Are ingame issues being addressed?

[pstrickert]

But there is still room for improvement. Right, Markus?

[Markus Heinsohn]

Originally Posted by pstrickert

But there is still room for improvement. Right, Markus?

Always! No worries, we'll work on the PbP for OOTP 15 too.

[BusterKing]

Originally Posted by Markus Heinsohn

I find the PbP of DMB to be rather dull, to be honest. It was better than OOTP years ao, but thanks to the help of pstrickert (and other from the text team), I think we have the best PbP on the market.

So Markus, it's time to implement pstrickert's suggestions so we can all experience the next level:


1. use the PbP to explain how an injury occurred in game

2. reference to the umpire calling time and calling for the tarp (i.e., due to rain)

3. reference in the PbP to rain coming down (or possibility of rain)

4. reference in the PbP to the wind if it is blowing particularly hard

5. reference in the PbP to the length of any rain delay

6. reference to pitchers “up” in the bullpen

7. reference to visits to the mound by manager or pitching coach

8. reference to context (“The leadoff batter has reached base for Pittsburgh every inning so far.” Or: “That’s Perez’s second walk this inning.”)

9. reference to pitching style (e.g., sidewinder, submarine, three-quarters, etc.)

10. reference to the pitcher’s move (e.g., “Carlton has one of the best moves to first…”)

11. reference to series stats (e.g., “So far in the series, Jackson is 3-for-10.”)

12. reference to the on-deck batter (e.g., “Bando waits to bat in the on-deck circle.”)

13. reference to the number of batters retired in a row (e.g., Schilling has retired 10 consecutive batters.”)

14. reference to team or league records (e.g., Jackson is fifth all-time for Oakland with 285 home runs.”)

15. reference to number of hits given up in a row (e.g., “Johnson has given up four consecutive base hits.”)

16. utilize common phrases such as “three up, three down” or “Johnson retires the side in order in the fifth.”)

17. reference to earlier at bats (or last at bat) (e.g., “Mayberry flied out deep to right his last time up.” Or: “Mayberry has flied out twice in two at bats.”)

18. reference to a pitcher pitch total when he nears or reaches 100

19. use of umpires’ names (if provided – real or fake)

20. use of managers’ names

21. reference to the batter’s place in the batting order (e.g., “Ortiz, the clean-up hitter, stands in…” Or: “Back to the top of the order . . . / here’s Damon . . .”)

22. reference to team totals (e.g., “the Rangers have now committed three errors in this game” or: “That’s hit number 12 for the Orioles this afternoon” or: “In four innings, the Reds have left 8 men on base.”)

23. reference in PbP to infield defense (e.g., playing "in" or an infield shift)

24. reference to catcher blocking a pitch in the dirt (and, thus, keep the runner from advancing)

25. reference to infielders looking back the runner (on second or third base) before throwing to first for the out

[Markus Heinsohn]

Originally Posted by BusterKing

So Markus, it's time to implement pstrickert's suggestions so we can all experience the next level:

...

No need to repeat these, all of pstrickert's PbP suggestions are in our database.

[oldtimey]

In the spirit of "putting my money where my mouth is," I have attached a text recreation of Game 2 of my 2013 World Series played with MLB 13 The Show. I played my season alongside the real MLB seaon and wound up with the same two teams competing. Only the second time in my simming history that this has happened. I kept a scorecard of the game, then used it to recreate the game batter by batter in the style of an old radio baseball broadcast. Give it a read, OOTP community, and feel free to comment. I'm just killing time, snowed in and waiting for the Super Bowl to start.

[endgame]

Originally Posted by oldtimey

In the spirit of "putting my money where my mouth is,"

Well, in that same spirit, now that you have some of the answers you were looking for, are you planning on purchasing v15?

[oldtimey]

Originally Posted by endgame

Well, in that same spirit, now that you have some of the answers you were looking for, are you planning on purchasing v15?

To tell you the truth, yes, I am. Because of the response to this thread and to other similar threads, I have renewed hope. The one thing that I can tell in my short time in this community is that Markus and his team do listen, thus allowing those who are patrons of the product to participate in its development and evolution. I feel their excitement about this latest incarnation and it is very contagious. So, yeah, I'm all in for OOTP 15. Those first screenshots look great!

