[PSUColonel]

Originally Posted by progen

For the most part Syd, I like reading your posts, as well asSweed's posts regarding the game. I've been playing since OOTP4, but in all those years, really don't "drill down" to the nitty gritty of the game like you two do. I think, for the most part, your posts are fairly objective, and mostly helpful.

But as far as your comment about FM and pretty much only enjoying it if you're in the "higher leagues", and "trash" at the lower leagues, I would disagree. One of the most enjoyable parts, at least for me, is taking a lower level club(level 4 in the game-League 2, no mods, or with a mod, going to say level 6 or 7, or lower if you like), and seeing how far you can go with that club. And I've played as much FM, as I have OOTP at this point, as they are my "go to" games.

And I really like the whole "applying for a job" process in FM, and something I wish OOTP would take a look at, and it's something I've been wanting for years. If you start out unemployed, it's a lot of fun to compare offerings you might get with the lower-level clubs. What's their payroll, and any debt they have? Where did they finish in the league last year? Do I want to interview with them? For me, it makes the whole experience of starting your career so much more realistic. I'll usually get an email with a lower level club, asking me for an interview. But almost always, not any higher than 6-7, because my reputation is so low.

And just for kicks sometimes, I'll appIy for an opening at a club at the Championship Level(level 2), and the response is, they find it comical that I applied, something like that, and my application gets rejected, as well it should. After a bit of time, I find that I may have 2-3 offers, and then I can decide which one I want to take. A lot of factors to consider, as mentioned earlier. OOTP really falls short in this area, actually is non-existent.

And I haven't found "bugs" to be an issue when playing at lower levels, and with, or without the mod used for my version of the game. I found just the opposite, that the creator of the mod has spent hours on researching the various clubs, and adding them to the correct leagues, updated players, and pretty much spot on with the ratings.

But I will say, as you mentioned, there are a lot of things apparently "hard coded" in FM, that really restricts you to not being able to add leagues as easy as OOTP, or say one or two "brand new clubs" to an existing league.

I've used the "Create A Club" option before, but there you have to delete a current club in the league you choose, and then create your club. And I know there's an "out of game editor" that helps with this, but for me, it's not very user friendly.

I'll eventually purchase OOTP23, but currently, with what I read here, and more importantly, the feedback I'm getting from friends who have purchased 23, I'm in no rush to move off of 22.

I believe they are now selling a separate editor that can easily do the type of things we are accustomed to doing in OOTP. I haven’t tried it and have no opinion on it however. Maybe if I ever really get to the point of knowing what I’m doing I will…but until then I’ll wait and see.

Incidentally I do pay an annual subscription to “sortitoutsi”. For me, a yearly fee of $10-$15 is worth being able to download all of the logos, uniforms (kits) face packs and other enhancements knowing they are always complete, up to date and easy. No fuss no muss.

FM is a larger sim in many ways…size, scope and price. But for what I get, I’m willing to pay some more. For me FM turns out to be about a $70 investment each year. I hear people talk about restaurants all the time, and many will say they don’t mind paying more if the quality is there. With FM the quality is there…and I don’t find myself having to to do any leg work for mods…as the community is huge and is actually very professional in their approach. You should see some of the YouTube channel tutorials, guides and strategy by FMScout and others. WOW! It really will make you jealous.

Now, this isn’t to mean OOTP is chopped liver, because obviously it’s far from that, or we wouldn’t all be here. In fact for what people get for their money, I think it’s a great value. I think many of us just like to dream on what we think OOTP could’ve or could be in terms of potential. I know Markus learned an awful lot from his days at SI, and the OOTP we have today can be greatly attributed to that experience I think. I guess the problem is Markus has been gone from SI for about 15 years now. I’m sure he still has a lot of friends and counterparts in the industry, and I’m sure they talk “shop” frequently, but it’s likely no substitute for the time he spent there on a daily basis.

I suppose you could say FM is the superstar player getting paid the big bucks that better deliver, while OOTP is the promising prospect under club control, where a team is getting good value for its investment without the constant pressure of having to be performing at the highest level each and every day.