OOTP 26 Patch Released: 26.8.82

[williamj_52]

We should be afraid it will sllip; and keep the pressure on so it doesn't

[Pelican]

Originally Posted by Baseballman2K5

Well said. I would like to see ZERO new features in next year's version and just clean up the bugs instead

I don't disagree with your sentiment (although I have not experienced the volume or variety of bugs that some claim); but that's a tough marketing play for the company ("Nothing new. Just Works Better"). As a dedicated user/player I enjoy some new features, but don't really need them each year. But new features are how you sell new versions.

As an aside I would totally buy a new model car that claimed no new features but promised the prior year's bugs had been fixed.

[Pelican]

It should be possible to walk and chew gum here. Add on a few new features to attract buyers, while devoting most of the developer hours to refining rough spots in the game. The trick is to make changes without upsetting the balance and performance of the game. The "doctrine of unintended consequences".

[Sweed]

Originally Posted by Pelican

It should be possible to walk and chew gum here. Add on a few new features to attract buyers, while devoting most of the developer hours to refining rough spots in the game. The trick is to make changes without upsetting the balance and performance of the game. The "doctrine of unintended consequences".

Pretty much the development model they use now. Some fixes work, some need tweaking over two or more versions to work, and some break something that already worked through the unintended consequences you mention (though some users would argue it didn't work, at least to their satisfaction). While OOTP is a small operation that is not the only reason these issues exist. EA, 2K, and most/all(?) developers have the same or similar issues.

Not you, but for those that want an "only fixes" version? It's not going to happen. It isn't realistic. Every year they release a game with new features and fixes. Many of those are under the hood. With all of that one of the biggest criticisms the developer gets is? "It's the same game as last year with updated rosters". They are now, and have always been in a no win situation.

[Baseballman2K5]

Originally Posted by Sweed

Pretty much the development model they use now. Some fixes work, some need tweaking over two or more versions to work, and some break something that already worked through the unintended consequences you mention (though some users would argue it didn't work, at least to their satisfaction). While OOTP is a small operation that is not the only reason these issues exist. EA, 2K, and most/all(?) developers have the same or similar issues.

Not you, but for those that want an "only fixes" version? It's not going to happen. It isn't realistic. Every year they release a game with new features and fixes. Many of those are under the hood. With all of that one of the biggest criticisms the developer gets is? "It's the same game as last year with updated rosters". They are now, and have always been in a no win situation.

Ya. I was stating that more so to show my frustration with the current game. I dont expect them to not add new features

[eas9898]

Originally Posted by Baseballman2K5

Well said. I would like to see ZERO new features in next year's version and just clean up the bugs instead

There are SO MANY interesting mechanics in this game that are ignored/undeveloped that the devs can spend a few seasons on fleshing them out, and it will seem like they are putting out a new game each season.


Not to mention all the QOL improvement opportunities.


These are all low-hanging fruit that if the devs invested in them with their time and effort would yield a great ROI, instead of trying to turn this into an graphics/action game, which already has plenty of titles out there in that niche.

[williamj_52]

should we download the new version or is it something we can ignore

[dishnet34]

Originally Posted by williamj_52

should we download the new version or is it something we can ignore

I'd recommend downloading it, but that's just me

[Pelican]

It's an individual decision each year how to handle the new version. For some it comes down to budget concerns. Others are cautious and want to wait out the first few months (even though each new version has been beta-tested before public release). I could never resist downloading the new version at the first opportunity. [Not that I immediately transfer my ongoing sims right away.] If you play a lot, you will notice the upgrades and appreciate the changes.

[Baseballman2K5]

Originally Posted by Baseballman2K5

Couldve sworn I uploaded the pic....

I'm seeing such bad AI everywhere. 50 range at SS, all other D ratings below 50. I see a LOT of teams with 3 OF, and their lowest range rating is playing CF. I see 50 range in CF, 65 range on the corners...all the time.

The AI is absolutely broken

[williamj_52]

Originally Posted by Matt Arnold

We have officially released the patch that has been up. The new version is 26.8.82. Please keep us updated if you encounter any issues.

