Quote:
Originally Posted by Markus Heinsohn
One thing to keep in mind, one sim is a very small sample size. What we typically do is create a fully fictional MLB setup, then sim for 50 years, and then look at various metrics. In our tests, the latest update looks very good overall, except the following weaknesses, which we will still work on of course:
- We need a few more star prospects who develop really, really fast so they make a real impact in MLB at age 20, 21, 22.
- A few more standout players in general wouldn't hurt, sometimes it feels the number of true mega-stars is a bit low. But this varies from sim to sim.
I disagree here. The question is, what do you look at, raw ratings or stats? We look at stats output, and here the aging curves show a nice variety and in general feels close to real life.
Oh, and in general, let's keep in mind we're still in March, and as I am typing this, MLB didn't even have its proper Opening Day. Plenty of time to continue to work on this part of the game  Overall, this is the best launch we ever had. |
I agree. I did a 30 year sim last night with a Fictional league with Historical rookies from all eras being drafted (1960-1989). There were only 4 or 5 true generational talents, and 3 of them were international discoveries. The only 2 historical All Time Greats were an old time pitcher named Foghorn Bradley and Dave Parker. There were a lot of 3 or 4 year wonders, guys that were drafted as 4 or 5 star players, had incredible seasons at 22,23,24 years old, and then dropped like a stone. Ken Griffey Jr. , Chuck Klein, and a whole bunch of starting pitchers looked to be emerging All time greats and then were average by 27 years old. It is like after they hit 26, they become 3 star players at best.
I think just a minor tweak of historical rookies being drafted to keep their mojo beyond two or three years would do wonders for the game.
Also, every draft (32 team league), the first starting pitcher off the board is in the late 1st/ early 2nd round. Every single draft. 30 drafts total. Even guys like Walter Johnson that come into the game as 5 star players (5 star potential) dont get picked until the 1st or 2nd round. Not surprisingly, Johnson went from 5 stars to 2 and 1/2 by the age of 24, and was a waiver pick up at 25 years old. Out of the game entirely by 28. Sure, not every real life "ALL TIME GREAT" will become great in a fictional league, which is the Awesome part of OOTP, but some of these guys should. Not just Walter Johnson, but Noodles Hahn, Roy Oswalt, Carl Hubble, Robin Roberts. They all gets drafted early 2nd round as 5 star potential players and by 25 years old are 2 and 1/2 stars. Only guys that began late in real life like Teddy Higuera stay top of the rotation starters into their 30's.