Q&A Thread about the Com2uS Acquisition - Page 4

bearcatbbal22 · 10-12-2020, 01:34 PM

nm

dkgo · 10-12-2020, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phillyboy19

While I am not nearly as active as I used to be on the forums, I am still very much a dedicated OOTP player. However, selling full ownership to a foreign phone company worries me. I fear that perfect team and microtransactions will take over the game. It feels like within half a decade this could be a very different game for all the wrong reasons. This is a company that has focused on games that are very pay to win and I feel as if Perfect Team will take over. I trust you Markus and Andreas, but how long until they decide that the bottom line is all that matters?

Understandable worry. FIFA is now solely focused on Ultimate Team while all the other modes have seen no improvement in a decade.

Markus Heinsohn · 10-12-2020, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OutS|der

Will this mean an increase of the team making the game and lead to even more features?

Yes, since it's just logical to invest in growth, that is indeed the long term plan.

Markus Heinsohn · 10-12-2020, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phillyboy19

I trust you Markus and Andreas, but how long until they decide that the bottom line is all that matters?

The bottom line is what matters to every business to a certain degree, of course. But we have proven that our approach works, and I am sure that it will work in the future, too.

api312 · 10-12-2020, 03:18 PM

Curious if com2us will be in charge of customer relations or the future direction of the game? I found OOTP after becoming completely fed up with com2us's baseball games. Knowing they are now leading the company gives me pause and really bums me out. The had the worst customer service attitude and most predatory tactics of any gaming company I've ever experienced. I promised myself I would never play another com2us owned game.

TheBrewCrew · 10-12-2020, 03:46 PM

I’m really trying to get excited for this but man, if people were complaining about the focus on PT and microtranactions before, this doesn’t help quell the nerves at all.

Praying I’m wrong but this feels like the beginning of the end.

Edit - the more I look into this new company, the worse it gets. God damn this is some terrible news.

Cryomaniac · 10-12-2020, 03:51 PM

Does this affect the customisation aspect of the game at all? I know that MLBPA already has some effect on the use of drug suspensions and the like, will this have any additional effect?

bearcatbbal22 · 10-12-2020, 03:53 PM

nm

TheBrewCrew · 10-12-2020, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dkgo

Understandable worry. FIFA is now solely focused on Ultimate Team while all the other modes have seen no improvement in a decade.

Exactly. Fifa kept saying they’ll focus on career mode and everything that Markus keeps saying they will.

Once they start making even more money from micro transactions, their focus will drift away. They say it won’t but it will.

It was nice while it lasted I guess.

ESL_Commish · 10-12-2020, 04:50 PM

FHM Is really the only good option for Hockey Management. id hate to see it dropped or cut (similar to what Sega/SI did to EHM), or worse...turned into a microtransaction nightmare...

what does the future look like for FHM?

Sweed · 10-12-2020, 04:52 PM

First I would say congrats to Marks, Andreas, Matt, and all of the rest. Nothing wrong with a person getting the rewards of all of their hard work, it really is quite an accomplishment with the game being started by a teenager in a dorm room

I certainly won't begrudge Markus taking this payday. Who am I to criticize a man making a living?

That doesn't mean this acquisition leaves me unworried. I take Markus at his word that things will continue as they have but.... unlike before he no longer has the final word. We are now in a world where a suit can come in and say bottom line comes first. I go back to OOTP moving to SI, things going along well, Sega buys SI, and a suit (I assume) decides OOTP doesn't fit into Sega plans and they're kicked to the curb. Their mistake, I guess, as look where OOTP is now. At least they left with the code.

With a bean counter OOTP could be turning a nice profit but, not at the right percentage. Suit says "doesn't justify the development costs" and it could be time to go.

My gut says Markus has taken this into consideration and believes any doom and gloom us users come up with will not happen. It's what we have to go with and the optimist in me thinks this is probably right. I think Markus would feel worse than me if OOTP proper went away.

With all of that said I have thought, with each new version, "if this version was the last I could play if forever". I hope I don't find out but it is true.

Sorry Markus, not trying to rain on your parade. I really am pleased for you and the team. Well deserved for all you have done over the years.

quillenl · 10-12-2020, 04:54 PM

Don't want to beat a dead horse, so will keep it short.

