OOTPX: What are the former fence-sitters saying?

whizkid1950 · 06-20-2009, 10:07 AM

I usually buy every-other release of OOTP and am quite happy with version 9, so have not purchased OOTPX yet. I'm curious to hear the opinions of other former fence-sitters who did buy the game. Are you pleasantly surprised about the game now, or would 'moderately satisfied' be a better description?

kcroyalgm · 06-20-2009, 10:24 AM

I like the new pitching ratings.
I love the new arbitration.
I adore the vastly improved html reports in-game.
I love that you can now move coaches between minor league levels.
I am delighted that FA demands seem to be a bit more tempered (the anti-Boras fix)
The slider graphing of rating is very pleasing.

There is nothing that makes me think "Gee, I think 9 was better".

whizkid1950 · 06-20-2009, 10:57 AM

That's very to-the-point; thanks! "Vastly improved html reports" is something I've been intrigued about.

TribeFanInNC · 06-20-2009, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whizkid1950

"Vastly improved html reports" is something I've been intrigued about.

They are very nice, starkly different than the previous versions.

I'm not a fence straddler, but I think the widgets are a big improvement if you play out any of your games.

endgame · 06-20-2009, 01:45 PM

I'm curious about the 'every other' philosophy. Not that you have to justify anything to me, I'm just the wondering sort. If you enjoy something, wouldn't want any improvement to it, next chance you had to acquire it?

The only exception to upgrades - fairly affordable ones, that is - that I passed on was years ago when I played Madden. When I discovered the new game didn't allow for the customization or creation of fictional teams, I didn't buy it. In fact, I never even booted up my old game again and quit altogether. In retrospect, that was good decision. Anyway...fence-sitters.

What keeps you on it every other year, whiz?

stevebydac · 06-20-2009, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by endgame

I'm curious about the 'every other' philosophy. Not that you have to justify anything to me, I'm just the wondering sort. If you enjoy something, wouldn't want any improvement to it, next chance you had to acquire it?

The only exception to upgrades - fairly affordable ones, that is - that I passed on was years ago when I played Madden. When I discovered the new game didn't allow for the customization or creation of fictional teams, I didn't buy it. In fact, I never even booted up my old game again and quit altogether. In retrospect, that was good decision. Anyway...fence-sitters.

What keeps you on it every other year, whiz?

I am like Whiz, similar situation. Here's my reasoning...

I have a busy life, and I don't have much time for games. So I have a few favorites that I try to play regularly (OOTP and TBCB 2.5, Rome Total War, Galactic Civilizations 2) but can't even enjoy those as often as I want. I see new games I'd love to buy, but when I am I going to find time to play them?

So given that, a game upgrade has to be significant for me to buy the new version. I'm happy with OOTP9 - it's not perfect but no game is. I can't justify spending that money when I have so many other things to pay for this year in a crappy economy. My savings have gone in the crapper, my bills are high, my earnings are down.

I'm a huge OOTP fan, but I'll likely wait until 11 or 12 to upgrade because of the above reasons. And truly, if TBCB 3 ever comes out, I'd think that it would be a huge leap forward from TBCB 2.5, so I'd probably buy that before an upgraded OOTP.

whizkid1950 · 06-20-2009, 06:51 PM

For me, buying every other version is partly a budget issue (I buy a lot of sport sims each year.. have to draw the line somewhere, lol) and also it's a question of "value for the money." If I'm going to pay full price for a game, I want to see that much value added to the last version. That kept me from buying/playing the '06 or '08 versions. On the other hand, I definitely feel like there was $40 worth of improvement in 2009 compared to 2007.

PhillieFever · 06-20-2009, 08:10 PM

I started my OOTP career with OOTP 8,then bought 9 when it was released,and truthfully,if would have stuck with 8 I would have been just as happy.This year though,that isn't the case.The leap forward between OOTP 9 and X is huge.So huge in fact that in my mind OOTP 9 is obsolete.The improvement in the PBP,in game AI strategy,arbitration,injury simulation(with setbacks),player development,rule 5,AI GM behavior and overall polish of the game is so drastic that I could never go back.The game has advanced to the point now where there are just two areas stopping it from being perfect,financials,and defense.These two areas of the game need the most attention in OOTP 11.Other than that,its baseball simulation nirvana.

spitfire · 06-20-2009, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhillieFever

The leap forward between OOTP 9 and X is huge.So huge in fact that in my mind OOTP 9 is obsolete.

