Focus on Making Historicals More Accurate and Easier to Set Up.

majesty95 · 03-30-2015, 08:51 PM

I mentioned this in a thread on the main forum but wanted to add it here. I would like to see more resources dedicated to making league setup, especially historicals, easier. I love the depth that OOTP provides as it allows you to create just about any possible baseball scenario that you could envision. However, setting up these league can be quite time consuming keeping many users from even enjoying them.

For example, I like starting with a historical in the mid-80's. However, it usually takes me DAYS to set this up.I would venture to gues that MOST users never get to experience a historical as they would like because of the setup involved. Here is what I would like to see:

The option to import a basic minor league system based off of real life for your season. For example, a AAA, AA and A level team for each league. Maybe even a rookie level. I know it is almost impossible for the game to recreate every possible minor league for every year, but I think MOST players would be fine if each team just had their main minor league affiliates at the right levels, even if they were all in the same league (vs having an Eastern League, Texas League, etc.)
Support in using a database like Spritze or Gambo to import minor league players onto the correct team or organization. Again, I know this is not easy, but the data is there. I think some resources should be dedicated to making this the next step in the series. There are only so many tweaks to AI and contract logic options that can be added. Let's add some real meat and bones options to make the game easier to set up and replicate historicals for a wider base of the potential consumer base.
Improved markets, fan interst and loyalty. I realize this does not have a database like teams and players do, but maybe a community project could be commissioned to put one together? If at least the market sizes were accurate and based off of the population or economic demographic of the cities vs payroll, that would be a step in the right direction. I think some generalities could be made about certain franchises too when dealing with loyalty. The Cubs always have high loyalty as do the Red Sox (not sure about historically but should be researched and added to a DB). Fan interest may already but should, if not, account for the previous season's record if available (and possibly payoroll). There is even quite a bit of salary info available that could be used to make those things more accurate as well.
Real team personnel - I believe historical managers can be imported now (thought I haven't tested this yet) but what about hitting and pitching coaches and, certainly, team owners and possibly GMs? Again, lots and lots of time added to set up if you want to replicate this in your league

I think the basic "game" it self is mostly fine. A lot of what is added to the game now is just extra options or expansions of minor things. Now, with the backing of MLB and the minors, let's focus more on make everything bigger and easier since the game is going to reach a newer, less advanced consumer base.

Let's see if we can get at least a reasonable approximation of a historical setup out of the box. Its is fine now if you just want to replay the Majors (minur market sizes and team personnel). But many, many fans want to use minor leaguers and real minor league teams in historicals. They also want real owners and GMs and coaches. The more of this that can be automated for them, the more that will actually get to enjoy these features and likely come back for more and more versions.

I never want to take away options for those that want to tinker and customize everything themselves, but the process needs to be much more accurate to real life and much more simplistic for the average user to create.

pstrickert · 03-30-2015, 09:02 PM

I haven't heard much clamor for historical minor leagues and real team personnel. But I hear you. Getting 19th C. baseball set up right would be nice. I believe the stats show that just 10% of OOTP leagues are historical. The current MLB season is the most popular option. Then comes fictional, IIRC.

Le Grande Orange · 03-31-2015, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pstrickert

I haven't heard much clamor for historical minor leagues...

Oh, there's interest in it for sure. But for it to really flourish requires some internal changes to OOTP. (Such changes, incidentally, would benefit 19th century major league recreations.)

Le Grande Orange · 03-31-2015, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by majesty95

The option to import a basic minor league system based off of real life for your season. For example, a AAA, AA and A level team for each league. Maybe even a rookie level. I know it is almost impossible for the game to recreate every possible minor league for every year, but I think MOST players would be fine if each team just had their main minor league affiliates at the right levels, even if they were all in the same league (vs having an Eastern League, Texas League, etc.)