Update Info for our webstore customers: To apply the update, simply download the setup file and install it over your current installation. There is no need to uninstall or unlicense your current copy! However, you should quit the game before installing it, of course. Updates always contain all the changes from previous updates. Saved games are compatible between different versions. Steam users the update should apply automatically when you next load up the game.

Changelist 26.8.82

• Randomizes some KFL players
• Fixed ratings on new fictional game inaugural draft class
• Fixed some issues with the alternate skin
• Fixed some issues of AI teams releasing players immediately after signing
• Added new MLB facegens
• Updated Historical Database
• Fixed playoff series leader text in pre-game header text
• Fixed occasional mac crash on coach page
• PT: Added tournament reward icons back to the tournament list
• PT: Fixed reward display popup showing only one pack type
• PT: Fixed missing subtypes in filter selection (like Mission Edition)
• PT: Added option to filter tournaments/drafts on the “Your Tournaments” page
• PT: Updated roster restriction year descriptions to be more precise
  2025 cards will be included in all restrictions that do not explicitly exclude the year
• PT: Fixed tournament buttons text alignment
• PT: Tournament list expanded entries will scale now with the text (reward icons are currently disabled)
• PT: Roster Builder Updates
  **Fixed export to new saved roster issue
  **Increased slots that can be saved to the server (to be applied in a separate server update later)
  **Added option to upload when saving roster
• PT: Selecting clubhouse card from missions page will go to clubhouse shop
• PT: Updated interface in some spots
• Misc roster updated, misc bug fixes, UI fixes

Important info for online leagues: This version is compatible for online leagues. The online league fixes should resolve when the commish updates their league file
About the Roster Builder slots update: We will be deploying an update to the amount slots available to be stored in the roster builder, from 25 to 40. We are unsure exactly when we will apply that update, we will announce when that decision has been finalized.

Download link for Windows PC (Fastspring Webstore Version):
Main server: PC Installer
Mirror: PC Mirror File


Here's a PC installer (Fastspring) that installs into a single folder, which is useful for external HDs for example. Or for creating a second test install of the game, so you can try the patch out without the risk of messing up your main install of the game if something is wrong in the patch:
PC Single Folder Installer

Download link for MacOS (FastSpring):
Main Server: MacOS Installer
Mirror: MacOS Mirror File

Thanks,
Matt + The OOTP Team

when we going toi gething higher than 26.8.8x2 like a 26.9.whateverf

[Bagpipes5]

Originally Posted by Baseballman2K5

I'm seeing such bad AI everywhere. 50 range at SS, all other D ratings below 50. I see a LOT of teams with 3 OF, and their lowest range rating is playing CF. I see 50 range in CF, 65 range on the corners...all the time.

The AI is absolutely broken

This is what is spurring my lack of play too. The AI is too all over the place. Some teams starting a 45 rated SS when a better one is available. Like your OF problem it's like they are just aligned improperly, there is a better fit. Guys with .450 OPS getting 500 ABs instead of being optioned/DFA'ed because they are a defensive wizard. I'm having issues with offensive output in general. This year only 6 players qualified with an OPS less than .650 in all of MLB but in my saves that number is usually doubled or more. But my favorite is simming to 2028 and seeing a 5'6" full time 1B Altuve or Bryce Harper becoming a full time catcher (again) at age 35.

[johndoe8865]

Yeah one of (if not all of) the last few patches have seriously regressed the CPU roster management AI in a major way. I haven't seen an OOTP left in this poor of a state, with a new game releasing in the next few months, in quite a long time.

It's not a great look.

[jcard]

Originally Posted by Bagpipes5

This is what is spurring my lack of play too. The AI is too all over the place. Some teams starting a 45 rated SS when a better one is available. Like your OF problem it's like they are just aligned improperly, there is a better fit. Guys with .450 OPS getting 500 ABs instead of being optioned/DFA'ed because they are a defensive wizard. I'm having issues with offensive output in general. This year only 6 players qualified with an OPS less than .650 in all of MLB but in my saves that number is usually doubled or more. But my favorite is simming to 2028 and seeing a 5'6" full time 1B Altuve or Bryce Harper becoming a full time catcher (again) at age 35.

