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PC GAMER REVIEWS BASEBALL MOGUL 2006
(as appeared in PC Gamer, July 2005)
It's time to call this series what it is -- the most addictive sports game on the PC
It’s 2005. Marvelous technologies are at our disposal – 3D graphics engines that boggle the eyes, and sound design that turns our dens into Dolby theatres. And what am I playing every night? A spreadsheet game.
I’ve been beating around the bush for years with my previous reviews of the Baseball Mogul series. But with the 2006 edition, this game has evolved from admirable statistical sim to full-on addiction. If you can name the general manager of your favorite baseball team, Baseball Mogul 2006 may be the last game you’ll ever need.
As with the prior editions, the game puts you in charge of a Major League Baseball team. You’re responsible for turning a profit, which generally means finding a way to field a winning team, and which makes demands on your financial acumen, negotiating instincts, and even marketing prowess, not to mention a keen eye for baseball talent.
This year’s version adds a final garnish of features, including amateur drafts, stadium constructions (complete with tax measures – talk about nitty-gritty!), and a return of the excellent play-by-play. You can start a dynasy at any historical year – 1927, 1962, 1983, whatever you like – and all the historical players/stats are present (thanks to the incorporation of the majestic Lahman stats database).
Perhaps even better than the game’s retail version is Baseball Mogul Online, available starting at $4.95/month at SportsMogul.com. It’s essentially an MMO for stats geeks. You can join a league (or leagues, if you buy one of the premium subscription options) that pits you against up to 29 other human owners in an ongoing dynasty of drafting, trading, and vying for the title. I’m now into the second season of my league, and it’s fun to wheel and deal against other people. It’s well worth a subscription fee that amounts to coffee money. Kudos to indie publisher SportsMogul.
About Sports Mogul
Sports Mogul Inc. develops award-winning single-player and multiplayer sports simulations. If you have ever wanted to control your favorite sports
team, then we have the games for you. Explore our site to
learn about our games, and to talk to other sports fans.
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