As an avid sports text sim fan, This is the best one I've played - and next year will make it no question.

[PopePasta]

Hi Kerry!
I just wanted to say thank you for making this game, I know next year will make it the unquestionable winner! I think there is a certain itch this game fills that other football text sims dont (FoF - Though I love it, DDS PF, etc). I think it may be the playcalling system, The super realistic stats, can't put my finger on it. I also think this game without a doubt, has the best community - and I think Kerry has fostered that!

Beyond excited for PSF 25!

[SamGar]

Agreed 100%.

[carsreal]

Agree!!

[jaypat6909]

I agree! I think I love this game because I play out most of my games and I almost never feel cheated. I have won and lost in spectacular fashion but I have never felt like the game engine is forcing things to a degree that it is obvious. It has that any given Sunday feel to it.

[kerry.batts]

Thanks, everyone!! When I started out, I always wanted to create a game that my brother and I would enjoy, so like jaypat said, I never have the game cheat (I hate games that do that). Over time, customers like you guys have given me amazing ideas that I never would have thought of, and the game continues to improve because of *you*! And I enjoy it more!

So, I took a pause when doing planning this year, and asked myself, what would I really like for next year?

Here are some of the things I came up with:
* improve the engine and AI even more
* add a preliminary "encyclopedia" mode that will let me load real leagues into career each season, so that I can play my favorite decade (the 70s) with real teams and players as they were each season)
* add a lot more fun information - stats, league leaders, player history and records, etc
* improve animation
* add some nifty stuff to play by play, highlights, studio, etc

and there's quite a bit more that I hope to add for career and coaching, I'll let you know when I find out how much I can actually add! Knocking on wood for things like trading players and some coaching options!

Thanks again, I love these kinds of posts, they keep me going!

[SamGar]

Well, if you havent seen it already....wow!
https://www.youtube.com/live/WKFBDzRSe5A?si=V4kjW_GTiABL5Lga

[kerry.batts]

Originally posted by SamGar:

Well, if you havent seen it already....wow!
https://www.youtube.com/live/WKFBDzRSe5A?si=V4kjW_GTiABL5Lga

OH MY GOSH!! I need to save that link!

[eric2572]

He's killed about every other sports game for me. He nailed realistic results.

[SamGar]

Originally posted by eric2572:

He's killed about every other sports game for me. He nailed realistic results.

I agree. I am a fan of this game and OOTP because they give me the most well rounded experience. I'm not a replay guy, so I am not too stuck on recreating real life, but I do know a good game of football or baseball when I see it and that's all I ask. I'm looking forward to everyone getting a chance to try the Historic Career in '25. I didn't think all that much of it because I do mostly fictional, but man is it fun using real rosters every year in a career.
It's a lot of fun simming through a few years and watching Minnesota and St Louis win some Super Bowls in the '70s. Tarkenton and Jim Hart get some love.

[redwolf9]

Ya, but it isn't *truly* 11 individual players on the field VS 11 individual players, each with jobs, responsibilities, and individual battles every play - this is not this game (and I don't think everyone realizes this)

So it is great with realistic stats, and customization of leagues, record keeping, and cool studio modes (has many fantastic pros) but also clearly has limitations too

[SamGar]

Well, I don't know that I have ever thought that it was. I don't usually give much thought to how a game engine works, as long as the results are realistic. And by that I mean realistic to American football, not necessarily the NFL. The NFL could disappear tonight and I would jump on whatever bandwagon appears tomorrow. I just like the game of football. But I don't think I ever thought PSF or any game for that matter took every player into account. Even if a developer said it was so, I would likely shoot some side eye in their direction at that claim.

I don't envy any developer trying to simulate the game of football or any sport for that matter. I'm still waiting for an enjoyable basketball sim. I think what has grabbed me the most with PSF and OOTP is that they for the most part have finally got the right mix of results/features/visuals that works for me. I have a feeling many of the oldsters here remember all the versions of sports games that came out yearly starting back in the 80's.
Most game genres honestly, LOTS of choices from flight sims to RTS to sports. But the sports games at least to me were always lacking. Football Pro and Baseball Pro were the first ones that seemed to be on the right track to putting everything together in one package.

