Planning to try OOTP 9 or 10

[StuckInPhilly]

I've been a fan of baseball games, but mostly action games like "The Show".
But I ended up spending more time being a GM, trying to run my franchise.

well, my questions r :

#1 How are the rosters? Pretty accurate attributes-wise? any one mod-roster I should get for OOTP 9?

#2 How are the AI GMs/Managers? I've read (i think gamespot review) where the AI signed old guys like Bonds to multi year 7mil contracts, while good prospects were littered on the waiver wire.
Hopefully nothing like M. Ramirez batting #8 etc. either.

#3 Should I just wait for OOTP 10? Of course no one can say for sure, but how long before a new mod/improved roster file for for OOTP 10 is probably out? How long did it usually take for previous versions?

Basically, I want to be the GM of the lowly Pirates, run them the way i want, and compete hopefully to success. But I also need AI GMs that can run the other teams competantly. btw, though it seems popular here, I'm not real into the fictional league stuff.

well, thank you in advance for all who took the time to read my Qs.

[Kelric]

The default rosters are pretty accurate, but not perfect. CubbyFan's rosters are usually better in my opinion.

Over the long haul, the AI is fine. You will see some strange player movement and lineups from time to time. While you won't see Manny batting eighth with his current skill set, you may in a year or two if his ratings started declining in the game. OOTP knows only ratings, not player names.

Since you can get OOTPX for $10 cheaper than OOTP9 right now, it's a tough decision. We know OOTP9 is a good product, but I have enough faith in the OOTP brand to have already pre-ordered 10. The default rosters that ship with 10 will be fine, but I believe CubbyFan is already working on his own roster file as well. I'd expect it out within the first week or two after release but that is pure speculation on my part.

I stick to historical or current baseball, but have no problem with playing into the MLB's future and seeing all the players eventually being fictional. I almost never start with fictional teams or players.

[StuckInPhilly]

thank you for the quick reply.

I guess i'll give OOTP 9 a try tonight and just wait for OOTP 10.

oh, 1 more question, especially for ppl who's play-style is like me, how is the progression of players? Is there a progression rating for each player? can we see it or is it a hidden attribute? How are the generated rookies? And how is the degression of older players? Can we edit player attributes/stats any time we want once a game has started?

As i'll try to run the Pirates as a Marlins/Rays wannabe franchise, trading most of the current oldies for prospects, i guess the "quality" of real+generated prospects are important to me.

thank you again in advance for all who took the time to read my questions.

[Kelric]

This looks like more than one question!

Originally Posted by StuckInPhilly

oh, 1 more question, especially for ppl who's play-style is like me, how is the progression of players? Is there a progression rating for each player? can we see it or is it a hidden attribute? How are the generated rookies? And how is the degression of older players? Can we edit player attributes/stats any time we want once a game has started?

There is no 'progression rating' for guys. They do have Talent/Potential Ratings that are their current projected 'best case scenario.' Those Talents can rise or fall, as can their current ratings, at the 'whim' of the OOTP engine. Generated rookies do fine in keeping together the flavor of the league, though you'll probably see a few more outliers than you do in real baseball - a few more Adam Dunn players and a few less Carlos Beltrans, for example. Your best bet for slightly more realistic player development and aging is to check out RonCo's development settings. When you play in Commissioner mode you can edit any player any time you want (except for when you are actually playing a game).

[StuckInPhilly]

thanx again.

wow, reading the threads by Ronco and SKydog just blew my mind away.
so much detail and dedication by the ppl here.
For someone used to playing franchise modes in other baseball games, it does seem a lil daunting, but i get the feeling though it might take a lil time to get into at first, i'll luv it once i get used to the game.

[Kelric]

Start a game with some of the more complicated and time intensive rules turned off. Get rid of the Rule V Draft, waiver wires and a few other things you think may slow you down. Stick with the basics of learning how to build your team through the draft and FA for a while. Once you think you know the game a bit better, open it up and let 'er rip.

[KGrob]

I bought version 10 and I downloaded the free demo for version 9 although the time that you can play it is very limited (understandable).

Of course, for most people who want the game, their choice is either buy 9 and have a product that is dated when 10 is released...or to go ahead and purchase 10 and then wait. Bummer.

I wish they'd offer up version 10 for sale, but allow purchasers to play version 9 while waiting (a demo version that has an end date when version 10 is released).

[StuckInPhilly]

again, thanx for the help.

and yeah, I think i should get rid of the Rule V Draft, waiver wires, MLB service time, and a few other things for my first play through.
I tried playing around with it for about 2 hours tonight after work, and it was a bit daunting.
But I luv it has so many customizable options. better to have too many than not enough.
I downloaded CubbyFan's CF2009Final.lg file, which i couldn't figure out how to get it to work for 30 minutes. the manual wasn't any help either.
I ended up renaming the folder CF2009Final.quick, and somehow that seemed to work.

well, I'm off to play around a bit more with the game