Comments and Feedback for 26th April update

[AESP_pres]

Originally Posted by swampdragon

I would release OOTP 12 on schedule, and skip the year 2012 for any new enhancements at all. Instead, I'd release a version with the just completed season as a template at the first of the year, and I'd follow that up with the upcoming season template on or before Opening Day 2012, just to adjust the schedule.

And by doing that you would loose the purchase of most people who don't care about modern baseball. For one I'm an historical player and as much I love the game there is not a single chance I would spend one penny for a game with no update and just a new rooster set (what you wrote almost sound like no bugs corections also). Why would I pay two times for the same game?

[tward13]

Originally Posted by RandyMyers

Electronic Arts would certainly not be considered in my view for the Baseball Simulation market. They are at heart an arcade game not a simulation. This is an issue I see over and over. People believe they are the competition; they are not.

Strat-O-Matic is... and yes they do include suggestions from customers although their customer service is severely lacking... DMB, Cactus League and others are in the simulation market.

Dave Koch from Action PC! listens and incorporates customers suggestions. Since 2011 was released in December several patches, most of which add additional features requested by fans. Yes, features are many times added in patches and not only on version revisions. BTW- they have 4 different games and also have a staff of three I believe. (on a side note, 2011 had a huge amount of features added and was quite possibly the largest update in their baseball game history. Also Football 2011 was just released, and again a pretty substantial update.) So my point of reference as to why Markus is delinquent may be tainted by looking at the real competition.

Action has been using a digital download model for several years now. I read that SOM is releasing digital downloads this month. They have had the new version available in CD form since prior to opening day. So when looking at the heart of the issue, Markus would be wise to look at what the true competition is doing and forget about the EA conglomerate.

Therefore the previous post makes no sense and shows a complete lack of understanding the competition. The point that I have been trying to make and one of the things that I feel has held OOTP back.

Oh, btw, Steve Barken and others from SOM read and post in their forums. Dave Koch and his other staff read and post in their forums. And as I have stated on several occasions, Markus and Dave Koch are in a completely separate league from the others as far as customer care is concerned. The gaming industry as a whole could take a great lesson from watching these two men and how they value their customers.

Shaun Sullivan with PureSim is another developer who actively responds to user questions and concerns on his game's board.

[spitfire]

Originally Posted by swampdragon

I know what I would do to expand the appeal to the hard core. I would release OOTP 12 on schedule, and skip the year 2012 for any new enhancements at all. Instead, I'd release a version with the just completed season as a template at the first of the year, and I'd follow that up with the upcoming season template on or before Opening Day 2012, just to adjust the schedule. That would give him a year and a half after the upcoming release to include the major improvements he plans for 2013 and still get the game out in time for people who want to play current seasons to consider the purchase.

In other words, you're suggesting that Markus should release a roster update in 2012 instead of a brand new version. Given the number of people (myself among them to this point) who have indicated they aren't buying OOTP12 due to the apparent dearth of new features, I doubt that a roster update alone would be enough to get a majority of folks interested in handing their bucks over to Markus. He's stated repeatedly that he needs the income from each year's new version to keep his operation going, so I don't know that a roster upgrade alone would produce enough revenue. The wild card of course is the new app. If that proves to be a big success, there might be enough income from it to carry the PC version. I guess we'll see how it all plays out.

It's great that so many folks have been providing Markus with free advice on how he should run his business. I'm sure he must appreciate the interest people have in the game. I do reckon that Markus gets the drift by now that a lot of people wish he could get OOTP out earlier in the season. If he agrees that this should be a priority, I imagine he could find a way to make it happen without taking a year off, hiring new staff, etc. Ultimately, it's his company and his game, so we'll have to live with his decisions and make the best of them. Nothing wrong with people expressing their points of view though.

[RandyMyers]

Originally Posted by tward13

Shaun Sullivan with PureSim is another developer who actively responds to user questions and concerns on his game's board.

I knew there were others that I missed... which proves the point that as much as some would like to believe Markus is not alone in actively interacting with his customers. I believe this is the norm and is probably expected within the Baseball simulation world!

[0-2, 2 BB]

Is there a reason I should wait for OOTP12 or should I buy PureSim4?

[robc]

Originally Posted by 0-2, 2 BB

Is there a reason I should wait for OOTP12 or should I buy PureSim4?

It depends what type of game you like to play. If you play fictional or an online league, I would recommend waiting for OOTP 12. If you play solo historical then Puresim is probably the better game. That being said they are pretty different games and one may have a feature you like that the other doesn't, or one may just suit your play style better. Give the Puresim 4 demo and the OOTP 11 demo a try to see what is the better fit.

[RandyMyers]

I would say if you are a replay player, either solo or online, then you should seriously consider Action! PC Baseball Action! PC Home Page

If you prefer career mode or fictitious type play then waiting for version 12 is probably your best bet.

Pure Sim 4... yea... ummm, I tried that.... better than some, but not even in the ball park of the others we have been talking about....

Maybe I missed something but....

Action! PC, OOTP and SOM are the current best...

1) Action! - solo and online league replays.... video chalkboard, incredible fan support, photos, stadiums, etc, etc... Dave Koch is second to none in support... new version out early, projected season out early and updated on opening day, every eyar.

2) OOTP - Career mode, fictitious leagues, every season ever.... incredible value... and Markus equal to Dave...

3) Strat-O-Matic - The old board game... up to version 16 now... good game, lots of fans and community.... worst customer service ever... Nickel and Dime the customer to death... for example, charge $30 for color photos of stadiums, which were originally in color and they converted to B & W so they can charge to convert back.... huuuhhh (I **** you not)....

[Tony M]

New update from Markus and new feedback thread to keep it organised

http://www.ootpdevelopments.com/boar...ml#post3123645

[Andreas Raht]

Originally Posted by 0-2, 2 BB

Is there a reason I should wait for OOTP12 or should I buy PureSim4?

Just buy both, but please buy OOTP first