My Classic and Modern in-game screens: strengths and short comings

Sweed · 03-27-2018, 01:19 PM

The development team works hard on the game and puts out the best baseball game ever made. Putting their heart and soul into it and then listening to complaints about a million different things can't be easy but Markus, Matt, Andreas, and the whole team do just that every year with open minds and thick skins

Please take anything I type here as constructive thoughts on the modern vs classic setups.
I'll post my modern screen setup here first and follow in the next post with my classic.

The modern screens look amazing. Slick, professional, like a real telecast.
Disappearing widgets make it a joy to watch full screen. Anyone that had a hand in creating this deserves a big pat on the back.

With all of that said a few things come to mind that, IMHO, could be improved.

The unmovable scoreboard leaves two dead spots of unusable space in the upper corners. Nothing can "sneak" in there and fill that space. If I could move the scoreboard I could slide it left and be able to move the out of town scores up and get one more game visible. Or preferably add "scoring updates" back into the widget (more on that later).

The lineups box only show batter handedness when on offense. This makes it harder to look ahead for upcoming matchups in the next half inning. Couldn't this be left in place on both screens all of the time?

I'd also prefer the lineup box to show current season stats and not today's boxscore. Much more relevant in the "big picture".

Out of town scoreboard no longer has a "scoring updates" section. This little section adds so much immersion. Seeing all games scores as they update in real time, reading Joe Baseball had 9ks through 5 innings, or Player B has hit his second homerun of the day, is about as immersive as it can get. It's especially nice in helping keep up with the "other league" IE I play NL and scoring updates does so much helping me keep up with what goes on in the AL. It's important enough to me that if it were it's own widget, and I had to choose, I would use it and not the out of town scoreboard.

Last suggestion, and this applies to both modern and classic, would be nice to go back to using colored text to highlight current batter etc instead of the underlining.

Sweed · 03-27-2018, 01:20 PM

Now for my classic setup.

With this screen I get more numbers and info than the modern screen. Of course the widgets aren't as pretty and, believe it or not, that actually matters because the modern widgets are just s BEAUTIFUL!! But for me baseball has always been about the numbers so I'm pretty sure classic will be what I will use. If the widgets could be made to disappear, like the modern, during play I would be totally sure.

Major shortcomings? I loose vision to the RF corner. Monster shot homeruns get lost behind the widgets. When the widgets don't disappear you lose the tv\actually being at a game feel (the modern is that good!) and is the one thing that could make me change my mind on which setup to use. That's saying a lot because if you didn't get it the first time "for me baseball has always been about the numbers"

Minor shortcomings mirror the modern to a point. I used to take the cursor and highlight certain lines of stats in the expanded P\B boxes. I can still do it but it's a very light gray (?) on a dark background and barely noticeable.

In the quick boxscore widget players on base used to have the designation of the base they were on in yellow and it stuck out. Now it's the same white as all the other text.

Widgets that won't disappear. This is listed as minor because I can work around it and still be very happy with the result. But with disappearing widgets, like modern, I could place them anywhere and get a better flow of information and of course see the RF corner and any moonshot homers.

Again all meant as constructive criticism of a game that simply amazes me every time I play

Lucas718 · 03-27-2018, 08:04 PM

Great stuff. I agree about loving the look of the modern but missing all the info of the classic. If you played with the camera a bit you could probably zoom out just a little so you'd get the RF corner back in view.

Sweed · 03-27-2018, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lucas718

Great stuff. I agree about loving the look of the modern but missing all the info of the classic. If you played with the camera a bit you could probably zoom out just a little so you'd get the RF corner back in view.

Thanks, that hadn't occurred to me. Going to wait to see how it looks outside the spring training stadium.

IanIachimoe · 03-27-2018, 08:33 PM

I like that, might add some things.

I keep it pretty simple, so I've got to have the classic lineup box with season stats.

endgame · 03-27-2018, 09:02 PM

I'm always surprised to see the out of town scoreboards included, or even prominent, in so many displays. I've never grown attached them, and always after seeing them I wonder if I may be missing an aspect of immersion. Mind if I ask if it adds that much, or just how any of you use it, other than the quick glance? Is there something, above other things, that catches your attention or you target in those glances?

MizzouRah · 03-27-2018, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by endgame

I'm always surprised to see the out of town scoreboards included, or even prominent, in so many displays. I've never grown attached them, and always after seeing them I wonder if I may be missing an aspect of immersion. Mind if I ask if it adds that much, or just how any of you use it, other than the quick glance? Is there something, above other things, that catches your attention or you target in those glances?

I use it mainly for a pennant race.. but also like to see scores from around the league as I play.

Sweed · 03-27-2018, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by endgame

I'm always surprised to see the out of town scoreboards included, or even prominent, in so many displays. I've never grown attached them, and always after seeing them I wonder if I may be missing an aspect of immersion. Mind if I ask if it adds that much, or just how any of you use it, other than the quick glance? Is there something, above other things, that catches your attention or you target in those glances?

