just bought the game - how do i begin?

goalie · 07-25-2011, 11:45 AM

hello!

just looking for some suggestions as to how to begin - i've looked through the game a bit - so large that it's a bit intimidating...

anyone want to help me out with a little "first-day-on-skis" style lesson as to how to play around?

i am a Mets fan, so i started a 2011 league and simmed a few games - but didnt really "do anything" - outside of readjusting the starting rotation...

should i have downloaded as-ons first? (like for pics and logos?) and where do i find these? (i saw a "search for add-ons" button and located a few from OOTP's menu - are these "safe"?)

and for the vets out there - what advice do you have?

about me: i follow baseball alot, and know pretty much how minor league systems work. i also have played FM and CM games, and this seems familiar - although to be honest, my knowledge of world soccer isn't as strong so the game became a little tough to identify with...

goalie · 07-25-2011, 03:46 PM

wow - i guess my question wasn't really specific enough...

i'll browse the forums for awhile - i'm sure i'll get some ideas!

GiantYankee · 07-25-2011, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goalie

hello!

just looking for some suggestions as to how to begin - i've looked through the game a bit - so large that it's a bit intimidating...

anyone want to help me out with a little "first-day-on-skis" style lesson as to how to play around?

i am a Mets fan, so i started a 2011 league and simmed a few games - but didnt really "do anything" - outside of readjusting the starting rotation...

should i have downloaded as-ons first? (like for pics and logos?) and where do i find these? (i saw a "search for add-ons" button and located a few from OOTP's menu - are these "safe"?)

and for the vets out there - what advice do you have?

about me: i follow baseball alot, and know pretty much how minor league systems work. i also have played FM and CM games, and this seems familiar - although to be honest, my knowledge of world soccer isn't as strong so the game became a little tough to identify with...

Start with a small ABL quickstart (I think that what it's called). That way you can/play or sim and get used to the game. It's smaller than mlb and I don't think it has minors.

tward13 · 07-25-2011, 03:51 PM

The add-ons are safe and most everyone here would recommend them as a great addition. I use the all-in-one from PadreFans site.

There are so many options you may want to dial back a little on the first attempt. Do you plan to play out the games? Sim through games one at a time or weeks at a time?

Do you want to micromanage your minor leagues or leave those line-up decisions to the minor league managers and make player promotions only?

You need to decide haw easy or difficult you want trading to be, what levle you want for injuries.

I'd suggest thinking about some of these items, then go through the tabs in the league set-up and your manager screen and check out all the options.

Some people like using scouts and coaches, some don't. All your decision.

goalie · 07-25-2011, 04:09 PM

thanks guys - do most people play all their games? from browsing, it seems so...

it's funny, the sheer number of options/screens/menus is intimidating - hard to figure out "how to proceed" initially...

for example, RA Dickey and Angel Pagan got hurt,but not significantly. i was going to find out how serious in a couple of days... but i couldnt really figure out how to check up on these injuries...

tward13 · 07-25-2011, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goalie

thanks guys - do most people play all their games? from browsing, it seems so...

it's funny, the sheer number of options/screens/menus is intimidating - hard to figure out "how to proceed" initially...

for example, RA Dickey and Angel Pagan got hurt,but not significantly. i was going to find out how serious in a couple of days... but i couldnt really figure out how to check up on these injuries...

You'll get a message in 2-4 days. Just keep playing eventually there will be a popup saying you have received (some kind of notification), then when you go to check the daily news/mail it'll be there. (Same place where you find out about trades, player of week, etc)

themonk · 07-26-2011, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goalie

hello!

just looking for some suggestions as to how to begin...

You might want to check out this recent thread for some pointers on how to start playing the game: Baseball Noob - Would Appreciate Some Pointers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by goalie

thanks guys - do most people play all their games? from browsing, it seems so...

Actually, a lot of our forum members don't play out all of their games. You might want to check out this thread if you want to have an idea how some of our forum members play OOTPB: Do You Watch Or Sim?

Quote:

Originally Posted by goalie

...i've looked through the game a bit - so large that it's a bit intimidating...

