Baseball Game Watching and the Art of In-Game Screens

kq76 · 04-11-2006, 03:00 PM

Baseball Game Watching and the Art of In-Game Screens

I'm sad to say that I think they're "juuuuuust a bit outside..." the strike zone on the in-game screens. The following might seem long, but it's important. And best of all, there's pictures!

Let's take the big but simple broadcast view first [http://www.ootpbaseball2006.com/graphics//images/164.jpg]. That scoreboard font, while it may seem like a good idea, is just awful to look at. Those beady little pixels just don't come off well. At least put in some higher wattage lightbulbs to increase the contrast. The game generated logos and ballpark graphic, while you can substitute your own, really need some work. And you don't need the logos all over the bloody place including on the field. Yes, we know that the player in CF plays for the same team as the guy playing SS and all the other fielders. Lastly, if you're going to go for a dark look, then you really need to make that "game controls" window dark as well. As it is now it sticks out like a sore thumb. I thought the in-game screens of previous versions were bad, but this takes the cake. Sorry guys, but this one's a big fat mistake pitch.

Now let's talk about the screen I was really looking forward to, the small but detailed webcast view [http://www.ootpbaseball2006.com/graphics//images/173.jpg] . With so much information it is absolutely critical that it be organized well otherwise your eyes will be darting back and forth so much that you'll move on. At first glance it seems alright, but let's look at it a bit closer. What's the most important information in a baseball game? Well, the inning, the score, the # of outs, the balls and strikes, each pitch, the pitcher and the batter, and then the defense. Is all that there? Yes. But is it organized well? No, it is not. Why not?

Well, when you're watching a baseball game, or taking anything in for that matter, what you constantly focus on is what changes the most. What changes the most in a baseball game? Well, the game changes with each pitch. So, obviously, that should be the center of attention. Is it here? Yes, it is. Great! I really don't think you need that sad graphic of the batter, a 9 cell table will do just fine, so you could either be using some of that space for extra stuff or making the table bigger. But so far it's not too bad.

What changes the second most? The balls and strikes count. Where is that here? Well, the previous count is in the action, but not the current count. Where is it? Oh, it's tucked way to the upper left corner in small text. Why isn't it near the rest of the action? Why is it way over to the side in small text? So after every pitch we either have to figure out what 0-2 plus a ball is or look over to the left. Why not just make it simple stupid and put it as a result of the pitch?

Next is the # of outs. Where is that? Same place as the current count, which would be a good thing if only it were near the rest of the ongoing action.

What's new after every out? The pitcher-batter match-up, of course. Where is that? It's in a few places. But what we really care about are the face to face ratings (if you prefer ratings off, maybe we can have an option where this section shows the most basic stats instead). Where are they? Right in the center of the action. Great! Oh, but wait. For some silly reason they're on top of each other instead of side by side. Ask yourself the following question? Whenever you see a match-up of two opponents or a comparison of two of anything, how are their differences best displayed / in what way do you a get quicker picture of things? With the profiles stacked on top of each other or with A on the left and B on the right? That's right, with one on the left and the other on the right.

Basically, I like the idea of the action window, but I would have organized it far differently. Instead of:

Code:

------------------------------
               | Batter   
               | Ratings     
 Strike        |--------------
 Zone          | Pitcher 
               | Ratings
------------------------------
 Pitch               
 Sequence         
------------------------------

I would have had:

Code:

------------------------------
 Pitcher      |       Batter
 Ratings      |       Ratings
------------------------------
         |          |
 Pitcher | Strike   | Batter
 Picture | Zone     | Picture
         |          |
------------------------------
 Pitch               
 Sequence  
-----------------------------

Small player pics really do belong, even on a detailed stats view. It might be a bit bigger window, but not by much. It's the most important though. We'll make room for it.

The strike zone is just a table of 9 cells now, no image of a batter.

