thought I would get some opinions first.

Jeremy

[jmount78]

Re: Strat O matic

I have always wanted to play it, but I too play the Show and OOTP so not sure as well. I have listened to interviews on MLB Radio where a lot of players still play it.

If you get it, let us know your impressions.

[Sportsforever]

Re: Strat O matic

Hi Guys

I was wondering if any of you fellas still get strat o matic? I have never got it before and am kind of on the fence about getting it. I just dont know if a card based board game would really hold my interest. I would probably get it If I didnt play the show and OOTP thats why I thought I would get some opinions first.

Jeremy

Absolutely. I have mentioned it before, but I far more enjoy table top sports games than I do console sports games. I have Strat O Matic, Dynasty League, Ball Park, Replay, and Inside Pitch baseball games that I play all the time.

[Prometheus]

Re: Strat O matic

I haven't played the computer version in many years so I can't really give much insight on that aspect. However, I have played the tabletop version off and on for close to 30 years. There are a number of good baseball games out there, but I give the edge to Strat over the rest of them.

A few things to keep in mind:

1) Strat is a game based solely on replaying a past season. There is no GM/career aspect of the game like in OOTP.

2) I would highly recommend getting the game with the card image option so you can see where the results are coming from. You have to order the option up front; it cannot be added later.

3) If your budget allows you may want to consider buying the computer game with card image and the actual player cards. Even if you have no interest in playing the tabletop version you could always Ebay the cards and recoup some of your money.

4) Strat is all about re-creating stats. It is light years behind The Show in terms of graphics.

Personally, I say go for it unless you really want a game with a career mode.

[JeremyB]

Re: Strat O matic

Thanks for the tips guys, I would really like to play it but I may just stick with the show on the PS3 and MVP for the PC as well as OOTP.

The big thing that is stopping me is the price. To order the current game and have it shipped to me here in Canada is $75. It kind of seems like a big chunk of money to spend and money is tight right now. I am pretty good with my money, and when I get the should I or Shouldnt I get it, pop into my head that always means to me to not get it. So I might just hold off on it.

[LucianoJJ]

Re: Strat O matic


You may want to check this out if the full version is too expensive.

http://www.strat-o-matic.com/products/strat-o-matic-baseball-lite-2011

If you like it, you can always upgrade to the full version. While Strat is nowhere near the console games as far as presentation goes, the actual sim game engine is the best. The only console baseball game I own is PYS6. I just can't get into MLB2k or MLB The Show because Strat's gameplay is that good. You can replay league schedules, draft and trade your own custom league, buy previous seasons, try the Negro League set, mix and match as you like. The results are realistic. No complaints about cheats, glitching. You use your head, not your thumbs in Strat.

[MNSportsEditor]

Re: Strat O matic

Strat-O-Matic Baseball is an awesome game. I use the computer version, but manually roll the dice and input the dice results. If you replay one of their "as played" seasons, the statistics put up by the players are very realistic.

I've been wondering, though, about OOTP baseball. Is OOTP a replay simulation like Strat, or can you use current rosters?

[Prometheus]

Re: Strat O matic

Whereas Strat is geared towards strictly replaying past seasons, OOTP is more of a GM simulation. In other words, with OOTP you pick a franchise and then try to build a winning team through trades, drafting, signing free agents, etc. The idea is to take over a franchise and guide it, hopefully, to success over a number of seasons.

You can manage each game if you wish or setup a manager profile based on your preferences and then sim through games while concentrating on building your team's roster and minor league system.

Although both games are baseball sims they are different types of sims, if that makes sense. If you've ever dreamed of running a baseball team from year to year then OOTP is an excellent choice. If you're familiar with the Football Manager series then think of OOTP as the baseball equivalent.

Also, to answer your question regarding rosters: when the newest version of OOTP ships next month it will feature a roster of current players from MLB level down to Single A. I didn't buy last years version, but in the last one of I have (OOTP11) you could also start from a past season. For example, you could take control of the Yankees in 1950 and then guide the franchise from that point in time forward.

