ATG8--WHY DILUTE THE SET?

I guess we can expect the Mexican League and the California Penal Rec league to be included in ATG 9?

I guess I'm in the minority that doesn't mind the addition of some Japanese and Cuban players. Seems like everyone else hates the idea.

I'm sure you're not the only one who likes the idea of non-major league cards, but you are correct, it is a minority viewpoint. The beauty of the opt in/opt out system is that everyone can have what they want and everyone can at least try the new cards to see if they like playing with them. Opt in/opt out is win-win for everybody, including SOM. It's virtually a no brainer.

While we're talking about the player set, customized player sets would seem to be the next step in the evolution of the game, moving forward from randomized player sets. We can already search by year range. How about a card set by year range, for instance 1970 to 1979? Or one could use any span of years. How about by team range, for example all Yankees? That would be especially good for smaller leagues. How about by league and or division(s) by year, like the AL West from 1972-1995? The possibilities are nearly endless and computer technology that's at least 10 years old can make this happen without major changes to the game platform.

SOM is fortunate to have a loyal and mostly patient fan base, but the average age, even in the online game, is probably 55+ and the base is shrinking. In order to continue to not only compete, but survive in the market, It must attract and keep younger fans in the face of ever increasing competition from computer games using the latest technology and with with great graphics, including realistic images of the players. If SOM fails to take advantage of the opportunity to update the game platform now, it will soon go the way of the telegraph, which was once on the leading edge of technology.

The game is at the crossroads and has been there for some time. Either it moves forward with input from it's loyal customer base or it disappears. ATG8 is a small step of a never ending journey in the right direction.

Many companies have disappeared because of a stubborn inability to change with the times and adapt to new technology. Just 30 years ago Kodak was an industry leader, but failed to adapt quickly enough and disappeared. Is Hal Richman part of the problem or part of the solution? Is there younger leadership waiting in the wings to move the company forward when it's time for Mr. Richman to pass the baton or will Mr. Richman be like Connie Mack or Al Davis and have others leave him behind? Yes, it happens in all industries, even sports and sports simulation games.

What's it going to be SOM?

I'm in the there should be a MLB only ATG camp. Let the non-MLB cards be in a separate composite ATG set.

Look, the Pre 1900 guys are a stretch, as are the NeL fellas. Personally, I can't stand the steroid guys, But all of these groups are part of this games history, as are the Japanese and Cubans.

Suzuki was great, as were many other Japanese players who made the transition to the bigs, so how can you say that any Japanese star would not be up to the MLB standard? They obviously are.
I know far less about he Cuban players, but I think the same logic holds.

Add to this the fact that both Cuba and Japan were self segregated, which means, unlike minor league or independent leagues, they wouldn't join the bigs. But you know darn well, some of them could have played well in the Bigs.

Good players are good players.

I realize that this community is heavily traditionalist, but I wish y'all would be a bit more open minded.

I can't wait until we get the Crash Davis minor league card, he should be better than Josh Gibson, right?
Rickey "Wild Thing" Vaughn should have a lights out card out of the pen, but only be R1.

I am hoping for a Roy Hobbs card. But I will take a Bump Bailey card.

I can live with the addition of the Japanese & Cuban league guys, and I can live without them.

I do like the idea of making sorta like the 20XX Unleashed option.


What I don't understand and never will, is how they don't listen to us. Who asked for these cards? I said this awhile ago. Strat has it's own agenda for the online game. What we say has minimal to zero affect on the final product. In the year 2014, that is pretty sad.

That being said, I fully expect to see a Bugs Bunny card in the future...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCp5UGSEMUs

Hey I hit .565 in JV baseball in 1968, got called up to the varsity and played for a state championship... I SHOUILD have a card too. I was a 2 at SS and 2B, running 1-16, SB A, 2-7 lead, and 18-15 steal numbers. I should be a 3 in LF and RF too.

I mean Cuban players?? Japanese players???

Do they even use the same size baseball, park dimensions, umpires, fixed games etc??

Wow they just don't get us, again we are just lint in their pockets..

I heard a decent Kaline card is coming, so there is at least a slight, pale, partial glimmer??

d21

Put my 2 cents in also - agree wholeheartedly with Andy's assessment of the situation.