Com2us BBB Page

"Customer Complaint:
Com2Us came to BBB’s attention in June 2011. Complaints on file state accounts are hacked and consumers are unable to regain access.

Mail sent to the address BBB currently has on file for Com2Us at 2440 Sand Hill Rd. Menlo Park, CA has been returned by the post office as undeliverable. Without a local address BBB is unable to process complaints. According to our findings, this company is located in Seoul Korea."

1) There's not a great history of studios being acquired and continuing the quality they previously had. The history is even worse when we are speaking of acquisitions by Korean Market companies where the business models tend to be "different". Someone knows of a success story please enlighten me as I am open minded to being incorrect and would love a case study where a product continued it's success up to 5 years later.

2) There's zero indication anywhere I look that customer support is even relevant for Com2us. That might not matter in the short term when the current team is here on the forums... but it might not be a bad idea to consider steam purchases going forward. I'm not confident I'll be able to reinstall a license if I run into an issue down the line without these guys here on the forums helping out. With Steam you at least know you will have access to an older verision of OOTP in 2025 no matter what direction the game goes.

Com2us has seen increasing assets the last 3 years all while their revenue has been decreasing. They've been acquiring with an eye towards expanding to overseas markets. I can't imagine they are interested in long term growth in the PC market as there's ample opportunity to do that in Korea... so to me this is all about the potential of OOTP Go world wide for mobile and Perfect Team.

Mobile and Perfect Team fit their existing business wonderfully... the base game really does not.

No offense to Markus, but I've heard this exact press release from Bioware, Flagship Studios, Turbine Games, Westwood Studios, Lionhead Studios and others. People like to talk about how much this means for an increase in resources for a studio... but historically that has been anything but the case.

tldr version: Put serious consideration into buying a copy of this game on Steam if you expect to be playing it years from now.

quillenl · 10-12-2020, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweed

Sorry Markus, not trying to rain on your parade. I really am pleased for you and the team. Well deserved for all you have done over the years.

Quoted above because I feel the same way. My post comes across very negative, but I am nothing if not grateful for the OOTP experience I have had regardless of what things look like down the line.

Bluenoser · 10-12-2020, 05:09 PM

Well, it's not April 1st, so Congrats Markus & Team.

Just one question - 5 years from now will I still be able to play OOTP21 or will I run into licensing issues?

Thanks

Nersha · 10-12-2020, 06:33 PM

.

TheBrewCrew · 10-12-2020, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quillenl

Don't want to beat a dead horse, so will keep it short.

Com2us BBB Page

"Customer Complaint:
Com2Us came to BBB’s attention in June 2011. Complaints on file state accounts are hacked and consumers are unable to regain access.

Mail sent to the address BBB currently has on file for Com2Us at 2440 Sand Hill Rd. Menlo Park, CA has been returned by the post office as undeliverable. Without a local address BBB is unable to process complaints. According to our findings, this company is located in Seoul Korea."

1) There's not a great history of studios being acquired and continuing the quality they previously had. The history is even worse when we are speaking of acquisitions by Korean Market companies where the business models tend to be "different". Someone knows of a success story please enlighten me as I am open minded to being incorrect and would love a case study where a product continued it's success up to 5 years later.

2) There's zero indication anywhere I look that customer support is even relevant for Com2us. That might not matter in the short term when the current team is here on the forums... but it might not be a bad idea to consider steam purchases going forward. I'm not confident I'll be able to reinstall a license if I run into an issue down the line without these guys here on the forums helping out. With Steam you at least know you will have access to an older verision of OOTP in 2025 no matter what direction the game goes.

Com2us has seen increasing assets the last 3 years all while their revenue has been decreasing. They've been acquiring with an eye towards expanding to overseas markets. I can't imagine they are interested in long term growth in the PC market as there's ample opportunity to do that in Korea... so to me this is all about the potential of OOTP Go world wide for mobile and Perfect Team.

Mobile and Perfect Team fit their existing business wonderfully... the base game really does not.

No offense to Markus, but I've heard this exact press release from Bioware, Flagship Studios, Turbine Games, Westwood Studios, Lionhead Studios and others. People like to talk about how much this means for an increase in resources for a studio... but historically that has been anything but the case.

tldr version: Put serious consideration into buying a copy of this game on Steam if you expect to be playing it years from now.

Thank you for posting this. Exactly what I have come across as well.

