Saying Goodbye: A Personal Message from Markus

[daves]

Again, sorry to see you go, but when is your official last day?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[bulldog55]

Thanks for everything, Markus. You built a wonderful game but beyond that, you built an amazing community. I've been playing this game since either v2 or 3. I've been a member of this site for 22 years but I didn't join up here for a while after discovering OOTP on BBSC. I played solo for a few years before getting into online leagues and my life has never been the same since. I've been playing in leagues with the same people for two decades. Our relationships have transcended a fake baseball game; we're friends who talk daily, visit each other when we're in town, even gone to each other's weddings, been there for each other through births and deaths and marriages and divorces. My fake baseball friends are some of the best friends I have on this earth, and it's all because of this silly little hobby we share. I hope you can fully realize what it is you've created here. It's so much more than a video game.

And so, for one last time, I wish you a hearty thanks, Markus, keep up the good work.

[swoboda]

Another 20+ yr OOTP fan, joining the chorus...
Your great idea many yrs ago has become a joyous annual habit for so many of us. I add my humble appreciation for your many years of hard and excellent work.

But wait, you can't leave until we get animated rain on screen during gameplay!!...Just kidding of course, OOTP most certainly is the gold standard for sports games !

[Recte44]

Markus,

Thank you. Thank you so much. You may not realize the extent of the gift you have given to us. In my specific case your creation has become something that has given me much joy, but also has helped to serve as a basis of structure in my life. I cannot thank you enough for everything you have given to this game. You should be extremely proud of your accomplishments.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart, my friend.

[blubbla]

Markus,

Thanks for your creative vision starting this game. I remember picking up Season Ticket Baseball, which was the CD release of OOTP3, back at EBGames, and there have only been a couple of years since then that I skipped. I've taken multiple laps through alternative history over the long history with the game, and have enjoyed the interaction with so many other fans. Wishing you the best in your next chapter.

[Shackdaddy]

Thank you for creating the best sports simulation of all time. Also the best value in sports simulations without question.

[scott1964]

good luck

[PSUColonel]

Thank you for your dedication and passion over the years! OOTP won’t be the same without you even though I know it’s in very capable hands!

[actionjackson]

Thank you for this monumental, mind boggling piece of work. Those in the "real world" may not understand the legacy that you will leave behind, but trust me, it's not lost on anyone here. Enjoy your new path. You've earned it.

[ootpFox07]

I said it on Facebook and I'll say it here too, Thank you Markus for such an amazing, immersive and deep game to enjoy. But most of all, thanks for starting something that has brought together so many great, talented and smart individuals to form an amazing community that I consider myself lucky to have been such a part of all these years. I doubt I'd have been around this long or contributed back had the game and it's people not been such a constant source of inspiration and fun.


Again, I hope you have a rewarding next chapter, Markus. You've earned it and then some. Be well, my friend. Cheers!

[phenom]

You can't go! All the plants are gonna die!!

[eriqjaffe]

In an attempt to improve his mental skills, OOTP creator Markus Heinsohn has announced that he will fly to India tomorrow, meeting with famous guru Vishnan Hitmehard. The guru claims to have worked with software developers in the past, and is known to teach certain techniques which increase concentration levels.

The results of the journey will be hard to quantify, but Heinsohn plans to talk to reporters once he has returned and share his experience.

Best of luck, Markus, and thanks for the many, many hours of fun! And the ones of frustration, which were also fun!

[swingkid19]

Just a little peripheral user here who still struggles with some of the nuts and bolts of the inner workings of the game, but who loves creating new "what if?" environments and playing them out! Thank you for untold hours of enjoyment! Only OOTP can bridge The Void of the MLB off-season--but of course I play during the season, too! Congratulations on such a fine product and in advance for whatever you achieve next!

[Statsman1]

So long, Markus, and thank you for the endless hours of forgetting about the real world.

I wish you the best of luck, whatever comes next for you.

[Deft]

I put you right next Sid Meier on the Mount Rushmore of Game Design. So funny considering I remember the early days when you got criticized as incapable of being able to understand the American pastime and how to translate it into a long term strategy game. Boy, that analysis did not age well.

Like many other's here, I want to thank you for building a community, and a source of creativity and enjoyment that I have spent 1,000 maybe 10,000 hours over the last 25 years. You have always handled your responsibility professionally and with passion. Thank you!!

[TigerGDK]

Like others, I've been around since very early days.... maybe 2nd or 3rd edition (this account opened Mar 2002) . Found the game as a side to my Championship Manager/Football Manager; always enjoy the management style sports games that require brains more than controller skills :P

Have always enjoyed this game, and really appreciate all the love Markus and the various teams have put into this series.

I wish the best to Markus in whatever future endeavours he has before him. As someone who looked forward to retirement with mixed emotions, I know a bit of what he is going through right now, but I am sure he'll go onto his next chapter of life in great shape!

[clamel]

Felt that something like this was about to come sooner or later.
27 years !! Is it that long ago ? Markus have created one of the best manager games in sport and I truly hope the new owners don't mess up his dream.
Even with his old team in place ideas might wander off from the clear path.

Still the direction this game has started to take since the buyout is not all to my likening. But business thinking of course it is. The bad thing is the focus on more stuff the mainstream companies like EA and 2K focus on.
"Be a player", "trade cards", "pay extra for perks".
Those things got nothing to do in a pure manager game.

Of course I wish Markus the best in whatever he decide to do.
The post predicting he travel to India and let a Guru pick his brain might be a thing we saw back in the Beatles days.
We all know what happend then. Beatles split up and their music was no more.

[ChromEagle]

I wish you the best, and thank you. For a while I wanted to create my own fictional baseball world and with OOTP I am able to do so and I appreciate all the work you have done on this series of games!

[Stealcompany]

Thanks Marcus for creating something that's provided countless hours of hard bitten strategization and open ended day dreaming in equal measure. I came across OOTP years ago and when you answered my prayers and created a version for the Mac, I was in seventh heaven. I've gratefully forked over my cash for every version since. Not only have I gotten a baseball simulation without equal, but I've also gained access to a like-minded community of baseball nerds who are second to none.
Whatever you do next, all the best.

[Sweed]

Originally Posted by clamel

Still the direction this game has started to take since the buyout is not all to my likening. But business thinking of course it is. The bad thing is the focus on more stuff the mainstream companies like EA and 2K focus on.
"Be a player", "trade cards", "pay extra for perks".
Those things got nothing to do in a pure manager game.

Just to be clear for any new users that may be reading this...

None of this is in OOTP, the pure manager type game.
They are in Perfects Team, the online multiplayer type game where one would expect such things.