Important News! / Newsletters 1 and 2 (new!)

[Getch]

First off, big congrats to Steve.

As for OOTP Online, I'm have a hard time figuring out exactly what it will do and who it is targeted for. It doesn't sound like it is intended to replace online leagues that would use OOTP9. Instead, it "marketed towards fantasy baseball players"... but I don't really see how the OOTP engine would be used for fantasy baseball. If it is indeed the equivalent of online leagues in OOTP9, why a whole new product to handle something that could be built into OOTP9? If it is something different than a typical OOTP online league, can someone help me understand what it's all about?

[Andreas Raht]

Originally Posted by statfreak

will the OOTP 2007 licenses work with OOTP 8?!?

That's definitely not possible.

Originally Posted by 1998 Yankees

I agree with RchW, who agrees with Stu. Not so much about avoiding a price increase, but the part about OOTP making a business decision that will increase profitability. I look at that three ways:

1. bonus for what they have created so far
2. assurance of financial stability and continued existence
3. investment in the future of OOTP from which we will all benefit

Basically, it's their business and they have a right to take it in whatever direction they wish. However, I really doubt that most of us will dislike where it's going, otherwise there would be no business.

Well, we've got another problem here: A few years back, $35 have been more than 35 Euros for us. But today, $35 are only 25 Euros! And in the same time, everything here in Germany costs much more now than a few years ago, in other words and under the line that means that our profit for each sale is only 50% of what it used to be That's really hard for us as you can imagine. But well, we just have to sell more copies I guess It's not currently planned to raise the price.

[1998 Yankees]

Originally Posted by Andreas Raht

Well, we've got another problem here: A few years back, $35 have been more than 35 Euros for us. But today, $35 are only 25 Euros! And in the same time, everything here in Germany costs much more now than a few years ago, in other words and under the line that means that our profit for each sale is only 50% of what it used to be That's really hard for us as you can imagine. But well, we just have to sell more copies I guess It's not currently planned to raise the price.

You people just had to keep exporting your goods over here, didn't you? Thereby driving down demand for Dollars and driving up demand for Euros. Come to think of it, isn't OOTP itself part of that problem? If so, you are forgiven.

[Getch]

I believe OOTP is second to only oil in the US trade deficit. Hopefully Bush won't invade Germany this time.

[Andreas Raht]

Lol

[1998 Yankees]

Originally Posted by Getch

I believe OOTP is second to only oil in the US trade deficit. Hopefully Bush won't invade Germany this time.

LOL. Gee, I hope they release the third patch before he does!

[Tony M]

Originally Posted by Getch

Hopefully Bush won't invade Germany this time.

This time? Has he done it before

[phenom]

Originally Posted by phenom

It's things like this possibly being pushed aside in favor of OOTP Online development that worries me.

I'm the unlucky fewl who finds his posts at the bottom of pages.

[Raidergoo]

Originally Posted by redsoxford

This time? Has he done it before

Twice.

[eborix]

Originally Posted by Raidergoo

Twice.

Last time I checked, Bush had never invaded Germany

[bp_]

Originally Posted by Andreas Raht

Well, we've got another problem here: A few years back, $35 have been more than 35 Euros for us. But today, $35 are only 25 Euros! And in the same time, everything here in Germany costs much more now than a few years ago, in other words and under the line that means that our profit for each sale is only 50% of what it used to be That's really hard for us as you can imagine. But well, we just have to sell more copies I guess It's not currently planned to raise the price.

Damn US economy...

Makes traveling to Europe a pain in the wallet too.

Congrats to Steve on the new position. Good luck to the whole team on the new online venture.

[bp_]

Originally Posted by statfreak

will the OOTP 2007 licenses work with OOTP 8?!? I might be interested in eliminating the SI branding from my current game...

Someone on these boards should be able to create some images to replace the SI stuff.

[battists]

This will probably be the last I have to say on this topic, because on a forum like this, no matter how you state your case, people will disagree or have concerns.

