Quick Question about future options...

brendanrfoley · 02-13-2002, 11:36 AM

I've played the OOTP3 demo to death, literally. I've reached the cut off date a few times and then reset league just to do it again. I will in line Friday, MArch 1st to buy it up - thank goodness I have no classes

But I do have a question about future versions...

What is the possiblilty of ever having a small amount of animation on the playing field? As is, the game feels very alive(especially with the OOTP4 message system, play by play, etc.) but seeing a little bit of anmiation(provided it isn't too taxing on a system's resources) might be nice.

Just wanted to throw the idea out there for discussion...

dim13 · 02-13-2002, 12:04 PM

I'd truely be in heaven if OOTP4 had animation !! This would be awesome. Even if the animation were simple graphics, watching the plays unfold on the field would be so cool.

PSUColonel · 02-13-2002, 01:13 PM

I'd rather see a radio style audio broadcast implemented.

brendanrfoley · 02-13-2002, 01:39 PM

Audio would be extremely difficult in my eyes for the reason that the size of the download and would be incredibly large unless the speech was very, very sparse.

Animation on the other hand, is everywhere. Some logos next to peoples names are animated on this board. Just some small, cycling .gifs or other picture format could add a lot to the experience - not the game. As is, the game is a blast and highly addictive

I picture the only thing really being animated are simple things. A batter walking to his side of the plate. A swing. A pticher animation.

If it is a small .bmp, we could adjust it's posiiton as we do the fielder markers. Of course, have the option to turn it off. If a player isn't playing pitch by pitch, only anmiate the last pitch of an at bat to keep game speed intact.

Other spots for animation? Possibly include a crude jumbotron style display among the game windows. Various light up animations for homeruns, great plays, strike outs, etc. Much like what happened in the old Genesis Wolrd Series games, or the recent additions of High Heat.

I hope I'm not disgusting any long time OOTP players, as my intent is not to make the game more arcade at all. I love what is there. But with a little bit of on screen motion, there would be a lot more "life" to the game.

Infact, maybe a jumbotron board could be added next to the out of town scoreboard, to make it look like that information is coming from inside the stadium, not the game.

Anywho, I'm sure the LAST thing Markus wants to hear about are ideas for nest year, so I'll stop

hellfrozeover · 02-13-2002, 04:37 PM

I agree that if it could be done right, Radio broadcasts would be terriffic to be implemented into OOTP. However, if it wasn't done right, it would become annoying and detract from the game. A little animation wouldn't be bad, but I really don't find it necessary. I usually have some other sports or tv show on while I'm playing OOTP3.

Deft · 02-14-2002, 08:23 AM

I disagree. I don't think you have had the misfortune of playing generations of sports games that have a repetitive animated event screen. Early Nintendo games really were polluted with these. Their benefit is a one time bang effect like intro screen on most arcade games. OOTP is a career type game that's emphasis is content not style.

Khaos · 02-14-2002, 08:30 AM

As with most things, you probably would have the option to turn it off.

Voice never seems to work well. You'll get irritated a lot quicker with the repitition.

Someday, not soon, but someday, we may see a management game with the depth of OOTP and the graphics of TP. Yes, yes, I didn't say HH, because well, they gameplay is great, but the graphics blow.

Backintheday · 02-14-2002, 08:38 AM

IIRC, Markus had talked to somebody about graphics for OOTP last summer. Do not know or recall what came about from it but I do know it was something that was at least kicked around.

IatricSB · 02-14-2002, 08:44 AM

My fear would be that the animation development would get in the way of developing other great features. Typically, animation is entertaining for a short time, but then repetitive. It seems that sometimes when a game has animation, the actual game play or stat accuracy is really bad.

Its the depth of the game that attracted me to OOTP. Its the mickey mouse results of TP that drive me away from games of that kind. Personally, I would rather see it stay text based and have Markus continue to concentrate his efforts on making it the most in-depth baseball game on the market.

dim13 · 02-14-2002, 10:15 AM

I don't think animation would take away from the depth and accuracy of the game at all. The AI engine is already there, the animation would just be visually displaying the result of each play (instead of displaying the results in text form). The outcome should be the same either way.

A picture is worth a thousand words...