And pitch sequence would have gone in an intuitive order like:

1) 94mph - Fastball - Called Strike - 0-1

Rather than the, again, counter-intuitive current way.

You could also list the balls, strikes and outs at the bottom of the strike zone cell.

Okay, so that's the critical stuff. Now we can play with the extra stuff that doesn't change nearly as much. The following is left:

-the inning by inning scoreboard
-a log of previous action
-a ballpark image with the defenders and dimensions
-the lineups
-batter-pitcher stats

Let's split up the screen into a table of 12 cells or window like so:

Code:

----------------
  1 |  2 |  3
  4 |  5 |  6
  7 |  8 |  9
 10 | 11 | 12
----------------

They don't all have to be the same size. This is just so you get the general idea.

The action window we talked about previously is of course the center of attention so let's keep it in the top middle (cells 2 and 5).

MLB's Gameday, although not perfect, is at least organized fairly well in my mind. I'd then do as MLB does by putting the ballpark in the top left (cell 1 and 4).

Then, as I and most people are right-handed and as a result our eyes tend to drift that way naturally, we'll put the small scorebard in the top right corner where it will easily catch our attention (top of cell 3).

Right below the scoreboard I'd put a scrollable log (cell 6 and bottom of 3), which I've always found frustrating that it's not in OOTP already.

Before we go too far, we really should put the input/output window somewhere prime. The bottom right, for the same reasons as the last two is prime real estate so let's put it there (cells 9 and 12).

The batter and pitcher stats really do belong in the same column as the other batter and pitcher match-up info so let's put them underneath that (cells 8 and 11). The past stats are less critical than the current ratings to compare them so I don't have nearly as much problem with stacking them as I do stacking their ratings or basic stats.

Finally, the lineups look good under the ballpark image so let's leave them at the middle to bottom left (cells 7 and 10). I'd swap their placements every half inning though so the lineups for the pitcher's and batter's teams are next to the pitcher's and batter's stats.

So, in the end we'd have something like this:

Code:

------------------------------------
          |         | Scoreboard 
 Ballpark | Action  | -------------
 Graphic  |         | Action
          |         | Log    
------------------------------------
 Home    | Pitcher  | Input
 Lineup  | Stats    | Output
--------------------
 Away    | Batter   | 
 Lineup  | Stats    |
------------------------------------

Above all, please make the action window better. After that, please make it so that we can move the windows around however we like.

disposableheros · 04-11-2006, 03:28 PM

its going to take me a bit to soak all this in, but to get started, i do agree with your comment about not needing the team logo on the field in the play-by-play screen. it just mucks it up with too much info. its too busy. i dont mind the font so much, but the highlighted player (current batter) should be brighter than it is if its going to remain this font.

something i noticed, not sure if you mentioned it (havent finished reading it all

)...there is too much on this screen http://www.ootpbaseball2006.com/grap...images/168.jpg DOB, HT, WT, AGE should be removed and Bats can be condensed to LH/RH (or even L/R) instead of left/right, so that the stat lines can be bigger and better seen.

MorseMoose · 04-11-2006, 04:35 PM

I agree with just about everything said in this thread. As it sits, I will be using the simple broadcast view because the other one seems to clustered and unorganized. But you hit the nail on the head for the simple broadcast view. At first glance, I saw exactly the same thing you did and hated it.

Now, I like playing my games out, but I'm not sure I like what we have here. Things could obviously change and when I do play them, I may change; but I'm a little disappointed by the screens. Oh well, can't like everything.

Qrusher14242 · 04-11-2006, 04:54 PM

Yeah, it doesnt look as organized as in FM. Especially the 2nd view.I'd move the "Austin Legends Batting" and "Minneapolis Defense" Windows below the Pitching and Batting windows that are below it now.Also on the first screen, it shouldnt have MIN everywhere. It wouldnt be bad if the Logos were smaller.

