Quote:
Originally Posted by Gil Thorp
What I see happening, is that once graphics are introduced, people will be continually calling for more and better graphics and eventually will be expecting an "MLB the Show" type presentation while "everything else in the game as it is now", things like AI in game decision making, an AI defensive substitution logic that still sometimes borders on the absurd etc. takes a backseat.
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It's really quite simple: unless this game series innovates and offers significant changes to encourage existing users to upgrade and attract new users, improvements in the other areas of the game will eventually languish or we'll see the end of OOTP.
The reason that OOTP Developments now has the resources to hire more developers and graphic designers is that it innovated. Among other things, including improvements to OOTP as a PC game, it introduced an iOS game that exceeded the company's expectations and helped generate an entirely new revenue stream. Releasing iOOTP didn't improve the AI in the OOTP PC game, but it sure as hell attracted some new users, some new buyers for the PC product who learned about it through iOOTP, and it brought in more money to the company, which helps drive further hiring and development.
And the reason that the PC game has benefited from this endeavor and has not suffered any appreciable loss in focus or improvement is that the company had a plan, added dedicated resources, and made sure that it was done the right way.
The same thing can and will almost certainly happen with 2D or 3D graphics. New resources will be added and it will be done the right way. In the long term, it will benefit the game series if it attracts new users, generates new revenue, and encourages people to keep buying and upgrading.
There are already many users who are still playing OOTP 12 or OOTP 13 because they don't see enough of a difference in the newer versions. Well, if you add graphics, that's a major difference, and it could create a big boost in sales, which could subsequently fund more hiring to do more things with the PC game and other products.
But if sales of the PC game stagnate, which had been happening for several years based on reports from OOTP Developments, then we're all in trouble. The next step from that is a decline, and no amount of AI improvement or in-game strategy tweaks is going to rescue a series from dropping sales. It takes bigger innovations and bigger changes, along with a continued focus on the nuts and bolts that are just as important. I trust that OOTP Developments will take the right approach.
The company has already beaten the odds to achieve its level of success thus far. It has already created some great products that are among the best available on the market. Why does the prospect of adding graphics cause such fear and consternation, and why do people abandon their trust in the company when this is discussed? Many things have been added to this game over the years and handled well. Why does this necessarily have to be any different?