2021 Regular Season SIM 9 Complete - Next SIM Saturday 5/6

[Z]

I think the opaque nature of the morale and scouting system (with our settings) is the way to go. No way I want OOTP to go the way of FOF where A+B equals C and the same teams win year in-year out because the mathematical code is broken.

We absolutely shouldn't be privy to how everything works together under the hood.

Speaking for myself, I don't want to know how things work so much as roughly how much they matter.

Take the scouting and player development budgets as an example.

The developers keep it a mystery as to how important those budgets are.

I tend to invest above the baselines. Other GMs confided in me they sometimes invest literally $1.

Are they actually hurting themselves by doing so? If so, is it a meaningful amount? Is my $15 million investment 1% or 1000% better than the $1 investment? I really have no idea because the developers gave us zero information.

I don't have a burning desire to hear something specific and detailed like, "Every $1 million above or below the baseline results in a 10% increase or decrease in the development of your players."

But it would be nice to know some broad strokes about how the system works and the potential magnitude of its effects.

[Delandis]

But it would be nice to know some broad strokes about how the system works and the potential magnitude of its effects.

for the record I don't think UMD wants to Clay the game, but I do think that what has kept us playing the game for so long is it's unpredictable nature.

I think if if they give much more info than already provided, you will quickly find scores of people reverse engineering the mechanics by simming 10,000 seasons.

[umd]

Speaking for myself, I don't want to know how things work so much as roughly how much they matter.

Take the scouting and player development budgets as an example.

The developers keep it a mystery as to how important those budgets are.

I tend to invest above the baselines. Other GMs confided in me they sometimes invest literally $1.

Are they actually hurting themselves by doing so? If so, is it a meaningful amount? Is my $15 million investment 1% or 1000% better than the $1 investment? I really have no idea because the developers gave us zero information.

I don't have a burning desire to hear something specific and detailed like, "Every $1 million above or below the baseline results in a 10% increase or decrease in the development of your players."

But it would be nice to know some broad strokes about how the system works and the potential magnitude of its effects.

I don't want the formula I just want tools to provide data to interpret to make more informed decisions.

[umd]

for the record I don't think UMD wants to Clay the game, but I do think that what has kept us playing the game for so long is it's unpredictable nature.

I think if if they give much more info than already provided, you will quickly find scores of people reverse engineering the mechanics by simming 10,000 seasons.

If I wanted to Clay the game I'd have 6, 7, 8 cheating titles by now. Instead I have all these huge losses and still want to stay competitive. Call it bitching if you want. I call it trying to win sprite based games.

[PaulC]

I don't want the formula I just want tools to provide data to interpret to make more informed decisions.

I think it's already there. It's nice having unknowns. It's more realistic. Frustrating, but more realistic. Speaking for myself, I wouldn't put in the time I do if it was overly simplistic. One or two seasons and out, just like mastering a console game. The reason I've put away console games for the BLB is the fact I can't quickly figure out the tricks and master is quickly.

[umd]

I think it's already there. It's nice having unknowns. It's more realistic. Frustrating, but more realistic. Speaking for myself, I wouldn't put in the time I do if it was overly simplistic. One or two seasons and out, just like mastering a console game. The reason I've put away console games for the BLB is the fact I can't quickly figure out the tricks and master is quickly.

We will agree to disagree. More data = more better. If morale really is going to be such a big part there should be some tools to compensate - for example options to respond to a player's email, ability to designate a captain. Let me be proactive. The only solution for morale now is to dump all your angry players. That's not ideal in my opinion or let them all simmer on the roster and tank your season.

[PaulC]

We will agree to disagree. More data = more better. If morale really is going to be such a big part there should be some tools to compensate - for example options to respond to a player's email, ability to designate a captain. Let me be proactive. The only solution for morale now is to dump all your angry players. That's not ideal in my opinion or let them all simmer on the roster and tank your season.

Those are fair points. Maybe once my guys turn angry it'll make more sense to me, but right now they're loving California.

[nelmsm]

Well another 2-4 week for the Brawlers. Of course they were probably distracted with the local hospital opening up a new wing just for Brawler players. Injuries have been brutal this season! The only bright spot is that Jamie Hayden was the IL Rookie of the Month which means a Brawler has won it for the first two months of the season. Now if only one of them could pitch or learn to be a doctor I might get somewhere.