I agree with this. Add to the new features PhillieFever listed in his post the ability to draft with budgets in place for each team. I'm very impressed with the look and feel of OOTPX. Add to that the improvements in in-game AI and player evaluation especially, and to me this version is absolutely worth having, particularly with some of the stuff cleaned up by the patch. Still some areas to work on, but I think this is the OOTP that Markus had in mind when he made the controversial move to start over with OOTP2006. Took awhile, but he finally made it.

RchW · 06-20-2009, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhillieFever

I started my OOTP career with OOTP 8,then bought 9 when it was released,and truthfully,if would have stuck with 8 I would have been just as happy.This year though,that isn't the case.The leap forward between OOTP 9 and X is huge.So huge in fact that in my mind OOTP 9 is obsolete.The improvement in the PBP,in game AI strategy,arbitration,injury simulation(with setbacks),player development,rule 5,AI GM behavior and overall polish of the game is so drastic that I could never go back.The game has advanced to the point now where there are just two areas stopping it from being perfect,financials,and defense.These two areas of the game need the most attention in OOTP 11.Other than that,its baseball simulation nirvana.

This is a good summary. I was taking my time because I don't have time to check vX in detail. Right now I'm stabilizing LT's and LTM's before starting a new Solo Fictional league. I'm not sure if I want to import my current v9 Solo league.

DreamTeams · 06-20-2009, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RchW

I'm not sure if I want to import my current v9 Solo league.

Go for it! That's what I did and have no regrets.

kcroyalgm · 06-21-2009, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcroyalgm

I like the new pitching ratings.
I love the new arbitration.
I adore the vastly improved html reports in-game.
I love that you can now move coaches between minor league levels.
I am delighted that FA demands seem to be a bit more tempered (the anti-Boras fix)
The slider graphing of rating is very pleasing.

There is nothing that makes me think "Gee, I think 9 was better".

I should say widgets are big addition and the pbp is greatly improved as well. I forgot to mention them because I play mainly on-line and don't play out games except off-and-on in my one solo league.

whizkid1950 · 06-21-2009, 10:05 AM

Very good input guys, although I suspect a few of you were going to buy the new version come hell or high-water, lol. Thanks!

PhillieFever · 06-21-2009, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whizkid1950

Very good input guys, although I suspect a few of you were going to buy the new version come hell or high-water, lol. Thanks!

If I wasn't on the beta team,yes you're right I would have bought it no matter what LOL

Killing Time · 06-24-2009, 09:27 AM

My take on it is that it is worth upgrading to X. But just barely.

lahoward · 06-24-2009, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevebydac

a game upgrade has to be significant for me to buy the new version. I'm happy with OOTP9 - it's not perfect but no game is. I can't justify spending that money when I have so many other things to pay for this year in a crappy economy. My savings have gone in the crapper, my bills are high, my earnings are down.

That's where I'm at. I did purchase worldwide soccer manager 09 last november but the price was only $30. My most up to date version of ootp is 07. With the current prices I doubt it will ever be updated. I know there is the pre-release alternative but I guess i am just way too conservative for that route.

BTW: Your sig is so true.

DanDiaz · 06-25-2009, 12:41 PM

Great Thread. I am still on the fence about OOtpX, I played OOtp6 for years and loved it. I bought 9 and was very dissapointed with it, still can't get it to work right. Too many bugs.

Killebrew · 06-25-2009, 02:23 PM

The differences in versions does not seem dramatic, especially in comparison to most other OOTP releases. That makes sense because OOTP9 is still a pretty new game.

Perhaps the best/biggest change in OOTP 10: Apparently, day to day injuries will no longer have the same chance of triggering career ending dev as long term injuries. This possible game change has been hinted at by testers, but I'm still checking the accuracy of this claim and I have not seen this change listed specifically in OOTP blurbs or by Markus.

