I'm ready to join an online league when...

[jarmenia]

This is something that has always intrigued me. When do you think you are ready to join an online league. Several thoughts of mine are: you have the time, you can constantly beat the AI, you don't mind several loosing seasons, you want to interact with real humans.


what are your thoughts?

[ukhotstove]

100% when you have the time, beating the AI means nothing as you'll come up against harder trade talks, tactics etc than the AI. You'll have to get used to losing as around 90% of the teams that become open are the poor teams, teams that people have given up on.

[MrDov]

Expanding on this, what are the general time requirements for online leagues? And what's the pace the leagues move at? I do a lot of small transactions, manage my own promotions/demotions, etc. and from what I hear most online league move at a pace that all but eliminates this. And how would things like trades and the draft work online?

[Honorable_Pawn]

Originally Posted by jarmenia

This is something that has always intrigued me. When do you think you are ready to join an online league. Several thoughts of mine are: you have the time, you can constantly beat the AI, you don't mind several loosing seasons, you want to interact with real humans.


what are your thoughts?

...when Hell freezes over.


j/k

It's all about having the time. Most leagues seem to sim about 4 times a week and only during the work week. I mean, uh, some people work. You are screwed if you work and there is an annual draft.

Another major problem is know-it-all loud-mouths that are not properly moderated.

Finally, as fun as it is to write about your team/league the requirements and rules for such kill the spontaneity and feels more like work.

My suggestion is to research a few long-lasting leagues and find one that suits your personality and jump right in. What's the worst that can happen? You get remembered as a dysfunctional schizophrenic half-orc? Or you end up taking a farting cowboy home with you?

[TPinrose]

Just remember that most people you meet in online leagues will be nice, but some are jackasses. Even the nice ones will try to skin you in trades when you are new- so don't trade for a while. Try to find a league that has at least 5 seasons simmed as they will have been around at least a 1 year RL and you know it is reasonably stable.

[brokenbat]

A degree of insanity helps!

[BaseballMan]

I would agree withvdoing your research. Dont feel forced to join a fictional if you prefer historical or vice versa. Make sure you have the time needed. Nothing makes it not much fun than if it becomes a job. If you can try and find an established league that has opening. You can try a new league later. But establish leagues might be more helpful. Yes you may lise a lot at first but you might learn more faster. Plus nothing ruins the thrill of online play than to start building your team and after 3 seasons the league folds.

[Fenway]

I'd suggest giving it a try with a league that sims 3-4 times a week at most. That gives you time to catch your breath between sims. I really find the game more enjoyable in online play, as human GMs are tougher competition than the AI. I find myself thinking more about my decisions in online play.

Whatever you do, don't sign up for more than one to start with. You want to make sure you can handle the time commitment. For me, it's an hour or so every other day, which is manageable.

[darkcloud4579]

It's not for everyone. For years, I played solo only. Even as a member of leagues, it can be exhausting and there are other issues. I think it's certainly worth trying if you're looking for an OOTP challenge, but...so many leagues out there and it can be hard to find the perfect fit for you.

[TGH-Adfabre]

I joined my first about a week before I bought my first copy of OOTP. I have been in that league snce 2007.

Took over a team that was in a 14 season playoff drought, posted the best record in the league my 1st season and won the WS in my second. It gave me an innnacurate view of my skills as a GM that was prompty corrected in every other league I joined.

I have tried repeatedly to play solo, I enjoy online so much more.

I would say...
During the regular season about 15 minutes per sim is an ok investment. If life gets really busy you can shoot an export out in 5 minutes.

Trades, the offseason and the draft are the time eaters for me. When my life has been busy during these times I am at a competitive disadvantage and it shows.

Even the nice ones will try to skin you in trades when you are new- so don't trade for a while.

There is truth in this. As a commissioner I have had 30-40 message PM conversations with new members who are trying to acclimate to our league. I would rather put the time into helping them get up to speed than trying to fleece them in a deal.