Saying Goodbye: A Personal Message from Markus

[Markus Heinsohn]

Dear OOTP Community,

Today, I have some important personal news to share. After much reflection, I've decided that it's time for me to step away from my role at Out of the Park Developments and open a new chapter in my life.This wasn't an easy decision to make, and I wanted to reach out personally to all of you who've made this journey so incredibly special.

When I first started working on Out of the Park Baseball, I could never have imagined the amazing community that would grow around it. What started as a simple idea fueled by my love for baseball and strategy gaming has blossomed into something truly extraordinary, all thanks to you.

I still remember the early days... writing the first lines of OOTP code back in 1997, tucked away in my tiny 90-square-foot dorm room. The first launch in 1999. Pulling all-nighters to fix bugs, getting excited over every new feature idea, and eagerly reading your feedback on the forums after each launch. It was an incredible time. Over the years, your passion, suggestions, and critiques have been the driving force behind OOTP's evolution. Together, we've taken this game to a level I never thought possible.

I want to give a huge shoutout to our amazing team. I've had the privilege of working with some of the most talented and passionate people in the industry. Thank you for your hard work, creativity, and for making (almost, haha) every day at work fun and exciting. I consider every single one of you not just colleagues but true friends. OOTP's future is in good hands.

I also want to express my deepest gratitude to our partners at MLB, MLBPA, and the Com2uS Corporation. Their exceptional support for our little niche game has been truly remarkable. Working alongside these esteemed organizations over the years has been an honor, and their belief in our vision helped us bring OOTP to new heights.

While I plan to pursue new opportunities sometime next year, I certainly won't disappear. I'll be available to the entire team as a mentor and will happily provide feedback on feature designs if needed. Of course, I'll also continue to play the game and lurk around on the forums.

So, this is it. Out of the Park Baseball 25 was my final launch. After more than 27 years, my career as OOTP developer and CEO / managing director of the company is now officially over. I was incredibly lucky to have such a long career in gaming, and I am eternally grateful to everyone who helped me along the way. You guys are the best!

Thank you all for being part of this incredible journey.
Markus

PS: Here's how it all started:

[Lukas Berger]

This is incredibly sad news for all of us who've been lucky enough to have had a chance to know you and work with you over the years, Markus.

It's been a real pleasure to have this time with you for me personally and for all of us. You'll be truly missed both professionally, with your steady, optimistic, calming presence, and also as a friend to all of us on the team. You're a real inspiration to us all!

Wishing you all the best in your new endeavors.

It certainly will not be the same without you but we'll do our best to carry on your legacy and keep building on the amazing foundations you've created for OOTP and keep making the most awesome baseball game around with the same amount of passion and commitment you've always shown!

[Reed]

Thank you for giving me 100s of hours of enjoying my favorite sport and giving me a mechanism to escape (at least some relief) from some personal issues.
May your future continue to be bright.
Again, Thank You. Reed

[CBLCardinals]

Markus I’ve been with you and OOTP family since OOTP2. Your vision for the best baseball simulation in the world has impacted many of us for two and a half decades. Thank you for sharing your gifts with us these past 25 years! Your creation and vision has kept us all busy creating our own special baseball universe. Congratulations on all your success and I wish you the best of luck in future endeavors.

[Matt Arnold]

Words cannot express what Markus has built. Since I first discovered OOTP Baseball oh so long ago, I loved the game. And more-so since I joined the team and got to learn directly from the man himself, it's truly incredible what Markus has built.

We'll continue to build on Markus' legacy, and to make sure the game always stays true to his original vision. To always make sure that this very devoted and passionate fanbase remains a part of the game, and to continue to build on the best baseball game out there.

Thanks again for a lifetime of passion and commitment.

[Ty Cobb]

Markus, I wish you the very best on the remainder of your journey. I cannot explain to you how much joy and focus your community has given me, and I am forever grateful for that, and there is no way I could ever repay that. May you be blessed in every endeavor you take up. You'll be missed sorely.

[vtrudell]

Thank you very much Markus

[kosmos412]

Best of luck and thanks for the memories

[Rain King]

Thank you and good luck!

[Bluenoser]

Can't find the words - been here since OOTP99, never missed a beat.

Thank you, all the best in your future endeavors.

This Bud's for you

[Valhoun]

Thanks for so many years of the best baseball sim!

[Xtoforas]

Thank you Markus and Good Luck!

[Royals]

How does Marcus leaving change the focus of the game?

Royals

[Fabtron7]

Thank you for creating this fantastic game I can’t stop being obsessed with!

Congrats on an amazing legacy, and I look forward to seeing what you do next!

[Larryk007]

NO..........................................yikes!
Thanks for everything you have done for this game and community!!!
Good Luck!

[USF]

Markus thank you for all that you have done to keep us baseball fans happy with an incredible baseball simulation game. A game that has brought people around the world together to build ever lasting friendships.

I remember the time in 2012 where I would send you an email for help and you would write back not only with insight and help but, also add in some comments that made me and the rest of us feel part of a community/journey together.

Perhaps one day we will share that cold beer together!

Cheers
Jason
ABL Commissioner

[OmahaBaseball]

Greatly appreciate your work with the OOTP franchise. Got hooked playing with v4 demo (would install in the university computer lab but would be wiped the next time I came back so I would install again and again) and been here ever since. Your willingness to consider questions and requests made me feel that I was contributing, in some small way, to making the game that much better. Best Wishes!

[Orcin]

Markus, thank you for the literally thousands of hours of enjoyment that I received from your "simple idea". I wish you the best in your next adventure and I hope that you enjoy playing OOTPB as a fanboi like the rest of us.

[Kris Jardine]

Was a pleasure to work with you and is still a pleasure to play what you have created. Best of luck in what comes next pal!

[eMLBCommish]

Markus, you've always been an amazing inspiration for us stats geeks who have dreamed of having a baseball sandbox to the level you have. Just sit back and think about each version of the game, and what you were able to accomplish and evolve it to.

I have great faith and devotion to this product, having been a true fan since OOTP 3, and even converting my eMLB Universe over from starting on the High Heat product line to be in OOTP 5. We spent 6 months to get our Universe ready for OOTP then!

Words will never express the gratitude and appreciation I have for your efforts and passion to get OOTP where it now is. As I enter my 25th RL year of operation of eMLB, I cannot fathom the community I could have ever made this possible, along with the fundraising we have done to fight pediatric cancer, without your efforts to make such a game we all have common ground on in admiration and enjoyment.

I have great faith that the new custodians will continue to invest in the base engine for overall play, as it is the real staple of interest in what we do for the eMLB Universe. I know many of us who continue to enjoy that side are most hopeful this side will continue to stay supported so that traditional online leagues like ours will remain a staple of the OOTP Brand.

Best wishes in your future endeavors, and congratulations for the legacy you have built.

LB