The 2nd best change so far IMO: For online league players I would guess the file security changes will be a big deal for them, especially if their site was being hacked up the wazoo while using OOTP9. (Recommendation to online leagues with site hacker issues: Change your site password at the same time you switch to OOTP10, there really appears to be significant improvements to the file security in OOTP 10).

The 3rd best change might be the HTML revamp. Not too dramatic but it looks like some more player info & ratings are displayed (still missing some info tho). The current season stats are the focus (good) and the page just generally seems a bit easier to view.

Biggest disappointment so far: Very disappointed that the csv dump format changed, this screws up tons of scripts that online and solo players use and worst of all, I can't see any need for changing this format.

Biggest to-do about nothing change: The pitching stuff rating is the biggest obvious change and it seems to me like that still has a way to go to get sorted out, at least for solo play. I really have no idea if or why this is a great feature, it does not seem to add anything substantial at all, it just slightly changes the way the stuff rating is calculated.

Biggest changes I have not looked at yet:
- The arbitration changes, that might be some fun if that feature works well.
- The improved AI for depth charts and rosters (we are quietly optimistic about this)

Biggest changes I will likely never notice:
- Widgets in the play by play screen.

For most of the other stuff, it's is still way too early for me to judge how the game is working.

Vopat · 06-27-2009, 07:26 AM

I have been terrible disappointed in OOTPX. I am actually in the process of trying to get a refund.

If you want to import you OOTP 9 league get ready for a major pitching shift.
I had a 290 game winner , all wins with the same team and making 15 mil., put on waivers and sent to minors. My 39 year old closer with over 360 career saves became unhappy that he was not a starter; even though he had never started a game before, even in the minors. This was happening everywhere.

When you import you game it randomly change pitchers ratings, some mediocre pitchers become good, good ones become mediocre.

Joaker · 06-27-2009, 11:10 AM

I think it's worth mentioning that the load times and save times are extremely improved. I'm very happy about the work done in those areas.

06-20-2009, 10:07 AM	#1
whizkid1950 Minors (Double A) Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Wake Forest, NC Posts: 176	OOTPX: What are the former fence-sitters saying? I usually buy every-other release of OOTP and am quite happy with version 9, so have not purchased OOTPX yet. I'm curious to hear the opinions of other former fence-sitters who did buy the game. Are you pleasantly surprised about the game now, or would 'moderately satisfied' be a better description?

06-20-2009, 10:24 AM	#2
kcroyalgm All Star Reserve Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 644	I like the new pitching ratings. I love the new arbitration. I adore the vastly improved html reports in-game. I love that you can now move coaches between minor league levels. I am delighted that FA demands seem to be a bit more tempered (the anti-Boras fix) The slider graphing of rating is very pleasing. There is nothing that makes me think "Gee, I think 9 was better". __________________ Up Kerry! 38 Time All-Ireland Senior Football Champions

06-20-2009, 10:57 AM	#3
whizkid1950 Minors (Double A) Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Wake Forest, NC Posts: 176	Fence-sitting That's very to-the-point; thanks! "Vastly improved html reports" is something I've been intrigued about.

06-20-2009, 01:45 PM	#5
endgame Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 16,842	I'm curious about the 'every other' philosophy. Not that you have to justify anything to me, I'm just the wondering sort. If you enjoy something, wouldn't want any improvement to it, next chance you had to acquire it? The only exception to upgrades - fairly affordable ones, that is - that I passed on was years ago when I played Madden. When I discovered the new game didn't allow for the customization or creation of fictional teams, I didn't buy it. In fact, I never even booted up my old game again and quit altogether. In retrospect, that was good decision. Anyway...fence-sitters. What keeps you on it every other year, whiz? __________________ "Try again. Fail again. Fail better." -- Samuel Beckett _____________________________________________ Last edited by endgame; 06-20-2009 at 01:46 PM.