For me it's the "scoring updates" section that was removed from the modern view in v19. That little section of ~10 lines or so is a treasure of information. It's not just scores updated as they happen. There are injury notifications, stat notifications of many kind. Multiple homer games, high K games, no hitters in progress, etc. etc. etc.

I think, though I may be wrong, it may have things like 300th home run or other milestones. Of course these don't come up very often so it may be I imagined it

I don't sit and watch any of the games closely unless it is end of season with playoff implications. Having said that it's pretty easy to glance over notice a bases loaded situation and watch closer to see how it pans out.

You will also see familiar names flash by in the "scoring updates" and these names seem as real as seeing Killebrew, Aaron, Sanberg, or Maddox. You can't help but pay attention to what is happening. Immersion in real time at its best.

I didn't know what I was missing until I bought a 2k monitor about 3 months ago and added the expanded out of town scores. It's now one of my favorite things (yes I have a ton of favorite things

) in OOTP.

endgame · 03-27-2018, 09:49 PM

Oh I’ve had monitor envy for a long time, but I’m so attached to my old laptop, along with the reclining position accompanying it. That info must display at a reasonable rate for you to pause long enough to watch without long delay and impatience. What setting do you implement, in terms of passing game time or is it real time?

Reggie · 03-27-2018, 09:54 PM

So, is the only way to get the line score to show up in the modern view is to increase the resolution? I don't think I can go any higher on resolution and I don't have that.

Sweed · 03-27-2018, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by endgame

Oh I’ve had monitor envy for a long time, but I’m so attached to my old laptop, along with the reclining position accompanying it. That info must display at a reasonable rate for you to pause long enough to watch without long delay and impatience. What setting do you implement, in terms of passing game time or is it real time?

I play single pitch and the other games, as far as I can tell, only advance if I am hitting a button to either bat or pitch, so yeah, in real time relative to my game. Yet they don't all advance with every click, it's like some are between innings. I can leave the room to get a new drink and when I get back nothing has changed.

Sweed · 03-27-2018, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reggie

So, is the only way to get the line score to show up in the modern view is to increase the resolution? I don't think I can go any higher on resolution and I don't have that.

Yes, it's tied to your resolution.

Baseball is a Slog · 03-27-2018, 11:57 PM

The issue with the Modern screens is that most of them aren't possible without high quality resolution.

I would love a full line score and a full lineup and stats widget like in the OP. Not possible with my resolution and I don't exactly have a POS computer here. Not the best but certainly not something old.

Hell my computer is probably capable of it but I don't want to change it from the settings my machine recommends.

texasmame · 03-28-2018, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweed

. . .
The unmovable scoreboard leaves two dead spots of unusable space in the upper corners. Nothing can "sneak" in there and fill that space. If I could move the scoreboard I could slide it left and be able to move the out of town scores up and get one more game visible.

This. Please make scoreboard/PbP areas moveable widgets.

EDIT: Like the guy below, I prefer my PdP at the bottom of the screen.

Qrusher14242 · 03-28-2018, 01:20 PM

I've found myself going back to 2d view just because its quicker, i like the pbp at the bottom and the lineups are easier to read. Only thing is this grey area on right side of the screen. I'm at 1920x1080 windowed

DreamTeams · 03-28-2018, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Qrusher14242

I've found myself going back to 2d view just because its quicker, i like the pbp at the bottom and the lineups are easier to read. Only thing is this grey area on right side of the screen. I'm at 1920x1080 windowed

Me too. I'm so used to the speed in 2D and prefer it's pace more than in 3D. Still. I find myself moving back and forth between the two because 3D is so improved and intriguing even though it plays out a little slower.

DreamTeams · 03-28-2018, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Qrusher14242

Only thing is this grey area on right side of the screen. I'm at 1920x1080 windowed

Have you tried using the 'configure screen' option to customize your widget placements? Was able to configure my widgets so I have grey along both sides and gives the screen more balance.

