Folks, if you own a computer and you're a baseball fan (and if you somehow ended up reading this post anyway, I'm confused), then you should really consider picking of a copy of Out Of The Park Baseball. It's simply the very best baseball simulator ever made, and it is upgraded with current rosters and additional features every year. I was a contributor here for a few years before I discovered OOTP, and I'm a little embarrassed to say that it has improved my baseball IQ greatly. I now have a better understanding of baseball financials, sabermetrics, and after hundreds of simulations, an appreciation for how difficult it is to rebuild a franchise.
I love this game, and I feel it's my obligation to tell the people who don't already know about it that it exists, and it's the ultimate tool for rendering any baseball fantasy you have. You can take the current league structure and rosters and go with it, or you can turn back time and replay your favorite franchise from, say, 1969. You can play with real minor league players. You can play foreign leagues.
You can also create an entirely new league with fictional players and design your own logos and uniforms. The ground rules are adjustable in almost any way you want, from player acquisition and financials to stadium dimensions to playoff structure and league associations. It's nearly limitless.
And the new version for next year - OOTP 18 - is now available for preorder. To whet your appetite, allow me to share some of the things that are changing in '18:
| *** New Features in OOTP Baseball 18 *** |
| 2017 Opening Day Rosters |
|
Our brand new 2017 roster sets include all Opening Day MLB rosters, as well as the complete minor league system down to rookie leagues, including independent leagues. All major league (and over a thousand minor league) player ratings are based on Dan Szymborski's popular ZiPS player projection system. The remaining minor league players are carefully rated by hand by our established research team. Can the Chicago Cubs repeat as World Series winners, despite the loss of Aroldis Chapman and Dexter Fowler? Or did the Cleveland Indians' successful offseason set them up for at taking the World Series trophy home this year? Will the Boston Red Sox's rotation, anchored by Chris Sale and David Price, dominate in the AL East, or are the rebuilding Yankees already a contender? Which team will win the tight National League West Division, the powerhouse LA Dodgers, led by the best pitcher in baseball, Clayton Kershaw? Of course, 8 international leagues (Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Australia, Italy, The Netherlands, Mexico and Cuba) and several international independent leagues return to OOTP 18 with accurate and projected 2017 rosters. |
| New Challenge! Game Mode and Online User Profiles |
|
Ready for an extra challenge? Experience a new game mode in OOTP 18: Challenge! This mode can be enabled in newly created leagues (standard / historical / fictional) and adds a unique twist, along with new rewards, while playing OOTP. Certain areas of the game are tightly controlled to prevent cheating and the game flow is optimized and more streamlined. Several new types of achievements and statistics are tracked in a new (optional) OOTP online user profile. Are you the best OOTP manager on the planet? Compare your skills to other OOTP gamers and find out how you stack up! |
| Improved 3D Mode & Game Highlight Reels |
|
With even more ballpark detail than before, the 3D game mode in OOTP has taken another leap forward. More advanced player models and improved on-field movements let you view the action like never before. On top of that, you can optionally save all the 3D action highlights to rewatch the game or catch the highlight reel, no matter if those games were played out or simulated. |
| Tournaments & Fall Leagues |
|
OOTP 18 now features custom and real world tournaments. Watch the best prospects play in the Arizona Fall League, or set up your own tournament pitting the best of each nation facing off against each other! Set up your own national or international tournaments, choose from different tournament modes, and manage your favorite nation to international glory. |
| Negro Leagues Added to Historical Minor Leagues |
|
With the help of Seamheads.com, our historical database experts have been able to add most Negro leagues seasons to the historical minor league feature of Out of the Park Baseball 18, including accurate rosters and player statistics. In addition, we have added the Federal League as an unaffiliated minor league in the years 1914 and 1915. |
| Improved AI |
|
A lot of work has gone into improving the AI throughout the game, resulting in the most challenging gameplay ever. The roster AI, trade AI, and in-game AI have been optimized and enhanced to reflect the latest tendencies (for example, the usage of closers in high-leverage games by certain managers). |
| Redesigned Injury System |
|
The injury system in OOTP 18 has been reworked to be more realistic and interesting. A detailed injury history is tracked for players, the injury database has been enhanced, there are now nagging little long-term injuries, injuries to different body types have different long-term effects, injuries in historical leagues are more realistic, and much more. |
| Much More! |
|
Every year we add many smaller features, and OOTP 18 is no exception. It includes:
|
Yes, that's an advertisement, but as a fan who was at this site for a very long time without the tools I wanted to simulate things I was interested in and found fun, I wish someone had told me sooner. So this is me telling you: This is the best money you will ever spend on a baseball simulation.
More information here: http://www.ootpdevelopments.com/newsletters/nl0199/
Also, if you can't wait until release to get your hands on a copy you can pick up a copy of OOTP 17 for half price. It includes the final opening day rosters for the 2016 season.
