Here I go again!

Maddox · 03-16-2015, 10:18 AM

I have purchased this game 4 or 5 times over the years, most recently last year. I always go in with high hopes and dive in with gusto.
Eventually I get overwhelmed with all the details and tasks. I have not let that deter me though as I have pre-ordered the game again. This time I plan to have a more detailed plan of attack. That plan is:

Use the new manage only mode, probably with a historical team, most likely the Cardinals from the Lou Brock (notice the avatar)/Bob Gibson era, so that I can stay focused on that one aspect of the game and learn the manager tasks as well as I can without being overwhelmed by contracts and other GM tasks.
Next I will start a GM career. I will assign all the day to day tasks to my managers and this time just focus on the GM aspects

I am hoping that this method will help get me acclimated to the game without overwhelming me too much. When I feel comfortable with both roles only then will I restart and try and do it all.

Wish me luck. Stage one begins on Friday.

Markus Heinsohn · 03-16-2015, 10:26 AM

Have fun!

pstrickert · 03-16-2015, 10:29 AM

Markus has expressed concern about the learning curve for new users. To me, if I were new, I'd probably be ecstatic about all the possibilities. OOTP is a game that never gets old. The replay value is off the charts.

BusterKing · 03-16-2015, 10:37 AM

I suggest you play every game out, one pitch mode only takes about 10-15 minutes. So much fun playing that way. Manager mode is going to be great for people that don't want to micro manage all the stuff. It's going to help the beginners a lot.

David Watts · 03-16-2015, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maddox

I have purchased this game 4 or 5 times over the years, most recently last year. I always go in with high hopes and dive in with gusto.
Eventually I get overwhelmed with all the details and tasks. I have not let that deter me though as I have pre-ordered the game again. This time I plan to have a more detailed plan of attack. That plan is:

Use the new manage only mode, probably with a historical team, most likely the Cardinals from the Lou Brock (notice the avatar)/Bob Gibson era, so that I can stay focused on that one aspect of the game and learn the manager tasks as well as I can without being overwhelmed by contracts and other GM tasks.
Next I will start a GM career. I will assign all the day to day tasks to my managers and this time just focus on the GM aspects

I am hoping that this method will help get me acclimated to the game without overwhelming me too much. When I feel comfortable with both roles only then will I restart and try and do it all.

Wish me luck. Stage one begins on Friday.

Another method of play you might keep in mind is what I call "spectator mode." Pick a team to pull for and then just sit back and watch what happens. Started playing this way using OOTP14 and would have to say the majority of my play with 15 has been experienced mainly as a fan rather than a participant. I've found I don't even have to pick a team. I can simply follow the league. I just pick a game to watch each day. It's a blast to watch the AI controlled teams battle it out, rivalries develop and it's amazing how a league comes to life and develops its own history.

Maddox · 03-16-2015, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pstrickert

Markus has expressed concern about the learning curve for new users. To me, if I were new, I'd probably be ecstatic about all the possibilities. OOTP is a game that never gets old. The replay value is off the charts.

Oh, I love all the possibilities but those possibilities are a bit overwhelming at times.

But I think the sheer number of different ways you can choose to play the game are brilliant!

Orcin · 03-16-2015, 11:00 AM

My favorite Cardinals team from this era is 1971. The team finished second (90-72) and has a nice roster (Carlton is still there to go with Gibby). It would be a fun team to manage with a chance to win it all.

Maddox · 03-16-2015, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orcin

My favorite Cardinals team from this era is 1971. The team finished second (90-72) and has a nice roster (Carlton is still there to go with Gibby). It would be a fun team to manage with a chance to win it all.

That is definitely an option. It's strange that when you look at 1969 compared to 1971 the player stats are better (better ERA for Gibby and Carlton and better Avg for most hitters) but they did not do as well.

Another option would be '82. The year I graduated HS and a WS year

r0nster · 03-16-2015, 01:29 PM

I agree with busterking .... would be good in your case. I micromanage my team exception is minors

IanIachimoe · 03-16-2015, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BusterKing

I suggest you play every game out, one pitch mode only takes about 10-15 minutes. So much fun playing that way

I'll 2nd this.

frangipard · 03-16-2015, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pstrickert

Markus has expressed concern about the learning curve for new users. To me, if I were new, I'd probably be ecstatic about all the possibilities. OOTP is a game that never gets old. The replay value is off the charts.

