Question on importing from 25

[DennisDenver]

First, I have never imported a season so totally new at that.

I am still playing 25 while awaiting patch on certain things (not what this post is about). There are things I REALLY do like as upgrades in 26 though and just figured I would import the 25 game later since I don't have much time to play at the moment anyway.

So decided to ask chatgpt if I would be missing out on anything importing from 25 to 26 and this is what it told me. Is this correct? If so I'll be doing fresh save later but I am not so certain chatgpt is correct since I know many of you import year after year after year.

Ok from chatgpt on what I would be missing importing vs starting brand new save. Is this correct?

"1. New AI behavior & logic tweaks

• The AI is often rebalanced — for trades, lineups, drafts, etc. You may not see full effects unless starting fresh, since some logic is baked into how the save was set up.

2. New scouting/coaching systems or changes

• If OOTP 26 introduces a new scouting mechanic (e.g. changes to accuracy levels or coaching influence), those often require a new world to activate properly.

3. New contract and financial systems

• Any changes to how arbitration, international free agents, or team options work may not retroactively apply.
• League-wide finances, inflation, or valuation models may not update.

4. Updated default settings or rule changes

• MLB rule updates, league structure changes, or option years (like changes in minor league rules) might not take effect unless you start new.

5. New player development models

• Sometimes development arcs and aging curves are overhauled. Existing players will still follow the OOTP 25 model unless they were regenerated, meaning some of the new "life path" variety is lost.
  
  If you’re deeply invested in your current save — like a fictional league you’ve nurtured for years — importing is fine and totally playable. But if you want to experience all the new OOTP 26 systems and balances as intended, a new save is the way to go."

[Rain King]

Most of those are incorrect. Any changes to the AI, Scouting, Rules, etc. would affect your imported game.

When you import, all players are re-scouted based on the updates at the time of import (so you will likely see ratings shift around a bit depending on how much changed). Any new Rule options would be available in your Setting, etc.

There are some things, like adjustments to Player Creation, that might take a few seasons before you see any noticable changes but that is just based on how long it would take those players to move from the Pipeline to the Draft, through the minor leagues, etc.

One thing I would be careful about is if your current league has made any setting adjustments that are a lot different than the defaults. Extreme settings when moving from version to version could be very unpredictable in their results.

[DennisDenver]

Originally Posted by Rain King

Most of those are incorrect. Any changes to the AI, Scouting, Rules, etc. would affect your imported game.

When you import, all players are re-scouted based on the updates at the time of import (so you will likely see ratings shift around a bit depending on how much changed). Any new Rule options would be available in your Setting, etc.

There are some things, like adjustments to Player Creation, that might take a few seasons before you see any noticable changes but that is just based on how long it would take those players to move from the Pipeline to the Draft, through the minor leagues, etc.

One thing I would be careful about is if your current league has made any setting adjustments that are a lot different than the defaults. Extreme settings when moving from version to version could be very unpredictable in their results.

Thanks for response that is great to hear. Only changes I've made are little things like going ahead put the A's in Vegas, I expanded rosters by one, nothing big with adjusting anything with player dev speed or anything like that.

Great thanks!

[Pelican]

Some would suggest waiting until offseason to do your import. Of course, that advice is probably coming from users who sim through seasons in a few weeks or days (or hours). For those like me who play games out, it can take months to reach the postseason (and I have multiple sims running at any given time). So I have done mid-season imports, noted the changes in ratings, had to check my settings, without significant problems. And it is great to appreciate the new features.