OT Try PureSim Baseball 4 Free!

[KG Erwin]

Ok, I'm going to do a little promo for PureSim 4, as it was formerly a Matrix product, so bear with me. Shaun Sullivan is planning on releasing the official product sometime in March 2011, and we're on Beta 39 right now. The changes he's made since the Matrix version are astounding, and I think we're gonna have the best baseball text sim on the market, bar none.

You CAN try out the "lite" version for free. See http://puresimmer.squarespace.com/downl ... e-version/

I hope I don't offend anyone for doing this, but I've been playing this game and following the changes in it since 2005. If you're a baseball fan, you owe it to yourself to give this game a try.

For the guys who know me, it's become my second-favorite game other than the venerable SPWAW. That's why I'm doing this.

[sullafelix]

Yes there are a few very good Baseball and Football stat games out there. But when are we ever going to see a boxing simulator as advanced as Ringside Seat was in1989? Yes I do own the newset incarnation of Title bout but it would be good to have a choice of more than one game.

Sorry for the hijack but it's a pet peeve.

[diablo1]

ORIGINAL: KG Erwin

Ok, I'm going to do a little promo for PureSim 4, as it was formerly a Matrix product, so bear with me. Shaun Sullivan is planning on releasing the official product sometime in March 2011, and we're on Beta 39 right now. The changes he's made since the Matrix version are astounding, and I think we're gonna have the best baseball text sim on the market, bar none. You CAN try out the "lite" version for free. See http://puresimmer.squarespace.com/downl ... e-version/

I hope I don't offend anyone for doing this, but I've been playing this game and following the changes in it since 2005. If you're a baseball fan, you owe it to yourself to give this game a try.

For the guys who know me, it's become my second-favorite game other than the venerable SPWAW. That's why I'm doing this.

Sorry but OOTPBB fans will definitely argue that with you. I tried Pure Sim before and it never came close to OOTPBB realsim.

Oh an OOTPBB IS the best baseball stat sim game BAR NONE! [:)]

[KG Erwin]

Yes, OOTP fans are pretty vociferous in their opinions, but PS4 excels in its attention to historical career associations. Don't knock it until you try the newest version.

Amongst the latest beta improvements are automatic historical ballpark imports, along with pics.

Note that the free "lite" version only offers one mode of play --- with the full "paid" version you have options galore.

[King of All Games]

ORIGINAL: KG Erwin

Yes, OOTP fans are pretty vociferous in their opinions, but PS4 excels in its attention to historical career associations. Don't knock it until you try the newest version.

Amongst the latest beta improvements are automatic historical ballpark imports, along with pics.

Note that the free "lite" version only offers one mode of play --- with the full "paid" version you have options galore.

"Automatic historical ballpark imports?" Is that supposed to be a big selling point to attract new customers and OOTP stalwarts??

I've followed Shaun's work for years and his programming skills are top notch, but his marketing efforts (by himself and with others) have been sub-par at best. After trying the "lite" version, the game has come a long way, but still has a long way to go. Seems like his endless tinkering and updating often throws off other previously stable parts of the game, thus leading to a never-ending cycle of fixes and updates. A finite development cycle for each version would end this sort of "ongoing beta" stigma the game has in many circles. Also, it doesn't help matters that when visiting the forum, the same half dozen or so guys are making all the posts...thus giving the game a very fringe, "small time" feel. Are these the only folks playing the game? I imagine that's not the case, but it sure seems like it is to potential new customers visiting the forum for the very first time.

It would also help if Shaun would lay out what makes his game better or more enjoyable than the primary competition (OOTP, Mogul, whatever). I saw his claims a couple of weeks back that his game now surpasses not only OOTP, but also Strat, Action, and Diamond Mind. Instead of a blanket declaration, give us the reasons, tell us why, draw the clear distinction between your game and the competition. Simply put, MARKET the damn thing.

And finally, Shaun's "retirements" have been another turn-off in the past. Again, his programming skills are fantastic, but will he and his game be around for the long haul? Will there be a version 5 next spring...and a version 6 the spring after?? If he doesn't sell enough games this year, will he throw another tantrum and "retire" again...only to "un-retire" a few days later?? With most of the companies he's declared victory over (OOTP, Mogul, Strat, Action), you know there's going to be a new version every year because there has been a new version every year. With Shaun, there's no guarantee.

All this stuff matters in the eyes of potential customers who would like to take the game seriously...but instead view it as much more of a side project or hobby, as opposed to a serious venture.

