Draft AI/SB/CS for 1.84 RC2

[rsatlfan]

Hi Everyone,

I am new to the board but second to no one in admiring the great efforts in making PureSim such a great game.

I created an association starting in 1905 using PureSim classic as the beginning point.

My team drafted 8th and all went well but I did notice something that was strange. I noticed that many top pitchers were not drafted by the AI GM's while others were who were not up to their standard. To test this, I repeated this several times after creating new associations.

In the last association and draft I conducted last night the following pitchers were not selected by any AI GM in a 35 man draft. I might mention I was playing two leagues with eight team each with myself controlling one of the team.

Pitchers not selected in the draft were Rube Waddell, Christy Mathewson, Addie Joss, Mordechai Brown, Jack Chesbro, Orval Overall, Eddie Plank, George Mullin, and Bob Ewing. All were stars in 1905 and have excellent ratings. However, the seventh overall pick in the draft was pitcher Raymond Ricketson who had the following stats: Age 32, Stuff 8, Velocity 3, Control 2, Endurance 10, and Potential 6. This was not a one off as many other pitchers were chosen who had poor stats. I then played the season and Ricketson ended up at 3-16. In the off season draft all of the above non-selected pitchers were chosen but none as higher than the second round. If I recall correctly in 1.83 I used the draft and Waddell and Mathewson were chosen quickly and had great years. It seems that the Draft AI might have had changes in the logic that do not make the best choices for teams.

I think this is critical, especially for a new league. In one test my four man rotation ended up being Waddell, Mathewson, Reulbach, and Mullin and I also got Cobb in the draft as well. My team's record was great and I swept the World Series. If all teams choose wisely it will be a tough chore for the human player to win easily if at all. But as it is my core team is such that I have a relatively easy time of it. By the way in 1907 I also managed to draft Walter Johnson even though I picked last in that years draft.

I also checked stolen bases and was surprised to learn that my team (in my last check last night) stole 206 bases but was caught stealing only 29 times. I checked my team once a weak and let the computer sim on a weekly basis. My settings were average for attempting stolen bases. I think this needs to be looked at, especially in regards to the caught stealing total. Bill James wrote that teams would steal between 100 and 200 bases in that era so, although I think the total is high with an average setting, I might reluctantly accept the stolen base totals. However, there were more caught stealing during that era so 206 steals with 29 caught stealing is, I think, unrealistic.

Please don't take this as harsh criticism. The game is excellent but I believe how the computer AI drafts and plays the game is what ultimately makes the game what it is. I think Shaun has done a fantastic job and I hope these comments will help make the game better.

[Frozen Stiffer]

rsatlfan,

One thing you will come to learn quickly if you spend a lot of time on the boards, interacting with fellow PureSim enthusiasts and with Shaun, it's developer, is that he doesn't take feedback as criticism. This is true especially when you explain and justify yourself. He WANTS feedback, both good and bad. He creates this for himself and for others; and without knowing what we like and what we don't like, he could not have continued to improve and develop this amazing creation into the incredible product it is today.

You could call it harsh criticism if you posted "THIS GAME SUCKS" and left it at that, not explaining why.

Shaun is active in this board for a reason- he wants to hear the praise and the comments and the complaints. That's why he's active in this and that's why he doesn't hide behind some nameless, cold, generic email feedback system which likely never gets answered.

This game has a great designer and addicted, loyal fans. You will become one of them... you will join the Dark Side.


My name is Frozen Stiffer.

I am a PureSim addict.