HP's Pre-Review

[Honorable_Pawn]

For the first time ever, fully licensed by both the MLBPA and MLB.com!
Nice. OOTP now has both. You give action to get action. Although I only play fictional this is the type of thing that sells units. This is the type of thing that the casual Steam simulation-player is looking for before they commit $40. Very wise decision. I'm sure the cost of this addition will be more than made up for by additional Steam sales. Good job, team.


Over 150 authentic Minor League clubs with real logos and leagues, along with 8 international and several independent leagues, all with real rosters
Again, this is not a feature that is much of a selling point for me but we are starting to see more and more international players on the Steam hub including Asian, Australian, and South African. In fact, I have seen several posts that were written in Japanese on the Steam forums. Adding international leagues with real players will only further drive demand for this title. Nice addition.


All-new Historical Exhibition option! Pit any two teams throughout history against each other in a single game or a series, or replay any historic World Series matchup with accurate rosters
The third important addition that I will probably not benefit from directly but I can't wait to see the Dynasty Report forum blow up. This is a boon for the game and much needed. This feature is a gateway feature. The kind of thing that gets people to try it out and get them hooked.


Smarter, more cunning AI GMs and managers, with individualized personal approaches to roster-building, scouting, and finances
Ahhhh...now you're talking my language. I love the idea of personalized GM's. OOTP is the Crusader Kings II of baseball simulations. I can't wait to check this out. Even if it's not fully fleshed-out in this version it's nice to see that the idea has gone from being on the radar to being in the target. Great!!


Authentic minor league systems from 1919 through 2015 with a database of more than 100,000 real players
Man, this is definitely not a Madden roster update for OOTP this year. We're seeing one monster feature after another. I won't make much use of this but historical players (i.e. Stratomatic guys) are going to have a ball. I might actually fire-up a second universe and play a little historical. This has been on the wishlist of some of our most die-hard forum members for many years. It's nice to see them get some love. Great job, team.


For the first time ever, Out of the Park Baseball features FaceGen images for real players! With player aging, real-time emotion, and automatic uniform adjustment based on trades and free agency for most major leaguers, you're more in touch with your club than ever. One glance tells all!
This is the main reason I became a fictional guy all those years ago. I didn't want to have to mess with face-gen. This sounds huge. To huge to be true. I'm guessing that this is only for active major league players. I doubt we have facegens for 100's of thousands of historical players do we? Even if not, it's still a cool feature.


Improved in-game 3D engine - updated stadiums, moving player symbols, defensive shifts!
I'm not interested in this very much because I play fictional so I'll stick with 2-D images that I make myself. It's too bad that making stadiums is so hard because I'd love to use the 3-D feature in my fictional universe. Oh well. Nevertheless, adding defensive shifts and moving player symbols is a nice touch and very important features to add if we are going to drive Steam sales. Very smart to improve upon the foundation that was built last year.


It's easier than ever for armchair GMs and managers to build their baseball empire; from in-game upgrades to roster and league management controls, OOTP 17 is the best-looking and most-optimized visual experience yet.
This is where I usually gripe the most so I'm not really going to comment until I see it firsthand.


Building on its robust news system that reports on key events throughout your baseball universe, OOTP 17 now offers an automatically generated (and great-looking) headline and recap after each game.
Very cool. Can't wait to see this. As an avid reader of OOTP news I especially look forward to this feature. I wonder...Are milestones and playoff events getting the attention they deserve?


Need to bolster the bullpen or bring in someone to create a platoon at third base? Players facing such situations can now define their team needs and expect other GMs to make trade offers accordingly.
Oh, thank you. If this means what I think it means then this is by far the most-important improvement to the game to me. This means that the AI will have clearly defined needs and clearly defined goals. Assuming it works as intended this means that AI roster management just got a huge buff. I am right, no? This means AI roster management was seriously improved.


We've heard you! We know you love to use OOTP's powerful simulation engine - already the quickest in the sports strategy world - and it's now dramatically faster! New support for multi-core processors means OOTP 17 cranks through simulations and other tasks at up to 60% better speeds than last season.
Hell yeah!

[Déjà Bru]

For the first time ever, I do not feel greatly excited about the release of a new version of OOTPB. You are a fictional player like me, HP, and that explains why you review six selling points for OOTPB 17 thusly:

Although I only play fictional . . .

Again, this is not a feature that is much of a selling point for me . . .

The third important addition that I will probably not benefit from directly . . .

I won't make much use of this . . .

This is the main reason I became a fictional guy all those years ago . . .

I'm not interested in this very much . . .

So what you do find worthy are AI GM's with preferences (which I thought we already have), authentic minor leagues (you're a fictional player, remember?), improved interface (the screenshots look the same to me), headline and recap after each game (seriously, are you going to read all that?), defined trade needs (doesn't the AI already tailor its offers based on your roster weaknesses?), and a more powerful simulation engine (never really had a problem there because I learned to keep things simple).

