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Subject: TSN: Strat-O-Matic Baseball Is Coming
Posted by: Erik B.
- [239592612] Wed, Apr 17, 2002, 12:01
Gang:
Within the next week, we should have our first version of Strat-O-Matic Baseball Online launched. In my opinion (and Bernie's), it's the coolest game we've built and it involves tons of strategy. In particular, you need to:
1) Draft great defensive players. Strat-O-Matic's "cards" don't just account for errors, but also range and throwing power.
2) Assemble line-ups that can square up against both left-handed and right-handed hitters. Teams with uni-dimensional lineups have faired very poorly in our beta tests.
3) Find a balance between starting pitchers and a bullpen.
4) Assemble a team (in general) that makes sense for your home ballpark.
Etc., etc. Listen -- we're excited. If you've ever been interested in baseball simulation games, this is the one to try. Strat-O-Matic's gaming interface has really given us a leg up. In particular, I'd love it if Gurupies formed early divisions for this game (launching on Monday, we hope), as I think it'll appeal greatly to this audience.
And if you do sign-up, please let me know what you think (ebarmack@sportingnews.com).
-ESB
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| 1 | Bandos
ID: 422571916
Wed, Apr 17, 2002, 12:34
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Can't wait! Do you need to buy the CD to play?
I am in for any Guru division.
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| 2 | Erik B.
ID: 239592612
Wed, Apr 17, 2002, 13:14
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Bandos:
Nope -- it's all web-based. And again, I feel reasonably comfortable saying that it's the coolest game we've built.
-ESB
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| 3 | pogophiles
Leader
ID: 155452911
Wed, Apr 17, 2002, 13:42
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Sounds like fun to me!
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| 4 | Purple Pimp
ID: 27633140
Wed, Apr 17, 2002, 13:49
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looking forward to it erik cant wait
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| 5 | Chris
ID: 24910517
Wed, Apr 17, 2002, 17:10
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This sounds like a blast! Is it going to be pay for play, though? And if so, is there a free game as well? I can't see myself paying for 2 different TSN games right now, as fun as this one sounds.
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| 6 | Erik B.
ID: 239592612
Wed, Apr 17, 2002, 17:45
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Yes, it will be Pay-to-Play. And no, unfortunately, there will not be a free game. I should also add that this game requires a high level of involvement!
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| 7 | APerfect10
ID: 39143521
Wed, Apr 17, 2002, 17:53
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How could I pass...
I'm in! :)
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| 8 | Rogue's Strikers
ID: 5135171
Wed, Apr 17, 2002, 18:47
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Count me in. Hey PP, this sounds alot like GSB in a way doesn't it?
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| 9 | PP at work
ID: 02581318
Wed, Apr 17, 2002, 18:58
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Rogue it does.. hopefully it is just as good as how gsb used to be.
Erik will there be some kind of demo up? So we can check a preview of it
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| 10 | Lutefisker
Sustainer
ID: 12259720
Wed, Apr 17, 2002, 19:52
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I gotta play... gotta gotta gotta
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| 11 | APerfect10
ID: 39143521
Wed, Apr 17, 2002, 20:18
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I agree with PP, will there be a demo/preview of the game?
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| 12 | cancermoon
ID: 53248219
Wed, Apr 17, 2002, 20:33
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yeah even a one week demo might be usefull , I have never even heard of "Strat o matic" before, even though i get the impression it is a well known card type game.
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| 13 | Jello Biafra
ID: 12392015
Wed, Apr 17, 2002, 21:46
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I'm in, even though I don't have a clue how it's going to work. You said you're going to launch Monday, but when will scoring commence? When will we have to have a team lined up? Details, man. Details!
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| 14 | Erik B.
ID: 239592612
Thu, Apr 18, 2002, 09:31
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Guys:
No demos to start. But tons of screen shots and very thorough explanations of the game. And to a certain extent, I'm willing to risk my "street cred" here. The game is completely worth playing ... Late last night, for example, I finally solved a riddle in my line-up against LHP that put me on a six game win streak. The game is that addictive and detail-oriented.
-ESB
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| 15 | ukula
ID: 50432516
Thu, Apr 18, 2002, 09:44
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Eric -
A few basic questions:
1. Will we be limited to a specific year (2001?) to select our team?
2. Will it be salary-cap based where multiple teams can have the same players or will there be an online draft for each league?