It sure feels that way when you're starting out. But your efforts will be rewarded sooner or later. OOTPB is really the best baseball game out there.

My personal recommendation is, first, keep it small. Start with an 8-team league with a single level of minors.

Secondly, focus on the basics. The number of options in the game could really be overwhelming. Turn off most of the options (Financials, Rule 5 Draft, Minor League Option Years, etc).

You may also initially play only as GM (that is, let the AI manage your games) to keep things simple. Later on, once you get the hang of it, you can manage your games (if that's your preference), and also turn on the options that you're comfortable with.

Lastly, feel free to ask questions in this forum. A lot of our forum members are really very helpful.

Don't let the the complexity of the game overwhelm you. If you try to keep it small at the start, and focus on the basics you'll eventually get the hang of it, and find it a very enjoyable experience...

tylertoo · 07-26-2011, 09:46 AM

The way I learned OOTP best when I discovered it two years ago was by joining an online league. That may seem counterintuitive -- why step into the fray when you don't know what you're doing? But actually is was great because I asked for, and received, the guidance of a veteran member in another division who held my hand through everything. Just look for a newb-friendly league, there are plenty. It was only through several seasons as an owner in a solid online league that I felt knowledgeable enough to run my own solo world.

goalie · 07-26-2011, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by themonk

My personal recommendation is, first, keep it small. Start with an 8-team league with a single level of minors.

Secondly, focus on the basics. The number of options in the game could really be overwhelming. Turn off most of the options (Financials, Rule 5 Draft, Minor League Option Years, etc).

You may also initially play only as GM (that is, let the AI manage your games) to keep things simple. Later on, once you get the hang of it, you can manage your games (if that's your preference), and also turn on the options that you're comfortable with.

Lastly, feel free to ask questions in this forum. A lot of our forum members are really very helpful.

Don't let the the complexity of the game overwhelm you. If you try to keep it small at the start, and focus on the basics you'll eventually get the hang of it, and find it a very enjoyable experience...

yea, it's funny - i want to jump in and play as the Mets, but with SO MUCH going on, i've basically just hit "finish today" for about 6 weeks! i love the depth of the game, but i think your suggestion is best for "getting my hands dirty" with the game...

maybe i'll just banish Jason Bay somewhere, and then end that game...

also, i downloaded an add-on, but it seemed to just be faces (not team logos) -

can you suggest what the "best" add-on pack would be, for me? also, the league you suggest (8 teams, 1 minors) would be fictional, right? so is there an add-on with cool logos graphics for that, as well? not sure if this last set of questions makes sense...

legofarley · 07-26-2011, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goalie

yea, it's funny - i want to jump in and play as the Mets, but with SO MUCH going on, i've basically just hit "finish today" for about 6 weeks!

also, i downloaded an add-on, but it seemed to just be faces (not team logos) -

can you suggest what the "best" add-on pack would be, for me? also, the league you suggest (8 teams, 1 minors) would be fictional, right? so is there an add-on with cool logos graphics for that, as well? not sure if this last set of questions makes sense...

When i first started i picked my favorite mlb team and simmed thru games and made roster changes and got fired about 10 times before i really knew what to do. Just keep at it.

For me the logos really make the game. It's not enough to see that my players have faces I like being able to see the hat logos too.

First things first - do a google search for OOTP manual and bookmark that bad boy. Then when you need help that's a good place to start and then ask questions on the forum.

To find logos check out padresfan's website (again google search it) there's a ton there. If you see a post from gern or cephasjames those guys will have links to their logo collections in their signatures. Also, if you're a photoshop capable guy, try your hand at making your own logos. I have a blast doing that.

Jagger · 07-26-2011, 03:16 PM

This game badly, badly needs a written, step by step, newbie tutorial. I can only imagine the numbers of people that give up in the first week when they can't make heads or tails of the game. I know I almost gave up on it. And the game is really not that complex.

Donevyn · 07-26-2011, 07:37 PM

What's great about ABL and Major 'quicks' is that it guides you to links within the game so you get familiar to them and how to navigate around the game for various types of information.

themonk · 07-27-2011, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goalie

can you suggest what the "best" add-on pack would be, for me? also, the league you suggest (8 teams, 1 minors) would be fictional, right? so is there an add-on with cool logos graphics for that, as well? not sure if this last set of questions makes sense...

