The official OOTP 18 pre-order discussion thread

[cultbuscus]

Originally Posted by spritze

adjustment will be automagic.

praise be the baseball gods!!!

[BusterKing]

Originally Posted by Markus Heinsohn

The 20% discount is for the eSellerate version. No free Steam key for eSellerate pre-orders this year I am afraid. If you want to buy the Steam version then you'll have to wait for the official release on March 24, where it will launch with a 10% discount.

I pre-ordered like usual but just wondering, why no steam key? I must say I am disappointed about this backward step. Please reconsider.

[el_gringo]

Originally Posted by BusterKing

I pre-ordered like usual but just wondering, why no steam key? I must say I am disappointed about this backward step. Please reconsider.

Sounds like it might have more to do with Steam/Valve policy changes than any decision to change on the OOTP side, at least from what I've read elsewhere in response to this. Edit: to be clear, I'm not positive/speaking with any authority on the subject, this is just the impression I've gotten.

[kev24fan]

I placed my order when I got my email today. Looking forward to this game more than ever.

[Irrelevant Dude]

Originally Posted by BusterKing

I pre-ordered like usual but just wondering, why no steam key? I must say I am disappointed about this backward step. Please reconsider.

I am curious as well and will wait for the Steam release, but it isn't a huge deal. It will cost a few extra dollars to buy on Steam, but it is worth it to me to not have to worry about patching manually.

[Cod]

Originally Posted by el_gringo

Sounds like it might have more to do with Steam/Valve policy changes than any decision to change on the OOTP side, at least from what I've read elsewhere in response to this. Edit: to be clear, I'm not positive/speaking with any authority on the subject, this is just the impression I've gotten.

Other third party sellers (Greenman Gaming, Humble Bundle, etc.) still give allow you to receive Steam keys on preorders. This sounds like an eSellerate issue more than Steam. I know Steam takes a share of any game sales, so that could be the real issue...that's just speculation.

I don't mind waiting, paying a little extra, and supporting this developer specifically; however, I'd like to know more about "Steams policy changes" that dictate this because like I said, other third party sites still allow this.

[Spritze]

Originally Posted by Elysian Fields

Thanks for the answers! I meant the old Cuban League, but I see we'll get those Cuban players who played in the American Negro Leagues.

Awesome upgrade.

May include Cuban only players as free agents in the Negro Leagues if necessary. TBD.

[RchW]

Bought my usual two copies, one for me and my son for our shared birthday.

Slightly annoyed by the Steam thing but I'll get over it.

[Westheim]

Since I've buckled and got Steam, I get *everything* on Steam. Not because I love or like Steam, but because there's no point in maintaining two systems. So while this looks like one I'll buy, I'm not preordering. I wouldn't move my only league to 18 anyway before it's rock solid.

That being said, my question would be whether an old league migrated to OOTP 18 would still get the benefits of the updated injury system, which is my #1 bullet point with the new release.

[Markus Heinsohn]

Originally Posted by Katsox

Will we have the ability to import minor league players into the game using their MiLB ID the same way we can with major league players?

Yes

[Markus Heinsohn]

Originally Posted by Westheim

That being said, my question would be whether an old league migrated to OOTP 18 would still get the benefits of the updated injury system, which is my #1 bullet point with the new release.

Yes, it will

[Markus Heinsohn]

Originally Posted by Cod

Other third party sellers (Greenman Gaming, Humble Bundle, etc.) still give allow you to receive Steam keys on preorders. This sounds like an eSellerate issue more than Steam. I know Steam takes a share of any game sales, so that could be the real issue...that's just speculation.

I don't mind waiting, paying a little extra, and supporting this developer specifically; however, I'd like to know more about "Steams policy changes" that dictate this because like I said, other third party sites still allow this.

Here's my honest response: There are two issues that led us to the decision (which was a hard one).