The result would be so fictionalized that calling it in any way historical would be improper. What does "main minor league affiliates" mean anyway when, for instance, in 1950 the Brooklyn Dodgers had a total of 24 affiliates, including three in Triple-A and two in Double-A. The Cubs, Cardinals, and Giants each had two affiliates in Triple-A while Washington had none. Three clubs (Boston and Chicago in the AL and Cincinnati in the NL) each had only 8 affiliates in total.

majesty95 · 03-31-2015, 12:55 AM

I guess the above screws it all up lol. There's got to be a way to make it easier to set up though and somewhat automated. I also wonder of historicas aren't more popular because of the complexity? But if we're that far in the minority I guess we get what we get.

majesty95 · 03-31-2015, 12:56 AM

I can play present day MLB rosters on The Show though. I would think fictionals and historicas would be far more popular as those differentiate the game more...

The Game · 03-31-2015, 01:54 AM

Although having historical minor leagues, mainly AAA after say 1925 and AA after 1950 would be nice most can do it on their own in 20 mins. Team personnel, namely the owner (we have MGR since at least 15 if not 14) and other coaches would be great. That is the 1 thing I despise when it comes to players historical is trying to recreate Comiskey, Steinbrenner, O'Malley, etc. Minor leaguers are not available no matter whose DB you are using. Both Spritze & Gambo DB's do import to the correct team, depending on your POV. They import to the team that they are most widely known for, although Shoeless Joe Jackson does go to Cleveland not Chicago, even though he played slightly longer with CLE.
Cubs have sucked since 1946 and their fan interest continues to grow, while the team that should be #1,w ho have the superior record in that time is the 2nd team in the 2nd city, sorry disgruntled Sox fan here.

swampdragon · 03-31-2015, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pstrickert

I haven't heard much clamor for historical minor leagues and real team personnel. But I hear you. Getting 19th C. baseball set up right would be nice. I believe the stats show that just 10% of OOTP leagues are historical. The current MLB season is the most popular option. Then comes fictional, IIRC.

It's very easy to do a historical replay with lineups and transactions all the way back to 1901, and your stadium mod is an outstanding addition that makes it still easier. I would love to see that level of support back to 1892 for starters and eventually back to 1871. Is there still a problem automatically adding and deleting subleagues? I'd think that would have been solved by now.

thehef · 04-03-2015, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Le Grande Orange

Oh, there's interest in it for sure. But for it to really flourish requires some internal changes to OOTP. (Such changes, incidentally, would benefit 19th century major league recreations.)

This could be done, as described here: http://www.ootpdevelopments.com/boar...ml#post3395230

The entire thread referenced above is worth reading. Some good stuff from LGO, Spritze, and others...

Bigrod · 04-03-2015, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thehef

This could be done, as described here: http://www.ootpdevelopments.com/boar...ml#post3395230

The entire thread referenced above is worth reading. Some good stuff from LGO, Spritze, and others...

Good stuff but way way outdated...
There's always behind the scenes stuff being done that only an elite few know about..

Le Grande Orange · 04-03-2015, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigrod

Good stuff but way way outdated...
There's always behind the scenes stuff being done that only an elite few know about..

True, but that doesn't mean that behinds-the-scenes stuff is seeing constant progress.

Bigrod · 04-04-2015, 05:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Le Grande Orange

True, but that doesn't mean that behinds-the-scenes stuff is seeing constant progress.

03-31-2015, 12:55 AM	#5
majesty95 All Star Starter Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 1,789	I guess the above screws it all up lol. There's got to be a way to make it easier to set up though and somewhat automated. I also wonder of historicas aren't more popular because of the complexity? But if we're that far in the minority I guess we get what we get. __________________ College Football Sim League

03-31-2015, 12:56 AM	#6
majesty95 All Star Starter Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 1,789	I can play present day MLB rosters on The Show though. I would think fictionals and historicas would be far more popular as those differentiate the game more... __________________ College Football Sim League