Also, the OPS seems to be cust on the bottom left. Also i hope he doesnt mean we have to enter in the coordinates for the players of the field like last time. Dunno why we cant just drag and drop them.

mrbill · 04-11-2006, 04:58 PM

What you described, especially the "Action" window with hitter/pitcher stats/pictures and the strike zone, is EXACTLY how MLB.com GameCast has their "Action" window set up.

I would suggest people calling up a game there (its free), and checking out how they display a game in progress.

They fit A LOT into a very small window and its mostly very intuitive. With more real estate in OOTP, some of the trouble GameCast has in fitting lineups and box scores on a screen would go away.

Boozie1580 · 04-11-2006, 05:22 PM

I agree with pretty much everything here. I think something modeled after the MLB Gamecast would be MUCH better than what we have here. I think that the new in-game screen is a step down from the ones from OOTP5 and 6. Hopefully the thoughts in this thread are taken into account becuase this is a very important part of the game IMO.

andymac · 04-11-2006, 05:26 PM

Markus just mentioned in the other thread that "all the logos mucking up the screen" would actually be the players photo if a photo set were being used.

Bluenoser · 04-11-2006, 06:11 PM

While I agree overall with most of your points, something I'd like to point out about this one.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kq76

What's the most important information in a baseball game? Well, the inning, the score, the # of outs, the balls and strikes, each pitch, the pitcher and the batter, and then the defense.

That may be the most important information to you, but for someone like me who plays every game out I want all those stats there that tell me how a guy does vs L/H, how he hits between innings 4 - 6, how he does with runners in scoring position. Those kinds of things are more important to me.

Personally I like the web cast look very much and look forward to playing it. Now I may change my mind after I've played it a while, and I may not. But let's give it some time first before we pick it apart. The game hasn't even been released yet. We can't possibly tell if it will suit our needs or not until we've tried it for a while.

I'm not saying there isn't room for improvement, I'm just saying I'd like to try it the way it is and then come back with suggestions.

Boozie1580 · 04-11-2006, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BruceM

While I agree overall with most of your points, something I'd like to point out about this one.

That may be the most important information to you, but for someone like me who plays every game out I want all those stats there that tell me how a guy does vs L/H, how he hits between innings 4 - 6, how he does with runners in scoring position. Those kinds of things are more important to me.

Personally I like the web cast look very much and look forward to playing it. Now I may change my mind after I've played it a while, and I may not. But let's give it some time first before we pick it apart. The game hasn't even been released yet. We can't possibly tell if it will suit our needs or not until we've tried it for a while.

I'm not saying there isn't room for improvement, I'm just saying I'd like to try it the way it is and then come back with suggestions.

Yes, these things are important too, but more important than the game situation (outs, etc) and who the pitcher/batter is?

Bluenoser · 04-11-2006, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boozie1580

Yes, these things are important too, but more important than the game situation (outs, etc) and who the pitcher/batter is?

Like I said, to me they are. Besides, that info is there. I just like the other stuff, especially when If I'm controlling every at bat. I want all that extra info there.

Everyone has their own preference to what info they'd like to see. For me, I like what I see now.

Joe Canadian · 04-11-2006, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andymac

Markus just mentioned in the other thread that "all the logos mucking up the screen" would actually be the players photo if a photo set were being used.

That doesn't make me feel any better... now instead of logos we just have photos mucking up the screen.

kq76 · 04-11-2006, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrbill

What you described, especially the "Action" window with hitter/pitcher stats/pictures and the strike zone, is EXACTLY how MLB.com GameCast has their "Action" window set up.

What I recommended is not exactly how gamecast is set up. It is closer to it than OOTP's is though. The key differences are: the batter-pitcher ratings are at the top (gamecast has none, but if you want an option for basic stats then you have to mouseover the player pics in gamecast to get them), between the player pics is the strike zone not the inning/balls/strikes/outs, there's no silly batter graphic taking up precious space. Most importantly though, the batter/pitcher match-ups are facing one another like in gamecast, not stacked like in OOTP.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrbill

I would suggest people calling up a game there (its free), and checking out how they display a game in progress.