IatricSB · 02-14-2002, 10:55 AM

[quote]Originally posted by dim13:
I don't think animation would take away from the depth and accuracy of the game at all. The AI engine is already there, the animation would just be visually displaying the result of each play (instead of displaying the results in text form). The outcome should be the same either way.

A picture is worth a thousand words...<hr></blockquote>

I didn't say it would take away from the AI engine that was already there. What I tried to say was that if Markus has to devote a large part of his time to animation, then he can't devote that same time to enhancing or implementing other features that are asked for. I may be wrong (and if I am, then I'll only speak for myself), but I think alot of the hard core simmers want realism, depth, and accuracy. If I didn't, then I would go get eye candy like TP. For me, I'm happy having a text based game that is the most extensive baseball game on the market (IMO).

J P Falcon · 02-14-2002, 11:20 AM

If animation was to ever enter this game then I see it similiar to FA Premier League Manager which is a soccer management sim that uses the FIFA engine for showing the games. So imagine all the complexities of OOTP with the games being displayed with a Triple Play or High Heat type engine. This would come for a price though. The game would probably need to be on disk and sell in the 40-50 dollar range. Though I wouldn't mind seeing it, I think many might be turned off by the price.

[ February 14, 2002: Message edited by: J P Falcon ]

DreamTeams · 02-14-2002, 11:39 AM

Here's an idea...

How about getting rid of the on-field boxes and replace them with players with uniforms on. Allow each team to have home/away unis that can be edited. Players don't have to be animated on the field, just represented in a way that's more visually pleasing. (I.e.; Pitcher in the wind up; runner and infielders with hands on knees ready for the play; outfielders in ready position; ump, batter and catcher await the pitch.) Nothing fancy. Keep it simple. All of the info in the little boxes can be placed underneath the players. The nice thing would be if unis could be edited so you get a real representation of your teams on the field. That would be pretty neat.

Anyway, I'm happy with what OOTP is now, but I was just brainstorming.

Cooleyvol · 02-14-2002, 11:45 AM

Its fine just the way it is. If I wanted graphics, I'd get the HH disk out of the closet or the attic, (where is that damn thing?) and play it.

I'll take my OOTP just like it is.

obaslg · 02-14-2002, 11:53 AM

I'm concerned that graphics are addictive - they put in a little, and then everyone expects them, and people comment on how crappy this or that looks, and before you know it we have a beautiful game full of bugs with basic flaws in the sim substance, and HH has a firm hold on that market. Great animation would certainly be nice, though I think some simple non-animated graphics could also go far in jazzing it up. But as great as the substance of this game is, I think it could use even more perfecting before they put any effort into graphics. If at some point in the future all of us are saying that there is absolutely no improvement to be made on the substance of the sim, then they could turn attention to graphics. In the meantime, PLEASE don't fix what ain't broke - I waited a long time for a game like this.

hellfrozeover · 02-14-2002, 01:33 PM

[quote]Originally posted by Cooleyvol:
Its fine just the way it is. If I wanted graphics, I'd get the HH disk out of the closet or the attic, (where is that damn thing?) and play it.

I'll take my OOTP just like it is.<hr></blockquote>

Exactly. I said earlier that I didn't find animations necessary. I am standing by that statement because I assume that we would have the option to turn it off. Because if you can't turn it off then all animations will get repetitive and that would detract from the game.

[quote]Originally posted by Khaos:

Someday, not soon, but someday, we may see a management game with the depth of OOTP and the graphics of TP. Yes, yes, I didn't say HH, because well, they gameplay is great, but the graphics blow.<hr></blockquote>

Definitely, TP had much much better graphics than HH. Those little stick-arms didn't really look realistic.

obaslg - Once again, I wouldn't mind seeing players out in the field but its really not very important to me. However, I definitely think that would be less likely to get repetitive than regular animation.

andy m · 02-14-2002, 09:12 PM

animation in a text sim = waste of space.

greatest text sports sim of all time = championship manager

does it have any animation? NONE WHATSOEVER.

use your imagination, that's what it's there for. imagining things.

Subby · 02-15-2002, 12:26 AM

I think it would be really cool if you could make OOTP4 joystick-compatible.

Do you think that is possible? I mean, typing on the keyboard is fun and all, but I don't get the same rush typing "1-2-5-0-0-0-0" as I would if I could select those numbers with the joystick and firing button.

