OOTP about to get some big competition

[PSUColonel]

Wolverine Studios Announces Shaun Sullivan's Draft Day Sports: Baseball! - Wolverine Studios

[chanman]

Wow if this isn't some April Fools joke I love it.
I think OOTP really does need competition like any other game does if consumers want to benefit.
Plus Wolverine is the only text sim company that has never done me wrong so I'll buy almost anything from them.

[Doughnuts?]

Competition is good. Show 'em what you got, Markus.

[conception]

I'm not familiar with any of their work, but competition isn't a bad thing. I will keep my faith in OOTP but it won't hurt to see a competitor push the development team to keep polishing the game.

[kq76]

This is great news. While Shaun's Puresim is probably the second best baseball sim out there, I never much cared for the look of his game. Wolverine games, OTOH, I always thought looked very sharp much thanks I'm sure to our old friend Cuss.

[Cooleyvol]

Read all about it at the Wolverine site.

[james17]

Actually, I'm even more excited about their plans for an American football game!

[ootp3to6]

I have played PureSim Baseball in the past, but keep coming back to my favorite - OOTP.
It will be interesting to see how DDSB develops.

[darkenigma510]

Guess his dream of doing this full time came true

[Raidergoo]

Since their forum is blinkered, I have copied this post from Gary Gorski. Shaun's words are in red.

Originally Posted by Gary Gorski

Shaun made this announcement at Matrix this morning

I have an announcement to make. After a great 3+ year run with Matrix, I have received a very special offer to join Wolverine Studios, which I have accepted. Initially I will be developing a title "Draft Day Sports: Baseball" which, at this time has no scheduled release date. I'm super excited about the unique opportunity to be a part of a growing company focused on sports sims.

So, what does that mean for PureSim Baseball 2007?

Nothing, business as usual. I will continue to provide support on these forums, and patches if critical issues arise, and Matrix will continue to offer PS 2007 in their stable of titles. I am very happy with the state of PureSim and with the patch released this weekend I am confident the game will be a great option to scratch your Baseball sim itch this season and beyond.

On a personal note, I'd like to first thank Dave and Erik from Matrix, who were incredibly understanding and supportive with my decision. You guys know how wishy washy I can be, imagine what it was like for them Truly classy guys, bravo. It has been refreshing to work with such a professional team of people at Matrix. People that genuinely care about their developers, which, in this industry separates Matrix from the pack.

Lastly, I want to thank the PureSim community for the great support you have given PureSim. You guys keep me coming back!

I'm excited about the expanded opportunities ahead at Wolverine, but a little sad to be leaving Matrix.

No, this is not an April fool's joke.

Regards,

Shaun Sullivan
Developer, PureSim Baseball 2007

As Mark pointed out - its not a new game in the mix. It's improving an already very good game. Puresim is incredibly underrated as a baseball sim and I think the new version to be titled Draft Day Sports: Baseball will only take the game to a higher level and hopefully get the recognition it deserves.

[statfreak]

it seems to be just a repackaged / updated version of PureSim. Not sure I'd classify that as "big competition" since it has been there all along for several years now.

I do hope Shaun and Wolverine Studios the best of luck with the "new" title. Competition is generally a good thing.

[Le Grande Orange]

Hmmm, when Shaun closed up PureSim over at Matrix Games, he said it was because between his real day job and working on PureSim, it was taking up far too much time away from his family. He had to make a choice, and as a result he let go of PureSim in favour of his family.

So colour me confused and suspicious of this new Wolverine Games title announcement.

[Gary Gorski]

Originally Posted by statfreak

it seems to be just a repackaged / updated version of PureSim. Not sure I'd classify that as "big competition" since it has been there all along for several years now.

I do hope Shaun and Wolverine Studios the best of luck with the "new" title. Competition is generally a good thing.

Well repackaged isn't the right word - we're not selling Puresim with a new name. In fact we're not selling anything until Shaun produces the next version. DDS: Baseball will be taking what he started with Puresim and adding new features as well as influences from what we do in some of our other WS games and ceratainly an interface overhaul to match our other games. It will be a new game whenever it is ready and one that I think baseball sim fans will really enjoy.

[statfreak]

Originally Posted by Gary Gorski

Well repackaged isn't the right word - we're not selling Puresim with a new name. In fact we're not selling anything until Shaun produces the next version. DDS: Baseball will be taking what he started with Puresim and adding new features as well as influences from what we do in some of our other WS games and ceratainly an interface overhaul to match our other games. It will be a new game whenever it is ready and one that I think baseball sim fans will really enjoy.

I did also include the word updated which is exactly what you described. The face lift and WS "branding" will do the game wonders and should be another top of line game for WS. I almost bought PureSim last year and now that it is in WS's camp might have to finally do just that. You've got a great lineup of games and I'm looking forward to the upcoming releases.

[statfreak]

Originally Posted by Le Grande Orange

Hmmm, when Shaun closed up PureSim over at Matrix Games, he said it was because between his real day job and working on PureSim, it was taking up far too much time away from his family. He had to make a choice, and as a result he let go of PureSim in favour of his family.

So colour me confused and suspicious of this new Wolverine Games title announcement.

IIRC, a month or so after that announcement there was another one that said he was back to working on the game, albeit at a reduced schedule. It will be interesting to see what new features will be added and how the game will look now.

[Le Grande Orange]

Originally Posted by statfreak

IIRC, a month or so after that announcement there was another one that said he was back to working on the game, albeit at a reduced schedule. It will be interesting to see what new features will be added and how the game will look now.

Ah, okay, I only saw the first announcement. Everyone there at the time was disappointed there'd be no more PureSim, but fully understood his reasons. After that first announcement I naturally didn't peruse the PureSim section of the Matrix boards anymore.

[Gary Gorski]

Originally Posted by Le Grande Orange

Hmmm, when Shaun closed up PureSim over at Matrix Games, he said it was because between his real day job and working on PureSim, it was taking up far too much time away from his family. He had to make a choice, and as a result he let go of PureSim in favour of his family.

So colour me confused and suspicious of this new Wolverine Games title announcement.

Yeah by no means is Shaun coming in as a full-time developer. Even though I am constantly developing new titles I'm rotating between games so my titles are being updated every 2 years or so. We're going to give Shaun some help by providing the interface and do the marketing but he's free to develop this new game on his own time and schedule so that he can enjoy time with his family and still enjoy working on the baseball game in the time he can.

[Autism Speaks]

Good for him!!!!

[StyxNCa]

Oops, thought I was in the OOTP forums.

[CHOWDERHEAD]

...Edit...

thought better of it