OOTP vs Baseball Mogul (OOTPX vs BM10)

October 29, 2009

By DailySkew

Baseball simulations computer games are a great video game niche for the more cerebral sports fans. There has been a lot of talk about how the latest version of Baseball Mogul (BM10) stacks up against Out of the Park Baseball X (the 10th edition). So here is the DailySkew OOTP vs Baseball Mogul review:

OOTPX

Out of the Park Baseball X is the most detailed and robust version. Historical baseball simulations have never been easier- era adjustments, financials, and player stats are all automatically adjusted this time around. The interface is 100% better than OOTP 7, which was the first step in changing the franchise’s interface.OOTPX is technically the most advanced baseball simulation in terms of simulating running a ballclub as owner, GM, or manager- players have personalities, popularity, salary demands, and values. Putting your slugger in the 7th slot in the batting order will cause him to become angry, which may affect performce and the chance of resigning him for next year.

The OOTP design team always takes criticsm to heart and makes improvements and tweaks every year, and this year is no different. Navigation and features are all top-notch. That being said, OOTP always tries to please even their staunchest critics, so what winds up happening is that there may be too much “under the hood” to fully customize everything. However, you have the options to ignore all of those options and “just play”. This time around, the game comes with 2009 real-life players and if you choose any year from MLB history as well. So this time you don’t have to edit databases or mess with files in Windows Explorer- you can easilly start a new game.

OOTPX is a resource hog, so you do need a fast computer otherwise it takes forever if you want to import 100 years of MLB history when starting an historical simulation. One other flaw is that it’s not easy to import individual players from various eras into a league.

Other than that, OOTPX has improved pitching algoriths and stamina levels for starters and relievers. The full scouting system, team coaches, and team doctors have all been simplied but are still important. In addition to being an owner or GM, you can also manage the team in-game. This is another awesome improvement- you have tons of in-game options, more so than Diamond-Mind Baseball, the king of baseball replays.

GM mode is the most fun for me, however. I enjoy draft day, managing the 40 man roster, running 6 levels of minor leagues, trying to sign Japanese or Cuban players, protecting players from the Rule-5 draft, checking out the waiver wire, negociating with free agents, initating trades, and balancing the budget.

With all of MLB’s rules, improved career development, trades, personality, and simplief interace, OOTPX is easily the best in the Out of the Park Baseball series, and the kingpin of baseball simulations. Please note that Diamond-Mind Baseball still simulates indidiual games and seasons more accurately, but DMB doesn’t have any of the GM modes like OOTP does. But the good news is that OOTPX can use neutralized stats so Todd Helton won’t hit 500 HRs if he plays in Shea Stadium as opposed to Coors Field.

Baseball Mogul 10

The funny thing about Baseball Mogul 10 is that there’s nothing wrong with it, but it just can’t hold a stick to OOTPX. BM10 looks like a great game from 2001, and if OOTP wasn’t on the market, it would probably be great. But it pales in comparison in every way except for load speed. (BM10 is much better on netbooks and older computers in terms of speed.)

Roster management is horrible- there is no separate DL window, and the menus are very outdated; OOTPX feels like you’re on Web 2.0 with real time widgets; Baseball Mogul feels like an old Commodore game when it comes to roster management and lineups.

There is no deep AI or career development, either, but is is acceptable, but if you haven’t played OOTP, you don’t know what you’re missing.

There is only one feature that BM10 has that OOTPX doesn’t have- as an option you can select the pitcher’s pitch (fastball, slider, curveball, etc.) and location and see the result real-time. You can also choose hitter’s zones from the batter’s eye. It feels like an arcase experience. It’s probably eyecandy and part of the baseball simulation illusion, but it really added to the reaslism. Unfortunately…that was the only innovative thing in this simulation.

The players in BM10 don’t seem real- they seem like Excel spreadsheets.

If you are an OOTP fan, you can safely PASS on Baseball Mogul. If you are a Baseball Mogul fan, you MUST download the OOTPX trial for 7 days and see how much better it is.

Quick Head to Head Roster AI Test

I imported MLB 1983 in both sims, and managed the Yankees. For OOTPX I used the famous Gambo database (which was 100x easier to import than previous OOTP versions). BM10 had Don Mattingly in the minor leagues, and the AI (artificial intelligence) put him in single A. In OOTPX, the AI had him in the starting lineup (In real-life Don Mattingly took a back seat to veterans in his rookie year and was a part-time player). Don Baylor was not officially signed yet in OOTPX (more evidence of realism)- he was still was not on the 40 man roster on January 1st 1983, while Baseball Mogul had him on the roster already. Baseball Mogul also had way too many players earning a major league salary in the minor leagues.

Recommendation: OOTPX is better than Baseball Mogul 10, and crushes it.

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