To be honest, if you are only interested in replaying a certain season you would probably be better off sticking with Strat.

[thevaliantx]

Re: Strat O matic

I think I'm going to end up also getting a Strat-O-Matic game. I'm old enough to remember when board games were all the rage. I was a HUGE D&D fan in the mid 1980's. That being said, The Show is a pretty darn good out-of-the-box simulation product this year, if you just like to manage the games. I too do not like doing the hitting or pitching, I just prefer managing the games. The graphics on The Show 12 are superb, at times seemingly TOO REAL for a console game, and the statistics seem pretty realistic.

[bkrich83]

Absolutely. I have mentioned it before, but I far more enjoy table top sports games than I do console sports games. I have Strat O Matic, Dynasty League, Ball Park, Replay, and Inside Pitch baseball games that I play all the time.

I like strat but prefer replay baseball and dynasty league baseball over it.

[Sportsforever]

Re: Strat O matic

I like strat but prefer replay baseball and dynasty league baseball over it.

Agreed. SOM gives me a greater number of seasons to choose from, but my top two that get the most play for me are Dynasty League and Replay. I have every single card set Dynasty has ever produced and every one Replay has done since 2001. Great, great games.

[LucianoJJ]

Re: Strat O matic


Dynasty League and its predecessor Pursue the Pennant are both excellent games. Strat just plays quicker. With PTP it seemed easier to get lost in the charts. PTP was very detailed, very descriptive. Strat is more roll, read, result.

Since I've started my annual Strat league, my PS3 has gotten a rest.

[OReilly10]

Re: Strat O matic

Strat O Matic is the standard in baseball simulations. Table Top is great... I used to play it as a kid, through the 80's pretty much until I went away to college in 1996. I played Pursue the Pennant and Strat O Matic Hockey as well. I ran a play by email dynasty Strat hockey league while in college for a few years.

I recently got Strat O Matic baseball for the computer. It is amazing. The possibilities are a lot more open-ended than video games, but it is more of a simulator. You have a stadium backdrop (which you can now customize), player photos, and a crude animation of a ball going in the direction it is hit. Action is described by text play by play. There is no skill in the game other than managing.
I started a 1987 season replay and I am managing the Milwaukee Brewers from that season. You can use an 'as played' roster set so day to day during the season, it will have the same lineups/pitching matchups as they had each day in 1987.
Or you can do a 'what if' season and use more input, change things around, change your rotation, etc...
Some people do a hybrid and base their early season moves on the prior season (a player may have hit .300, but floundered at .220 the replayed season... a real manager wouldnt have the benefit of knowing that player was a .220 hitter).
You can realign, make an alternate league, hold a fantasy draft for the season, switch certain players, etc...

You can even mix seasons. I see one guy on the forum I am in is having a double elimination tournament of only the best Pittsburgh Pirates teams of all-time.
Another person is having a league with all the best teams from the 1980's.

[BIG17EASY]

Re: Strat O matic

Strat-O-Matic Baseball is an awesome game. I use the computer version, but manually roll the dice and input the dice results. If you replay one of their "as played" seasons, the statistics put up by the players are very realistic.

I've been wondering, though, about OOTP baseball. Is OOTP a replay simulation like Strat, or can you use current rosters?

You can do both with OOTP. There are historical databases that you can download online (for free) that will allow you to simulate a past season or seasons. Or you can create a completely fictional league with fake players, team names, league structures, etc. It's highly customizable, so if you take the time to set up your league, you can do anything you want.

For instance, I used the historical database to start with the 1986 season and took control of the Mets. I allowed transactions, so trades, waivers, etc. are possible. I don't have minor league teams, only a taxi squad. The game will add rookies on their proper team each year, but free agent signings and trades (and injuries) happen each season. I'm in 1988 right now and loving how things are playing out.

And the game also has an option to start with the 2012 season with full rosters (major and minor league).

[jjoe]

Re: Strat O matic

I like strat but prefer replay baseball and dynasty league baseball over it.

I used to play and like SOM. Now, my favorite baseball game is Action PC baseball 2012. Just awesome.