Aesthetics or Look of the Game

[Crimguy]

I watched a game for the 1st time in pbp.  Shows how important I find it [:D]  Seriously, I can see the need for improvement, but it is pretty low on my priority list.  I wanted to be able to bitch-slap my manager when he threw in a middle-reliever in the 3rd inning when my starter gave up 2 hits.

On the interface front (something I care about for all applications), I think a bit of an overall reorganization could benefit the game.  I particularly noticed a lack of consistency between windows - most notably with some windows having an OK/Close button on the bottom right while others (player card) do not.

[PadresFan104]

Good observation on the interface... By the way, is that picture from Star Blazers?? I loved that show as a kid!

[Crimguy]

Yup.  Desslok Desslok Desslok!

Couple questions for Amarok - FM-07?  I figure you mean Football Manager 2007?  I know it's the rage across the pond - is it worth picking up as well?

Also, what's the "splintering" I hear of regarding the OOTP fan base?

[orton1227]

As far as the UI goes...I think one reason Baseball Mogul is the best selling baseball sim is because of the UI.  You can do anything in it you can do in Windows.  Sort, drag/drop, very easy operations to pick up.  It's pretty common sense.  I'd love for PureSim to be more Windowsy!

[lynchjm24]

Here is one for the look of the player card. Have the stat categories stick, so that as you scroll down you don't have to come across the gap where they start over.

[Amaroq]

ORIGINAL: Crimguy
Couple questions for Amarok - FM-07? I figure you mean Football Manager 2007? I know it's the rage across the pond - is it worth picking up as well?

Also, what's the "splintering" I hear of regarding the OOTP fan base?

Yes, FM'07 = Football Manager 2007, or 'Worldwide Soccer Manager 2007' if you are purchasing a copy distributed in the U.S.

Personally, I'm a fan of the genre 'sports management games' more than I'm a fan of any single game within the genre - by which I mean, I play the genre, as opposed to necessarily playing within the sports that I enjoy the most.

If you are a fan of the genre in that way, FM'07 is a must-buy. It is extremely rich and detailed, with a level of depth that is almost impossible to believe: player happiness, unhappiness, mentoring; manager interacting with the press; halftime team talks; a very strong scouting model; an exceptional breadth of playable teams; a 2D simulation of the games; more managerial options and player data than you've seen in other games.

Plus, it has the 'battle for promotion' built into it thanks to the structure of international club football: essentially, at the end of the year, the top two or three AAA clubs earn 'promotion' into the major leagues, and the bottom two or three major league clubs are 'demoted' to AAA - to put it in baseball terms. That makes an awesome set of challenges like 'Turn a Conference club (A) into a Premier League (MLB) contender'...

However, as an American coming new to the game, it may actually be so deep as to feel overwhelming. When you stare at a player with 25 'attributes', it can be hard to tell which attributes are most important for a player at his position. When you go to the tactics screen, if you don't know much about soccer strategy, you're a bit at a loss as to what to click first. Your first season or two will be extremely streaky - a couple of wins in a row, followed by eight or nine losses where you just can't tell what to change to get a result.

Personally, the first time I picked it up, I got frustrated and gave up ... but the second time I picked it up, it helped turn me into a RL soccer fan. [:D]

So, my advice is, its definitely worth a flier at least once. Also, older/used versions of the game (eg FM'05) may be easier to acheive success in.

. . .

As far as the "splintering" of the OOTP fan base, SI (the makers of FM'07) and Markus (the maker of OOTP1-OOTP6.5) formed a partnership, which included Markus rewriting the game with
- a. SI's engine
- b. SI's look-and-feel
- c. A more international focus

The resulting game didn't "feel" like the previous OOTP, it felt like a blend of FM'07 and OOTP. Some of their fans absolutely loved it. Some, however, absolutely hated it, and have complained loudly about many of the changes.

I think the jury is still out as to whether the changes were a formula for long-term success.. and whether the vocal opposition on forums represents a majority of OOTP fans or simply a very vocal minority.

Certainly, PureSim has seen a number of users come through who were long-time OOTP fans that decided to try out 'the opposition' as a result of the changes.