Preparing for OOTP12 - Recommendations for learning the game engine and functions

[Irrelevant Dude]

I have bought almost every version of OOTP since OOTP 3, but I haven't dedicated serious time to any of the games since OOTP 6.5, so I am largely unfamiliar with the more recent versions. I want to take the time this year to learn OOTP 12 and get back to playing it regularly. I am interested to hear what recommendations people have for learning all the game features when a new version is released. Do you typically read the manual, follow a tutorial, jump right into a career league, or something else? I expect the new version may feel a little overwhelming when compared to OOTP 6.5, so any helpful suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[MizzouRah]

11 was the first version since 6.5 that I really got into.

I just jumped in, started with the MLB quickstart, did a redraft and then just spent a few hours poking around the various screens.

Anytime I had a question, I would hit F1 to bring up the manual.

[95Marinerschangedmylife]

Same as above. I jump in and start a quick start. Then when I completely screwed that one up, I start my own fictional with personal settings.

[The Wolf]

Those last two posts are good advice. It's kind of like getting in the pool. You can gradually inch your way in like a girl or you can just jump in like a guy.

[themonk]

i jump in, create a fictional league, initially turn off most of the options until I learn the basics...

[TDO]

Thanks fellas, completely new here. I tinkered with the demo of 11 and have been axiously awaiting to do the real thing

[Donevyn]

Yes, good thread to start and read. I'm a new to OOTP (well I saw a relative playing it and diddle with it a bit a few years ago), and this kind of sage advice from regular players is a great help.

[Chicagofan76]

Last yr i had downloaded the 8 free version tinkered around with that for 2 days then bought 11. I tried the 2010 MLB quickstart but i dont like modern that much. it was fun to draft players and set various things up, but I played a 1871-1900 historical league which made me more familiar with the features. I also asked a ton of questions which were answered by many people, read the manual off & on. Creating my own fictional league is how i best learned the game.

[Orcin]

I started with OOTP11 after it had been released for a while. I had played other baseball sims, so I just jumped in and created a historical league. I used the manual along the way, and read the forum on a daily basis to keep up with the latest comments from users. I searched the forum and/or Googled a question whenever I wanted to do something that wasn't clear to me. I asked a couple of questions here and got very straight-forward and helpful answers.

Given your past experience, I am sure that you will pick it up in no time. My advice is to start with a league that you won't mind dumping after a few weeks and save your best idea for the second attempt.

[Syd Thrift]

Two things to remember about this great game:

- All of the options makes it so that you can make the game as complicated and hard as you want, but it also makes it so you can make a very simple, basic league. If you're just getting started, the KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid) method works great. Don't feel you have to use all the options at once if you don't want to.

- Most everything you can turn on or off for a league, you can always turn on or off later. I'm having problems thinking of things, actually, that you *can't* go back on once implemented/not implemented in the original game. IOW, if you want to start your universe simple and then grow it as you get more acclimated, you can do so.

And a third:

- Take advantage of the large and vibrant community! There are all kinds of mods for historical logos and unis if you want to use them, a couple of really awesome databases which include the ability to draft guys the year they turned pro instead of the year they debuted in the major leagues (Spritze/Garlon), lots of parks and graphics, and more! And for a real challenge, get into a multiplayer league.

[t-bone shuffle]

One thing I'd offer is to keep your "universe" fairly small to start. Meaning something like only 2 or 3 levels of minors, no feeders leagues, etc. and make certain to play with "Allow incomplete minor league rosters (Ghost Player)" ON (Game Setup/Option page).

Doing these things really helps the AI in terms of organizational management.

[Donevyn]

I'm sure I saw something about this but can't find it now. But quick question: can you type in your own fictional names on teams?

[Bluenoser]

Originally Posted by Donevyn

I'm sure I saw something about this but can't find it now. But quick question: can you type in your own fictional names on teams?

Yes - in league setup.

[ike121212]

A lot of good advice above. Assuming there's an ABL quick start, like usual, that's a nice simple way to start. Simming in a smaller fictional environment is easier than a large real life league. My advice is to experiment with any option that interests you and sim a lot, before settling in to a league.

[TDO]

Once 12 comes out i definitely look forward to starting in 1871 and move forward. Also looking to join an online league once i get it too. In anticipation ive tinkered with things in the 11 demo and gotten a lot of goodies downloaded for logos etc.

[Chicagofan76]

Originally Posted by TDO

Once 12 comes out i definitely look forward to starting in 1871 and move forward. Also looking to join an online league once i get it too. In anticipation ive tinkered with things in the 11 demo and gotten a lot of goodies downloaded for logos etc.

i am enjoying the online league i had just joined a few weeks ago. I have the Cardinals in 2nd place but I am 8 games back and only 1-2 games over .500. but still more fun then my solo leagues.

[Dr. dru]

I hope the 12 manual has a sections titled "What's new in and what's changed from 11" so I don't have to reread the whole manual. However, I'm not holding out hope since such a section is not included in the manual for 11.

[GMLoophole]

Originally Posted by Orcin

Given your past experience, I am sure that you will pick it up in no time. My advice is to start with a league that you won't mind dumping after a few weeks and save your best idea for the second attempt.

I mostly agree with this; I hadn't used OOTP since v3. I started a season with OOTP 8 which was (and IIRC still is) available free as a "test". I still have that season and, although there's no real need, I'm re-forming it a bit and simming out a history from 1920...

my point being that I spent many, many hours enjoying my "test league". I'd advise not spending tons of time on setup, elaborate structures, huge feeder leagues, etc. before playing a while. Use the current ML quickstart and sim a week at a time or something.

Also, keep in mind there are so many features, sort functions, reports, etc. that you won't figure them all out for a long time. I'm still finding them now the week before v12 comes along.

[Donevyn]

I hope the manual, or somewhere will list what things to turn off for a 'beginner's game', or 'familiar but out of practice game' etc. I.e. it seems like there are a whole lot of options to look over and it might not be that clear what should and should not be turned off to 'start small, and then increase difficulty accordingly'.

[The Wolf]

For a super-simple start you could do either a historical or a fictional test league with scouting off, morale off, finances off, no more than three levels (AAA, AA, A) of minors, 40 man roster off, and ghost players in the minors on. Play that just until you get the hang of the basics of game and know what kind of league you really want to play.

But I don't recommend that.

What I do recommended is creating a 2011 season with every feature possible, and then diving in and playing it until you get the hang of the game. And then create the league you really want to play. You learn more faster this way than the other way.