06-20-2009, 06:51 PM	#7
whizkid1950 Minors (Double A) Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Wake Forest, NC Posts: 176	Every other version For me, buying every other version is partly a budget issue (I buy a lot of sport sims each year.. have to draw the line somewhere, lol) and also it's a question of "value for the money." If I'm going to pay full price for a game, I want to see that much value added to the last version. That kept me from buying/playing the '06 or '08 versions. On the other hand, I definitely feel like there was $40 worth of improvement in 2009 compared to 2007.

06-20-2009, 08:10 PM	#8
PhillieFever Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Elk Twp. NJ Posts: 6,763	I started my OOTP career with OOTP 8,then bought 9 when it was released,and truthfully,if would have stuck with 8 I would have been just as happy.This year though,that isn't the case.The leap forward between OOTP 9 and X is huge.So huge in fact that in my mind OOTP 9 is obsolete.The improvement in the PBP,in game AI strategy,arbitration,injury simulation(with setbacks),player development,rule 5,AI GM behavior and overall polish of the game is so drastic that I could never go back.The game has advanced to the point now where there are just two areas stopping it from being perfect,financials,and defense.These two areas of the game need the most attention in OOTP 11.Other than that,its baseball simulation nirvana. __________________ We're All Wednesday Aren't We? WAWAW

06-21-2009, 10:05 AM	#13
whizkid1950 Minors (Double A) Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Wake Forest, NC Posts: 176	Buying X Very good input guys, although I suspect a few of you were going to buy the new version come hell or high-water, lol. Thanks!

06-25-2009, 12:41 PM	#17
DanDiaz Minors (Double A) Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 147	Thanks for the info Great Thread. I am still on the fence about OOtpX, I played OOtp6 for years and loved it. I bought 9 and was very dissapointed with it, still can't get it to work right. Too many bugs.

06-25-2009, 02:23 PM	#18
Killebrew Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 3,326	The differences in versions does not seem dramatic, especially in comparison to most other OOTP releases. That makes sense because OOTP9 is still a pretty new game. Perhaps the best/biggest change in OOTP 10: Apparently, day to day injuries will no longer have the same chance of triggering career ending dev as long term injuries. This possible game change has been hinted at by testers, but I'm still checking the accuracy of this claim and I have not seen this change listed specifically in OOTP blurbs or by Markus. The 2nd best change so far IMO: For online league players I would guess the file security changes will be a big deal for them, especially if their site was being hacked up the wazoo while using OOTP9. (Recommendation to online leagues with site hacker issues: Change your site password at the same time you switch to OOTP10, there really appears to be significant improvements to the file security in OOTP 10). The 3rd best change might be the HTML revamp. Not too dramatic but it looks like some more player info & ratings are displayed (still missing some info tho). The current season stats are the focus (good) and the page just generally seems a bit easier to view. Biggest disappointment so far: Very disappointed that the csv dump format changed, this screws up tons of scripts that online and solo players use and worst of all, I can't see any need for changing this format. Biggest to-do about nothing change: The pitching stuff rating is the biggest obvious change and it seems to me like that still has a way to go to get sorted out, at least for solo play. I really have no idea if or why this is a great feature, it does not seem to add anything substantial at all, it just slightly changes the way the stuff rating is calculated. Biggest changes I have not looked at yet: - The arbitration changes, that might be some fun if that feature works well. - The improved AI for depth charts and rosters (we are quietly optimistic about this) Biggest changes I will likely never notice: - Widgets in the play by play screen. For most of the other stuff, it's is still way too early for me to judge how the game is working. Last edited by Killebrew; 06-25-2009 at 02:25 PM.

06-27-2009, 07:26 AM	#19
Vopat Minors (Single A) Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 50	I have been terrible disappointed in OOTPX. I am actually in the process of trying to get a refund. If you want to import you OOTP 9 league get ready for a major pitching shift. I had a 290 game winner , all wins with the same team and making 15 mil., put on waivers and sent to minors. My 39 year old closer with over 360 career saves became unhappy that he was not a starter; even though he had never started a game before, even in the minors. This was happening everywhere. When you import you game it randomly change pitchers ratings, some mediocre pitchers become good, good ones become mediocre.

06-27-2009, 11:10 AM	#20
Joaker Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 24	I think it's worth mentioning that the load times and save times are extremely improved. I'm very happy about the work done in those areas.