If you look at the S+ pages of online leagues, you definitely see an excess of extremely low OPS+ among qualified batters (so C are not even being represented among these left tail cohorts). Seems that the defensive spectrum tendencies are overrepresented and not diverse enough; Corner OF and 1B overwhelmingly among leaders, CF and Middle IF similar among laggards. Of course, nature of OOTP engine amplifies effect hitting ability gap between good and bad hitters statistically (since, for example, too many league ABs used by very poor hitters means league totals are met by good hitters benefitting from relative ability variance). Now, I do not know whether this phenomenon is the result of misplaced manager emphasis on defensive ratings for more demanding defensive positions, or if the managers are in fact acting optimally for a game engine that places too much weight on defensive ability for said positions.

[Bagpipes5]

Originally Posted by jcard

If you look at the S+ pages of online leagues, you definitely see an excess of extremely low OPS+ among qualified batters (so C are not even being represented among these left tail cohorts). Seems that the defensive spectrum tendencies are overrepresented and not diverse enough; Corner OF and 1B overwhelmingly among leaders, CF and Middle IF similar among laggards. Of course, nature of OOTP engine amplifies effect hitting ability gap between good and bad hitters statistically (since, for example, too many league ABs used by very poor hitters means league totals are met by good hitters benefitting from relative ability variance). Now, I do not know whether this phenomenon is the result of misplaced manager emphasis on defensive ratings for more demanding defensive positions, or if the managers are in fact acting optimally for a game engine that places too much weight on defensive ability for said positions.

So what is it that you're trying to say? This was too tough to read, should have used AI.

[williamj_52]

This an old version that has been posted before. It is not new! Are we ever going to get a new version higher 26.8.82. There is nothing new about this one. I have got all the patches 26.8.82 and compared to this one and there is nothing new. new in the posting that was just done. When are we going to get a new version or are we stuck with this one until version 27

[Sweed]

Originally Posted by williamj_52

This an old version that has been posted before. It is not new! Are we ever going to get a new version higher 26.8.82. There is nothing new about this one. I have got all the patches 26.8.82 and compared to this one and there is nothing new. new in the posting that was just done. When are we going to get a new version or are we stuck with this one until version 27

Where does it say it is new? The first post is clearly dated Nov. 4,2025. Nobody is hiding anything. Yes, it was posted before as a BETA patch on Oct. 24,2025 and then finalized as the latest patch in this thread. The same way it's always been done.

Some users don't want to use a beta patch and wait for the latest patch, ie .82 in this instance, to be posted in it's own "released" thread. At the end of the day one could say it is the "newest patch" or one could say it's the "latest patch". Both statements would be true.

They just haven't stated either way if another patch is coming, which is what you want. Nothing wrong with asking if there will be one more. I hope you get a response be it "yes" or "no".

[jcard]

Originally Posted by Bagpipes5

So what is it that you're trying to say? This was too tough to read, should have used AI.

Yeah, but no. Takes either boldness to give advice like that, though … well, boldness and an apparent lack of self-awareness. Hope that was all clear enough for you.

[hefalumps]

Originally Posted by williamj_52

This an old version that has been posted before. It is not new! Are we ever going to get a new version higher 26.8.82. There is nothing new about this one. I have got all the patches 26.8.82 and compared to this one and there is nothing new. new in the posting that was just done. When are we going to get a new version or are we stuck with this one until version 27

I think you might be misinterpreting the fact that the post is bold and stickied at the top of the forum topics as an indication that a new patch has been released - unfortunately it just means that someone else has responded to the original "Patch released!" post. I have made this mistake in the past, seeing the bold post at the top thinking a new patch was out only to find that it was the same patch, but as Sweed pointed out, you can check this by looking at the date of the original post.

Of course now I have exacerbated the problem by replying to the post and bolding it again...

I too am hoping there is at least one more patch for 26 in the future. Usually by now I've imported my long-running league into the new version, but because of all the complaints I've read about the AI roster management, I've held off and am still playing 25.

[omg_pwnasaurus]

I would be fairly surprised if a new patch is relased a few months away from the release of an entirely new version. I imagine most if not all resources would be focused on that rollout.