Ping: People Who Have Not Tried OOTP Online Leagues

kq76 · 06-22-2008, 01:25 AM

Why haven't you tried them? This isn't to start a debate between multiplayer and solo styles of play (solo is great too). I'm wondering if you have some questions that us online leaguers can answer or concerns that we can maybe help free you from. I'd also like to eventually re-write the online league FAQ and your comments and questions would help me know what it should include.

Yes, I realize there are not that many OOTP9 online leagues up yet (I'm sure more and more will start up very soon as is the case in the first week or two after release every year). This question is more directed at people for whom OOTP9 is not their first version. But if you're a newcomer to the game and have some questions yourself, then by all means lay them on us too!

fantom1979 · 06-22-2008, 04:06 AM

I honestly never played online leagues for two reasons...

1. I am very good at the solo part of this game, but I know I achieve that success by ummm.. gaming the AI. I seriously doubt that a human owner will trade me a 5 star prospect for a 3 star 37 year old on the last year of his contract. I guess I just worry about ruining my team and putting it in the cellar while I figure out the online game.

2. How do you find a good league? There are lots of posts about league openings, but how do you know that the commish is honest? How do you know the league wont fold in 3 months? From the amount of time I have been on the boards, I know a lot of people here, so I would probably know what leagues to join and which ones not to, but if I am a new player, it would be difficult to know.

Sdpm100 · 06-22-2008, 04:17 AM

I have been in a couple of online leagues for short periods, but I'm too shy and sensitive to be a valuable member, so I don't take part now. I'd never instigate any moves with other GM's for example.

Bears5122 · 06-22-2008, 04:19 AM

I used to be in a bunch back in the v5/v6 days, but haven't lately. They can be really fun. I like the real MLB roster leagues and there just aren't many that run. Maybe if the rosters get fixed up and are usable some will pop up this year.

SSG Troyer · 06-22-2008, 04:25 AM

I've never played an online game, mainly because I'm satisfied with the solo experience. I have a massive investment of time in my solo league's setup, what with the logos I've made, the stadiums I've customized with "local" flavor, the uniforms...I don't want to take the chance of messing with what I percieve as perfection.

Not that OOTP is perfect, but I've made the most of what I've got, and I'm happy with it.

bleachercreature · 06-22-2008, 07:19 AM

My preference would be to start a league with people I know. The problem is, I'm the only one that owns the game.

Mattymo · 06-22-2008, 07:34 AM

a) I'd rather do it with people I know, like my fantasy baseball/football leagues.

b) I don't have the time to put into an online league. What if I can't get to it on a Wednesday? What if I go on vacation?

c) With anything I do (for the most part), I like to do it because I want, not because I have to. I don't want a video game to ever become an obligation.

akw4572 · 06-22-2008, 07:36 AM

I have played solo since v4. I just started in online leagues about 2 months ago, and it's a blast. A good commish is very important for the online experience. I highly recommend if you are interested, just peruse the online league forum for leagues that are looking for owners.

myasu · 06-22-2008, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bleachercreature

My preference would be to start a league with people I know. The problem is, I'm the only one that owns the game.

Same here.
Plus, living in Japan makes it even harder to be in an online league.

SlyBelle · 06-22-2008, 07:52 AM

Although I'm sure some folks have a blast with online leagues, personally I haven't tried them and likely won't for a number of reasons:

1) Really like the solo experience. Play at my own pace and can customize to my specific liking.

2) I don't have enough time to spend with online leagues, especially since it does demand you responding at certain times. I can't always control my schedule.

3) As others have mentioned, I would prefer to play in a league with people I know, but to be honest I'm the only one in my group of friends that own this game and enjoy these kind of text sims.

Rahhja · 06-22-2008, 08:28 AM

I'd be more then willing to try but would need some hand-holding

ctorg · 06-22-2008, 08:50 AM

I have one primary and, I think, very good reason: time constraints. With a solo league, I can put it on ice for weeks or months while I attend to other things, then return and play for hours straight. With a multiplayer league, there is a committment and others are depending on you. I don't think there are too many leagues I could join where I would be able to go for weeks without starting up the game.