They fit A LOT into a very small window and its mostly very intuitive. With more real estate in OOTP, some of the trouble GameCast has in fitting lineups and box scores on a screen would go away.

I agree. While theirs isn't perfect, it really is pretty good and I imagine it went through a whole lot of feedback before it got to the point it is at. There's only a couple things about it I would change if I could.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BruceM

That may be the most important information to you, but for someone like me who plays every game out I want all those stats there that tell me how a guy does vs L/H, how he hits between innings 4 - 6, how he does with runners in scoring position. Those kinds of things are more important to me.

I can understand how situational stuff might be very important to some people, but I can't at all understand "how he does with runners in scoring position" could possibly be more important than knowing the balls, strikes, outs, etc. Situational stats is the extra stuff and there's just way too much of it to possibly put in the prime areas. Besides, if you don't know the game situation, it really doesn't matter what the extra stuff is because the latter is predicated on the former. I don't at all have a problem with having it on the screen, just not in the action areas.

EDIT: Now that I look back, when I was talking about what you quoted I was asking if it was there, not where it was. Maybe your main point was just that it wasn't there. Well, like ESPN gamecast's bottom ticker, I think it'd be great to have a small area of the screen for it in OOTP (maybe between cells 8 and 11 or just below 11) where it also shows some of this interesting situational stuff pass by.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BruceM

Personally I like the web cast look very much and look forward to playing it. Now I may change my mind after I've played it a while, and I may not. But let's give it some time first before we pick it apart. The game hasn't even been released yet. We can't possibly tell if it will suit our needs or not until we've tried it for a while.

I'm not saying there isn't room for improvement, I'm just saying I'd like to try it the way it is and then come back with suggestions.

If you watch enough baseball on tv and the computer over the years, I think you can instantly spot glaring weakpoints in how something is organized without having to play the game. That's what screenshots are usually for, to give us a quick idea of whether we'll like the program and I'd bet most people can tell within seconds of seeing a screenshot whether the program, whatever it is, is good or not.

As in the past, once the game is released the in-game screens most likely will not get changed much if any and it might not for a number of versions. Right now I imagine Markus is not yet married to the design and could still be convinced to take the little steps above to drastically improve it. Once the game comes out, I doubt it. The way I see it, it's now or maybe never.

Long_Long_Name · 04-12-2006, 12:38 AM

I haven't studied the webcast much, but I do agree with some elements about the broadcast:

- The lightbulb-type font is very, very tacky, and hard to read in the lineup. I think it's appropriate for the scoreboard, however.

- The team logos do need some work - at least if they were the basic circles we see everywhere, with a centered lettering, it would look ok - but that italic, weirdo-looking thing reminds me of OOTP3, and it's quite ugly.

- The team logo does not have to be everywhere, you are right. For player photos, it seems appropriate, but it just should not be there if there are no pictures, team logos should not appear on the field.

Bluenoser · 04-12-2006, 04:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kq76

If you watch enough baseball on tv and the computer over the years, I think you can instantly spot glaring weakpoints in how something is organized without having to play the game. That's what screenshots are usually for, to give us a quick idea of whether we'll like the program and I'd bet most people can tell within seconds of seeing a screenshot whether the program, whatever it is, is good or not.

Well, I don't watch baseball on the computer, no need to when there's plenty on TV and I can watch it on a big screen vs a small monitor.

Also I would never ever decide on whether a game is good or not based on a screenshot.

