Quote:
Originally Posted by statfreak
OOTP would be a very dry game to play if it only used statistics. There are already games that only do that. I would suggest any one wanting to play a game based only and purely on statistics should try STRATEGIC BASEBALL SIMULATOR.
Thankfully Markus has a different vision for his game and the vast majority of users are happy with that vision, even if they question the implementation and means to accomplish that vision. |
I was just about to make a "very dry game" post, you beat me to it
We don't have to go total fantasy and be able to hit a pitch 12 inches off the corner with a laser beam out of the end of the bat. We do need to have the "human factor" in the game if it can be presented in a realistic manner.
I'm going to go out on a limb here and guess that no one here will say "rust", or use whatever term you like doesn't exist but we don't want any part of it because we can't quantify it? News flash, rust has been in the game for a long time without anyone I know of complaining. The effect is so subtle, like real life and the Heyward example, you have to ask yourself when playing OOTP "did I bring him back too soon?". That to me is beautiful. You should go away as the manager or GM wondering "should I have done that differently?" instead of "well of course I played Heyward he's the highest rated player why wouldn't he be in the lineup?"
After reading Dark Horse comments why have spring training at all? Just give us the updated ratings and call it good. I don't have to mess with lineups the ratings tell the whole story as long as I turn off those "unproven" scouting opinions. With real ratings showing I know exactly what I'm getting. No need to worry about the 20/20 contact guy getting off to a slow start, at the end of the year he's going to be hitting ~.330+.
I also know within statistical probability how my players will age and develop if we get rid of those pesky "unproven" coaches. How does one know how much a coach helps a player IRL? There really is no proof so I wish they'd never been put in the game.
Without some type of "human modifier" be it personality, mentality, streaks, rust, etc. the game could just as well be a huge spread sheet. OOTP would then be a game where the correct and smart thing to do is only play the highest rated players at all times. Anything else, without any type of modifier, would be stupid and simply betting against the odds. The higher rated guy is always going to have the best chance of having the roll of the dice go his way. Why would you ever play anyone else?
There are many things in Football Manager that many would sit here and say "why is that in there you can't prove it.?" but it is the only sports game I have ever played that made me feel like I was dealing with human beings instead of bags of ratings. At the same time it also plays a realistic game of football\soccer. OOTP can do the same and, thankfully, I believe that is one of Markus' ultimate goals.