I think it is a valid concern, though. It's easy for us hard-core simmers to forget that more casual fans may not want as exhaustive an experience as OOTP can provide -- and that if the game is going to grow, that's a market that needs to be tapped.

For that reason, I think the (optional) expanded role of managers and the assistant GM in 16 is a very good idea (and I hope it grows), even though I'll never use it.

krw0900 · 03-16-2015, 02:25 PM

I only played Historical going on 10-11 seasons now. I about crapped my pants when Historical Transactions and Lineups came out.

I think with this new version I might play some sort of Random Debut league.

But I agree with everyone else, this game has something for everyone and there is no wrong way to play it. You can get as deep or as vague as you want and feel comfortable with.

My son is 9 and he likes to play it. He plays it his way with fast sim a week at a time and only uses real players. He likes to modify logos and uniforms and when he finds a player doing good I usually find him in my office looking at an old Baseball Guide or Who's Who in Baseball to find out more about that player.

Baseball is a thread that has been running through my family from father's to son's for at least 4 generations now. Glad OOTP can help continue that tradition with my son.

Edit - I just realized I have been playing OOTPB longer than my son has actually been alive. Haha. I don't know why I find that funny but I do.

Maddox · 03-16-2015, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frangipard

I think it is a valid concern, though. It's easy for us hard-core simmers to forget that more casual fans may not want as exhaustive an experience as OOTP can provide -- and that if the game is going to grow, that's a market that needs to be tapped.

For that reason, I think the (optional) expanded role of managers and the assistant GM in 16 is a very good idea (and I hope it grows), even though I'll never use it.

That is why I am starting with manager mode. To learn the manager tasks first. I am figuring that the manager mode will be the most accessible. Of course as soon as the computer GM decides to trade Bob Gibson or Lou Brock I may say the heck with it and start a game where I have the ability to say NO!!!!!!!!!

garion333 · 03-17-2015, 08:31 AM

GM mode is always good for me because I'm in control of the roster (my favorite part) while I can b***h and moan about how poorly my coaches implement those players.

It's like I'm a real GM because clearly my decisions are always right and the coaches and players let me down when they don't succeed.

Clearly.

Matt Arnold · 03-17-2015, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by garion333

GM mode is always good for me because I'm in control of the roster (my favorite part) while I can b***h and moan about how poorly my coaches implement those players.

It's like I'm a real GM because clearly my decisions are always right and the coaches and players let me down when they don't succeed.

Clearly.

Like my current coach, who has a wholly unnatural fascination with my backup 3B/1B, who he keeps playing at 1B even though I clearly have better players. Because of that, I try to keep that guy on the farm as much as possible

Doc_Brown · 03-17-2015, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Arnold

Like my current coach, who has a wholly unnatural fascination with my backup 3B/1B, who he keeps playing at 1B even though I clearly have better players. Because of that, I try to keep that guy on the farm as much as possible

You could always trade that 3B/1B guy for another player whom your coach loves. Mix it up a little, don't want it going stale!

BusterKing · 03-17-2015, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Arnold

Like my current coach, who has a wholly unnatural fascination with my backup 3B/1B, who he keeps playing at 1B even though I clearly have better players. Because of that, I try to keep that guy on the farm as much as possible

Any reason why you are not using the "do not make changes to my lineup" option?

Matt Arnold · 03-17-2015, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BusterKing

Any reason why you are not using the "do not make changes to my lineup" option?

I'm playing GM-only - my manager has 100% control over the lineups and depth charts. I can't even set individual player strategies - he controls all that.

Habsfan18 · 03-17-2015, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BusterKing

Any reason why you are not using the "do not make changes to my lineup" option?

With the new features, he likely has a manager that wants full control over his lineup.

Maddox · 03-18-2015, 10:56 AM

I think I have decided to go with the '69 Cardinals team as my first Manager attempt.

That should give me an opening day lineup of

Lou Brock
Curt Flood
Bob Gibson
Julián Javier
Dal Maxvill
Tim McCarver
Vada Pinson
Mike Shannon
Joe Torre

Along with Bob Gibson and Steve Carlton as my top two starters.

