I've finally figured out how to enjoy OOTP!

cbbl · 04-11-2007, 11:11 AM

OK, so for the three plus weeks OOTP has been out I've yet to start a season. This is primarily because I just haven't been satisified with the output and have spent a bunch of time tweaking settings. I've found myself frustrated when I get to a point where I'm dissatisified and forced to start practically from the beginning, in many cases resetting team logos and colors, and redrafting the inaugural draft (which takes me about 2-3 hours).

I don't have a ton of custom things, but I have modified yearly financials and names, and I have pulled in OOTP's default era settings. I've tweaked, ever so slilghtly, the modifiers. But some of these customizations require careful monitoring -- for example, my financials and names are set in the .txt file only for the first year, so I'll have to update them before moving to next season.

Because OOTP doesn't have a restore option, its been challenging when I get to a point where I don't like the results because of settings or errors (sometimes mine).

I've seen inaugural draft pools that I find too unbalanced.

I've seen spring training stats that are too out of whack for me.

I've made plenty of mistakes that I couldn't undo.

But start over no more!

Enter the "BSR" method - Backup, Simulate, Restore

I started clean.

I set up my league and game settings. Just before hitting "Create Game", I saved them as a template. (Backup)

As soon as the game was created, I modified the team colors, logos, and ballparks. I tinkered ever so slightly with personnel and other team factors. I saved this work as a Quick Start. (Backup)

In commissioner mode, I hired myself into the GM role of one of my teams and moved to the inaugural draft. I Simulated through the draft, and spring training and looked at the results. Results fine? Great - close the game and restart with the Quick Start. (Restore) Results not to my liking? Close game and re-create new one using the template. (Restore)

I moved through the inaugural draft, selecting the players I wanted rather than letting the AI do it. When I got to the other side, I went to the minor leagues, filled in the gaps with fictional players, looked at the free agent listing, and completed the day. I saved this work as a different Quick Start (Backup) and then Simulated through spring training. Look at the data again, make a decision, reload from the right Quick Start, move through the next stage, create another Quick Start, simulate, restore, etc. etc.

I now do this before EVERY major consideration -- before spring training, before drafts, before the regular season, before asking the AI to set-up the organization, before advancing to the next season.

Is it a pain? A little bit, but the trade off is that I now only need return to the date of my last Quick Start rather than having to recreate the whole league from the get go. It's my "Create a Restore point" workaround!

cbbl

04-11-2007, 11:11 AM	#1
cbbl All Star Starter Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,179	I've finally figured out how to enjoy OOTP! OK, so for the three plus weeks OOTP has been out I've yet to start a season. This is primarily because I just haven't been satisified with the output and have spent a bunch of time tweaking settings. I've found myself frustrated when I get to a point where I'm dissatisified and forced to start practically from the beginning, in many cases resetting team logos and colors, and redrafting the inaugural draft (which takes me about 2-3 hours). I don't have a ton of custom things, but I have modified yearly financials and names, and I have pulled in OOTP's default era settings. I've tweaked, ever so slilghtly, the modifiers. But some of these customizations require careful monitoring -- for example, my financials and names are set in the .txt file only for the first year, so I'll have to update them before moving to next season. Because OOTP doesn't have a restore option, its been challenging when I get to a point where I don't like the results because of settings or errors (sometimes mine). I've seen inaugural draft pools that I find too unbalanced. I've seen spring training stats that are too out of whack for me. I've made plenty of mistakes that I couldn't undo. But start over no more! Enter the "BSR" method - Backup, Simulate, Restore I started clean. I set up my league and game settings. Just before hitting "Create Game", I saved them as a template. (Backup) As soon as the game was created, I modified the team colors, logos, and ballparks. I tinkered ever so slightly with personnel and other team factors. I saved this work as a Quick Start. (Backup) In commissioner mode, I hired myself into the GM role of one of my teams and moved to the inaugural draft. I Simulated through the draft, and spring training and looked at the results. Results fine? Great - close the game and restart with the Quick Start. (Restore) Results not to my liking? Close game and re-create new one using the template. (Restore) I moved through the inaugural draft, selecting the players I wanted rather than letting the AI do it. When I got to the other side, I went to the minor leagues, filled in the gaps with fictional players, looked at the free agent listing, and completed the day. I saved this work as a different Quick Start (Backup) and then Simulated through spring training. Look at the data again, make a decision, reload from the right Quick Start, move through the next stage, create another Quick Start, simulate, restore, etc. etc. I now do this before EVERY major consideration -- before spring training, before drafts, before the regular season, before asking the AI to set-up the organization, before advancing to the next season. Is it a pain? A little bit, but the trade off is that I now only need return to the date of my last Quick Start rather than having to recreate the whole league from the get go. It's my "Create a Restore point" workaround! cbbl