First, reviews written by Steam users who got the key for free no longer count towards the game's user score, Steam changed their policy on this in September. And we need a high number of reviews in order to be considered for Steam promotions etc. We are still way too small that we can ignore the effect of this policy change which they instituted in order to fight artificially inflated user scores for games. For more info on this, see here: http://www.polygon.com/2016/9/13/129...s-abuse-ethics

Second, we thought about doing a regular Steam pre-order period with 20% off and beta access, however the guys at Steam strongly advised us to not do it, again the reason is that we're still too small and need all the launch-day excitement we can get (high number of sales on day 1) in order to get promoted by Steam and placed high in the charts.

Steam nowadays accounts for over 60% of our sales, and we need to do everything we can to get good visibility there. Unfortunately, this forces us to no longer give away free Steam keys this year. I am sorry.

[jpeters1734]

Originally Posted by Hoiles

3d highlights looks like a great idea. Hope I'm not jumping on this, but will it have a "no spoiler" option, as in, you can watch the highlights with the score hidden? That would be a dream for a quasi quicksimmer like me.

i'm also very curious about this. It would enhance online leagues for sure!

[RMc]

...will the historical minor leaguers be "freed" to play with historical fictional teams?

The other new features are sweet!

[rjl518]

I have a feeling that there are so many new features that you are not telling us about, Markus.
You are holding out on us again.
Not that I mind.
OOTP 18!
Is it out yet?

[David Watts]

Did the option for us to make it so historical players that missed the season of import (say I start in 1921 and Jim Unknown missed that season, and returns in 1922)don't return make it into the game? Reason I ask, is I like to create fictional historical leagues and zero out all prior history/stats to start fresh. This was easily done with prior versions(due to a bug---first bug I can honestly say I love), but not with 17, as when guys that missed a season import, they come in with all prior history.

[GeorgiaBowties]

Had to stop by the forums and give a HUGE thank you for adding promotion and relegation as well as tournaments! I have been a loyal OOTPer for awhile, but I have never been this excited about a release.

[Cod]

Originally Posted by Markus Heinsohn

Here's my honest response: There are two issues that led us to the decision (which was a hard one).

First, reviews written by Steam users who got the key for free no longer count towards the game's user score, Steam changed their policy on this in September. And we need a high number of reviews in order to be considered for Steam promotions etc. We are still way too small that we can ignore the effect of this policy change which they instituted in order to fight artificially inflated user scores for games. For more info on this, see here: http://www.polygon.com/2016/9/13/129...s-abuse-ethics

Second, we thought about doing a regular Steam pre-order period with 20% off and beta access, however the guys at Steam strongly advised us to not do it, again the reason is that we're still too small and need all the launch-day excitement we can get (high number of sales on day 1) in order to get promoted by Steam and placed high in the charts.

Steam nowadays accounts for over 60% of our sales, and we need to do everything we can to get good visibility there. Unfortunately, this forces us to no longer give away free Steam keys this year. I am sorry.

Thank you for the honest response. I still plan on supporting you guys on day 1 and I hope other Steam users feel the same way.

[drhay53]

Originally Posted by Markus Heinsohn

Here's my honest response: There are two issues that led us to the decision (which was a hard one).

First, reviews written by Steam users who got the key for free no longer count towards the game's user score, Steam changed their policy on this in September. And we need a high number of reviews in order to be considered for Steam promotions etc. We are still way too small that we can ignore the effect of this policy change which they instituted in order to fight artificially inflated user scores for games. For more info on this, see here: http://www.polygon.com/2016/9/13/129...s-abuse-ethics

Second, we thought about doing a regular Steam pre-order period with 20% off and beta access, however the guys at Steam strongly advised us to not do it, again the reason is that we're still too small and need all the launch-day excitement we can get (high number of sales on day 1) in order to get promoted by Steam and placed high in the charts.

Steam nowadays accounts for over 60% of our sales, and we need to do everything we can to get good visibility there. Unfortunately, this forces us to no longer give away free Steam keys this year. I am sorry.

This actually makes me quite happy to wait until Steam release day to buy the game. Hopefully you guys make a big splash

[eriqjaffe]

Originally Posted by kit444

Could you set up a Champions League structure with top teams from different countries?

You can already do that with League Associations. The only caveat is that it doesn't run concurrently with the regular seasons like the Champions League in Europe does, but as a post-season (or, post-post-season) tournament.