3. How many teams per league?
4. How many games played per day/week?
5. How many games per season?
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| 16 | Lutefisker
Sustainer
ID: 12259720
Thu, Apr 18, 2002, 10:49
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I played strat-o-matic baseball, football, and basketball as a kid... Never mind who the players were then...
Baseball was by far the best.
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| 17 | Jello Biafra
ID: 12392015
Thu, Apr 18, 2002, 11:08
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I never player strat-o-matic so I have no clue how it works. Can someone give a brief overview? I gather it was played with cards and dice, right? How's that going to work on the internet? We will be using players from this year's MLB teams, or will it also include players from the past? I'm sure all this will be explained when you guys launch, but I'd like to know a little more now if anyone's willing to explain it.
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| 18 | *Jessica*
Donor
ID: 21227139
Thu, Apr 18, 2002, 12:04
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I'm with ya Jello. My former editor, Glenn Guzzo, had some big role with Strat-o-Matic but I never asked him about it. Somebody explain what the heck it is. Thanks!
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| 19 | Erik B.
ID: 239592612
Thu, Apr 18, 2002, 12:07
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Let's see:
1) We're starting with the 2001 season only. Historical seasons will follow.
2) It'll be a salary-cap single-team ownership hybrid. Basically, when you draft a team, you have a salary cap, and then you preference which players you want the most. We run a draft engine, and players are assigned to teams (one team only per player), and then you have the ability to add/drop free agents and/or trade. What this model does is create a very competitive environment (there are no _bad_ teams and no truly awful trades).
3) 12 teams per league (4 x 3).
4) 3 games per day, 162 game season. The ability to adjust/trade/strategize btw 3-game series.
5) How does Strat work? It basically uses the CD-Rom game as an engine to simulate at-bats, injuries, etc. It's hyper-realistic. So, for example, righty vs. lefty match-ups become very important, fielding ratings are important, the shape of the ballpark is important, who's on base in very important -- all of these things affect each individual at-bat.
What else? Each game features a detailed box score and game story. Statistics are extensive (I can check to see who scores the most runs per 27 outs, for example). And fiddling with your line-up is key (by moving Barry Bonds up a spot in my line-up, I netted 15 additional HRs over the second half of the season.
Other questions?
-ESB
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| 20 | Twarpy
Leader
ID: 323771
Thu, Apr 18, 2002, 12:28
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Erik I'd highly suggest making a demo, even if we can only play 10 games or something. Not only for oursake but for yours too. I mean if someone told me about TSN games before I had actually tried them I would never shell out the money.
Don't get me wrong, I'm very interested but a little hesistant if I can't even try it out for a few games. Screen-shots can only go so far, and as you said playing the game makes you addicted, so why not have a little demo?
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| 21 | MikeJ
ID: 34322721
Thu, Apr 18, 2002, 12:47
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Tons of questions about this. Very familiar with Strato board game, but not CD. Anyway, here are my top 5 questions.
1: Salary cap game, but with an auto draft- please explain further. I assume an owner must submit an extensive draft list, but is this done by position, or as an overall rating? And how does the salary-cap figure in? How smart is the auto-draft? What kind of prepatory material will be available prior to the draft, and how long to prepare?
2. Which set of rules is being used for game simulations?- Advanced, super-advanced?
3. How thorough are the game-plan preferences?- which pitchers to use when, when to steal, when to sacrifice, when to pinch-hit, what positions to platoon,etc?
4. Games are auto-played, I assume, but is there a way to "watch" as they are in progress? What is the time-frame for adjusting lineups and gameplans between series?
5. Are there strict usage limitations, and are injuries calculated the same way as the board game?
Ok, that's way more than five questions (so I lied). This sounds like a tremendously ambitious project, and I can't wait to see what it looks like. Loved Strato, but the incredible amount of time it took for stat-keeping and actual playing pushed me away. Sounds like that's all taken care of, so I'll almost certainly play.
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| 22 | *Jessica*
Donor
ID: 21227139
Thu, Apr 18, 2002, 13:00
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Like Twarpy, I'd be much more likely to shell out money to play if I could see a demo in action. Let us know if that's possible. Sounds interesting.
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| 23 | MikeJ
ID: 34322721
Thu, Apr 18, 2002, 13:45
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Anyone wanting strato info Strato World
Doesn't give basic rules, but a ton of info for the familiar, and the unfamiliar might be able to get some idea of what the game entails.
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| 24 | Mariomaniac
ID: 91136511
Thu, Apr 18, 2002, 13:53
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I have a stupid question: What will be the cost?