Yes, the league I suggest would be fictional. Unfortunately, there isn't a quickstart I know which I can recommend to you which has this kind of setup (an 8-team league with a single minor).

However, I have a simplified 8-team league with 1-minor level quickstart (with logos, caps, & jerseys) which you might want to try out. It's a modified version of the ABA quickstart that comes with OOTP 11. (I don't have OOTP 12 yet.) If I'm not mistaken, OOTP 11 game files could be imported into OOTP 12.

You can simply unzip the quickstart. After which you can import it from OOTP12 using the Import function.

If you're interested here's the link to the quickstart: My ABA

But ideally, though, it would be best to create your own custom league. Legofarley is right - if you're inclined to create your own custom league, one of the best sources of generic logos, caps, & jerseys is cephasjames. (I use his caps, logos, & jerseys in my fictional leagues.)

07-25-2011, 11:45 AM	#1
goalie Bat Boy Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 7	just bought the game - how do i begin? hello! just looking for some suggestions as to how to begin - i've looked through the game a bit - so large that it's a bit intimidating... anyone want to help me out with a little "first-day-on-skis" style lesson as to how to play around? i am a Mets fan, so i started a 2011 league and simmed a few games - but didnt really "do anything" - outside of readjusting the starting rotation... should i have downloaded as-ons first? (like for pics and logos?) and where do i find these? (i saw a "search for add-ons" button and located a few from OOTP's menu - are these "safe"?) and for the vets out there - what advice do you have? about me: i follow baseball alot, and know pretty much how minor league systems work. i also have played FM and CM games, and this seems familiar - although to be honest, my knowledge of world soccer isn't as strong so the game became a little tough to identify with...

07-26-2011, 09:46 AM	#8
tylertoo Major Leagues Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 319	The way I learned OOTP best when I discovered it two years ago was by joining an online league. That may seem counterintuitive -- why step into the fray when you don't know what you're doing? But actually is was great because I asked for, and received, the guidance of a veteran member in another division who held my hand through everything. Just look for a newb-friendly league, there are plenty. It was only through several seasons as an owner in a solid online league that I felt knowledgeable enough to run my own solo world. __________________ Check out my OOTP-inspired novel "Lord Bart and the Leagues of SIP and ALE"!

07-25-2011, 03:46 PM	#2
goalie Bat Boy Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 7	wow - i guess my question wasn't really specific enough... i'll browse the forums for awhile - i'm sure i'll get some ideas!

07-25-2011, 03:51 PM	#4
tward13 All Star Starter Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 1,964	The add-ons are safe and most everyone here would recommend them as a great addition. I use the all-in-one from PadreFans site. There are so many options you may want to dial back a little on the first attempt. Do you plan to play out the games? Sim through games one at a time or weeks at a time? Do you want to micromanage your minor leagues or leave those line-up decisions to the minor league managers and make player promotions only? You need to decide haw easy or difficult you want trading to be, what levle you want for injuries. I'd suggest thinking about some of these items, then go through the tabs in the league set-up and your manager screen and check out all the options. Some people like using scouts and coaches, some don't. All your decision.

07-25-2011, 04:09 PM	#5
goalie Bat Boy Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 7	thanks guys - do most people play all their games? from browsing, it seems so... it's funny, the sheer number of options/screens/menus is intimidating - hard to figure out "how to proceed" initially... for example, RA Dickey and Angel Pagan got hurt,but not significantly. i was going to find out how serious in a couple of days... but i couldnt really figure out how to check up on these injuries...

07-26-2011, 03:16 PM	#11
Jagger Major Leagues Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 308	This game badly, badly needs a written, step by step, newbie tutorial. I can only imagine the numbers of people that give up in the first week when they can't make heads or tails of the game. I know I almost gave up on it. And the game is really not that complex.

07-26-2011, 07:37 PM	#12
Donevyn Major Leagues Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: UP, WA Posts: 360	What's great about ABL and Major 'quicks' is that it guides you to links within the game so you get familiar to them and how to navigate around the game for various types of information.