Abysmal customer support and nothing but micro transactions.

This will absolutely affect the quality of ootp in the long run.

Anytime a company buys 100% of a company, the previous company is ****ed.

2020 just keeps getting worse.

TheBrewCrew · 10-12-2020, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barmy Fungy-Phipps

Very interesting news! I know some people (like myself) are very wary of microtransaction mobile games, but are happy with the balance that OOTP maintains with Perfect Team - does OOTP still get final say in how a product like Perfect Team makes its money?

To answer the 2nd part of your question since Markus avoided it...ootp just sold 100% of its rights to the company. Markus says they get to keep creative control but I think everyone knows that’s just not how it will work anymore.

PSUColonel · 10-12-2020, 06:43 PM

Yes, this is less than thrilling news to me.

mitchkenn · 10-12-2020, 06:55 PM

Well, it's Markus' company - or was- to do whatever he feels is best. i hope he's correct that the game with continue in the same vein. If not, i'll be happy playing 21 (or whatever) for quite a while now that i've switched over to Steam. Wishing Markus & Andreas all the best and crossing my toes it works out great for the long term. After all they have earned whatever rewards they have gathered.

luckymann · 10-12-2020, 07:04 PM

Sorry, for the uninitiated / less tech savvy: why is having bought it from Steam safer than from other outlets? If the OOTP21 app is sitting on my computer, isn't it there until I delete it?

10-12-2020, 01:34 PM	#61
bearcatbbal22 Minors (Double A) Join Date: May 2019 Posts: 131	nm Last edited by bearcatbbal22; 10-06-2021 at 10:32 PM.

10-12-2020, 03:18 PM	#65
api312 Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 23	Curious if com2us will be in charge of customer relations or the future direction of the game? I found OOTP after becoming completely fed up with com2us's baseball games. Knowing they are now leading the company gives me pause and really bums me out. The had the worst customer service attitude and most predatory tactics of any gaming company I've ever experienced. I promised myself I would never play another com2us owned game. Last edited by api312; 10-12-2020 at 03:23 PM.

10-12-2020, 03:46 PM	#66
TheBrewCrew Minors (Double A) Join Date: May 2018 Posts: 118	I’m really trying to get excited for this but man, if people were complaining about the focus on PT and microtranactions before, this doesn’t help quell the nerves at all. Praying I’m wrong but this feels like the beginning of the end. Edit - the more I look into this new company, the worse it gets. God damn this is some terrible news. Last edited by TheBrewCrew; 10-12-2020 at 03:47 PM.

10-12-2020, 03:51 PM	#67
Cryomaniac Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2007 Location: Hucknall, Notts, UK Posts: 4,903	Does this affect the customisation aspect of the game at all? I know that MLBPA already has some effect on the use of drug suspensions and the like, will this have any additional effect? __________________

10-12-2020, 03:53 PM	#68
bearcatbbal22 Minors (Double A) Join Date: May 2019 Posts: 131	nm Last edited by bearcatbbal22; 08-12-2025 at 02:28 PM.

10-12-2020, 04:50 PM	#70
ESL_Commish Minors (Double A) Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: California Posts: 113	whats the future of FHM? FHM Is really the only good option for Hockey Management. id hate to see it dropped or cut (similar to what Sega/SI did to EHM), or worse...turned into a microtransaction nightmare... what does the future look like for FHM?

10-12-2020, 04:52 PM	#71
Sweed Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Iowa Posts: 6,646	First I would say congrats to Marks, Andreas, Matt, and all of the rest. Nothing wrong with a person getting the rewards of all of their hard work, it really is quite an accomplishment with the game being started by a teenager in a dorm room I certainly won't begrudge Markus taking this payday. Who am I to criticize a man making a living? That doesn't mean this acquisition leaves me unworried. I take Markus at his word that things will continue as they have but.... unlike before he no longer has the final word. We are now in a world where a suit can come in and say bottom line comes first. I go back to OOTP moving to SI, things going along well, Sega buys SI, and a suit (I assume) decides OOTP doesn't fit into Sega plans and they're kicked to the curb. Their mistake, I guess, as look where OOTP is now. At least they left with the code. With a bean counter OOTP could be turning a nice profit but, not at the right percentage. Suit says "doesn't justify the development costs" and it could be time to go. My gut says Markus has taken this into consideration and believes any doom and gloom us users come up with will not happen. It's what we have to go with and the optimist in me thinks this is probably right. I think Markus would feel worse than me if OOTP proper went away. With all of that said I have thought, with each new version, "if this version was the last I could play if forever". I hope I don't find out but it is true. Sorry Markus, not trying to rain on your parade. I really am pleased for you and the team. Well deserved for all you have done over the years.