*BAM* *POW* *WHAM-O*

andy m · 02-15-2002, 04:37 AM

Subby, do you know any cheat modes for OOTP? like to give me unlimited money and make all my players rated as 20 in homers?

Subby · 02-15-2002, 04:57 AM

Yes, in fact, I use cheat codes all the time. My favorite one is BABEDEWDZ. That one turns Babe Ruth into a slutty 400-pound woman.

Try this one:

In OOTP3, while holding down the Shift key, click File>>>Quit OOTP3. When the "Do You Want to Quit?" box pops up, type I+H+E+A+R+T+A+N+A+L and click the yes button.

I won't spoil the suprise, but let's just say you won't look at your Queen the same way again

02-13-2002, 11:36 AM	#1
brendanrfoley Minors (Single A) Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 65	Quick Question about future options... I've played the OOTP3 demo to death, literally. I've reached the cut off date a few times and then reset league just to do it again. I will in line Friday, MArch 1st to buy it up - thank goodness I have no classes But I do have a question about future versions... What is the possiblilty of ever having a small amount of animation on the playing field? As is, the game feels very alive(especially with the OOTP4 message system, play by play, etc.) but seeing a little bit of anmiation(provided it isn't too taxing on a system's resources) might be nice. Just wanted to throw the idea out there for discussion...

02-13-2002, 04:37 PM	#5
hellfrozeover All Star Starter Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,130	I agree that if it could be done right, Radio broadcasts would be terriffic to be implemented into OOTP. However, if it wasn't done right, it would become annoying and detract from the game. A little animation wouldn't be bad, but I really don't find it necessary. I usually have some other sports or tv show on while I'm playing OOTP3. __________________ FBA Chicago Syndicate Former Owner: WBL Minnesota Twins 2004 - 2007 AL Central Division Champs OOL Chicago Whales 2006, 2009 UL East Champs; 2006, 2009 United League Champs IBA Lehigh Valley Diamonds 2006 Governor's Cup Champions VSLB New York Yankees 2001, 2002 AL East Division Champs ILBL Commissioner/Chicago Cubs 2002 NL Central Division Champs; 2002 National League Champs ASBL New York Yankees 2006 AL East Division Champs

02-14-2002, 08:23 AM	#6
Deft All Star Starter Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 1,137	I disagree. I don't think you have had the misfortune of playing generations of sports games that have a repetitive animated event screen. Early Nintendo games really were polluted with these. Their benefit is a one time bang effect like intro screen on most arcade games. OOTP is a career type game that's emphasis is content not style. __________________ ATHL Louisville Jockeys (2001-present) 2002, 2007, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2020 World Champions Uniform Template 1.2

02-14-2002, 08:30 AM	#7
Khaos Major Leagues Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Canfield, OH Posts: 473	As with most things, you probably would have the option to turn it off. Voice never seems to work well. You'll get irritated a lot quicker with the repitition. Someday, not soon, but someday, we may see a management game with the depth of OOTP and the graphics of TP. Yes, yes, I didn't say HH, because well, they gameplay is great, but the graphics blow. __________________ squish

02-14-2002, 08:38 AM	#8
Backintheday Minors (Single A) Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 92	IIRC, Markus had talked to somebody about graphics for OOTP last summer. Do not know or recall what came about from it but I do know it was something that was at least kicked around. __________________ <a href="http://www.thexbl.com" target="_blank">XBL</a> Marlins <a href="http://www.geocities.com/cana321/baseball/bbdl.htm" target="_blank">BBDL</a> Rangers <a href="http://http://www.baseballmaelstrom.com/" target="_blank">Baseball Maelstrom</a> Rangers

02-13-2002, 12:04 PM	#2
dim13 Major Leagues Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: tucson, az Posts: 347	I'd truely be in heaven if OOTP4 had animation !! This would be awesome. Even if the animation were simple graphics, watching the plays unfold on the field would be so cool.

02-13-2002, 01:13 PM	#3
PSUColonel Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 13,143	I'd rather see a radio style audio broadcast implemented.