We certainly understand that there are concerns about OOTP developing an additional product line. We share those concerns, but we remain dedicated to delivering a top notch product in OOTP9.

I do think there are several contrasts to ITP that could help calm some fears:

First, ITP was a completely different code base from OOTP (from what I understand), and so it was essentially like building a completely separate game. OOTP Online will be largely based on the same game engine, so that will reduce the amount of time required to develop it.

Second, ITP was all Markus, just like OOTP was back then. OOTP Online will have large chunks of code written by Andreas, so it will be a better division of labor.

Third, when ITP was created, Markus and Andreas didn't have ME. HAR! Actually, I kid, but much of the reason I ended up with these two lovable Germans is because I tend to suck up all of the work that keeps them away from coding. Back when ITP was done, Markus and Andreas had to deal with everything themselves.

Anyway, I realize that I could write 75 posts like this and people would still be nervous about it (Hi, Phenom! ). We understand those fears, and we're going to do our best to prove them wrong.

Remember, when SI bought OOTP, and then SEGA bought SI, there were some who were predicting it was the death of OOTP. Well, we didn't end up staying together, but OOTP is alive and well, even after a tough year in 2006.

Anyway, thanks again for all of the well-wishes, and we'll do our best to prove, uh, prove me right!

Thanks,

Steve

[Raidergoo]

Originally Posted by eborix

Last time I checked, Bush had never invaded Germany

The deuce you say!

[fantom1979]

Originally Posted by battists

This will probably be the last I have to say on this topic, because on a forum like this, no matter how you state your case, people will disagree or have concerns.

We certainly understand that there are concerns about OOTP developing an additional product line. We share those concerns, but we remain dedicated to delivering a top notch product in OOTP9.

I do think there are several contrasts to ITP that could help calm some fears:

First, ITP was a completely different code base from OOTP (from what I understand), and so it was essentially like building a completely separate game. OOTP Online will be largely based on the same game engine, so that will reduce the amount of time required to develop it.

Second, ITP was all Markus, just like OOTP was back then. OOTP Online will have large chunks of code written by Andreas, so it will be a better division of labor.

Third, when ITP was created, Markus and Andreas didn't have ME. HAR! Actually, I kid, but much of the reason I ended up with these two lovable Germans is because I tend to suck up all of the work that keeps them away from coding. Back when ITP was done, Markus and Andreas had to deal with everything themselves.

Anyway, I realize that I could write 75 posts like this and people would still be nervous about it (Hi, Phenom! ). We understand those fears, and we're going to do our best to prove them wrong.

Remember, when SI bought OOTP, and then SEGA bought SI, there were some who were predicting it was the death of OOTP. Well, we didn't end up staying together, but OOTP is alive and well, even after a tough year in 2006.

Anyway, thanks again for all of the well-wishes, and we'll do our best to prove, uh, prove me right!

Thanks,

Steve

You had me at hello.

[thomamon]

Originally Posted by Getch

First off, big congrats to Steve.

As for OOTP Online, I'm have a hard time figuring out exactly what it will do and who it is targeted for. It doesn't sound like it is intended to replace online leagues that would use OOTP9. Instead, it "marketed towards fantasy baseball players"... but I don't really see how the OOTP engine would be used for fantasy baseball. If it is indeed the equivalent of online leagues in OOTP9, why a whole new product to handle something that could be built into OOTP9? If it is something different than a typical OOTP online league, can someone help me understand what it's all about?

I am curious as to the answer of this tho...

[thomamon]

Steve, you sneaky little....

CONGRATS THO!!!

Can I say I told you so now???

[phenom]

Originally Posted by battists

This will probably be the last I have to say on this topic, because on a forum like this, no matter how you state your case, people will disagree or have concerns.

I disagree.

[battists]

Originally Posted by phenom

I disagree.

*looks around*

"SECURITY!"

[swampdragon]

Congrats to Steve. I'm also not quite sure what the benefits of the online game are supposed to be, but I wish all of the OOTP products continued success.