I realize there are some that require just a minimal amount of time, but really, if you want to play and be competitive, OOTP requires more than just a casual glance every now and then. Unfortunately, there are times when I'd struggle to do even that.

phenom · 06-22-2008, 09:26 AM

IMO, a good online league with a good commish understands the time constraints people have, and they won't get worked up about missing an export here and there and so forth. Granted, ctorg's type of time issues might not fly, but if a big reason you don't play on an online league is because you're worried about keeping up three times a week, I'd say you have nothing to worry about.

Drafts happen once every three or four months, and with the utilities available now, you can pre-rank just as you would in a fantasy baseball league and forget about it.

Also, if you're nervous about making mistakes, I'd recommend sitting on your roster for at least a month before you think about making moves. It's not unusual for owners to swarm new guys with trade offers, and it's easy for new guys to make mistakes they aren't realizing.

Last but not least, have fun, and if you're in a league you don't wish to stay in, then don't stay, but let the commish know you're leaving. There's always other leagues to try.

witwerk8267 · 06-22-2008, 09:28 AM

I also would like to get involved in a on-line league, but being a noob to the whole process, I would feel bad if I slowed down others. I know some people take their gaming experience extremely seriously and I'm in it to have a great, challenging, and fun time. I'm extremely dedicated and would keep up my end, but would need a lot of hand-holding in the early stages until I got comfortable with the process. So I need a tolerant commish who is willing to work with me until I get comfortable.

However as I mentioned if someone is willing and has the patience, I know I would be a good and very active owner. I like the challenge of the game and seeing how I stack up vs. others. If you are an on-line league commish and are looking for an owner to take over a team or get started with a new league, please let me know.

lahoward · 06-22-2008, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mattymo

a) I'd rather do it with people I know, like my fantasy baseball/football leagues.

b) I don't have the time to put into an online league. What if I can't get to it on a Wednesday? What if I go on vacation?

c) With anything I do (for the most part), I like to do it because I want, not because I have to. I don't want a video game to ever become an obligation.

yep like he said

jarmenia · 06-22-2008, 09:31 AM

For me its a time thing. I've been in several leagues at various time but inevitably work gets busy and I just don't have time to dedicate to the league.

mrcoach00 · 06-22-2008, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctorg

I have one primary and, I think, very good reason: time constraints. With a solo league, I can put it on ice for weeks or months while I attend to other things, then return and play for hours straight. With a multiplayer league, there is a committment and others are depending on you. I don't think there are too many leagues I could join where I would be able to go for weeks without starting up the game.

This is my main concern as well.

AESP_pres · 06-22-2008, 09:53 AM

The reason for me is very simple : I'm not good enough. This is not that I can't compete with the AI, but with just one year of experience with OOTP I've a lot more to learn about the subtility of the game before I can think to play against human opponents.

Giants44 · 06-22-2008, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctorg

I have one primary and, I think, very good reason: time constraints. With a solo league, I can put it on ice for weeks or months while I attend to other things, then return and play for hours straight. With a multiplayer league, there is a committment and others are depending on you. I don't think there are too many leagues I could join where I would be able to go for weeks without starting up the game.

I realize there are some that require just a minimal amount of time, but really, if you want to play and be competitive, OOTP requires more than just a casual glance every now and then. Unfortunately, there are times when I'd struggle to do even that.

this is exactly my reason - I was in a league that was very well run (in fact still is) and I enjoyed it, but the time commitment became too much. I am far to competitive to simply let the game slide when I don't have time, so I found myself staying up late at night in order to keep up.

Solo play allows me to play when I have time which some weeks is not at all and others is everyday.

online play never fit that availability. It was however much more immersing and "real"

statman · 06-22-2008, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AESP_pres

The reason for me is very simple : I'm not good enough. This is not that I can't compete with the AI, but with just one year of experience with OOTP I've a lot more to learn about the subtility of the game before I can think to play against human opponents.

I would like to answer a few questions that some of you bring up. First off I have been involved with online leagues for over 6 years and at least for me it beats solo play hands down.

For those of you who think you can't compete it's not about winning it's about the challenge of the competetion. Online players are much better than AI, but until you get in there and learn from some of the best you'll never know.