[Hank]

Me too. I feel the same way about the player development and scouting budgets. I felt that way for a long time.

Player dev and scouting are a complete mystery to me.
Recently, my scout couldn't find shit if he fell into Willmington's bullpen (my mission to insult every organization is nearly complete).

On some of my most recent draft picks, their ratings have plummeted and are far closer to what OSA had predicted.

Admittingly, I do like the mystery of it all though. I feel like it gives moron's like me a chance since there's a lot of chaos involved.

[Hank]

Oh snap!
I just looked at my upcoming schedule and see that I've got Indy and California on tap.
Better get ready...

[umd]

for the record I don't think UMD wants to Clay the game, but I do think that what has kept us playing the game for so long is it's unpredictable nature.

I think if if they give much more info than already provided, you will quickly find scores of people reverse engineering the mechanics by simming 10,000 seasons.

Honestly here's my gripe and I'll use an example directly from in game how this mechanic has changed for the worse. I just got home and grabbed the file. I'm in my email...

RP Pat Steffen will join the club
leader ability very high
loyalty normal
desire for winning normal
greed normal
intelligence high
work ethic high

morale is good, expectation is bullpen. All terrific. He should fix some issues I would think. He's a leader in the clubhouse, is pretty smart, and never shows any lack of effort. He is popular in the clubhouse.

However the game makes no sense...

Willie de Leon says he "won't name names but the situation in the clubhouse has gone downhill. Nobody is taking things seriously, and it's starting to affect our on field performance." Great, but without naming names this is a pointless email mechanic.

Next, Robby Scriber says "this team is going nowhere and I want out. I have lost the desire to play here."

Fine Robby. Your Leadership ability is very high. Be a fucking leader.

And finally...My bench coach has his chemistry update. Sweet! Tell me who to get rid of! Nope.

"This team has had its fair share of issues. Some things in the news are false but most have hints of truth to them. We do have leadership in the clubhouse in Rod sedivic but he mentioned he can't do it alone.

When I look around I don't see anyone causing major disruptions. Like any team we have our share of guys who might be selfish or lazy. It doesn't give a good impression but I wouldn't worry about them too much. At least it looks like whatever little tensions between the guys can hopefully remain small issues."

So yeah, this morale mechanic is really frustrating when you consider none of this is coherent. Nobody is named to even let me fix the problem, everything is contradictory, there's no mechanism for fixing the issue myself at all outside guessing who the problems are and cutting/trading them. Do I trade 1, 3, 5? How do I know who? How many are enough? Or do I just get rid of all the angry players?

In my opinion it is a busted mechanic. We started slow sure and I did fuck up by trading 2 aces. Fine that's on me. But I also made 2 straight ILCS and it's wiped out in 6 weeks of losing baseball to start a season? That's poor design.

[funclown]

I just want more info as to the game mechanics which is why I asked the questions. Much like you did. After playing for 40 something seasons and 8-10 realyears here I'm entitled to question the mechanics of a game so I can adjust. You view it as "complaining" and "don't get it" but it's called a desire to win not fucking suck for ten seasons to try and win a title.

I don't really see it as complaining. I totally hear ya. Things have changed like you said. Your trust trying to understand.

Think we all get it. Me and Pat said it recently it's like playing a different game now. Well he said it and I agreed. It's frustrating , yet exciting all at once.

Also note Seattle is rebuilding and Pawtucket is also (I think). Last season I REALLY thought with the hitters I had we were a 75-80 win team. Boy was last season humbling.

So so here we are now....we're semi newbies .

[funclown]

Now enjoy the full fire power of former Death Valley minor leaguer ....Closer Pat Romar!!!!!

[Delandis]

In my opinion it is a busted mechanic. We started slow sure and I did fuck up by trading 2 aces. Fine that's on me. But I also made 2 straight ILCS and it's wiped out in 6 weeks of losing baseball to start a season? That's poor design.

We'll agree to disagree.

[Nemesis]

Also, I think having a team leader really helps. The email I got from my bench coach indicated that Dave McClain is a problem in the clubhouse but Joey Walz (High leadership, loyalty, work ethic, intelligence) keeps things running smoothly. That being said, Walz was on my roster most of last year so I think winning/losing trumps all.

Wait, so you got a mail this year, about a problem player this year, and that a player who's not on your team this year, but instead was on your team last year sorted it out? hahaha