[oldtimey]

In the above post, with the 2013 Mock World Series.doc, the whole account of that game was fabricated by me. The game was played on MLB 13 The Show, but none of the commentary was taken from it. I kept a scorecard while playing the game. About two weeks after it was played, I took that scorecard, entry-by-entry, and "colorized" each one with facts and figures from my season and postseason. So, it Is not a showcase for The Show's commentary, but examples of the many ways that a "6-3" or a "K" on a scorecard can be deciphered using my own imagination. I combined the radio styles of many of my favorite announcers during a time when the play-by-play man worked alone and did his own "expert" analysis. Just wanted to clarify.

[le receveur]

what I would love is variable PBP style... like you could have a game where the broadcasters keep raving about the opposite team, and saying and each player is biiiiiiiiiiiig and strong.... something they might also say what is happening on the field... we should also get them to do interviews with some sport person non one ever heard of, and totally forget to talk about the game..

this would be true RL experience

[OmahaBaseball]

Originally Posted by Markus Heinsohn

No need to repeat these, all of pstrickert's PbP suggestions are in our database.

It is great to hear that further attention is being given to this area of the game. For me, it is the primary way to draw me into (immerse) the game. Love following along the play by play and letting me fill in the rest from the hundreds of games I have "watched" in my lifetime. Thank you for continuing to make an outstanding product - the effort is greatly appreciated.

[clwalcott]

Originally Posted by le receveur

what I would love is variable PBP style... like you could have a game where the broadcasters keep raving about the opposite team, and saying and each player is biiiiiiiiiiiig and strong.... something they might also say what is happening on the field... we should also get them to do interviews with some sport person non one ever heard of, and totally forget to talk about the game..

this would be true RL experience

I think this might be asking a bit much, but I am glad the PbP (quite solid generally) is being continuously improved - it's a big part of the game IMO

[drksd4848]

Originally Posted by pstrickert

The consensus (on different forums) is that the AI in sports sims will never be a match for the human brain. As a beta tester, I know for a fact that Markus tries to improve the AI each time. (For example, Markus has made major strides in the Trade AI, IMO.) But I also run into AI flaws from time to time. I guess I've learned to live with it, considering it a work in progress. Not everyone has the same level of tolerance, I suppose.





To be honest, PbP has been a low priority for Markus (IMO). Until more people complain, it'll remain that way. I'm not sure how much more "drama" can be added to late-inning bullpen moves. What did you have in mind? "X is warming up in the bullpen"? That kind of thing?


To date, nothing has been done with our suggestions for describing situational infield strategies in the PbP. I have an open PbP suggestion thread in the beta forum. This is what it contains:


1. use the PbP to explain how an injury occurred in game

2. reference to the umpire calling time and calling for the tarp (i.e., due to rain)

3. reference in the PbP to rain coming down (or possibility of rain)

4. reference in the PbP to the wind if it is blowing particularly hard

5. reference in the PbP to the length of any rain delay

6. reference to pitchers “up” in the bullpen

7. reference to visits to the mound by manager or pitching coach

8. reference to context (“The leadoff batter has reached base for Pittsburgh every inning so far.” Or: “That’s Perez’s second walk this inning.”)

9. reference to pitching style (e.g., sidewinder, submarine, three-quarters, etc.)

10. reference to the pitcher’s move (e.g., “Carlton has one of the best moves to first…”)

11. reference to series stats (e.g., “So far in the series, Jackson is 3-for-10.”)

12. reference to the on-deck batter (e.g., “Bando waits to bat in the on-deck circle.”)

13. reference to the number of batters retired in a row (e.g., Schilling has retired 10 consecutive batters.”)

14. reference to team or league records (e.g., Jackson is fifth all-time for Oakland with 285 home runs.”)

15. reference to number of hits given up in a row (e.g., “Johnson has given up four consecutive base hits.”)

16. utilize common phrases such as “three up, three down” or “Johnson retires the side in order in the fifth.”)

17. reference to earlier at bats (or last at bat) (e.g., “Mayberry flied out deep to right his last time up.” Or: “Mayberry has flied out twice in two at bats.”)

18. reference to a pitcher pitch total when he nears or reaches 100

19. use of umpires’ names (if provided – real or fake)

20. use of managers’ names

21. reference to the batter’s place in the batting order (e.g., “Ortiz, the clean-up hitter, stands in…” Or: “Back to the top of the order . . . / here’s Damon . . .”)

