Switching from console games to tabletop games?

[OliDegu2008]

I consider myself a sim gamer and a HUGE baseball fan. I've been looking and reading recently about tabletop games (specifically Strat-O-Matic) and may take the plunge into finally trying it out.

Anyone have any opinions or advice on playing it?

My biggest concerns are statistical accuracy but still allowing for the impossible to happen.

If you have the game or have played it, I'd love to hear your opinions of it.

[snaz16]

Re: Switching from console games to tabletop games?

I consider myself a sim gamer and a HUGE baseball fan. I've been looking and reading recently about tabletop games (specifically Strat-O-Matic) and may take the plunge into finally trying it out.

Anyone have any opinions or advice on playing it?

My biggest concerns are statistical accuracy but still allowing for the impossible to happen.

If you have the game or have played it, I'd love to hear your opinions of it.

Before you take the plunge do some research. Go to the Delphi Forums and click hunt up the games forum. Obviously Strat is a long time performer as is Apba , but there are a ton of board games along with pc versions of the board games ,, Strat , Apba . Replay , Diamond Mind , etc. And then the table Top games my goodness there are plenty ,,, I have an old Strat game , Pursue the Pennant , a fairly new game Payoff Pitch, and just purchased an old game via ebay in Statis Pro. Lots of options and it really is what your looking for , quick playing , not a lot of look up chart wise ,, Strat and Apba probably your best bet, more involved ,, well there are just a plethora a games. One game that does have my eye is a remake of Sherco Grand Slam , https://sites.google.com/site/shercobaseball/ ,, game plays out on a grid representing each ballpark. Might take some time to play but it all depends on whay your looking for. And unlike "The Show " which is your only option console wise , you have plenty of options ,, at last check I think I counted at least 20 board game versions and maybe 6 or 7 of them having computer versions of them , with the bulk of them providing free demos you can download and take for a free ride. And keep in mind most if not all of these are single season replays.
I still play the "Show" as it is the best console baseball game ever , but my 61 year old fingers are slowing down , and sometimes just managing a game is plenty. Rolling the bones still has a place for us older guys that grew up on these very games your interested in.
Glad you posted this my friend and keep this thread alive and let us know which direction you headed.
Personally I wish OP would dedicate and leave open a thread devoted to board and computer sims like we are talking about. Happy Hunting >>> Greg

[Pourvision21]

Re: Switching from console games to tabletop games?

I played APBA and Strat board games when I was a kid. Quite cool at the time. You might want to look at the electronic versions or check out OOTP.

[KBLover]

Re: Switching from console games to tabletop games?

My biggest concerns are statistical accuracy but still allowing for the impossible to happen.

I've not played much in the way of tabletop baseball, but I think it would me MORE likely to allow for the impossible because it has no need to concern itself of "balance" and "allowing user skill to show" and other "video gamey" things.

It can focus solely on the event probabilities - and as we know about probability, anything really can happen if that's just the way the dice/cards fall.

[Spirits Translation]

Re: Switching from console games to tabletop games?

Your biggest wish is "statistical accuracy" so here's a quote you might be interested in from Jim Barnes - the creator of Sports Illustrated's Statis Pro Baseball.

My guidelines for any game are simple. First, it has to be fun, and second, not too complicated. Every other factor is third — including pin point accuracy. APBA and SOM (basic) certainly fit this description.

Back in the board-gaming days you didn't want to play a game that was too slow, so accuracy had to be sacrificed. That said you might like Replay Baseball which was created by a couple avid APBA fanatics that were looking to improve the system; and over the years they kept adding improvements. A PC version is also available...

http://www.replaybb.com/PCBBPages/PCBBProducts.htm

Going back to Jim Barnes he got burned out of creating games and ended up setting the Vegas betting lines for many years. His favorite game was 'Big League Manager' and said APBA was based on the game 'National Pastime' from the 1930's. Barnes also made Statis Pro Football but the corporate designers made changes and messed up the game so bad that he didn't even understand the final version. He is proudest of his NBA game though.

[OliDegu2008]

Re: Switching from console games to tabletop games?

Thank you all for your comments and thoughts!

I ordered Strat-o-matic (2003 edition) and will work thru a season replay.

[OliDegu2008]

Re: Switching from console games to tabletop games?

