General Impressions on the 1.1 Beta

[KG Erwin]

I've had some interesting games in my "Golden Age" Association, with a few pitchers getting clutch singles and some great arms throwing out base-runners at the plate. The minor glitches have already been mentioned, but I'm pretty happy with the results so far.

A caveat: the inclusion of more real players from the Lahman database may be the key factor in the unrealistic performances of the "top-shelf" players. The ratings assigned by the program now factor in the lesser-used bench players, so the disparity between the real-life "stars & scrubs" may now be unbalanced. I'm still seeing speed ratings of 100, and these guys STILL almost never get thrown out in a steal attempt of second.

Given that, I have found that HR totals for a late 40s real-player league, USING the REAL ballparks of the era, are consistent with league BA and ERA of that era.

Keep in mind that I focus on one period of time, but I would think that if real players are used in historical ballparks for any given era, then the results wouldn't be ahistorical.

Getting the historical parameters correct, IMHO, is the benchmark. Once that is established, the fantasy players can do what they please, and realistic results can fly out the window.

PS I ran a computer-simmed 1946 season, using the real ballparks, and it came out exactly like real life: the Cardinals beat the Red Sox in the WS. That's pretty impressive.

[ravinhood]

the Cardinals beat the Red Sox in the WS.

They just got lucky AGAIN! lol

[kisner]

Beta 1.1 does seem like an improvement. But I'm really surprised that PureSim was sold in its "gold" form. There seem to be so many things that needed fixing, and still need fixing, that it seems like we paid for a beta version of the game.

This is a great idea for a baseball game. But much work remains to be done. Applying historical players to the game still needs a lot of work. In-game strategy options are farcical at times -- for instance, it is way too easy to advance to 2nd on a flyout. The salary system has nothing to do with reality -- it's MLB with no reserve clause and no arbittration. The relationship between majors and minors leaves out the important concept of options and waivers. My game sessions are often puncuated by Run-Time errors -- not fatal, but annoying.

Bottom line: I like the idea of PureSim, but it's a shame that Matrix released it before it was ready for the big leagues. Currently it is still Rookie League software with loads of potential.

[pasternakski]

I strongly disagree. This game is smooth, complete, and fun. Shaun is working to "add features," not "fix." I am perfectly satisfied with this game as it stands, but hope to contribute to making in-game management more interesting. That is not to say I believe it to be deficient as-is. I just want more, and, as lawyers will tell you, "More is better."

The salary system has to be flexible enough to cover any era and any set of player-desired circumstances. I would like to see that flexibility built into the system, but it is not a big deal for me. Options and waivers would add interest, but also complexity. Do you want this game to evolve into a simulation of what has come close to ruining baseball (and the other major sports)? Ability to modify the system, yes. Lockstep following of the unfortunate path baseball finances have gone down, no.

As far as being "rookie league software," you got something better?

[RandyChase]

ORIGINAL: kisner

Bottom line: I like the idea of PureSim, but it's a shame that Matrix released it before it was ready for the big leagues. Currently it is still Rookie League software with loads of potential.

I've played almost every baseball sim that has been released in the last 20+ years, starting with Roy Wagner's "Computer Baseball" (published by SSI for the C-64). While each has its own personality, and its own strengths and weaknesses, Shaun's is by far the one I've enjoyed the most. (Earl Weaver and Front Page come in as runner ups; and I'm basing this on how much I've enjoyed them over the years, not on a detailed feature-by-feature comparison.)

If you want a detailed statistical recreation of baseball history, PureSim might not be the perfect product for you; but I think that Shaun has captured the feel of the historical span of baseball better than anyone. And while PS might not be your cup of tea, I think that calling it a "rookie" product shows a lack of perspective and is an opinion that I'd have to strongly disagree with.

Just my two cents....

[kisner]

Elsewhere on this board it was reported that Lou Brock was given a 70 speed score in a league begun in 1974, a year in which he actually stole over 100 bases. Weirdness like this is way too common in PureSim when trying to use real players. The impression I have is that this feature -- the ability to sim with real players -- was tacked on before it was adequately tested. What else would explain the frantic beta 1.1 changes to make the game more realistic? In essence, the Matrix customer base is doing testing and development on using historical players.

Someone argued against making the franchise model more realistic by adding the reserve clause and options and arbitration. I guess to my way of thinking the salary system is pointless fluff unless it is made to fit reality. And it's not like PureSim doesn't have its share of pointless additions: for instance, what's the purpose behind the Disabled List when players move freely between majors and minors anyway?

I don't expect the fidelity of Strat-O-Matic or Diamond Mind. But if PureSim can't bring real players into sharper focus, the game just doesn't work for me. I've been spending most of my time with the game in the early 1900s, so the problems aren't so noticeable, but I have started both a 1960 and a 1967 league and can't say I was impressed with many of the player ratings.

[motnahp]

PS is a product that continues to improve with every release. Shaun has listened to his customer base and made changes accordingly. Along the way, he has given the user more and more control and the ability to shape an association to meet one's particular needs.

Is the product a major league superstar? No. Is it a young, developing player with great potential? Absolutely. I'm having a great time being along for the ride.

[Beach23BoyP]

ORIGINAL: kisner

Elsewhere on this board it was reported that Lou Brock was given a 70 speed score in a league begun in 1974, a year in which he actually stole over 100 bases. Weirdness like this is way too common in PureSim when trying to use real players. The impression I have is that this feature -- the ability to sim with real players -- was tacked on before it was adequately tested. What else would explain the frantic beta 1.1 changes to make the game more realistic? In essence, the Matrix customer base is doing testing and development on using historical players.

Someone argued against making the franchise model more realistic by adding the reserve clause and options and arbitration. I guess to my way of thinking the salary system is pointless fluff unless it is made to fit reality. And it's not like PureSim doesn't have its share of pointless additions: for instance, what's the purpose behind the Disabled List when players move freely between majors and minors anyway?

I don't expect the fidelity of Strat-O-Matic or Diamond Mind. But if PureSim can't bring real players into sharper focus, the game just doesn't work for me. I've been spending most of my time with the game in the early 1900s, so the problems aren't so noticeable, but I have started both a 1960 and a 1967 league and can't say I was impressed with many of the player ratings.

Sorry Kisner, but where have you been? This is why I no longer tolerate forums very well (I was the busiest poster at the old forum).

Shaun has been working on this program for several years. He's a one man show with an extremely good "regular job", He just loves baseball and enjoys giving us simmers what we want. He codes in his spare time (On airplanes, hotel rooms, weekends, etc). He's also the most responsive software guy I've ever met.

And yes -- this game is really made for "fantasy players" and "GM type" control and use. He has added real players, in-game managing, etc, etc as the program has matured. However, "his focus" (I think) is still mostly on fictional players and GM type play.

So, don't expect this program to mature into a Strat-O-Matic or a Diamond Mind. Those are great programs and they attract their followers -- PureSim is and has been a great and very addicting program which attracts its followers. It, no doubt, will continue to grow and evolve, but one thing is sure -- "Shaun doesn't "throw things" together.

And BTW, don't you have to "pay and pay" for those SOM and DM add-on seasons?? They should be a lot more accurate!!

PS is not for "regurgitating the past", it is for creating alternative new BB worlds.