Ah, listen. No sour grapes intended. Just needed to get my thoughts clear about OOTPB 17 by typing them out here. I will follow RtR and see if I pick up on anything that piques my interest.

[Honorable_Pawn]

Originally Posted by Déjà Bru

For the first time ever, I do not feel greatly excited about the release of a new version of OOTPB. You are a fictional player like me, HP, and that explains why you review six selling points for OOTPB 17 thusly:

So what you do find worthy are AI GM's with preferences (which I thought we already have), authentic minor leagues (you're a fictional player, remember?), improved interface (the screenshots look the same to me), headline and recap after each game (seriously, are you going to read all that?), defined trade needs (doesn't the AI already tailor its offers based on your roster weaknesses?), and a more powerful simulation engine (never really had a problem there because I learned to keep things simple).

Ah, listen. No sour grapes intended. Just needed to get my thoughts clear about OOTPB 17 by typing them out here. I will follow RtR and see if I pick up on anything that piques my interest.

Actually I was totally impressed with this version and all of the new features. Just because I won't use many of them doesn't mean that they aren't awesome.

[Habsfan18]

As a fictional player, I'm ecstatic about historical minors. The reason for this is because although I play fictional, I play fictional MLB to be specific. Basically, I create a complete alternate MLB history with all fictional players. The fact that I'll now have authentic affiliated minor leagues will make the experience even more enjoyable.

Like I stated previously, here's hoping the awesome mod community gets working on an all-in-one logo/uniform pack for those historical minors.

[The Wolf]

Originally Posted by Déjà Bru

For the first time ever, I do not feel greatly excited about the release of a new version of OOTPB. You are a fictional player like me, HP, and that explains why you review six selling points for OOTPB 17 thusly:

So what you do find worthy are AI GM's with preferences (which I thought we already have), authentic minor leagues (you're a fictional player, remember?), improved interface (the screenshots look the same to me), headline and recap after each game (seriously, are you going to read all that?), defined trade needs (doesn't the AI already tailor its offers based on your roster weaknesses?), and a more powerful simulation engine (never really had a problem there because I learned to keep things simple).

Ah, listen. No sour grapes intended. Just needed to get my thoughts clear about OOTPB 17 by typing them out here. I will follow RtR and see if I pick up on anything that piques my interest.

None of this appeals to you?

• For the first time ever, fully licensed by both the MLBPA and MLB.com!
• All the real Major League teams, players, and logos, including projected 2016 Opening Day rosters
• Over 150 authentic Minor League clubs with real logos and leagues, along with 8 international and several independent leagues, all with real rosters
• All major league player ratings - plus those of more than 1,000 minor leaguers - based on ZiPS, the projection system created by well-known baseball writer and SABR member Dan Szymborski
• Smarter, more cunning AI GMs and managers, with individualized personal approaches to roster-building, scouting, and finances

[Habsfan18]

OOTP 16's announced features had more of a "wow" factor than this year, IMO. At least in regards to my initial feelings. I think many would agree. We had HOF voting/plaques, All-Star voting, personalized managers, coach types, ownership goals, new player awards, improved finances, trophy case, independent leagues, rainouts, Pennant Chase, manager only mode, team backgrounds etc..

Last year, at least with the initial announcement, gave us many more new "wow" features when compared to this year.

But with that being said, there's no doubt in my mind that this will be the best version yet. They raise the bar every year, and I'm sure the new features will make an amazing game even better. We can all give our opinions on the pre-release stuff now, but we all know Markus, Matt and team will release an incredible product late March.

[HerbertMcHoover]

Not everything has been announced yet. There's still some Road to Release stuff and I bet a number of minor things not announced in a large scale yet (opt-outs were mentioned in a OOTP16 board thread.)

[T.J. Lauerman]

Great feedback, HP.

We really appreciate it and hope you have a great time with OOTP 17.

[baseballonly]

Nope.

Originally Posted by The Wolf

None of this appeals to you?

• For the first time ever, fully licensed by both the MLBPA and MLB.com!

So? It might help sell, but it doesn't effect me.

• All the real Major League teams, players, and logos, including projected 2016 Opening Day rosters

That was already there....if you mean real player facegens then you could do that with the AIO mod.

• Over 150 authentic Minor League clubs with real logos and leagues, along with 8 international and several independent leagues, all with real rosters

Again, this was there last year....

• All major league player ratings - plus those of more than 1,000 minor leaguers - based on ZiPS, the projection system created by well-known baseball writer and SABR member Dan Szymborski

I couldn't care less. No system is going to be accurate, as long as it's somewhat close then it's fine by me.

• Smarter, more cunning AI GMs and managers, with individualized personal approaches to roster-building, scouting, and finances

They say that every year and yet the AI never is all that good...

[The Wolf]

I'm really sorry that none of that pleases you. How about the multi-threading and the associated speed increase? Don't care about that either?