Like I said, you make some good points, but I like having that statistical information there. When I watch a game on TV I really enjoy it more when they show the stats on how a guy does in certain situations. It adds another dimmension to my enjoyment. Yes, balls and strikes are important, and they are available in those screen shots, but those extra things are equally or more important to me. Right now in 6.5 if you want that info, half of it isn't available without sifting through a bunch of steps. Having it all there at the tip of my fingers will be great.

mrbill · 04-12-2006, 04:50 AM

Well, the basic game info is necessary, and some real basic stats on the player (avg, rbi, HR, and game performance so far) and having "extra statistics" come up like on TV would just require some extra real estate to have it scroll by or pop-up.

Really, there's too many second-level statistics (avg vs RHP, HR vs this team, RBI in april) to make room for all of them constantly.

Cras · 04-12-2006, 09:53 AM

i would have made the web view almost identical to MLB.com's gamecast. Simple and streamlined. But I do understand why you would want to add more stas and so I really don't have too much problem with it. My beef was with the pre-game screen but it seems that has been noted.

rcbuss · 04-14-2006, 09:09 AM

The DMB website has an article on the setup of the Game Screen, and the rationale behind it.

http://www.diamond-mind.com/products...n9/v9gmscr.htm

Eugene Church · 04-14-2006, 01:45 PM

Agree with Kq76...the game screen needs a lot of work.

It is just too dark...don't care for the black background...please lighten it up some.

The font is very poor...don't care for the dots...get something that is easier to read.

Logos are poor...some are off-center...just put them on the scoreboard and make them large enough to show up well...like they do on the Free agents screen in OOTP6...when you want to sign a free agent.

I hope we can use our own logos and remove the game logos.

No logo, team name or photo is needed on the field...put some useful information like the players CURRENT fielding percentage along with his arm and range.

The graphics on the game screen really needs some work.

mbd · 04-22-2006, 02:35 AM

Although it's a low-budget game this has most of what I'd want to see in OOTP:

In-Game Screen Example

I like the brightness and player photos and strike zone with pitch list for the at-bat. I'd like to see a bigger field diagram so we could have animated 2D players like in CM.

