Some history questions about ATG

...I primarily played the football game and then stopped playing for years.

I liked the setup for the football game, the brief time it was offered through TSN (2002-03 I believe). In fact I played that game prior to baseball. 1 quarter was played per night. Roster adjustments and fairly advanced settings could be made prior to each quarter. What killed it is they had no playoffs at all, not even a single championship game, so many lost interest.

Great memories! The event (I was at the first one in '05, not sure if there were others) B.o.b.b.y hosted in Vegas was awesome! Can we get him to start playing again?

I have both B.o.b.b.y and Munich Man as Facebook friends but you send either one of them a PM and they wont answer. Last I heard Munich Man is still playing on here in some very private themes. I heard that Bobby got into some heat with his spouse over the money spent playing.

VERY cool stuff! Thanks!

... Later as other teams were added, some players had multiple cards. I don't recall which ATG version switched the emphasis from all-time teams to simply the player's cards. That may have been when SOM took it from TSN, but not 100% sure on that.

That was version 4 or 5 - when TSN was still managing the product.

... Later as other teams were added, some players had multiple cards. I don't recall which ATG version switched the emphasis from all-time teams to simply the player's cards. That may have been when SOM took it from TSN, but not 100% sure on that.

That was version 4 or 5 - when TSN was still managing the product.

Wasn't ATG 7 the first version that SOM did independently of Sporting News? I believe the divorce came somewhere midstream of ATG6???

Could you help me with some questions on ATG history? Was ATG 7 the first online game? When was ATG 7 and ATG 8 first incorporated into the online game? Thanks, Jeff.

Hi Jeff, since it looks like your question was answered, I think it would also be interesting to know how you found SOM online?
Longtime boardgame player who didn't know this existed? Saw it in an ad online?

Like many here, I was a long time boardgame player, then began playing in a limited fashion in 2003, first starting with the 20xx games.

Has been an occasional curiosity to many of us over the years how to attract players and what an optimized community growth model looks like. Most everyone here loves baseball passionately, the nuances and stats in particular, and SOMO fills a unique entertainment gap for people that are a bit more analytical than the average fantasy-style gamer. One glance at the folks in the BS Finals league and you would note these are not just "lucky" players--they are all great thinkers and competitors.

Overall, I think the game is vastly improved since SOM took the reins. Very much hope you enjoy the game and the community. Best of luck--lots of great information here and as you may have seen, the community aspect can be a superb enhancement to a fun game.
Cheers

To FrankieT: Yes I was introduced to SOM board game back in 1969/1970 at age 12. My friend had an uncle who gave him his old game along with a large bag filled with old yellowed SOM cards. We would make piles of players at each position and pick our teams. We kept all the major stats after each 3 game set. This is where my love for baseball stats began. I think the first new set I bought was 1972. I remember all those Pirates.
As far as the online game, several years back I was talking baseball with my nephew and mentioned SOM. I went online to show him what the cards looked like, and that is what led my to here. I think SOM does an awesome job online. I have played less than 50 leagues so far. I am amazed at how many leagues some of you guys have played in at $15. a pop!

This is the email they sent out when they first launched the online SOM offering. Love the typo, "now" instead of "know".


Subject: REQUESTED NOTICE: Strat-O-Matic Baseball
Date: Tue, 23 Apr 2002 17:48:45 -0400 (EDT)

"It's finally here!

As you requested, you are among the first to now that
Strat-O-Matic Baseball Online, the official online
game of Strat-O-Matic is now LIVE!"

" I am amazed at how many leagues some of you guys have played in at $15. a pop!"

The average player pays for about half his teams due to prizes the top players much less.

back in the day often we had codes to reduce the price too...if you knew where to find them

Unless I'm mistaken, there was a stretch where I was paying $12 a team, and win a few credits at that rate and the cost can go way down