ESPN has a similar game and the cost is $49.95 per franchise. That's pretty steep considering I can order an excellect simulation game like OOTP4 or Strat-o-matic for that price or less and play the same way at my own convenience, only without prizes but with the opportunity to play multiple times.
Around $20 would work.
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| 25 | APerfect10
ID: 39143521
Thu, Apr 18, 2002, 14:24
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I'm not willing to pay more than $20, especially if there is no demo.
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| 26 | Erik B.
ID: 239592612
Thu, Apr 18, 2002, 14:52
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Price will be $24.95 to start -- half of ESPN's game.
We've decided strongly against doing a demo. WE think that our presentation of the game will be fairly convincing and that this will be a "word of mouth" game.
Answers to Mike's questions:
1) You basically pick your "ideal 28" given a salary cap of $80 million. Then you preference who you want the most. In general, you tend to get 20-23 of the players you've selected. We then automatically go down the list of players whom you haven't gotten, and take the next most expensive player on the list. So, if you wanted Sosa, but someone else got him, you might get Larry Walker. After your initial team is set, there's still a period to add/drop players. Because everyone has salary cap limitations, it's often the case that there are dozens of "stars" left in the free agent pool to choose from.
2 + 3) I don't know what rules are being used, exactly. You can set closers vs L and R, set-up men, defensive players, base-running tendencies, pinch hitters, use of bullpen, etc., etc. There are about 30 things you can change on a per-game basis.
4) You can't watch the game, but each game has a box score, story and complete explanation for every at-bat. Games will be simulated at night and you'll have 23 hours+ to make changes/trades.
5) No "strict usage" limitations, but some pitchers are allowed to go every four days vs. other pitchers that can only go every five days. We've removed semi-flukey players with great cards but a limited number of at-bats or IPs. Injuries are calculated the same way as the CD-rom game.
Again, gang, this is a GREAT game. If you don't believe me, maybe I'll set up a team of my own that Gurupies can get into for the first run (just promise not to screw with my players) so you can have a look.
-ESB
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| 27 | MikeJ
ID: 34322721
Thu, Apr 18, 2002, 15:11
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Thanks, Eric B. You guys do a great job with your games, so you can count me in.
One final question- the way you describe the draft, it sounds like the same player can be on multiple teams. Am I understanding that correctly?
I hope you get enough players to make this fly, and I would advise you to spread the message way beyond the normal fantasy community (if you're not already). Strato is a fantasy game, but not the same type that many people are used to playing. Once people get into it, they tend to get addicted, so if you can combine the already highly dedicated strato player with the fantasy enthusiast who has never played, you should have a winner. Good luck.
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| 28 | Erik B.
ID: 239592612
Thu, Apr 18, 2002, 15:16
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MikeJ:
1) No, you're not correct. Only one manager can own each player. The reason why you rank players after you've drafted them initially is to solve disputes if multiple managers want the same player. Fortunately, this happens some but not a lot as players tend to adopt very, very different strategies (four starters and one dominant closer vs. a lot of middle-relief guys, for example).
2) Agree that this game is VERY different. It requires a much greater understanding of strategy and total team balance than a typical fantasy game. Obviously working with STrat-O is a huge help because they are a known entity in this space.
Monday ... Monday can't come soon enough!
-ESB
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| 29 | Flying Polack
ID: 103531511
Thu, Apr 18, 2002, 15:34
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So the season will last about 54 days? How will the playoffs work. $24.95 sounds like a fair price, will you include any multiple season discounts?
Thanks
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| 30 | J
Leader
ID: 49346417
Thu, Apr 18, 2002, 15:46
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Polack - $25 for less than 2 months? thats a good price?
Maybe if the unemployment office will give us a raise :)
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| 31 | Flying Polack
ID: 103531511
Thu, Apr 18, 2002, 16:07
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I didn't say it was a good price, I said it was a fair price. Considering ESPN charges $49.95 for 9 weeks, I'll at least consider playing Strat. Without a demo version to get me hooked, it's less likely though.
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| 32 | Flying Polack
ID: 103531511
Thu, Apr 18, 2002, 16:08
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ESPN's price is absurd, and I was expecting TSN to have a similiar price.
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| 33 | Erik B.
ID: 239592612
Thu, Apr 18, 2002, 16:11
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Our pricing logic was something like this:
1) We wanted to charge half of what ESPN was charging.
2) We wanted to be in line with what we charge for fantasy games. We typically charge $19.95 per game, but this is so much more intense than fantasy (really). And more intimate too.