Of course, my opinion is coming from someone who isn't a heavy replay/simulation guy, so different expectations.

[redwolf9]

Originally posted by SamGar:

... PSF or any game for that matter took every player into account. Even if a developer said it was so, I would likely shoot some side eye in their direction at that claim.

Oh there sure is! Several.
You mentioned FBPro - good choice and what a gem of a series it was. It did.

I guess it is just suffice to say that PSF is a text sim through and through - and leave it at that?

It does not simulate the totality of each individual player each play. It forgos the micro but will present an "encapsulation" (as Kerry calls it) or perhaps better term, "fabrication" of the play result visually to make it appear that it has (or at least provide something entertaining to watch).

(and this is where I personally am finding the wind in the sails deminishing - the what you see didn't actually happen due to its very nature - so the concept of 22 individual players all doing "their thing" on any given play is really not truly there with PSF - I am aware of the illusion (as you and some others are too - I am just thinking about it more, lol, and that is taking much of the excitiment away watching or coaching a game)

And it is what it is.
Still a great game, still full of passion and drive - with lots of great features and a tremendous amount of heart by a great developer and it succeeds so well in many facets.

And yes, it's a text sim

[SamGar]

Definitely sorry to hear the interest is diminishing. I have gone through that with so many games it's crazy. I think I have a sampling or two(or ten)of so many genre of games. I've tried to rekindle the fun with a few over the last year or two after giving GOG too much of my money, but in most cases the spark is gone.
Whatever PSF does, it does it well and provides me with many hours of enjoyment. As a work from home guy it also can cause a drop in productivity but that isn't Kerrys fault.
I've tried most of whats available in the sports gaming genre and frankly they put me to sleep. But that's a personal thing. I've been replaying real games with real rosters since the 70s starting with card and dice, the wind left those sails quite a few years ago. The current beta is the first time in a long time I've enjoyed real world stuff this much.
But all of my Blah Blah aside, this is about how a game generates results and I can see the viewpoint of those wanting a "true" simulation. That's a never ending forum war in the flight simulation community. What is and isn't a high fidelity aircraft. Is it "study level or casual".

[kerry.batts]

Well, I loved games like Paydirt and Strat-o-matic, and if someone likes those, they'll enjoy my game. But obviously, with a wealth of options out there, everyone should find what they enjoy.

I know I love the historic aspects of this next version, and I'm proud of what the testers and I have accomplished. To each their own, it's all good.

[redwolf9]

Originally posted by SamGar:

Definitely sorry to hear the interest is diminishing. I have gone through that with so many games it's crazy. I think I have a sampling or two(or ten)of so many genre of games. I've tried to rekindle the fun with a few over the last year or two after giving GOG too much of my money, but in most cases the spark is gone.
Whatever PSF does, it does it well and provides me with many hours of enjoyment. As a work from home guy it also can cause a drop in productivity but that isn't Kerrys fault.
I've tried most of whats available in the sports gaming genre and frankly they put me to sleep. But that's a personal thing. I've been replaying real games with real rosters since the 70s starting with card and dice, the wind left those sails quite a few years ago. The current beta is the first time in a long time I've enjoyed real world stuff this much.
But all of my Blah Blah aside, this is about how a game generates results and I can see the viewpoint of those wanting a "true" simulation. That's a never ending forum war in the flight simulation community. What is and isn't a high fidelity aircraft. Is it "study level or casual".

Oh the flight simulation community, lol. How fickle that can be, am well aware as that is another subset of games I like too :)

And no, not completely loosing interest, just I need to supplement with other FB games (real time ones) as well - but man, Kerry has got a bunch of terrific features and logistical and record keeping depth with his - the stuff that makes enjoying your league and its history that much more a pleasure :)

And yes Kerry, still looking forward to what is coming, and yes, still will be buying for sure. :)

[kerry.batts]

I do hope you'll enjoy it. I'm getting quite old in the tooth, and I've learned the hard way that I have to rein in my work, expectations, and stress, so I'm trying very hard to keep it enjoyable.

Have a good weekend.