02-13-2002, 01:39 PM	#4
brendanrfoley Minors (Single A) Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 65	Audio would be extremely difficult in my eyes for the reason that the size of the download and would be incredibly large unless the speech was very, very sparse. Animation on the other hand, is everywhere. Some logos next to peoples names are animated on this board. Just some small, cycling .gifs or other picture format could add a lot to the experience - not the game. As is, the game is a blast and highly addictive I picture the only thing really being animated are simple things. A batter walking to his side of the plate. A swing. A pticher animation. If it is a small .bmp, we could adjust it's posiiton as we do the fielder markers. Of course, have the option to turn it off. If a player isn't playing pitch by pitch, only anmiate the last pitch of an at bat to keep game speed intact. Other spots for animation? Possibly include a crude jumbotron style display among the game windows. Various light up animations for homeruns, great plays, strike outs, etc. Much like what happened in the old Genesis Wolrd Series games, or the recent additions of High Heat. I hope I'm not disgusting any long time OOTP players, as my intent is not to make the game more arcade at all. I love what is there. But with a little bit of on screen motion, there would be a lot more "life" to the game. Infact, maybe a jumbotron board could be added next to the out of town scoreboard, to make it look like that information is coming from inside the stadium, not the game. Anywho, I'm sure the LAST thing Markus wants to hear about are ideas for nest year, so I'll stop

02-14-2002, 08:44 AM	#9
IatricSB Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: California Posts: 3,493	My fear would be that the animation development would get in the way of developing other great features. Typically, animation is entertaining for a short time, but then repetitive. It seems that sometimes when a game has animation, the actual game play or stat accuracy is really bad. Its the depth of the game that attracted me to OOTP. Its the mickey mouse results of TP that drive me away from games of that kind. Personally, I would rather see it stay text based and have Markus continue to concentrate his efforts on making it the most in-depth baseball game on the market. __________________ Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body; but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, "Wow! What a Ride!" Chicago(N) - Boys of Summer Oakland - 20th Century League Bakersfield - Wild Things Brooklyn - QBA Dodge City - NBSL California - ABC Dodger's Senioriest fan on the OOTP Boards

02-14-2002, 10:15 AM	#10
dim13 Major Leagues Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: tucson, az Posts: 347	I don't think animation would take away from the depth and accuracy of the game at all. The AI engine is already there, the animation would just be visually displaying the result of each play (instead of displaying the results in text form). The outcome should be the same either way. A picture is worth a thousand words...

02-14-2002, 10:55 AM	#11
IatricSB Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: California Posts: 3,493	[quote]Originally posted by dim13: <strong>I don't think animation would take away from the depth and accuracy of the game at all. The AI engine is already there, the animation would just be visually displaying the result of each play (instead of displaying the results in text form). The outcome should be the same either way. A picture is worth a thousand words...</strong><hr></blockquote> I didn't say it would take away from the AI engine that was already there. What I tried to say was that if Markus has to devote a large part of his time to animation, then he can't devote that same time to enhancing or implementing other features that are asked for. I may be wrong (and if I am, then I'll only speak for myself), but I think alot of the hard core simmers want realism, depth, and accuracy. If I didn't, then I would go get eye candy like TP. For me, I'm happy having a text based game that is the most extensive baseball game on the market (IMO). __________________ Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body; but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, "Wow! What a Ride!" Chicago(N) - Boys of Summer Oakland - 20th Century League Bakersfield - Wild Things Brooklyn - QBA Dodge City - NBSL California - ABC Dodger's Senioriest fan on the OOTP Boards

02-14-2002, 11:20 AM	#12
J P Falcon Major Leagues Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: NJ Posts: 406	If animation was to ever enter this game then I see it similiar to FA Premier League Manager which is a soccer management sim that uses the FIFA engine for showing the games. So imagine all the complexities of OOTP with the games being displayed with a Triple Play or High Heat type engine. This would come for a price though. The game would probably need to be on disk and sell in the 40-50 dollar range. Though I wouldn't mind seeing it, I think many might be turned off by the price. [ February 14, 2002: Message edited by: J P Falcon ]</p>

02-14-2002, 11:39 AM	#13
DreamTeams Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 2,522	Here's an idea... How about getting rid of the on-field boxes and replace them with players with uniforms on. Allow each team to have home/away unis that can be edited. Players don't have to be animated on the field, just represented in a way that's more visually pleasing. (I.e.; Pitcher in the wind up; runner and infielders with hands on knees ready for the play; outfielders in ready position; ump, batter and catcher await the pitch.) Nothing fancy. Keep it simple. All of the info in the little boxes can be placed underneath the players. The nice thing would be if unis could be edited so you get a real representation of your teams on the field. That would be pretty neat. Anyway, I'm happy with what OOTP is now, but I was just brainstorming. __________________

02-14-2002, 11:45 AM	#14
Cooleyvol Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Union City, TN Posts: 6,383	Its fine just the way it is. If I wanted graphics, I'd get the HH disk out of the closet or the attic, (where is that damn thing?) and play it. I'll take my OOTP just like it is.