3) To start with, we won't have multi-team packs, but we'll be rolling out additional pricing plans in the summer.
-ESB
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| 34 | Flying Polack
ID: 103531511
Thu, Apr 18, 2002, 16:12
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Do the simulations run 7 days a week?
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| 35 | Erik B.
ID: 239592612
Thu, Apr 18, 2002, 16:26
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Yes.
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| 36 | RockChalker
ID: 410431923
Thu, Apr 18, 2002, 16:29
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I just posted an alternative for those interested in baseball simulation. Its not interactive though, its one player. Anyways details are over in the SIMSPORTS FORUM. The final price is 27.99, but then its yours to play multiple seasons over and over again, with as many associations as you like. There is also a free 10day trial starting Saturday when the game is released.
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| 37 | ukula
ID: 26354622
Thu, Apr 18, 2002, 23:44
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FYI for those interested in baseball simulations. Check out Whatifsports.com....you can choose players from all eras and it lasts about 50-60 days for a season. $9.95 for a whole season. No prizes to speak of...maybe a t-shirt....but what do you expect for $9.95? I think this may be the same sim that MLB.com uses but I'm not sure. They also have a 10-game trial league if you want to test it. I played the basketball one....it was fun, but I find real action more exciting than sims so I haven't given it another shot.
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| 38 | Erik B.
ID: 239592612
Mon, Apr 22, 2002, 11:41
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We think we'll have a much better product than WhatIF. But you'll get a chance to see the differences today...
-ESB
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| 39 | Shelby-villian
ID: 111412312
Tue, Apr 23, 2002, 11:38
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Hey what happened. You guys missed the
launch date and no new posts on why it hasn't
started and no demo and no further info on the
site about the specifics? Not a great way to
start promoting a game...
I'm still willing to try it out but get your act
together!
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| 40 | Flying Polack
ID: 8345199
Tue, Apr 23, 2002, 13:00
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I was just thinking the same thing.
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| 41 | APerfect10
ID: 39143521
Tue, Apr 23, 2002, 13:29
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Ditto the last 2 posts...
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| 42 | Erik B.
ID: 239592612
Tue, Apr 23, 2002, 13:49
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The game is done. We have a final licensing issue that we need to resolve before we can launch, which is frustrating. It should be solved today or tomorrow at the latest.
-ESB
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| 43 | Erik B.
ID: 239592612
Tue, Apr 23, 2002, 18:20
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Ok, we're up. Seriously, this game rocks. Those who know me on this board know that I don't particularly overpump our games, but this one is simply amazing. Check it out:
http://fantasygames.sportingnews.com/baseball/stratomatic/
-ESB
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| 44 | Donkey Hunter
Sustainer
ID: 55220159
Tue, Apr 23, 2002, 18:45
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So is someone going to start a Gurupie division? Is that option even available? I am in if someone does start one.
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| 45 | Erik B.
ID: 239592612
Tue, Apr 23, 2002, 18:46
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I will join (if you let me).
-ESB
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| 46 | Shelby-villian
ID: 111412312
Tue, Apr 23, 2002, 18:58
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Erik- things look good. I'm assuming it follows
SOM rules strictly? Will there be a place to
look at engine rule details for those without
the game (for example, SOM plays SS and 2B
heavily for defense. How will nonSOM players
know this info???)
I guess this is the biggest factor for me, it has
almost no info on game mechanics and how it
will be handled, esp for non-SOMers like
myself. And without this knowledge, it will be
very hard to compete at a high level without
spending a lot of money playing multiple
seasons.
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| 47 | MikeJ
ID: 123351816
Tue, Apr 23, 2002, 18:58
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Signed up already Erik, and it looks awesome. Couple questions- I don't see ballpark effects on players cards- what's up? And when are the games actually going to start?
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| 48 | Shelby-villian
ID: 111412312
Tue, Apr 23, 2002, 19:00
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Erik- I would really like to see the play interface
and player cards and such before investing.
Anyway this is possible also?
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| 49 | PP at Work
ID: 1539219
Tue, Apr 23, 2002, 20:48
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Someone wanna start a thread for a gurupie division?
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| 50 | Erik B.
ID: 239592612
Wed, Apr 24, 2002, 10:24
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Shelby:
The FAQ goes fairly in depth into most of the issue you've raised. Take a look at it. Shelby, I believe there are samples of player cards in the demo pages of the game, but they look and act exactly like the board game cards.
Mike J:
Your season will start on the Monday after your division is full and your draft is completed (drafts run every night). So the first divisions will start this upcoming Monday.