Even though I was only 5 in 1969 I definitely know of all of those players with the exception of Pinson who looks like he was only with the Cards for a single year.

03-16-2015, 10:18 AM	#1
Maddox All Star Reserve Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 903	Here I go again! I have purchased this game 4 or 5 times over the years, most recently last year. I always go in with high hopes and dive in with gusto. Eventually I get overwhelmed with all the details and tasks. I have not let that deter me though as I have pre-ordered the game again. This time I plan to have a more detailed plan of attack. That plan is: Use the new manage only mode, probably with a historical team, most likely the Cardinals from the Lou Brock (notice the avatar)/Bob Gibson era, so that I can stay focused on that one aspect of the game and learn the manager tasks as well as I can without being overwhelmed by contracts and other GM tasks. Next I will start a GM career. I will assign all the day to day tasks to my managers and this time just focus on the GM aspects I am hoping that this method will help get me acclimated to the game without overwhelming me too much. When I feel comfortable with both roles only then will I restart and try and do it all. Wish me luck. Stage one begins on Friday. Last edited by Maddox; 03-16-2015 at 10:21 AM.

03-16-2015, 10:26 AM	#2
Markus Heinsohn Developer OOTP Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Germany Posts: 24,805	Have fun! __________________ Buy Out of the Park Baseball 25 now! Download OOTP Go 25 for iOS Download OOTP Go 25 for Android

03-16-2015, 02:25 PM	#12
krw0900 Minors (Single A) Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Alabama Posts: 50	I only played Historical going on 10-11 seasons now. I about crapped my pants when Historical Transactions and Lineups came out. I think with this new version I might play some sort of Random Debut league. But I agree with everyone else, this game has something for everyone and there is no wrong way to play it. You can get as deep or as vague as you want and feel comfortable with. My son is 9 and he likes to play it. He plays it his way with fast sim a week at a time and only uses real players. He likes to modify logos and uniforms and when he finds a player doing good I usually find him in my office looking at an old Baseball Guide or Who's Who in Baseball to find out more about that player. Baseball is a thread that has been running through my family from father's to son's for at least 4 generations now. Glad OOTP can help continue that tradition with my son. Edit - I just realized I have been playing OOTPB longer than my son has actually been alive. Haha. I don't know why I find that funny but I do. Last edited by krw0900; 03-16-2015 at 02:29 PM.

03-16-2015, 10:29 AM	#3
pstrickert Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 16,342	Markus has expressed concern about the learning curve for new users. To me, if I were new, I'd probably be ecstatic about all the possibilities. OOTP is a game that never gets old. The replay value is off the charts.

03-16-2015, 10:37 AM	#4
BusterKing Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,416	I suggest you play every game out, one pitch mode only takes about 10-15 minutes. So much fun playing that way. Manager mode is going to be great for people that don't want to micro manage all the stuff. It's going to help the beginners a lot.

03-16-2015, 11:00 AM	#7
Orcin Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Indiana Posts: 9,845 Infractions: 1/0 (0)	My favorite Cardinals team from this era is 1971. The team finished second (90-72) and has a nice roster (Carlton is still there to go with Gibby). It would be a fun team to manage with a chance to win it all.

03-16-2015, 01:29 PM	#9
r0nster Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 3,037	I agree with busterking .... would be good in your case. I micromanage my team exception is minors

03-17-2015, 08:31 AM	#14
garion333 Minors (Double A) Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 133	GM mode is always good for me because I'm in control of the roster (my favorite part) while I can b***h and moan about how poorly my coaches implement those players. It's like I'm a real GM because clearly my decisions are always right and the coaches and players let me down when they don't succeed. Clearly.

03-18-2015, 10:56 AM	#20
Maddox All Star Reserve Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 903	I think I have decided to go with the '69 Cardinals team as my first Manager attempt. That should give me an opening day lineup of Lou Brock Curt Flood Bob Gibson Julián Javier Dal Maxvill Tim McCarver Vada Pinson Mike Shannon Joe Torre Along with Bob Gibson and Steve Carlton as my top two starters. Even though I was only 5 in 1969 I definitely know of all of those players with the exception of Pinson who looks like he was only with the Cards for a single year.