02-14-2002, 11:53 AM	#15
obaslg All Star Reserve Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 887	I'm concerned that graphics are addictive - they put in a little, and then everyone expects them, and people comment on how crappy this or that looks, and before you know it we have a beautiful game full of bugs with basic flaws in the sim substance, and HH has a firm hold on that market. Great animation would certainly be nice, though I think some simple non-animated graphics could also go far in jazzing it up. But as great as the substance of this game is, I think it could use even more perfecting before they put any effort into graphics. If at some point in the future all of us are saying that there is absolutely no improvement to be made on the substance of the sim, then they could turn attention to graphics. In the meantime, PLEASE don't fix what ain't broke - I waited a long time for a game like this. __________________ Realy good musition of many insterments, including the hyperbolic vitriol.

02-14-2002, 01:33 PM	#16
hellfrozeover All Star Starter Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,130	[quote]Originally posted by Cooleyvol: <strong>Its fine just the way it is. If I wanted graphics, I'd get the HH disk out of the closet or the attic, (where is that damn thing?) and play it. I'll take my OOTP just like it is.</strong><hr></blockquote> Exactly. I said earlier that I didn't find animations necessary. I am standing by that statement because I assume that we would have the option to turn it off. Because if you can't turn it off then all animations will get repetitive and that would detract from the game. [quote]Originally posted by Khaos: <strong> Someday, not soon, but someday, we may see a management game with the depth of OOTP and the graphics of TP. Yes, yes, I didn't say HH, because well, they gameplay is great, but the graphics blow.</strong><hr></blockquote> Definitely, TP had much much better graphics than HH. Those little stick-arms didn't really look realistic. obaslg - Once again, I wouldn't mind seeing players out in the field but its really not very important to me. However, I definitely think that would be less likely to get repetitive than regular animation. __________________ FBA Chicago Syndicate Former Owner: WBL Minnesota Twins 2004 - 2007 AL Central Division Champs OOL Chicago Whales 2006, 2009 UL East Champs; 2006, 2009 United League Champs IBA Lehigh Valley Diamonds 2006 Governor's Cup Champions VSLB New York Yankees 2001, 2002 AL East Division Champs ILBL Commissioner/Chicago Cubs 2002 NL Central Division Champs; 2002 National League Champs ASBL New York Yankees 2006 AL East Division Champs

02-14-2002, 09:12 PM	#17
andy m Minors (Double A) Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: UK Posts: 183	animation in a text sim = waste of space. greatest text sports sim of all time = championship manager does it have any animation? NONE WHATSOEVER. use your imagination, that's what it's there for. imagining things. __________________

02-15-2002, 12:26 AM	#18
Subby Major Leagues Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 375	I think it would be really cool if you could make OOTP4 joystick-compatible. Do you think that is possible? I mean, typing on the keyboard is fun and all, but I don't get the same rush typing "1-2-5-0-0-0-0" as I would if I could select those numbers with the joystick and firing button. BAM POW WHAM-O

02-15-2002, 04:37 AM	#19
andy m Minors (Double A) Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: UK Posts: 183	Subby, do you know any cheat modes for OOTP? like to give me unlimited money and make all my players rated as 20 in homers? __________________

02-15-2002, 04:57 AM	#20
Subby Major Leagues Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 375	Yes, in fact, I use cheat codes all the time. My favorite one is BABEDEWDZ. That one turns Babe Ruth into a slutty 400-pound woman. Try this one: In OOTP3, while holding down the Shift key, click File>>>Quit OOTP3. When the "Do You Want to Quit?" box pops up, type I+H+E+A+R+T+A+N+A+L and click the yes button. I won't spoil the suprise, but let's just say you won't look at your Queen the same way again