OK folks, here is the final list of features & improvements you'll see in OOTP 18. I am sure we forgot to list a few things, so there certainly is more to be discovered.
Major Changes
- 2017 projected rosters for MLB, MiLB and several international and independent leagues
- Added Challenge Mode & online user profiles, achievements and leaderboards
- Added Tournaments (WBC, Olympics and custom tournaments)
- Added Arizona Fall League support
- Added ability to retain contracts in player trades
- Added support for team promotion & relegation between leagues
- Improved and upgraded 3D, including caps on player pawns and much better looking 3D ballparks
- 3D Movements for simulated games may now be stored and replayed (needs game recaps as well)
- Added 3D game higlight reels
- Added Negro Leagues to the historical minor league database
- Revamped Injury System
Smaller Changes
- 7-day lineups now support double-headers
- Can now name manager of the year award
- Game logs and WPA graphs are only generated as-needed (with an option to generate all that are missing)
- Broadcast ball animation now works if sounds are disabled
- Adjusted human running success rates
- Added the option to mass adjust financial figures in league setup by a factor X
- New playoff modes: Modified Double-Elimination, Round-Robin. Added ability to prevent tiebreakers in a league.
- More dynamic morale system
- Updated team chemistry system + added new team chemistry page
- New player list view: Personality+Morale
- Added the option to have associtation draft order sort by winning pct, by league level + winning pct or entirely random
- Adjusted pitcher fatigue replies
- Adjusted Owner Goals
- Adjusted outrageous contract demands
- Coaches / managers are now much more less likely to move to an unaffiliated league in a foreign country.
- Improved import speed for historical minor leagues
- Added support for import of individual historical minor leaguers
- More free agents will be willing to sign minor league contracts with major league options
- Online profile that will save played seasons and achievements
- Online league files now in ZIP format instead of tar/gz
- Smoother widgets during games
- More accurate triples and HR locations based on individual parks
- Added more fielder positioning options. Adjusted fielder positioning and AI.
- Added option to have the AI set up the initial fielder positions for you to adjust later. Added keyboard shortcuts to switch between shift options.
- Added support for displaying splits & double-splits stats in the team stats sections of the league stats screen
- Added support for the overall ratings to be on 20-80 scale in increments of 5
- Added support for importing and exporting retired numbers and their description
- Added uniform number history for players
- Improved roster and transaction AI
- Improved in-game AI
- Fictional player creation has been improved in a number of ways to be more realisic and resulting in a very stable league environment
- Improved player development & aging, resulting in more realistic careers
Bug fixes (excerpt)
- Awards now given out for final month of the season if it ends before the end of the month
- Players in minor league rehab no longer count against minor league roster limits
- Fixed time in the schedule editor to handle noon-times properly
- Fixed case where players in DFA would not show up in rule 5 eligible players
- Fixed case where left-handed throwing players would show position ratings on the infield
- Fixed vs LH/vs RH games started stats
- Adjusted arbitration estimates for multiple future years
- Adjusted player contracts AI
- Fixed Facegen player jersey "button tape" problem
- Fixed crash when viewing 3D with detailed PBP and a WP/PB happens
- Fixed case where players on rehab assignments might not be listed as available for the playoff roster
- Fixed crash when resuming a game by simulating which started as being played out
- Player stats import & export now supports splits