Playing as GM & Manager vs. just GM

[giantsfan777]

Hi all,

I get frustrated when my manager doesn't use players in the positions that I want him to (only in a general sense because I don't like to micro-manage). So to start off I played as GM & Manager because it was the only way I could get that amount of control. I've been experimenting with playing as just GM and I was under the impression that I could use the "set game strategy" option to force the manager to use players in the role that I want. It seemed to work fine at first but I have had several managers pass through my team that won't let me set game strategies for individual players anymore. Here's the screen that I get:



Am I wrong about how this is supposed to function? Is there another way to get what I want?

[The Game]

If you put yourself in Commish Mode you can set lineups and such, otherwise find a puppet MGR.

[Matt Arnold]

Top tier managers don't like having the strategy dictated to them. You either need to live with the manager's decision, and use your powers to change the rosters to get the players you want play-time, or find a lower ranked guy who will let you tell him what to do.

I tend to play as GM-only, and while I agree it's frustrating at times, I find it the sort of frustrating that is still fun, as I'm now forced to challenge my manager. We will keep looking at finding more ways to interact with the manager - certainly at some point it would be nice to either have something where you could ask why your manager is not playing a guy, or perhaps have something instead of having a "force start" option to instead have a "suggest start" option which might have an influence on the manager's decision.

[giantsfan777]

Those options would be amazing! I'm very hopeful that future versions of OOTP will allow for more options in terms of player development. The current state of affairs makes it very difficult (when playing as GM only) to have an aging outfielder learn to play 1st so that he can stay in the lineup; something that is common IRL. We also don't see quite enough fluidity between the bullpen and the starting rotation and almost zero movement in both realms for computer controlled managers and GMs. If a player doesn't have at least some experience at a position before being drafted or discovered, the computer doesn't seem to risk them learning a new one, even if it's a relatively easy position.

But again, I dream of a day where I (as GM) and my manager have to convince a prima donna like Barry Bonds to move from LF to 1B (like the Giants needed him to do after 2003) for the good of the team. Or a guy like John Smoltz can move between the bullpen and starting rotation. That would take an already fun game and make it crazy-go-nuts good.

On the note of not quite understanding the ins and outs of OOTP. I can't remember where but at some point I was led to believe that pitchers may pick up new pitches and get better at them over time. Is that true or am I making that up? It would be great to see a so-so starter learn a devastating knuckle ball and become a superstar. Or see a decent bullpen guy learn a third pitch and become a starter or a swingman.

Anyways, just spitballing here. Thanks for the response Matt. Love the game!

[MizzouRah]

Originally Posted by Matt Arnold

Top tier managers don't like having the strategy dictated to them. You either need to live with the manager's decision, and use your powers to change the rosters to get the players you want play-time, or find a lower ranked guy who will let you tell him what to do.

I tend to play as GM-only, and while I agree it's frustrating at times, I find it the sort of frustrating that is still fun, as I'm now forced to challenge my manager. We will keep looking at finding more ways to interact with the manager - certainly at some point it would be nice to either have something where you could ask why your manager is not playing a guy, or perhaps have something instead of having a "force start" option to instead have a "suggest start" option which might have an influence on the manager's decision.

Would LOVE to see this evolve into something like this. Since really "digging" into my first GM only with OOTP 16, there are times when I want a player who's hitting much better than the player my AI manager keeps rolling out there everyday.

Top hitter on my team is sitting the bench while a less rated/less producing player is sitting the bench - he's even a better fielder than the starter.

[NoOne]

Originally Posted by The Game

If you put yourself in Commish Mode you can set lineups and such, otherwise find a puppet MGR.

certain ones will still override your will, even in commish mode. i wouldn't complain if that changed

i like to keep the good ones until they retire, so i can rationalize editing their strategy. unfortunately, you still have to avoid the managers that demand control of the lineups and/or pitching staff.

the only reason i use gm only is because i am not sure if a human manager gets the same bonuses from good coaching ratings - they are not visible if they exist for the human manager. i don't want to potentially miss out on that .01% advantage


Mizzu: does changing how overall is calculated affect your manager's decisions? maybe play around with ai evaluation percentages - more scout ratings, less stats.

[MizzouRah]

Originally Posted by NoOne

Mizzu: does changing how overall is calculated affect your manager's decisions? maybe play around with ai evaluation percentages - more scout ratings, less stats.

I use 50/30/15/5 - so it's basically a 50/50 split - my guy on the bench has only played this season and has better ratings and stats. He was playing part of the season.. maybe the new manager I hired is just a hard head. He better watch out because I might hire a new manager who lets me control the lineups a bit.

I just imagine the guy playing is a buddy of his.

He did win 9 in a row after becoming out new manager.. so I'll keep quiet for now.