When I started playing I made many mistakes, still do but the real fun is the challenge it gives you and the best part is the friendships you make along the way. In 8 years and probably close to 200 sim seasons I have just 3 World Series titles, I just love the challenge of it all.

What league to pick is tuff, until you play in a few leagues and get to know the serious players and who won't just leave on you, sometimes that's why you have to just keep looking. A long time established league is always the best and another good way is this forum. A commish with a lot of posts or time in these forums give you a good sense of the league importance to him.

One last thing, I have been in a lot of great leagues (one starting it's 59th season) and then some that didn't do so well. But, I learned something from each of them and hopefully earned some respect along the way. I have a pretty busy life, full time job, raising 3 kids and still I am currently in 4 leagues and ready to join 2 more new OOTP9 leagues. One of them with an elite group of owners by invitation only and 1 with just a name I have seen often in the forums.

Get out there and join an online league, be competitive, be a responsible owner and if you like the competition you won't be able to get enough.

06-22-2008, 01:25 AM	#1
kq76 Global Moderator Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 10,703	Ping: People Who Have Not Tried OOTP Online Leagues Why haven't you tried them? This isn't to start a debate between multiplayer and solo styles of play (solo is great too). I'm wondering if you have some questions that us online leaguers can answer or concerns that we can maybe help free you from. I'd also like to eventually re-write the online league FAQ and your comments and questions would help me know what it should include. Yes, I realize there are not that many OOTP9 online leagues up yet (I'm sure more and more will start up very soon as is the case in the first week or two after release every year). This question is more directed at people for whom OOTP9 is not their first version. But if you're a newcomer to the game and have some questions yourself, then by all means lay them on us too! __________________ My OOTP Wishlist Your Recommended Team Nicknames, By City (A Crowdsourced Project)

06-22-2008, 04:06 AM	#2
fantom1979 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Detroit, MI Posts: 3,498	I honestly never played online leagues for two reasons... 1. I am very good at the solo part of this game, but I know I achieve that success by ummm.. gaming the AI. I seriously doubt that a human owner will trade me a 5 star prospect for a 3 star 37 year old on the last year of his contract. I guess I just worry about ruining my team and putting it in the cellar while I figure out the online game. 2. How do you find a good league? There are lots of posts about league openings, but how do you know that the commish is honest? How do you know the league wont fold in 3 months? From the amount of time I have been on the boards, I know a lot of people here, so I would probably know what leagues to join and which ones not to, but if I am a new player, it would be difficult to know. __________________

06-22-2008, 04:25 AM	#5
SSG Troyer All Star Starter Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Somewhere to the left of 2nd base Posts: 1,598	I've never played an online game, mainly because I'm satisfied with the solo experience. I have a massive investment of time in my solo league's setup, what with the logos I've made, the stadiums I've customized with "local" flavor, the uniforms...I don't want to take the chance of messing with what I percieve as perfection. Not that OOTP is perfect, but I've made the most of what I've got, and I'm happy with it. __________________ MWT Did Tennesee Delaware Mississppi's New Jersey? Idaho ... Alaska!

06-22-2008, 08:50 AM	#12
ctorg Global Moderator Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Queens, NY Posts: 9,848	I have one primary and, I think, very good reason: time constraints. With a solo league, I can put it on ice for weeks or months while I attend to other things, then return and play for hours straight. With a multiplayer league, there is a committment and others are depending on you. I don't think there are too many leagues I could join where I would be able to go for weeks without starting up the game. I realize there are some that require just a minimal amount of time, but really, if you want to play and be competitive, OOTP requires more than just a casual glance every now and then. Unfortunately, there are times when I'd struggle to do even that. __________________ My music "When the trees blow back and forth, that's what makes the wind." - Steven Wright Fjord emena pancreas thorax fornicate marmalade morpheme proteolysis smaxa cabana offal srue vitriol grope hallelujah lentils

