The other matter to discuss is a possible switchover to OOTP 9. If we are going to do this, it has to be on Opening Day (the conversion software requires that the league be on opening day).
I think going to OOTP 9 has several advantages:
1. Better gameplay.
2. Much more customization. For example, we can actually set the DFA and waiver periods to 14 days, which match our cycle. We can fine tune and customize schedules, financials, etc. to match the way we run the league.
3. Better owner recruiting. I think that when we need to recruit new owners (and we need at least one now), it will be much easier to do with the current version. New owners will be more willing to plunk down the bucks to buy the software for the new version rather than one that's several years old.
There are other selling points as well. I'm not asking for a formal vote yet, but I wanted to gauge the interest in possibly upgrading on Opening Day. If you're curious, you can see what the league would look like at this link.
Please, let me know. Any concerns? Questions?
I own OOTP9, and am primarily a Mac user, so I'd be in favor of it, even though I'm a bit sad to give up OOTP6, which is so fantastic. But I'll learn with OOTP9. I think the advantages you listed are at least mostly true, and the Mac compatibility would make my life easier.
ReplyDeleteThe number one reason to upgrade is the ease of importing/exporting the league file. It's super easy and doesn't require downloading anything from the web site. You just choose the in-game option for import, and the game handles everything in a minute or two (or, however long it takes to download the league file, plus a few seconds). Uploading team changes (and having the commissioner import those changes) is virtually identical from 6.5.
ReplyDeleteMack and I have tested an on-line league together and both love this feature. It's easily worth the price of admission.
I don't yet have OOTP 9. I trust everyone's opinion on it, so if the consensus says go for it, then I'll upgrade. Would prefer that we have till next Monday at least if we go that way.
ReplyDeleteI want to upgrade, but I'm hesitant to give it unqualified support now. There's several things that are different in the actual game play beyond a new interface. For instance, the scouting appears far less precise in OOTP 9 than it was in OOTP 6.5. It's customizable, but I haven't yet figured out what setting would be "best", whatever best means in this context. Michael and I have been testing various features with an imaginary league (creatively called the IBL) and I don't think we're far enough along to have any good, concrete recommendations to offer the group.
ReplyDeleteIf we are going to upgrade now, I think we need to make sure Zev has flexibility to tweak settings as we go, without stopping to take a league vote each time. Kind of an "emergency powers" thing for the first year or two of simming.
I guess I'm at a tentative "yes", pending further testing.
Paul, I think you have to go to Opening Day before upgrading from 6.5 to 9, so we'd have the entire off-season to play out in 6.5 even if we decide to switch.
ReplyDeleteNo strong preference either way from me -- the new one looks interesting and I'll go along with the crowd, whatever you all decide.
ReplyDeleteA question: Is 9 more graphics or system-intensive? 6.5 works just fine for me, and I may be upgrading the system semi-soon anyhow, but if there's a big jump in performance requirements, I'll have to see how it goes. Thoughts from those of you who own it?
I have not downloaded OOTP9, but it does look cleaner (not always better). I think that less reliable scouting it not a bad thing. I think in real baseball, scouting is not always correct, and that should be factered in as long as we can hire more reliable scouts when we make the switch.
ReplyDeleteAlso, being a Mac user, I would be for any program that can work straight out on the Mac.
I never have properly adapted to anything past 6.5. 2007 turned me off so badly I've been not disinterested but fairly UNinterested in moving forward.
ReplyDeleteBut if all wish to move forward I'll go and cross my fingers.
Like I said in the earlier thread, I'm in favour of switching if OOTP9 is more realistic when it comes to player aging.
ReplyDeleteMy main concern is that players' abilities get translated properly to the new game. I'm sure I wasn't the only team who had a plan in place based on how players were rated in OOTP 6.5.
I of course meant a plan in place for 2013, specifically.
ReplyDeleteWell, if we do upgrade it's going to be a lot like when we went to OOTP 6 way back when. I remember some people suddenly and unexpectedly becoming stars (Sherman Wheeler, I'm looking at you here), and some going unfortunately in the other direction.
ReplyDeleteIt would be an interesting bit of randomness thrown into the mix.
Brent: I have OOTP9 on both of my Macs: a last-year's model Intel Core Duo and a three-year old iBook G4. It runs flawlessly on the Intel model, and sluggishly (but still usable) on the old G4.
ReplyDeleteIt's not as snappy as 6.5 is on a VM inside of my main Mac, but it's certainly not going to be a hindrance. How old is your computer?