[Le Grande Orange]

Originally Posted by The Wolf

• Over 150 authentic Minor League clubs with real logos and leagues, along with 8 international and several independent leagues, all with real rosters

Regrettably, however, the leagues themselves are not quite as authentic in terms of matching up to their real-life counterparts.

It's become a perennial call of mine, but the minors are not simply duplicates of the majors, as OOTP would have you believe. The minor leagues have their own unique way of doing things, and I miss seeing that. It takes away some of the interesting ways professional baseball leagues operate (and keeps some interesting options out of the hands of fictional league users).

[Lukas Berger]

Originally Posted by baseballonly

That was already there....if you mean real player facegens then you could do that with the AIO mod.

Just want to add this fwiw, the facegens in the game now are of massively higher quality than in the AIO mod.

The AIO mod used pretty low-res pics for most faces. Many faces ended up being around 8-10kb in size and many looked awful. Plenty of undead and zombies wandering around as well.

Now the facegens are built entirely around ultra high-res pics and are typically around 100-500 kb's in size and I don't think any of them look awful and most look great, though some came out better than others of course.

[Habsfan18]

Originally Posted by lukasberger

Just want to add this fwiw, the facegens in the game now are massively higher quality than in the AIO mod.

The AIO mod used pretty low-res pics for most faces. Many faces ended up being around 8-10kb in size and many looked awful.

Now the facegens are built entirely around ultra high-res pics and are typically around 100-500 kb's in size and I don't think any of them look awful.

Have fictional game-created facegens been improved as well? I thought 16 was a big step up and had the best quality ones yet. Will they be even nicer looking this year?

[Lukas Berger]

Originally Posted by Habsfan18

Have fictional game-created facegens been improved as well? I thought 16 was a big step up and had the best quality ones yet. Will they be even nicer looking this year?

Idk, really. I have no concrete info on how much they've been worked on, if at all.

They look maybe a bit better to me on average, but that could just be how I see it.

[The Wolf]

Originally Posted by Le Grande Orange

Regrettably, however, the leagues themselves are not quite as authentic in terms of matching up to their real-life counterparts.

It's become a perennial call of mine, but the minors are not simply duplicates of the majors, as OOTP would have you believe. The minor leagues have their own unique way of doing things, and I miss seeing that. It takes away some of the interesting ways professional baseball leagues operate (and keeps some interesting options out of the hands of fictional league users).

LGO, I know that you know (and you know that I know) what an epic undertaking that will require. Sure, this is just a first pass, but simply getting what OOTP 17 is offering is wonderful in and of itself. Give the game time, and I'll bet that you'll be eventually be pleasantly surprised. Roma die uno non aedificata est.

[aslanking]

I've been a long time player since v3 I think and this is the first time I am underwhelmed by the anticipated release. As a fictional player only, none of the new gadgets and gizmos appeal to me.

All that said, I pretty much thought v16 was perfect and I was puzzling to think how they really could improve with v17. V17 looks to be simply be a facelift to me....and I still pre ordered!

[Le Grande Orange]

Originally Posted by The Wolf

LGO, I know that you know (and you know that I know) what an epic undertaking that will require.

Depends on which item one is talking about. The rescheduling of postponed games, for instance, is much simpler in the minor leagues than in the majors (and actually more closely resembles what the majors did in earlier eras). I haven't actually looked at exactly what the Asian leagues do in this regard; I'll be finding that out this year (see below).

I know a thing or two about epic undertakings.

Expanding a project I've been doing for the past three seasons, for 2016 I'm going to be creating a rudimentary yet massive game log file, recording for each and every game of the regular season, the final score, the game length in both time and outs, and the attendance, for the 14 affiliated leagues (from AAA down to Rookie Advanced), plus the 4 main independent leagues, the Mexican League, and the KBO and ***. This will probably take from one to two hours per day over the course of the 2016 season, depending on how many postponed, rescheduled, and suspended games there are to account for.

But there'll be a big bucket of beautiful, otherwise hard to obtain data at the end of it.

Originally Posted by The Wolf

Sure, this is just a first pass, but simply getting what OOTP 17 is offering is wonderful in and of itself.

Hey, OOTP 17 is what it is. And that's fine.

I'm just making my pitch for, someday, the league-level of things being shown a little more love. Leagues, and the way they operate, are interesting things. To me, at any rate.

[The Wolf]

LGO, I am sure that you will get your wish...in the fullness of time.

[Markus Heinsohn]

Originally Posted by aslanking

I've been a long time player since v3 I think and this is the first time I am underwhelmed by the anticipated release. As a fictional player only, none of the new gadgets and gizmos appeal to me.

I'm curious, what would have appealed to you (or the other fictional guys in this thread)?

Keep in mind, we have not announced everything yet, there are a lot more seemingly little improvements which impact every type of league.

[Izz]

Originally Posted by Markus Heinsohn

I'm curious, what would have appealed to you (or the other fictional guys in this thread)?

Promotion/relegation

*ducks and runs*

(Sorry, couldn't help myself)