PP at Work:
I will start a Gurupie division (if there's not one already), and then I'll start a thread. My team will be the Brooklyn Dodgers.
-ESB
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| 51 | biliruben
Sustainer
ID: 231045110
Wed, Apr 24, 2002, 10:28
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So... $50 for the division winner or just $50 for the best record among all teams in the universe? Sorry if this has already been addressed.
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| 52 | *Jessica*
Donor
ID: 02291313
Wed, Apr 24, 2002, 10:36
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Sounds like fun and I can't wait to hear how you guys like it. Keep us informed so we can decide whether we want to invest next time around.
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| 53 | Shelby-villian
ID: 111412312
Wed, Apr 24, 2002, 10:44
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Thanks the FAQ does a great job in explaining
things. Some still stuff to be explained, but I'll
ask those questions as they arise. You should
really put a FAQ link on the advertisment page
esp. for those hardcore SOM players who
want to see how accurately the game is
recreated.
One big question as of now, is it possible to
change your initial draft team after you select a
stadium and league? Also at first glance the
pitcher salaries seem overinflated opposed to
hitters, as a lot of middle relief makes 4-5+ mil
where you can find many better hitters for that
same price. Maybe that's for balance, we shall
see.
The game really does look great, I'm sold! The
more I think about it, the different possibilites
for the game are endless (historical leagues,
worldwide rankings, etc...).
I hope you guys can keep and cultivate the
license, best of luck.
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| 54 | Shelby-villian
ID: 111412312
Wed, Apr 24, 2002, 11:04
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PP- I'll start a gurupie league as soon as I
finish drafting which is a very involved process
(involved, if you want a good team).
Drafting is very much like smallworld, but you
can't just get the best bang for your buck.
*Everything* needs to be taken into factor,
including defense of individual players, how
you want your lineup set (leadoff, cleanup
etc.), how many lefties to draft if I want to play
at Yankess stadium, etc.
Right now I'm trying to figure out how best to
draft a lefty dominated team that plays at
friendly lefty stadium that hits for power and
versatile defense while sacrificing speed but
not sacrifing the players needed to contend vs.
lefty pitching. =D
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| 55 | CanEHdian Pride
Donor
ID: 426351415
Wed, Apr 24, 2002, 11:06
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Looks like it should be interesting....a little to rich for my blood though. Just thought I'd throw that in since those who decided NOT to play hadn't really chimed in on the issue.
30 bucks for 8 weeks is a little steep for me.
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| 56 | Erik B.
ID: 239592612
Wed, Apr 24, 2002, 11:09
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1) I started a division -- Rotoguru I.
2) $50 goes to each DIVISION WINNER.
3) Shelby, if the FAQ is not linked from the promo pages it should be soon.
4) As Shelby points out, you really need to factor in defense, middle relief, etc., etc. An Shelby, as an FYI, the teams who did well in the Beta tests were those with great bullpens.
-ESB
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| 57 | Shelby-villian
ID: 111412312
Wed, Apr 24, 2002, 11:12
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Erik, I really need to know if you can change
your initial draft after you pick your stadium
and league. It'll make things a lot easier if I
can...
Thanks for the tip on the bullpen, btw.
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| 58 | Erik B.
ID: 239592612
Wed, Apr 24, 2002, 11:23
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You can change your draft after you pick your stadium, but NOT after you pick your league. At that point, you're locked in -- more or less indicating that you're ready to go.
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| 59 | Shelby-villian
ID: 111412312
Wed, Apr 24, 2002, 12:44
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Another question: regarding starting rotation
stamina. If you start only 4 SPs with *, will it
affect endurance on down the road or would it
be ok to start 4 SP* with an occasional spot
start from a fifth?
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| 60 | Erik B.
ID: 239592612
Wed, Apr 24, 2002, 12:57
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Shelby:
It would be Ok. But there's a risk of injury (if one of your four players go down, they'll have a higher salary, and you only keep 80% of their value when you pick up a free agent) and it's harder to move starters around to face particular line-ups. Teams in my Beta test did well with both four and five-man rotations.
-ESB
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| 61 | PP at work
ID: 02581318
Wed, Apr 24, 2002, 18:32
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I signed up and so far I am totally lost... time to read the faq ;)
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| 62 | Bernie H.
ID: 19852422
Wed, Apr 24, 2002, 20:29
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Clarification on Erik's post 56:
$50 to the best record in each LEAGUE of 12 teams. Each league has 3 divisions of 4.
Bernie
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