[Phatguy]

I've been with PS  since the 3rd or 4th beta, predating his Matrix days. His work is amazing. 

[Grim.Reaper]

Personally, I think it is great there is competition in the baseball game market. Each has its own strengths and weakness. For me, I prefer OOTP and Action Pc, but that doesn't mean that other people won't enjoy the other games. To each his own

[puresimmer]

ORIGINAL: King of All Games

ORIGINAL: KG Erwin

Yes, OOTP fans are pretty vociferous in their opinions, but PS4 excels in its attention to historical career associations. Don't knock it until you try the newest version.

Amongst the latest beta improvements are automatic historical ballpark imports, along with pics.

Note that the free "lite" version only offers one mode of play --- with the full "paid" version you have options galore.

"Automatic historical ballpark imports?" Is that supposed to be a big selling point to attract new customers and OOTP stalwarts??

I've followed Shaun's work for years and his programming skills are top notch, but his marketing efforts (by himself and with others) have been sub-par at best. After trying the "lite" version, the game has come a long way, but still has a long way to go. Seems like his endless tinkering and updating often throws off other previously stable parts of the game, thus leading to a never-ending cycle of fixes and updates. A finite development cycle for each version would end this sort of "ongoing beta" stigma the game has in many circles. Also, it doesn't help matters that when visiting the forum, the same half dozen or so guys are making all the posts...thus giving the game a very fringe, "small time" feel. Are these the only folks playing the game? I imagine that's not the case, but it sure seems like it is to potential new customers visiting the forum for the very first time.

It would also help if Shaun would lay out what makes his game better or more enjoyable than the primary competition (OOTP, Mogul, whatever). I saw his claims a couple of weeks back that his game now surpasses not only OOTP, but also Strat, Action, and Diamond Mind. Instead of a blanket declaration, give us the reasons, tell us why, draw the clear distinction between your game and the competition. Simply put, MARKET the damn thing.

And finally, Shaun's "retirements" have been another turn-off in the past. Again, his programming skills are fantastic, but will he and his game be around for the long haul? Will there be a version 5 next spring...and a version 6 the spring after?? If he doesn't sell enough games this year, will he throw another tantrum and "retire" again...only to "un-retire" a few days later?? With most of the companies he's declared victory over (OOTP, Mogul, Strat, Action), you know there's going to be a new version every year because there has been a new version every year. With Shaun, there's no guarantee.

All this stuff matters in the eyes of potential customers who would like to take the game seriously...but instead view it as much more of a side project or hobby, as opposed to a serious venture.

{blows dust off Matrix forum account}

Very astute, and honest feedback. The good news (to me at least) is all of your points are being addressed this year: marketing, rigid development cycle, fixed release date of 3/22 etc.

[diablo1]

The one thing missing from both games and I've called for it for years on both forums is GRAPHICS animated players. It doesn't have to be something fancy even something like Microleague Baseball would do. But, stat based baseball gets BORING after awhile no matter how well made they are without some graphical feedback. It's one of the reasons I also like Mogul Baseball. OOTPBB has the best career mode (with many perks), trading, fantasy baseball sim out there. They do both suffer from ignorant trading ai though. I can field a monster team within 2 years trading against the ai and getting players like Pujols, Grenke, Hamilton, Drew, Utley and a list of others too easily. While they both might be great for online multiplayer play many of us care not for that and want a challenging ai. Make that FIRST and FOREmost and you've got yourself a winner.

[KG Erwin]

Daiablo, if you're wanting animated players, then Pure Sim isn't for you. This IS a stat-based gane, and the only moving thing is the ball itself and fireworks when a HR is hit by the home team (if you choose to turn them on). As far as the trade AI is concerned, the PS AI is no pushover. Since vs AI play is the normal mode (there is no online play), Shaun has concentrated on the AI routines, and I can vouch for it being a challenging opponent. The game doesn't lose itself in minutiae like hot dog prices, but it does offer a realistic modern financial model, if you choose to play with finances on.

As for me, my favorite era is the Golden Age of 1946-57, when New York was the capital of baseball. My team is the Brooklyn Dodgers, the Boys of Summer, playing at beautiful Ebbets Field, and my task is to bring them a World Series title before 1955. My 1946 team has Pee Wee Reese and Carl Furillo on it, and in the AAA minors I have Jackie Robinson, Ralph Branca, Roy Campanella and Don Newcombe, all waiting to get their chance in the big leagues. I also have a 20-year-old slugger from Los Angeles in single A named Edwin "Duke" Snider.

I'm looking forward to opening day.