Perfect Team 22 (and earlier versions) shutdown plan

[Markus Heinsohn]

Dear Perfect Team users,

As many of you already know, we had to switch the backend provider of Perfect Team for the OOTP 23 launch. Today I want to share some background information and what this means for the functionality of the old Perfect Team versions prior to PT23.

Since its inception, Perfect Team was built using GameSparks as the backend service provider, which means they host the databases and offer functionality that every online game needs, like login authentication and payment services. In 2018, GameSparks was acquired by Amazon, so the future of the service looked very bright, as future versions were promised for even better performance and user convenience. But right at the start of the OOTP 23 development cycle, we were shocked by the news that Amazon decided to shut down GameSparks because apparently it was not profitable enough. So we were forced to look for a different backend provider and eventually settled with Heroic Cloud (Nakama), which is now running PT23. The switch to Nakama was very challenging and still is. Further, it was technically impossible for us to move prior versions to the new service, as we had to develop a lot of the new code from scratch and the databases used are vastly different. We have frequently asked Amazon for an extension of the GameSparks service time, so that we could have PT22 run until April 2023 to match the 24 month lifetime of each version we are planning for, but we were denied repeatedly. Services were to be terminated in September 2022. The last news we received recently was that an extension would only be granted in "special cases" for a monthly fee which was exorbitantly high and far out of reach for a small company like ours.

This means, on September 30 2022 GameSparks will shut down and all Perfect Team versions prior to PT23 will no longer function. The last PT22 season will end September 25, simulation servers will shut down Monday September 26, and on Wednesday September 28 we will disable the access to PT22 (and earlier versions) completely. We wish we would have been able to have PT22 run until April 2023 as we had originally planned, but this is no longer possible. We are very sorry for this, and we wish there would have been a way to prevent this, but sadly that is not the case.

So while the service will shut down, we are working on a way for users of previous PT versions to view their legacy collection of cards and also some statistics (tournaments, season records etc.) on a website and also within Perfect Team 23. There is no ETA yet for that functionality, but we hope to have it available prior to September 30.

Thank you very much for your continued support in these challenging times.

Markus and the entire OOTP Team

[drbaseball]

Ridiculous. I still spend money on that game knowing it will go until at least spring of 23.

This is bull$***

[BigRed75]

Originally Posted by drbaseball

Ridiculous. I still spend money on that game knowing it will go until at least spring of 23.

This is bull$***

You do know your beef is with Amazon, right?

Fu¢k Amazon

[The Golden Rumps]

[QUOTE=BigRed75;4914393]You do know your beef is with Amazon, right?

He gave his money to OOTP, not amazon.

[daves]

Thanks for the detailed explanation. Clearly this is very disappointing as the game will basically end 7 months earlier than expected. But, by your explanation, it was not foreseen.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[willat0660]

At first, I thought it was PT23 that was ending. I was about to hit the roof! But, if you have PT23, chances are, this is disappointing, but no big deal. I haven't logged in in weeks. The only upside of the switch was that you could log in to both at the same time.

Not sure what role Amazon is playing, but I don't like them much anymore, and this just reinforces that. I've cut down my ordering from douche bag organizations like Amazon by about 90%, due to their bad behavior, etc... I recommend you do too.

[Abnerdoubleday]

When can we expect refunds to be issued of roughly 25% of amounts spent on PT22 for the roughly 25% less usage promised?

[The Game]

This is why i am F2P only.

[MoonCrater]

Okay I understand it, but the irony is not lost to the fact that right below the announcement of shutting things down, is a SALES LINK to spend MORE money.
I admit I'm in a dream world, but wouldn't some sort of credit be given against the new purchase for what you have already spent for, how many years?
I have alot of nerve to criticize since I ain't spent a dime at all on OOTP other then the 19.99 for buying OOtP19, and the 5.99 for OOTP22.

[bailey]

It would be nice if pack prices for diamond packs be reduced to 4000 points apiece, so that everyone can have the thrill of completing collections before the end. This would be especially true for PT21 and earlier which don't have simulations at all.

[orbops]

It's too bad that the shutdown is in Sept of 2022. This may motivate me to end playing Perfect Team. As a Free To Play user, once I get to the Silver League, there are just too many duplicates of diamond level players. Watching Lefty Grove pitch against Lefty Grove over and over gets a bit redundant...

[tdmsu]

Just for clarity, I am currently playing PT22. If I buy OOTP23 and follow the directions to have it recognize my account, do I get to keep my players? Should I sell all of them now if it lets me keep the coins? Or, do I only get to keep the history of my game and get 1 gold pack to start over from scratch?

Also, does it matter that I play using Steam on a chromebook?

[Abnerdoubleday]

Originally Posted by Abnerdoubleday

When can we expect refunds to be issued of roughly 25% of amounts spent on PT22 for the roughly 25% less usage promised?

The lack of a response from someone at ootp developments to, what should have been an obvious question, is indicative of how things have gone off the rails since the buyout. Three years ago Marcus would have responded to this here. On the other hand, three years ago nobody at ootp would have even contemplated not fulfilling a committment to their customers in order to save costs.

[HermanSmutley]

Originally Posted by Abnerdoubleday

The lack of a response from someone at ootp developments to, what should have been an obvious question, is indicative of how things have gone off the rails since the buyout. Three years ago Marcus would have responded to this here. On the other hand, three years ago nobody at ootp would have even contemplated not fulfilling a committment to their customers in order to save costs.

Agreed. I spent money on the game under the illusion that I would have 22 months of play rather than 16 (I only use OOTP Go these days). Although I will download the 23 version when eventually released it is highly unlikely anymore hard earned dosh will be wasted on PT.

[vapodge]

Scratch, plus loyalty rewards.

[daves]

Originally Posted by Abnerdoubleday

When can we expect refunds to be issued of roughly 25% of amounts spent on PT22 for the roughly 25% less usage promised?

Valid point. I put a lot into my team in expectation that the game will sim till May 2023.

[daves]

Originally Posted by tdmsu

Just for clarity, I am currently playing PT22. If I buy OOTP23 and follow the directions to have it recognize my account, do I get to keep my players? Should I sell all of them now if it lets me keep the coins? Or, do I only get to keep the history of my game and get 1 gold pack to start over from scratch?

Also, does it matter that I play using Steam on a chromebook?

PT22 will not roll to PT23. You should use up your PT22 PP before the end of September.

It doesn't matter for steam. Game is ending at the end of September.

[Walter Alston]

DO NOT -- REPEAT -- DO NOT spend money on Perfect Team.

Why not just play for free?

You'll save money, and everybody will have a level playing field.

[bear_rammedge]

i cant imagine a scenario where i spend money on perfect team ever again. this entire calendar year has been shambles.

[YankeeCpt]