Non-baseball features added?

[dave1927p]

Are there any Non-baseball features added to ootpx. What i mean by this is interface changes (new sections) owners, etc?

I basically bought ootp9 because it blew me away, and since i am not a huge baseball fan - more of a sports sim fan - i am looking for the new non-baseball features added to this game. So things like AI tweaking does not appeal to me. So far, it doesn't seem like there are enough (if any) new [non-baseball] features in this game for me to purchase it.

[battists]

Originally Posted by dave1927p

Are there any Non-baseball features added to ootpx. What i mean by this is interface changes (new sections) owners, etc?

I basically bought ootp9 because it blew me away, and since i am not a huge baseball fan - more of a sports sim fan - i am looking for the new non-baseball features added to this game. So things like AI tweaking does not appeal to me. So far, it doesn't seem like there are enough (if any) new [non-baseball] features in this game for me to purchase it.

Unfortunately, I don't think there is much new in that regard this year. In fact, a few years back we made a decision to focus as much as possible on the baseball side of things and not get "distracted" by things like merchandising, etc. There haven't been any huge changes to the interface, unfortunately.

Hopefully, you'll give it a try just the same, but hey, they're your dollars!

[Neags23]

I thought one of the huge updates this year was to the interface, Steve. The whole customizable interface via widgets sounded awesome to me.

Hope I'm not thinking it's more than it turns out to be...

[Muzamba]

Originally Posted by battists

In fact, a few years back we made a decision to focus as much as possible on the baseball side of things and not get "distracted" by things like merchandising, etc.

Steve,

I must admit, having been a loyal consumer of the OOTP franchise for the past 9 years, this statement concerns me somewhat.

Perhaps I'm not understanding how you're defining "the baseball side of things". There are many important aspects of baseball that don't necessarily take place on the field. What has always made OOTP great is that there has always been an effort on Markus' part to create a "realistic" baseball world. While I understand that the more detail-oriented micromanagers who play the game demand realism in terms of the AI, game play, and statistical output, it would be a shame to exclusively focus on these at the expense of the off-the-field elements of the game. (Not that I'm worried specifically about things like merchandising, but I am concerned with anything that would directly or indirectly affect the game in real life.)

But maybe (and hopefully) I'm misinterpreting what you're saying here.

Could you please clarify?

Thanks!

[battists]

Originally Posted by Muzamba

Could you please clarify?

Well, I guess I'd ask you not to read TOO much into my words. But the goal for several versions has been to focus more on "baseball general management / management," which is the heart of the game. This is why things like merchandising and promotional days were removed from the game: a general manager doesn't have to deal with those things. Ticket price control was also originally removed, if you recall, but was added back in because while it's not controlled by a GM in real life, it was pretty necessary for effective controlling of league finances.

It doesn't mean there's a strict policy on ANY of this stuff. But, in terms of our "sweet spot," we really think it's general management and the in-game experience. Stuff outside of those areas would have to have powerful, widespread appeal to take precedence.

Mind you, of course, GUI stuff is always "in the mix." I'm more referring to in-game features.

Did that clarify, or just make things worse?

[Muzamba]

Okay, that does indeed alleviate some of my concerns. As someone who doesn't typically play the role of field manager in my games, I'm happy to see that GM-ing will continue to be a primary focus of OOTP.

I suppose I'm a little bit antsy this year, due to the fact that I decided not to apply for the beta team. As you know, I was on the team the last few years, but wasn't able to devote enough time to it. Therefore, I decided not to even submit an application this time around. Now, having more free time on my hands than expected, I'm wishing I'd applied after all... although what I really hope for in the future is to be considered for the design team!

In the meantime, I'm feeling a little bit out of the loop. Once you've been on the inside, it's a tad frustrating not knowing more information about what's going into the upcoming version and which direction the game in general is heading.

By the way, I did leave a question over in the Suggestions forum to which I've yet to receive a response:

Were all the suggestions made prior to the release of OOTP9 carried over for this version? In other words, is there a master list of suggestions that would include all the ideas I submitted for last year's version, or should I have re-posted them in the OOTPX Suggestions forum?

[battists]

Originally Posted by Muzamba

Were all the suggestions made prior to the release of OOTP9 carried over for this version? In other words, is there a master list of suggestions that would include all the ideas I submitted for last year's version, or should I have re-posted them in the OOTPX Suggestions forum?

They do get carried over, but as time goes on, we clearly pay more attention to the suggestions that were based on the most recent version. Part of the problem, of course, is that there's never enough time to dedicate to reviewing all of this stuff!

The solution is simple: stop coming up with so many darned good ideas!!

[Curtis]

Originally Posted by battists

The solution is simple: stop coming up with so many darned good ideas!!

Our slogan: "Progress through stasis!"

[Le Grande Orange]

Originally Posted by Curtis

Our slogan: "Progress through stasis!"

Meh, progress is X-rated.

No, wait, that's not how it goes...

[fantom1979]

Originally Posted by battists

They do get carried over, but as time goes on, we clearly pay more attention to the suggestions that were based on the most recent version. Part of the problem, of course, is that there's never enough time to dedicate to reviewing all of this stuff!

The solution is simple: stop coming up with so many darned good ideas!!

One day I would love to see said list published in a read only format somewhere on the website. I would really think it would help if we could refer to past suggestions in a organized way, instead of trying to find 4 year old message board posts.

[dave1927p]

Originally Posted by battists

Well, I guess I'd ask you not to read TOO much into my words. But the goal for several versions has been to focus more on "baseball general management / management," which is the heart of the game. This is why things like merchandising and promotional days were removed from the game: a general manager doesn't have to deal with those things. Ticket price control was also originally removed, if you recall, but was added back in because while it's not controlled by a GM in real life, it was pretty necessary for effective controlling of league finances.

It doesn't mean there's a strict policy on ANY of this stuff. But, in terms of our "sweet spot," we really think it's general management and the in-game experience. Stuff outside of those areas would have to have powerful, widespread appeal to take precedence.

Mind you, of course, GUI stuff is always "in the mix." I'm more referring to in-game features.

Did that clarify, or just make things worse?

I was more talking about something like Owners to the game and player agents...things in those lines i guess. I find it dissapointing alittle, but im not surprised, considering this is a baseball sim.

I'll be sure to try out the demo, but it looks like i'll have to wait for a future version of the game to have that special feature...i'm sure it won't take too many versions....

[mgom27]

You want to be the Owner of Team so you can put them up so far Sale or move them or so on.

[Malleus Dei]

Originally Posted by mgom27

You want to be the Owner of Team so you can put them up so far Sale or move them or so on.

It must be Spring, mgom27 is out of hibernation.