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?