04-11-2006, 03:00 PM	#1
kq76 Global Moderator Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 11,994	Baseball Game Watching and the Art of In-Game Screens Baseball Game Watching and the Art of In-Game Screens I'm sad to say that I think they're "juuuuuust a bit outside..." the strike zone on the in-game screens. The following might seem long, but it's important. And best of all, there's pictures! Let's take the big but simple broadcast view first [http://www.ootpbaseball2006.com/graphics//images/164.jpg]. That scoreboard font, while it may seem like a good idea, is just awful to look at. Those beady little pixels just don't come off well. At least put in some higher wattage lightbulbs to increase the contrast. The game generated logos and ballpark graphic, while you can substitute your own, really need some work. And you don't need the logos all over the bloody place including on the field. Yes, we know that the player in CF plays for the same team as the guy playing SS and all the other fielders. Lastly, if you're going to go for a dark look, then you really need to make that "game controls" window dark as well. As it is now it sticks out like a sore thumb. I thought the in-game screens of previous versions were bad, but this takes the cake. Sorry guys, but this one's a big fat mistake pitch. Now let's talk about the screen I was really looking forward to, the small but detailed webcast view [http://www.ootpbaseball2006.com/graphics//images/173.jpg] . With so much information it is absolutely critical that it be organized well otherwise your eyes will be darting back and forth so much that you'll move on. At first glance it seems alright, but let's look at it a bit closer. What's the most important information in a baseball game? Well, the inning, the score, the # of outs, the balls and strikes, each pitch, the pitcher and the batter, and then the defense. Is all that there? Yes. But is it organized well? No, it is not. Why not? Well, when you're watching a baseball game, or taking anything in for that matter, what you constantly focus on is what changes the most. What changes the most in a baseball game? Well, the game changes with each pitch. So, obviously, that should be the center of attention. Is it here? Yes, it is. Great! I really don't think you need that sad graphic of the batter, a 9 cell table will do just fine, so you could either be using some of that space for extra stuff or making the table bigger. But so far it's not too bad. What changes the second most? The balls and strikes count. Where is that here? Well, the previous count is in the action, but not the current count. Where is it? Oh, it's tucked way to the upper left corner in small text. Why isn't it near the rest of the action? Why is it way over to the side in small text? So after every pitch we either have to figure out what 0-2 plus a ball is or look over to the left. Why not just make it simple stupid and put it as a result of the pitch? Next is the # of outs. Where is that? Same place as the current count, which would be a good thing if only it were near the rest of the ongoing action. What's new after every out? The pitcher-batter match-up, of course. Where is that? It's in a few places. But what we really care about are the face to face ratings (if you prefer ratings off, maybe we can have an option where this section shows the most basic stats instead). Where are they? Right in the center of the action. Great! Oh, but wait. For some silly reason they're on top of each other instead of side by side. Ask yourself the following question? Whenever you see a match-up of two opponents or a comparison of two of anything, how are their differences best displayed / in what way do you a get quicker picture of things? With the profiles stacked on top of each other or with A on the left and B on the right? That's right, with one on the left and the other on the right. Basically, I like the idea of the action window, but I would have organized it far differently. Instead of: Code: ------------------------------ \| Batter \| Ratings Strike \|-------------- Zone \| Pitcher \| Ratings ------------------------------ Pitch Sequence ------------------------------ I would have had: Code: ------------------------------ Pitcher \| Batter Ratings \| Ratings ------------------------------ \| \| Pitcher \| Strike \| Batter Picture \| Zone \| Picture \| \| ------------------------------ Pitch Sequence ----------------------------- Small player pics really do belong, even on a detailed stats view. It might be a bit bigger window, but not by much. It's the most important though. We'll make room for it. The strike zone is just a table of 9 cells now, no image of a batter. And pitch sequence would have gone in an intuitive order like: 1) 94mph - Fastball - Called Strike - 0-1 Rather than the, again, counter-intuitive current way. You could also list the balls, strikes and outs at the bottom of the strike zone cell. Okay, so that's the critical stuff. Now we can play with the extra stuff that doesn't change nearly as much. The following is left: -the inning by inning scoreboard -a log of previous action -a ballpark image with the defenders and dimensions -the lineups -batter-pitcher stats Let's split up the screen into a table of 12 cells or window like so: Code: ---------------- 1 \| 2 \| 3 4 \| 5 \| 6 7 \| 8 \| 9 10 \| 11 \| 12 ---------------- They don't all have to be the same size. This is just so you get the general idea. The action window we talked about previously is of course the center of attention so let's keep it in the top middle (cells 2 and 5). MLB's Gameday, although not perfect, is at least organized fairly well in my mind. I'd then do as MLB does by putting the ballpark in the top left (cell 1 and 4). Then, as I and most people are right-handed and as a result our eyes tend to drift that way naturally, we'll put the small scorebard in the top right corner where it will easily catch our attention (top of cell 3). Right below the scoreboard I'd put a scrollable log (cell 6 and bottom of 3), which I've always found frustrating that it's not in OOTP already. Before we go too far, we really should put the input/output window somewhere prime. The bottom right, for the same reasons as the last two is prime real estate so let's put it there (cells 9 and 12). The batter and pitcher stats really do belong in the same column as the other batter and pitcher match-up info so let's put them underneath that (cells 8 and 11). The past stats are less critical than the current ratings to compare them so I don't have nearly as much problem with stacking them as I do stacking their ratings or basic stats. Finally, the lineups look good under the ballpark image so let's leave them at the middle to bottom left (cells 7 and 10). I'd swap their placements every half inning though so the lineups for the pitcher's and batter's teams are next to the pitcher's and batter's stats. So, in the end we'd have something like this: Code: ------------------------------------ \| \| Scoreboard Ballpark \| Action \| ------------- Graphic \| \| Action \| \| Log ------------------------------------ Home \| Pitcher \| Input Lineup \| Stats \| Output -------------------- Away \| Batter \| Lineup \| Stats \| ------------------------------------ Above all, please make the action window better. After that, please make it so that we can move the windows around however we like. __________________ My OOTP Wishlist \| My FAQ List OOTP Wiki \| Your Recommended Team Nicknames, By City (A Crowdsourced Project) For Beta/Devs: Full screen (1920x1080) Last edited by kq76; 04-11-2006 at 03:02 PM.