Your biggest wish is "statistical accuracy" so here's a quote you might be interested in from Jim Barnes - the creator of Sports Illustrated's Statis Pro Baseball.

http://www.replaybb.com/PCBBPages/PCBBProducts.htm

This looks awesome.

[snaz16]

Re: Switching from console games to tabletop games?

This looks awesome.

Replay pc game is awesome , I have the 2014 and 2015 ,and 1964 seasons and just love the game. A lot of functionality in these games. Play out a season pretty much any way you like , make a 30 team tournament (or any size tournament for that matter). etc. Variety of background ballparks , or upload your own.
I assume Strat the board game. Marlins took out the Yanks if I'm not mistaken. Should be fun.

[OliDegu2008]

Re: Switching from console games to tabletop games?

Replay pc game is awesome , I have the 2014 and 2015 ,and 1964 seasons and just love the game. A lot of functionality in these games. Play out a season pretty much any way you like , make a 30 team tournament (or any size tournament for that matter). etc. Variety of background ballparks , or upload your own.
I assume Strat the board game. Marlins took out the Yanks if I'm not mistaken. Should be fun.

Yes sir, the board game. I am looking forward to it! I will be keeping a journal here in the baseball dynasty section if you're ever interested in checking in and seeing how things are going!

[yount19]

Re: Switching from console games to tabletop games?

I too have played console games bu I find that I get a lot less frustration out of the table top gaming hobby.

I have many of the games mentioned in the earlier replies of this thread... The one game that I consistently revisit is Pursue the Pennant/Dynasty League Baseball (2 different games, same concept... the creators split up after Pursue the Pennant... one of the fellas created Dynasty League Baseball.)

The game(s) has everything from ballpark effects (with wind and weather), a pretty in depth 'wild play' chart, team unity, and even individual umpire strike zones. Even with all of that, you can finish a game in 35-45 minutes. The game is very immersive and friends and I have spent HUNDREDS of hours playing the game(s)...

....The most in-depth baseball game you can buy is Out of the Park Baseball (OOTPB) which is a text based computer sim. I absolutely love this year's version of that game. You can customize and modify the hell out of this game or you can play with the current baseball leagues from any country in the world (or ALL of them)!!! You have all of the minor league affiliates at your disposal as well. The game interface and screens can be a little overwhelming at first, but once you get the hang of it, you will be hooked!!! They typically have a sale on this game around playoff time for about $20. Just google Out of the Park developments...

There are my suggestions for your baseball gaming experience.

[OliDegu2008]

Re: Switching from console games to tabletop games?

So far into a few games in the 2003 season replay and its been crazy.

White Sox beat the Royals 22-8 on Opening Day and the Cubs blanked the Mets 12-0.

Crazy results!

[choadler]

Re: Switching from console games to tabletop games?

I went with the PC version of Stratomatic. They have the option to do the die rolls yourself and enter them into the pc interface as you play. Did a 1986 Astros replay of all 162 games. Great great way to play. You get the feel of the board game with rolling the dice, but all of the stat tracking of the computer version.

[OliDegu2008]

Re: Switching from console games to tabletop games?

I too have played console games bu I find that I get a lot less frustration out of the table top gaming hobby.

Not only less frustration but it's better on the eyes and soul!

[snaz16]

Re: Switching from console games to tabletop games?

I went with the PC version of Stratomatic. They have the option to do the die rolls yourself and enter them into the pc interface as you play. Did a 1986 Astros replay of all 162 games. Great great way to play. You get the feel of the board game with rolling the dice, but all of the stat tracking of the computer version.

Replay Baseball does this also , and NP 3 (Skeetersoft's adaption of Apba). And with both of those games you can take them for a test drive before deciding to purchase.

[LucianoJJ]

Re: Switching from console games to tabletop games?

I went with the PC version of Stratomatic. They have the option to do the die rolls yourself and enter them into the pc interface as you play... Great great way to play. You get the feel of the board game with rolling the dice, but all of the stat tracking of the computer version.

I've done this for years, too. Best of both worlds. You feel like you get an honest sim. No rubber band/comeback AI, no worries about losing because of reflexes & button mashing. It's not as flashy, but it is realistic. There are over a hundred seasons available for PC, and plenty of seasons for cards and dice. You can play the entire schedule, create your own leagues and schedules, sim entire seasons...you have a lot of options with Strat-O-Matic. I respect Dynasty League Baseball, I've played Pursue the Pennant, but I love Strat above all.