03-31-2015, 01:54 AM	#7
The Game Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Inside The Game Posts: 30,937	Although having historical minor leagues, mainly AAA after say 1925 and AA after 1950 would be nice most can do it on their own in 20 mins. Team personnel, namely the owner (we have MGR since at least 15 if not 14) and other coaches would be great. That is the 1 thing I despise when it comes to players historical is trying to recreate Comiskey, Steinbrenner, O'Malley, etc. Minor leaguers are not available no matter whose DB you are using. Both Spritze & Gambo DB's do import to the correct team, depending on your POV. They import to the team that they are most widely known for, although Shoeless Joe Jackson does go to Cleveland not Chicago, even though he played slightly longer with CLE. Cubs have sucked since 1946 and their fan interest continues to grow, while the team that should be #1,w ho have the superior record in that time is the 2nd team in the 2nd city, sorry disgruntled Sox fan here. __________________ Go today don't wait for tomorrow It isn't promised, all the time you get borrowed Don't live your life for other people Don't bottle your emotions till they crack and fill a couple just sorrows Take your mind and refocus go get a paper write your goals out Throw your middle fingers to all your haters "Stay Strong"

03-30-2015, 08:51 PM	#1
majesty95 All Star Starter Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 1,789	Focus on Making Historicals More Accurate and Easier to Set Up. I mentioned this in a thread on the main forum but wanted to add it here. I would like to see more resources dedicated to making league setup, especially historicals, easier. I love the depth that OOTP provides as it allows you to create just about any possible baseball scenario that you could envision. However, setting up these league can be quite time consuming keeping many users from even enjoying them. For example, I like starting with a historical in the mid-80's. However, it usually takes me DAYS to set this up.I would venture to gues that MOST users never get to experience a historical as they would like because of the setup involved. Here is what I would like to see: The option to import a basic minor league system based off of real life for your season. For example, a AAA, AA and A level team for each league. Maybe even a rookie level. I know it is almost impossible for the game to recreate every possible minor league for every year, but I think MOST players would be fine if each team just had their main minor league affiliates at the right levels, even if they were all in the same league (vs having an Eastern League, Texas League, etc.) Support in using a database like Spritze or Gambo to import minor league players onto the correct team or organization. Again, I know this is not easy, but the data is there. I think some resources should be dedicated to making this the next step in the series. There are only so many tweaks to AI and contract logic options that can be added. Let's add some real meat and bones options to make the game easier to set up and replicate historicals for a wider base of the potential consumer base. Improved markets, fan interst and loyalty. I realize this does not have a database like teams and players do, but maybe a community project could be commissioned to put one together? If at least the market sizes were accurate and based off of the population or economic demographic of the cities vs payroll, that would be a step in the right direction. I think some generalities could be made about certain franchises too when dealing with loyalty. The Cubs always have high loyalty as do the Red Sox (not sure about historically but should be researched and added to a DB). Fan interest may already but should, if not, account for the previous season's record if available (and possibly payoroll). There is even quite a bit of salary info available that could be used to make those things more accurate as well. Real team personnel - I believe historical managers can be imported now (thought I haven't tested this yet) but what about hitting and pitching coaches and, certainly, team owners and possibly GMs? Again, lots and lots of time added to set up if you want to replicate this in your league I think the basic "game" it self is mostly fine. A lot of what is added to the game now is just extra options or expansions of minor things. Now, with the backing of MLB and the minors, let's focus more on make everything bigger and easier since the game is going to reach a newer, less advanced consumer base. Let's see if we can get at least a reasonable approximation of a historical setup out of the box. Its is fine now if you just want to replay the Majors (minur market sizes and team personnel). But many, many fans want to use minor leaguers and real minor league teams in historicals. They also want real owners and GMs and coaches. The more of this that can be automated for them, the more that will actually get to enjoy these features and likely come back for more and more versions. I never want to take away options for those that want to tinker and customize everything themselves, but the process needs to be much more accurate to real life and much more simplistic for the average user to create. __________________ College Football Sim League

03-30-2015, 09:02 PM	#2
pstrickert Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 16,508	I haven't heard much clamor for historical minor leagues and real team personnel. But I hear you. Getting 19th C. baseball set up right would be nice. I believe the stats show that just 10% of OOTP leagues are historical. The current MLB season is the most popular option. Then comes fictional, IIRC.