04-11-2006, 03:28 PM	#2
disposableheros Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 4,332	its going to take me a bit to soak all this in, but to get started, i do agree with your comment about not needing the team logo on the field in the play-by-play screen. it just mucks it up with too much info. its too busy. i dont mind the font so much, but the highlighted player (current batter) should be brighter than it is if its going to remain this font. something i noticed, not sure if you mentioned it (havent finished reading it all )...there is too much on this screen http://www.ootpbaseball2006.com/grap...images/168.jpg DOB, HT, WT, AGE should be removed and Bats can be condensed to LH/RH (or even L/R) instead of left/right, so that the stat lines can be bigger and better seen. __________________ 2 Wild Cards, 11 Division Champs, 4 League Champs, 3 World Champs, and 3 Best GM awards Baseball Maelstrom - New York Mets - 180-149 .547 Corporate League Baseball - Coke Buzz - 889-649 .578 Western Hemisphere Baseball League - Santiago Saints - 672-793 .459 Record - 2428-2271 .517 Last edited by disposableheros; 04-11-2006 at 03:33 PM.

04-11-2006, 04:58 PM	#5
mrbill All Star Reserve Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: LA, CA Posts: 982	What you described, especially the "Action" window with hitter/pitcher stats/pictures and the strike zone, is EXACTLY how MLB.com GameCast has their "Action" window set up. I would suggest people calling up a game there (its free), and checking out how they display a game in progress. They fit A LOT into a very small window and its mostly very intuitive. With more real estate in OOTP, some of the trouble GameCast has in fitting lineups and box scores on a screen would go away. __________________ UBL - Best Online League Evar! - Los Angeles Dodgers: 25 seasons, 13 NL West titles, 4 WC, 8 NL Titles, 5-time Champs LBB v5 league (retired) - Detroit Tigers/Commish: 19 seasons, 18 straight AL Central titles, 2006, 2008, 2014, 2015 Champs! NGBL v6 league (dead) - Texas Rangers: 10 seasons, 4 AL South titles, 2 Wild Cards, one WS app

04-11-2006, 05:22 PM	#6
Boozie1580 All Star Starter Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: MD Posts: 1,255	I agree with pretty much everything here. I think something modeled after the MLB Gamecast would be MUCH better than what we have here. I think that the new in-game screen is a step down from the ones from OOTP5 and 6. Hopefully the thoughts in this thread are taken into account becuase this is a very important part of the game IMO. __________________

04-11-2006, 05:26 PM	#7
andymac Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Effingham, IL Posts: 5,725	Markus just mentioned in the other thread that "all the logos mucking up the screen" would actually be the players photo if a photo set were being used. __________________ June Madness: Links FTB: andymac

04-11-2006, 04:35 PM	#3
MorseMoose Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 6,023 Infractions: 1/1 (1)	I agree with just about everything said in this thread. As it sits, I will be using the simple broadcast view because the other one seems to clustered and unorganized. But you hit the nail on the head for the simple broadcast view. At first glance, I saw exactly the same thing you did and hated it. Now, I like playing my games out, but I'm not sure I like what we have here. Things could obviously change and when I do play them, I may change; but I'm a little disappointed by the screens. Oh well, can't like everything.

