I figured I would put out here my original plan for TotalMinors 2K3 for High Heat. While there remains some chance I will end up doing a set for High Heat, that seems less and less likely for a few reasons.
Anyway, here is what I had planned for HH2K3. If I am able to go ahead with work here for OOTP4, many of these things will come through in one form or another.
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Planned features for TotalMinors 2K3 include:
++ Completely revised performance ratings based on 3 years of data, compared with league, relative to age and weighted to value the most recent year more than the previous two. Sample spreadsheets are available at BaseballSimcentral.com with a ReadMe that goes into more specific detail about how I develop my ratings. These include adjusted ratings for major league players, as well as minor-leaguers.
++ Roster updates at least once a month. These updates account for transactions and any ratings changes I may consider appropriate given a player’s performance.
++ Minor league updates. This consists of added players not in the original set. The plan is to do this monthly, starting at the end of April or the beginning of May. I would do them as input files so users can add these guys without disrupting an ongoing season.
++ A post-draft update/import file of at least the first five rounds.
++ Revised ratings on arm strength and other intangibles after extensive testing when the new game is released (since ratings may be somewhat altered from last year’s version.)
++ Added minor league photo updates throughout the season. The tentative plan is to do this on a monthly basis.
++ A Web site that would include:
1. Tutorials on roster creation, ratings, etc.
2. Lists of transactions, so users can update your rosters without having to load other post-Opening Day updates.
3. Articles from other mod-makers wishing to contribute and, if they so desire, members of the 3DO development team who could provide added insight into different features.
4. Minor league reports. I am a writer by trade and doing roster development has turned me into an avid follower of minor league baseball. I plan to write articles for the site and have spoken with a few people from other baseball sites who said they would contribute.
5. Suggested ratings changes for existing players as warranted. I realize that player performances change, and some ratings slip through the cracks. I will let users know any of these that I come across so they can keep their set as accurate as possible without disrupting their season with separate downloads.
6. A forum for requests for added players, photos, etc. Any roster work would be pointless without user support, so I want to be very open as to what they want to see and will do my best to accommodate.
This is basically what I had planned. For those of you who were following what was going on with my plans for HH2k3, I want to clarify something (and explain to those of you who weren't around for it):
Doing this takes a LOT of time, especially with all I have going on right now. Compiling complete spreadsheets for each team requires more than 100 hours by itself, before any other figures are calculated and entered into the program. There was some misinterpretation that I planned on charging for the roster set. That was NOT the plan. All I planned on doing was setting up as part of my Web site an area for contributions, where those who could afford to do so could donate as compensation for my time and effort. This would not, and will not, be a pay-to-download situation. These rosters would be readily available for everybody. I just wanted to set something up so I stood a chance of receiving some compensation for my work, because frankly, with a wedding and house to pay for, the money would really help. Hopefully everyone understands that and appreciates the situation.
As always, let me know any questions and I'll be glad to answer.
Take care,
GH
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