03-27-2018, 01:19 PM	#1
Sweed Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Iowa Posts: 6,676	My Classic and Modern in-game screens: strengths and short comings The development team works hard on the game and puts out the best baseball game ever made. Putting their heart and soul into it and then listening to complaints about a million different things can't be easy but Markus, Matt, Andreas, and the whole team do just that every year with open minds and thick skins Please take anything I type here as constructive thoughts on the modern vs classic setups. I'll post my modern screen setup here first and follow in the next post with my classic. The modern screens look amazing. Slick, professional, like a real telecast. Disappearing widgets make it a joy to watch full screen. Anyone that had a hand in creating this deserves a big pat on the back. With all of that said a few things come to mind that, IMHO, could be improved. The unmovable scoreboard leaves two dead spots of unusable space in the upper corners. Nothing can "sneak" in there and fill that space. If I could move the scoreboard I could slide it left and be able to move the out of town scores up and get one more game visible. Or preferably add "scoring updates" back into the widget (more on that later). The lineups box only show batter handedness when on offense. This makes it harder to look ahead for upcoming matchups in the next half inning. Couldn't this be left in place on both screens all of the time? I'd also prefer the lineup box to show current season stats and not today's boxscore. Much more relevant in the "big picture". Out of town scoreboard no longer has a "scoring updates" section. This little section adds so much immersion. Seeing all games scores as they update in real time, reading Joe Baseball had 9ks through 5 innings, or Player B has hit his second homerun of the day, is about as immersive as it can get. It's especially nice in helping keep up with the "other league" IE I play NL and scoring updates does so much helping me keep up with what goes on in the AL. It's important enough to me that if it were it's own widget, and I had to choose, I would use it and not the out of town scoreboard. Last suggestion, and this applies to both modern and classic, would be nice to go back to using colored text to highlight current batter etc instead of the underlining. Attached Images

03-27-2018, 01:20 PM	#2
Sweed Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Iowa Posts: 6,676	Now for my classic setup. With this screen I get more numbers and info than the modern screen. Of course the widgets aren't as pretty and, believe it or not, that actually matters because the modern widgets are just s BEAUTIFUL!! But for me baseball has always been about the numbers so I'm pretty sure classic will be what I will use. If the widgets could be made to disappear, like the modern, during play I would be totally sure. Major shortcomings? I loose vision to the RF corner. Monster shot homeruns get lost behind the widgets. When the widgets don't disappear you lose the tv\actually being at a game feel (the modern is that good!) and is the one thing that could make me change my mind on which setup to use. That's saying a lot because if you didn't get it the first time "for me baseball has always been about the numbers" Minor shortcomings mirror the modern to a point. I used to take the cursor and highlight certain lines of stats in the expanded P\B boxes. I can still do it but it's a very light gray (?) on a dark background and barely noticeable. In the quick boxscore widget players on base used to have the designation of the base they were on in yellow and it stuck out. Now it's the same white as all the other text. Widgets that won't disappear. This is listed as minor because I can work around it and still be very happy with the result. But with disappearing widgets, like modern, I could place them anywhere and get a better flow of information and of course see the RF corner and any moonshot homers. Again all meant as constructive criticism of a game that simply amazes me every time I play Attached Images Last edited by Sweed; 03-27-2018 at 01:44 PM.

03-27-2018, 08:33 PM	#5
IanIachimoe All Star Starter Join Date: May 2014 Location: paper st. Posts: 1,055	I like that, might add some things. I keep it pretty simple, so I've got to have the classic lineup box with season stats. Attached Images __________________

03-27-2018, 09:02 PM	#6
endgame Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 16,842	I'm always surprised to see the out of town scoreboards included, or even prominent, in so many displays. I've never grown attached them, and always after seeing them I wonder if I may be missing an aspect of immersion. Mind if I ask if it adds that much, or just how any of you use it, other than the quick glance? Is there something, above other things, that catches your attention or you target in those glances? __________________ "Try again. Fail again. Fail better." -- Samuel Beckett _____________________________________________

03-27-2018, 09:49 PM	#9
endgame Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 16,842	Oh I’ve had monitor envy for a long time, but I’m so attached to my old laptop, along with the reclining position accompanying it. That info must display at a reasonable rate for you to pause long enough to watch without long delay and impatience. What setting do you implement, in terms of passing game time or is it real time? __________________ "Try again. Fail again. Fail better." -- Samuel Beckett _____________________________________________

03-27-2018, 08:04 PM	#3
Lucas718 Major Leagues Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 400	Great stuff. I agree about loving the look of the modern but missing all the info of the classic. If you played with the camera a bit you could probably zoom out just a little so you'd get the RF corner back in view.

03-27-2018, 09:54 PM	#10
Reggie Major Leagues Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 442	So, is the only way to get the line score to show up in the modern view is to increase the resolution? I don't think I can go any higher on resolution and I don't have that.

03-27-2018, 11:57 PM	#13
Baseball is a Slog Bat Boy Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 18	The issue with the Modern screens is that most of them aren't possible without high quality resolution. I would love a full line score and a full lineup and stats widget like in the OP. Not possible with my resolution and I don't exactly have a POS computer here. Not the best but certainly not something old. Hell my computer is probably capable of it but I don't want to change it from the settings my machine recommends.

03-28-2018, 01:20 PM	#15
Qrusher14242 All Star Starter Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: CA Posts: 1,253	I've found myself going back to 2d view just because its quicker, i like the pbp at the bottom and the lineups are easier to read. Only thing is this grey area on right side of the screen. I'm at 1920x1080 windowed Attached Images __________________ "Go then, there are other worlds than these"