10-12-2020, 04:54 PM	#72
quillenl All Star Reserve Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 581	Don't want to beat a dead horse, so will keep it short. Com2us BBB Page "Customer Complaint: Com2Us came to BBB’s attention in June 2011. Complaints on file state accounts are hacked and consumers are unable to regain access. Mail sent to the address BBB currently has on file for Com2Us at 2440 Sand Hill Rd. Menlo Park, CA has been returned by the post office as undeliverable. Without a local address BBB is unable to process complaints. According to our findings, this company is located in Seoul Korea." 1) There's not a great history of studios being acquired and continuing the quality they previously had. The history is even worse when we are speaking of acquisitions by Korean Market companies where the business models tend to be "different". Someone knows of a success story please enlighten me as I am open minded to being incorrect and would love a case study where a product continued it's success up to 5 years later. 2) There's zero indication anywhere I look that customer support is even relevant for Com2us. That might not matter in the short term when the current team is here on the forums... but it might not be a bad idea to consider steam purchases going forward. I'm not confident I'll be able to reinstall a license if I run into an issue down the line without these guys here on the forums helping out. With Steam you at least know you will have access to an older verision of OOTP in 2025 no matter what direction the game goes. Com2us has seen increasing assets the last 3 years all while their revenue has been decreasing. They've been acquiring with an eye towards expanding to overseas markets. I can't imagine they are interested in long term growth in the PC market as there's ample opportunity to do that in Korea... so to me this is all about the potential of OOTP Go world wide for mobile and Perfect Team. Mobile and Perfect Team fit their existing business wonderfully... the base game really does not. No offense to Markus, but I've heard this exact press release from Bioware, Flagship Studios, Turbine Games, Westwood Studios, Lionhead Studios and others. People like to talk about how much this means for an increase in resources for a studio... but historically that has been anything but the case. tldr version: Put serious consideration into buying a copy of this game on Steam if you expect to be playing it years from now. __________________

10-12-2020, 05:09 PM	#74
Bluenoser Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: In The Moment Posts: 14,162	Well, it's not April 1st, so Congrats Markus & Team. Just one question - 5 years from now will I still be able to play OOTP21 or will I run into licensing issues? Thanks Last edited by Bluenoser; 10-12-2020 at 05:13 PM.

10-12-2020, 06:33 PM	#75
Nersha Minors (Double A) Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Canada Posts: 167	. . Last edited by Nersha; 08-19-2022 at 06:20 PM. Reason: .

10-12-2020, 06:43 PM	#78
PSUColonel Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 13,104	Yes, this is less than thrilling news to me.

10-12-2020, 06:55 PM	#79
mitchkenn Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Oregon, not by design Posts: 2,872	Well, it's Markus' company - or was- to do whatever he feels is best. i hope he's correct that the game with continue in the same vein. If not, i'll be happy playing 21 (or whatever) for quite a while now that i've switched over to Steam. Wishing Markus & Andreas all the best and crossing my toes it works out great for the long term. After all they have earned whatever rewards they have gathered. __________________ "This is my opening farewell " - Jackson Browne “They make a desolation and call it peace.” ― Agha Shahid Ali "Maybe she just has to sing, for the sake of the song - And who do I think that I am to decide that she's wrong." - Townes Van Zandt "I saw a young man leaning on his wooden crutch - He called out to me, 'Don't ask for so much' And a young woman leaning in her darkened door She cried out to me, 'Why not ask for more?' " - Leonard Cohen "Hello darkness, my old Friend ...." - Paul Simon Before Mays, before DiMaggio, there was Oscar Charleston. "All the lies about Babe Ruth are true." - Waite Hoyt Avatar is the late great Townes Van Zandt. rip.

10-12-2020, 07:04 PM	#80
luckymann Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2019 Posts: 13,259	Sorry, for the uninitiated / less tech savvy: why is having bought it from Steam safer than from other outlets? If the OOTP21 app is sitting on my computer, isn't it there until I delete it?