22. reference to team totals (e.g., “the Rangers have now committed three errors in this game” or: “That’s hit number 12 for the Orioles this afternoon” or: “In four innings, the Reds have left 8 men on base.”)

23. reference in PbP to infield defense (e.g., playing "in" or an infield shift)

24. reference to catcher blocking a pitch in the dirt (and, thus, keep the runner from advancing)

25. reference to infielders looking back the runner (on second or third base) before throwing to first for the out


Again, it is a matter of priorities. Until Markus hears more clamor about the PbP, he'll probably turn his attention to other priorities.

Many of those features are in SOM Computer baseball play-by-play. Not that I'm in any rush to run back to Strat-o-matic computer baseball - OOTP has much more to offer in terms of immersion - but the pbp in SOM is very well done and timed well for dramatic effect. The PbP in OOTP is Okaaaaay by comparison. Not bad but not nearly as good as SOM.

And to that pbp list I would add:

- Out of town scoreboard. It's also something that strat-o pbp features and its a very nice touch

[drksd4848]

Originally Posted by Markus Heinsohn

I think we have the best PbP on the market.

Ummmm... Not so fast... Have you checked out Stratomatic Computer baseball?

You have them beat on a lot of aspects (they won't even bother with a bullpen option) but not play-by-play. They have you on that. Hands down.

Much more in-depth and much more tailored to the specific game and the specific teams playing each other than OOTP - even when you are NOT doing a historical replay (SOM's "bread and butter"). SOMs play-by-play is also timed better to their animation too.

This isn't to knock OOTP or the herculean effort you and your team put into it, it's just what *is* IMO...

What OOTP does do beautifully with detailed pbp is the way the sound is integrated into it. That is the best on the market. But the text.... is Okaaaay . Not bad, but not nearly the best.

[BusterKing]

Originally Posted by drksd4848

And to that pbp list I would add:

- Out of town scoreboard. It's also something that strat-o pbp features and its a very nice touch

Well to be fair, OOTP does display the out of town scoreboard live on your pbp screen as an option with some details about the games.

[le receveur]

Originally Posted by clwalcott

I think this might be asking a bit much, but I am glad the PbP (quite solid generally) is being continuously improved - it's a big part of the game IMO

I was being sarcastic. if OOTP ever sounds like the Jays TV PbP guys, I am never buying it....

though it would be interesting to have different types:

a) Total homer
b) Balanced
c) Total pro Yankees 'they play baseball right' (insert team)
d) Total old school (here is Morris giving up a HR, pitching to the score it's now 8-4... that Joe Carter sure is a great player with 30HR and 101RBIs)

[drksd4848]

Originally Posted by BusterKing

Well to be fair, OOTP does display the out of town scoreboard live on your pbp screen as an option with some details about the games.

Oh, yeah I know... Having it in the pbp is pure gravy, but it's a very very cool touch.

It's basically like this:

Strat-o-matics pbp is text but reads like a REAL radio broadcast.

OOTP's pbp is text, but it reads like... well... text.

It's not bad, by any means but Markus shouldn't brag about it. Other games do it way better.

[naaga]

Maybe now he'll take a look at Strat-o-matic and make some changes but it would take a lot of effort.

[drksd4848]

Originally Posted by naaga

Maybe now he'll take a look at Strat-o-matic and make some changes but it would take a lot of effort.

Well... He should.

He should be looking at all of them. All of the strategy based ones, that is.

[goalieump413]

I know this thread has been mostly about the PbP, but part of the OP's question referenced the bullpen AI as well.

Here's my (hopefully) related question to expand on this: Does the "set bullpen strategy" work differently/better in 15 than in 14? By "better" I mean that as a GM only, I couldn't seem to force my manager to pitch my closer as a closer. Has this been looked at? He just rotted in the bullpen, and my manager took a MR and forced him into closer duties.

Again, not to thread-jack, and I could ask in a separate thread I guess...

[bazeall]

"Description of plays that go to the right side of the infield, but thirdbasemen is identified as making the play."

The other day I had this play. With runner at first, the batter hit into a force out at second. But the play by play showed the batter out at second.