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Out of the Park Baseball 16: Quick Breakdown of the New Features


Out of the Park Developments continues to surprise us with their major additions to each version of its outstanding baseball sim. Last year, it was the advent of 3D animations; in 2015, OOTP 16 will add an official MLB license.

This isn’t the only surprising or anticipated feature recently announced. Here’s a list of the expected additions and what they might mean for one of OS’s top-rated games.

MLB License

This addition is stunning, partially because it elevates OOTP 16 into a more nationally recognized game and because, frankly, it wasn’t needed. The multiple logo sets available for download made the game feel somewhat official already. Still, getting the actual artwork adds notoriety to the game, especially for those who may have overlooked it before.

Team Owner Goals

It used to be every sports franchise mode was a sandbox game of sort, with no short- or long-term goals other than to win. Games like NBA 2K and NCAA Football series tweaked the formula a bit, offering an RPG-like experience with levels and upgradable skills. Often, your success was based on achieving the owner’s demands as much as it was winning.

It’s nice to see OOTP takes steps in that direct. For a sandbox-type game, they don’t get much bigger than OOTP’s global scale. Have some short-term goals makes the game more accessible, focused, and, in some ways, realistic.

Improved Team Finances

It looks like this is becoming an area that is both easier and more fun to handle, with improved AI and a “widgets”-based user interface. Which means if you don’t pay attention, it may be easier than ever to sink your team into bankruptcy.

Redesigned Managers and Coaches

I enjoy playing as a “true” GM, letting the manager and coaches handle most of the day-to-day game stuff. So I’m excited that OOTP is spicing up the managers, making their personality a bit more of an impact. This too feels more realistic, as you aren’t looking just at numbers, but an approximation of a person with social strengths and flaws.

Recoded Team Strategy System

It seems that the coaching changes extend into this aspect of the game as well. Besides being easier and more streamlined to set, some strategies won’t be available to you if you turn control over to the manager. This is a small but realistic change that starts to push “GM-only” mode into a whole different way to play: if you hire a fiery manager, don’t expect him to take your meddling lying down.

Improved 3D Ball Flight

This improvement is less exciting for me, since I didn’t use the 3D feature very much last year. Still, it’s nice to see that 3D is more than just a gimmick for the folks at OOTP. Plus, the 3D renders of all of the MLB ballparks is a huge plus.


There are a number of other announced improvements, and I’m sure more will be revealed as we approach launch. If you haven’t tried OOTP in a while, it looks like OOTP 16 might be a great year to jump back in.

If you are a veteran, what feature do you look forward to the most?


Member Comments
# 1 NYJin2011tm @ 01/28/15 09:32 PM
I think I read we can now be just Manager, Manager-GM combo, or just GM. Being just a Manager along with the MLB license has me most excited.
 
# 2 PlatinumJuice @ 01/29/15 01:53 PM
I would love to see some sort of Online Servers set up for Multiplayer
 
# 3 BradOOTP @ 01/29/15 04:57 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by NYJin2011tm
I think I read we can now be just Manager, Manager-GM combo, or just GM. Being just a Manager along with the MLB license has me most excited.
Yes, Manager-Only mode is now an option. I'm starting an historical season in OOTP 16 in Manager-Only and will write about it on our blog.
 
# 4 BradOOTP @ 01/29/15 04:58 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by PlatinumJuice
I would love to see some sort of Online Servers set up for Multiplayer
You mean, like head-to-head? Not sure if or when we'll be able to do that. I know it's come up before and Markus has cited very high programming costs. Maybe after we can grow sales even more. Thanks.
 
# 5 ImTellinTim @ 01/30/15 11:25 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by BradOOTP
You mean, like head-to-head? Not sure if or when we'll be able to do that. I know it's come up before and Markus has cited very high programming costs. Maybe after we can grow sales even more. Thanks.
Not really head-to-head, but several managers that exist in the same world. Basically you're all playing the game at the same time but could be in different leagues. It's very fun in FM if you can find a dedicated group of people.
 
# 6 RunN1st @ 02/02/15 11:01 PM
I'm considering picking this up this year for the first time. (The MLB license caught my attention.)
 
# 7 tessl @ 02/24/15 02:33 PM
If OOTP would add graphics as good as MLB the Show I'm convinced you would steal a lot of their customers because of your realistic gameplay stats in the game.
 
# 8 nvjiesle @ 03/07/15 11:48 PM
It's very fun in FM if you can find a dedicated group of people.
 
# 9 Shadak @ 03/24/15 04:57 AM
To be honest Id be more than happy with graphics like FM, I find the little guys really cute and love watching the replays. That would be so awesome in OOTP and would probably make me play nothing else.
 

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