06-22-2008, 09:26 AM	#13
phenom Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Near the Great Wall. On the GOOD side. Posts: 3,711	IMO, a good online league with a good commish understands the time constraints people have, and they won't get worked up about missing an export here and there and so forth. Granted, ctorg's type of time issues might not fly, but if a big reason you don't play on an online league is because you're worried about keeping up three times a week, I'd say you have nothing to worry about. Drafts happen once every three or four months, and with the utilities available now, you can pre-rank just as you would in a fantasy baseball league and forget about it. Also, if you're nervous about making mistakes, I'd recommend sitting on your roster for at least a month before you think about making moves. It's not unusual for owners to swarm new guys with trade offers, and it's easy for new guys to make mistakes they aren't realizing. Last but not least, have fun, and if you're in a league you don't wish to stay in, then don't stay, but let the commish know you're leaving. There's always other leagues to try. __________________ reported

06-22-2008, 04:17 AM	#3
Sdpm100 Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2005 Location: Cheltenham, England Posts: 7,644	I have been in a couple of online leagues for short periods, but I'm too shy and sensitive to be a valuable member, so I don't take part now. I'd never instigate any moves with other GM's for example.

06-22-2008, 04:19 AM	#4
Bears5122 All Star Reserve Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 846	I used to be in a bunch back in the v5/v6 days, but haven't lately. They can be really fun. I like the real MLB roster leagues and there just aren't many that run. Maybe if the rosters get fixed up and are usable some will pop up this year.

06-22-2008, 07:19 AM	#6
bleachercreature Major Leagues Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: New Jersey Posts: 403	My preference would be to start a league with people I know. The problem is, I'm the only one that owns the game.

06-22-2008, 07:34 AM	#7
Mattymo All Star Starter Join Date: May 2002 Location: Colchester, CT Posts: 1,448	a) I'd rather do it with people I know, like my fantasy baseball/football leagues. b) I don't have the time to put into an online league. What if I can't get to it on a Wednesday? What if I go on vacation? c) With anything I do (for the most part), I like to do it because I want, not because I have to. I don't want a video game to ever become an obligation.

06-22-2008, 07:36 AM	#8
akw4572 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Kentucky Posts: 2,601	I have played solo since v4. I just started in online leagues about 2 months ago, and it's a blast. A good commish is very important for the online experience. I highly recommend if you are interested, just peruse the online league forum for leagues that are looking for owners.

06-22-2008, 07:52 AM	#10
SlyBelle All Star Reserve Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 633	Although I'm sure some folks have a blast with online leagues, personally I haven't tried them and likely won't for a number of reasons: 1) Really like the solo experience. Play at my own pace and can customize to my specific liking. 2) I don't have enough time to spend with online leagues, especially since it does demand you responding at certain times. I can't always control my schedule. 3) As others have mentioned, I would prefer to play in a league with people I know, but to be honest I'm the only one in my group of friends that own this game and enjoy these kind of text sims.

06-22-2008, 08:28 AM	#11
Rahhja Minors (Single A) Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Winthrop, MA Posts: 54	I'd be more then willing to try but would need some hand-holding

06-22-2008, 09:28 AM	#14
witwerk8267 Minors (Double A) Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 111	I also would like to get involved in a on-line league, but being a noob to the whole process, I would feel bad if I slowed down others. I know some people take their gaming experience extremely seriously and I'm in it to have a great, challenging, and fun time. I'm extremely dedicated and would keep up my end, but would need a lot of hand-holding in the early stages until I got comfortable with the process. So I need a tolerant commish who is willing to work with me until I get comfortable. However as I mentioned if someone is willing and has the patience, I know I would be a good and very active owner. I like the challenge of the game and seeing how I stack up vs. others. If you are an on-line league commish and are looking for an owner to take over a team or get started with a new league, please let me know.

06-22-2008, 09:31 AM	#16
jarmenia Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tampa, FL USA Posts: 4,503	For me its a time thing. I've been in several leagues at various time but inevitably work gets busy and I just don't have time to dedicate to the league. __________________ When is good enough, good enough?

06-22-2008, 09:53 AM	#18
AESP_pres Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Province of Quebec Posts: 3,708 Blog Entries: 25	The reason for me is very simple : I'm not good enough. This is not that I can't compete with the AI, but with just one year of experience with OOTP I've a lot more to learn about the subtility of the game before I can think to play against human opponents.