04-11-2006, 04:54 PM	#4
Qrusher14242 All Star Starter Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: CA Posts: 1,253	Yeah, it doesnt look as organized as in FM. Especially the 2nd view.I'd move the "Austin Legends Batting" and "Minneapolis Defense" Windows below the Pitching and Batting windows that are below it now.Also on the first screen, it shouldnt have MIN everywhere. It wouldnt be bad if the Logos were smaller. Also, the OPS seems to be cust on the bottom left. Also i hope he doesnt mean we have to enter in the coordinates for the players of the field like last time. Dunno why we cant just drag and drop them.

04-12-2006, 12:38 AM	#13
Long_Long_Name Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Montréal Posts: 7,065	I haven't studied the webcast much, but I do agree with some elements about the broadcast: - The lightbulb-type font is very, very tacky, and hard to read in the lineup. I think it's appropriate for the scoreboard, however. - The team logos do need some work - at least if they were the basic circles we see everywhere, with a centered lettering, it would look ok - but that italic, weirdo-looking thing reminds me of OOTP3, and it's quite ugly. - The team logo does not have to be everywhere, you are right. For player photos, it seems appropriate, but it just should not be there if there are no pictures, team logos should not appear on the field. __________________ Beta Baseball. Join it! Last edited by Long_Long_Name; 04-12-2006 at 12:40 AM.

04-12-2006, 04:50 AM	#15
mrbill All Star Reserve Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: LA, CA Posts: 982	Well, the basic game info is necessary, and some real basic stats on the player (avg, rbi, HR, and game performance so far) and having "extra statistics" come up like on TV would just require some extra real estate to have it scroll by or pop-up. Really, there's too many second-level statistics (avg vs RHP, HR vs this team, RBI in april) to make room for all of them constantly. __________________ UBL - Best Online League Evar! - Los Angeles Dodgers: 25 seasons, 13 NL West titles, 4 WC, 8 NL Titles, 5-time Champs LBB v5 league (retired) - Detroit Tigers/Commish: 19 seasons, 18 straight AL Central titles, 2006, 2008, 2014, 2015 Champs! NGBL v6 league (dead) - Texas Rangers: 10 seasons, 4 AL South titles, 2 Wild Cards, one WS app

04-12-2006, 09:53 AM	#16
Cras Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: LEO Posts: 3,789	i would have made the web view almost identical to MLB.com's gamecast. Simple and streamlined. But I do understand why you would want to add more stas and so I really don't have too much problem with it. My beef was with the pre-game screen but it seems that has been noted. __________________ The Chicago White Sox 1906, 1917, 2005 World Series Champions 1900, 1901, 1906, 1917, 1919, 1959, 2005 American League Champions 2000, 2005, 2008 American League Central Division Champions 1983, 1993 American League West Division Champions OOTP \| Orbiter \| SSMS \| FSX \| LoL \| MLP:FIM!

04-14-2006, 09:09 AM	#17
rcbuss Minors (Triple A) Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Mauston, WI Posts: 226	The DMB website has an article on the setup of the Game Screen, and the rationale behind it. http://www.diamond-mind.com/products...n9/v9gmscr.htm __________________ Robert C Buss FOBL Mauston Mad Cows

04-14-2006, 01:45 PM	#18
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 36,188	Agree with Kq76...the game screen needs a lot of work. It is just too dark...don't care for the black background...please lighten it up some. The font is very poor...don't care for the dots...get something that is easier to read. Logos are poor...some are off-center...just put them on the scoreboard and make them large enough to show up well...like they do on the Free agents screen in OOTP6...when you want to sign a free agent. I hope we can use our own logos and remove the game logos. No logo, team name or photo is needed on the field...put some useful information like the players CURRENT fielding percentage along with his arm and range. The graphics on the game screen really needs some work.

04-22-2006, 02:35 AM	#19
mbd Banned Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 29	Although it's a low-budget game this has most of what I'd want to see in OOTP: In-Game Screen Example I like the brightness and player photos and strike zone with pitch list for the at-bat. I'd like to see a bigger field diagram so we could have animated 2D players like in CM.