Very dissapointed with OOTP25

[Baseballman2K5]

I've been playing OOTP since version 4, and this has got to be the worst, bugged, version ever. How many patches does it take to get things correct?

The UI is AWFUL with headers constantly condensing to a smashed up headline of options to choose from.
There is the issue with reliever's stuff.
There are issues with Live-Starts not reflecting actual real-life.

ETC!!

Stop adding things like "pennant drive" or whatever it's called...and fix the BASE GAME that we are all here for.

[Brad K]

Is it bad enough that instead of trying to fix it for v 26 they should use v 24 as the basis for v 26?

[Baseballman2K5]

Originally Posted by Brad K

Is it bad enough that instead of trying to fix it for v 26 they should use v 24 as the basis for v 26?

Yes

[NoOne]

This is usually when it rounds into shape - end of june / end of july. there mght be some straggler updates worthwhile afterward. Been that way for over a decade. A couple years were more prolonged along the way..

The game is also a bit more complex than it was before, and they've added new features this year. Context should be considered as to why it may take a bit longer.

I'm not a fan of the end user being a debugger, but that's how it goes with smaller companies. When the big boys do it they are sh**heels, because they can afford the staff to do it correctly.

If the updating process is frustrating, definitely wait to buy the game. I do.

What's wrong with the relievers?

I don't agree in principle of live stat, lol. Seems to contradict what OotP is made to do. However, if people want it in the game, that's fine. Like pennant drive and the card game thing, lol. Not my cup of tea, but if it expands the player base sometimes it's not just about my personal wants. It's a big world out there and people use OotP in imaginative ways.

[darkcloud4579]

We can't have it both ways around here. The years where the game is just an upgrade of the core features without any big additions, people complain the game was basically a reskin. In years like this one, where this absurdly small dev team took some big swings at changes and improved the game -- not just the Perfect Team -- people complain.

Any unplayability we're talking about are mostly nits, and when you log the problems, the dev team works to fix them when there's data showing the problem. If they waited for perfection, the game would only be released once a year, there would be few patches and if a bigger company published the game, we'd be paying for DLC up the wazoo.

Drive for the Pennant, the Development Lab and the ratings revamp were all big things that I think have improved the core OOTP gaming experience, even if not perfectly implemented. I applaud the dev team for trying to keep the game fresh after all these years.

People are allowed not to like stuff, but I think holding a tiny dev team to the standard of a major gaming enterprise is unfair.

[Baseballman2K5]

Originally Posted by darkcloud4579

We can't have it both ways around here. The years where the game is just an upgrade of the core features without any big additions, people complain the game was basically a reskin. In years like this one, where this absurdly small dev team took some big swings at changes and improved the game -- not just the Perfect Team -- people complain.

Any unplayability we're talking about are mostly nits, and when you log the problems, the dev team works to fix them when there's data showing the problem. If they waited for perfection, the game would only be released once a year, there would be few patches and if a bigger company published the game, we'd be paying for DLC up the wazoo.

Drive for the Pennant, the Development Lab and the ratings revamp were all big things that I think have improved the core OOTP gaming experience, even if not perfectly implemented. I applaud the dev team for trying to keep the game fresh after all these years.

People are allowed not to like stuff, but I think holding a tiny dev team to the standard of a major gaming enterprise is unfair.

That's fair. Understood

[uruguru]

I dunno. Here are some things that directly improve the base gameplay for me:

They fixed uniform renumbering and the retirement bug. The ratings change creates more realistic distance between MLB & AAA & AA performances. Fielding ratings for historical players are better now. There's an offseason player development lab now.

In 24, they added pitcher BABIP and catcher framing. One-pitch knuckleballers could finally start. The trade deadline was added. Shopping players was greatly expanded.

That's just what I remember off the top of my head.

