OOTP: Walk Down Memory Lane
I can’t believe that the 8th version of OOTP is almost out. It seems like not that long ago when I first stumbled upon the game. Everyone has their story about how they discovered the game that we’ve all grown to love. Most of us have something in common; we’ve always strived to find that perfect baseball simulation. I knew from the first time that I saw the game that this would be the franchise for me, and the High Heats, Baseball Moguls and Diamond Minds were all left on the shelf after that.
What amazes me the most is how far this series has come since that first version came out back in 1999. Only a few of us around these boards can remember, so I thought I’d take us all on a trip down memory lane… Out of the Park Baseball Many of you might not realize it, but the first version of OOTP was a DOS program. The introduction from the 28-page manual makes me wonder if Markus ever realized how big this would become: Welcome to Out Of The Park Baseball (OOTP), a new baseball simulation which offers everything you expect from a professional simulation and more ... My name is Markus Heinsohn and I'm the developer of OOTP. I've been working on this piece of software for more than a year, and I'm sure the work paid off as OOTP really has grown into a statistical accurate simulation of baseball which doesn’t just give you realistic results but also is very easy to use and a lot of fun to play. OOTP was the first text-based game to feature career mode, and that’s what really sucked me in. The hardware requirements were laughable, needing a PC 286 and 16 MB of recommended RAM. I wasn’t able to get the game running in XP, but trust me when I say that the game was very basic. http://www.baseballmaelstrom.com/ootp1.jpg Here is a recap of the versions since then: OOTP2 The first Windows version Financial model Full minor leagues make an appearance Game created HTML for online leagues Real rookies automatically enter historical leagues every season Split stats http://www.baseballmaelstrom.com/ootp2.jpg OOTP3 Coaches and scouts News system Park and era editor Big group of beta testers http://www.baseballmaelstrom.com/ootp3.jpg OOTP4 / Season Ticket Baseball 30-day free agency period Set lineups/staff for minors Player history on player card Weather FTP support for online leagues Fatigue http://www.baseballmaelstrom.com/ootp4.jpg OOTP5 Full minors with standings Almanac Player tendencies CSV export/import Team/manager strategy settings http://www.baseballmaelstrom.com/ootp5.jpg OOTP6 New sim engine (Stuff, Control, Movement) The DFA box Rule 5 draft Service time tracked by day OOTP6.5 Player popularity 7-day lineups Projected stats listing Off-season/ Spring injuries http://www.baseballmaelstrom.com/ootp6.jpg OOTP Baseball 2006 First SI version – Completely redesigned database Brand new GUI Pitch-by-pitch Complete situational strategy Complete Baseball universe with minor leagues and independents Expanded defensive ratings Complete team scouting/coaching staff http://www.baseballmaelstrom.com/ootp2006.jpg That brings us up to the version. The game has grown tremendously over the years and continues to make leaps and bounds into new territory, truly setting the bar for text-based baseball. I can’t even imagine what the game will look like a few years from now, but I’m sure I’ll still be playing it. |
nice synopsis.
dcc |
nice
great screenshots - bring backs a lot of memories and really shows us how far we have come. would love to see a screen shot of ver1 - does anyone have one???? |
OOTP3 brought back memories... just that screen shot...
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Found OOTP in Jan of 2000. It's been a long time.
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We've seen some great times. OOTP has come a long way since those days. I wonder how many of those original 100 or so forum members still drop by here on a regular basis? Will |
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Danny Fanning - not such a great name for a hitter.
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sporr, interesting post, thanks. I differ from you in one respect: All of my High Heats, Triple Plays, MVP Baseballs, and other games that I had tried before OOTP currently reside in the town landfill, where they belong. Only SOM is still on the shelf where it has been for over two years now, gathering dust.
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If you oldtimes really want to walk down an old road, check out this link:
http://www.sportplanet.com/sbb/ I remember when Stat Based Baseball housed just about everything OOTP. Lots of the league links on the left are still active! |
I started playing with OOTP5. Those were some great times. But wow, where we are now. Never could've imagined.
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This brings back numerous memories of teams and leagues past. Online and solo. Great post.
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I started with 4th and skipped 5th and bought 6th and downloaded 6.5a update, skipped 2006 and just recently got 2007. It would appear that every two years gets the mostest for the leastest lol. I don't play online leagues so one game can easily last me a couple of years playing against the AI. I mostly buy hoping the AI is improved more than anything else.
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I wonder if Dave still plays OOTP....? Will |
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The little envelope on the left bottom corner of the screen in OOTP4 brought back memories of the day I downloaded it. Great day. |
First found v4 on a clearance shelf at a store I can't remember. Had every version since. Can't decide what my favorite is, though I think it's going to end up being v2007. I was a dmb'er and was glad to not have to buy expensive season disks anymore.
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OOTP2
The first Windows version Financial model Full minor leagues make an appearance Game created HTML for online leagues Real rookies automatically enter historical leagues every season Split stats http://www.baseballmaelstrom.com/ootp2.jpg Wow, very nice, reminds me of my first ever OOTP2 online league. Being a baseball board game fan, then computer fan (started with C64), I thought OOTP was the greatest ever, but much thanks for the improvements over the years. |
There's still something to be said for the simplicity of that game. I loved the deuce! Still got it on CD.
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