OOTP Developments Forums - View Single Post

option.j · 09-30-2006, 02:45 PM

I've enjoyed playing baseball sims, way back from when DMB was PTP. I very much enjoyed playing OOTP v6.12 and even more 6.51. However, 2006 has been an unmitigated disaster.

Basic Game Interface

I think that the idea behind the interface was a good one. However, it was implemented in a very poor fashion. It was extremely unintuitive and not user friendly. Things don't work as you'd expect. It was clear that the game was trying to tap in to an existing context that most people who have used computers would understand. However, this feeling was broken almost immediately. If you aren't going to give users the benefit of convention, then you are better off with a completely different interface. I know that programmers are not often the best UI designers. I think much more attention should be paid to this next time.

Bugs

Yeah, they are going to happen. However, there were so many, and on such simple things, that it was clear that the game was slapped together. This is quite frustrating.

Complexity

Echoing what others have said, there was too much complexity in things that should be abstracted, at least to my mind. These things should be better made optional, such that the game can be played by the casual user.

Conversion

Quite honestly, I think it is ridiculous that conversions from v6.51 are not seamless. This isn't a case where we're talking about some weird format change. We're talking data. I can't think of a single reason why this doesn't work well, other than that it wasn't thought of as essential. Given that your installed base for v6 is your main pool to buy 2006, I will say that I humbly disagree with this decision.

Summary

I think that is most of what I have to say for specifics. My experience with 2006 has left a really bad taste in my mouth. This was further exacerbated by the various emanations from SI, to be brutally frank. I'm quite irritated by the responses of 'design decision' and the like for things that just don't work. I slapped my money down for 2006 to get it on the release day, with mucho excitement. This will not be the case with 2007. Once bitten, twice shy. This version harmed my trust in the company, and the subsequent actions hurt it further.

09-30-2006, 02:45 PM	#129
option.j Bat Boy Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 6	I've enjoyed playing baseball sims, way back from when DMB was PTP. I very much enjoyed playing OOTP v6.12 and even more 6.51. However, 2006 has been an unmitigated disaster. Basic Game Interface I think that the idea behind the interface was a good one. However, it was implemented in a very poor fashion. It was extremely unintuitive and not user friendly. Things don't work as you'd expect. It was clear that the game was trying to tap in to an existing context that most people who have used computers would understand. However, this feeling was broken almost immediately. If you aren't going to give users the benefit of convention, then you are better off with a completely different interface. I know that programmers are not often the best UI designers. I think much more attention should be paid to this next time. Bugs Yeah, they are going to happen. However, there were so many, and on such simple things, that it was clear that the game was slapped together. This is quite frustrating. Complexity Echoing what others have said, there was too much complexity in things that should be abstracted, at least to my mind. These things should be better made optional, such that the game can be played by the casual user. Conversion Quite honestly, I think it is ridiculous that conversions from v6.51 are not seamless. This isn't a case where we're talking about some weird format change. We're talking data. I can't think of a single reason why this doesn't work well, other than that it wasn't thought of as essential. Given that your installed base for v6 is your main pool to buy 2006, I will say that I humbly disagree with this decision. Summary I think that is most of what I have to say for specifics. My experience with 2006 has left a really bad taste in my mouth. This was further exacerbated by the various emanations from SI, to be brutally frank. I'm quite irritated by the responses of 'design decision' and the like for things that just don't work. I slapped my money down for 2006 to get it on the release day, with mucho excitement. This will not be the case with 2007. Once bitten, twice shy. This version harmed my trust in the company, and the subsequent actions hurt it further.