[Pdubya64]

I understand your sentiments BBM, it doesn't take too many rage-inducing events in OOTP to get your blood boiling. You're in good company.
I suppose I would just reinforce what the others have said and add that despite those "gotcha" moments that infuriate us, taking the long view with OOTP is a Zen must, at least for me. It's not like there is an alternative to turn to for one and as the guys say, items do get addressed with supporting evidence, just not in our preferable timeframe.

One of the pieces of magic about OOTP is that it is NOT like Stratomatic Baseball and most Baseball games that replicate a given season in a vacuum. Sure, Markus starts with those same stats along with a player's history. But then he "winds up the big spring" and sets it off on its own.
I don't believe I have ever seen another Baseball game that works like this but I find it fascinating. Sure, it has its problems- complexity front and center. But there is a wonderful payoff with evolving stories and the inevitable ups and downs during the season and winter. Personally I feel it is all worth the price of admission and lingering issues.

I guess I have just made peace with the game and try to be supportive as much as possible. That comes hard at times to be sure. Do I wish there was a competitor out there worthy of my money? You bet. Do I ever see that happening? Not a chance.

I once said to a friend jokingly that it took a German to do American Baseball right- and I still stand by that statement.

[Brad K]

Originally Posted by Pdubya64

One of the pieces of magic about OOTP is that it is NOT like Stratomatic Baseball and most Baseball games that replicate a given season in a vacuum.

And yet despite development, TCR, players who didn't play much playing a lot and vice versa, players playing in different home parks with different park factors, players being injured who weren't or not injured who were, people click on the page evaluating simulation accuracy and use the results there to judge the game.

[Pdubya64]

Originally Posted by Brad K

And yet despite development, TCR, players who didn't play much playing a lot and vice versa, players playing in different home parks with different park factors, players being injured who weren't or not injured who were, people click on the page evaluating simulation accuracy and use the results there to judge the game.

All true Brad. I am fond of dredging up an old lyric from the 80's by Men at Work, from Dr. Heckyll and Mr. Jive:
"He loves the world 'cept for all the people"

Oh so true, particularly for me as an introvert who can only take so much of humanity before I need to withdraw and recharge.

[Baseballman2K5]

Thanks for the replies. You all are right and I agree OOTP is still the best baseball simulator available. Just got a little frustrated when writing this post

[Brad K]

Originally Posted by Baseballman2K5

Thanks for the replies. You all are right and I agree OOTP is still the best baseball simulator available. Just got a little frustrated when writing this post

It seems to me people think it's the best because it has the most features even after subtracting those that don't work.

[mytreds]

.

[Ripper44]

Seems to me like the price has gone up considerably, and it's pay to win if you're considering tournament/perfect team play. Bugs have made it unplayable for me at this point and it feels like the old Dell scripted routine when I'm looking for customer support. I like the combinator and other new features, but they're no good if they don't work. If I want an incomplete sports game I'll buy EA

[Pelican]

Originally Posted by Baseballman2K5

Thanks for the replies. You all are right and I agree OOTP is still the best baseball simulator available. Just got a little frustrated when writing this post

No worries. Your concerns were valid, and you articulated them. We all feel that way sometimes. It's healthy to vent.

I am particularly amused that DarkCloud was the poster who reminded us of the good stuff and the heavy lift and the small shop handling it. The half-full glass. So much for screen names as metaphors!

No doubt that OOTP 25 has been an ambitious version, and no surprise there have been kinks to work out, into the Summer. Of course there is the tension between timing the debut for the Spring, when we are all clamoring for it, and vetting the new code and features. Not easy.

Always good to tiptoe into the new version for the first days, weeks, months, as things come up and get fixed. Backup often, just in case. In the meantime, it has been loads of fun (most of the time) to play.

The debate between the "work in progress" and "finished product" schools of thought will never end. I for one am happy with a work in progress, to the extent patches come out and problems get resolved by support. But for those with less tolerance, waiting for the discount offer to purchase is sound advice. You'll never know the angst that you missed.

Fingers crossed, I'm ready to transfer several long-running sims from 24 to 25. Several date back to 23 or 22 or even 21. On a Mac, so a multiple-step process. Wish me luck!