How does the computer version to Strat-o-Matic compare to the dice and chart version?I know many on here aren't into computer games but there are two simulation style pro football games now that are extremely realistic. Strat-o-Matic and Front office football. Strat-o-Matic is more for those that prefer playing with real teams from the present or past. While Front office Football is for those that like creating their very own franchise and playing it into future seasons.
I never warmed up to the dice and chart version to Strat-o-Matic because the game (as far as I can tell and please forgive me if I am out of line) is completely based around the following: for each play roll a 6-side dice. If a 1-3 the result is taken from the offensive players chart; if a 4-6 the result is taken from the defensive team chart.
It does not take a great deal of discernment (and Strat-o-Matic aficionados please go easy on me if, again, I am out of line) to see the flaw in this premise. You could be coaching an all time great defensive team - 76 Steelers, 85 Bears, 00 Ravens, pick your poison - but if the die roll consistently comes up 1-3 then that defense has no impact whatsoever on the results of the play. It would get kind of despairing, for instance, if I am coaching the 85 Bears against, let's say, the 98 Broncos and the dice roll keeps coming up 1-3 and repeatedly get steamrolled by Terrell Davis!
Of course, the 'law of averages" say that on any game based around a 6-sided die roll the averages are going to even out and the better team over a 4 quarter game is going to come out on top. Problem, however, using this type of methodology you do not get the same type of feel in regards to matching the strength (or weakness) of the offense against the defense that T.H.E. Football provides (in which individual offensive linemen match up again defensive linemen and linebackers. Wide receivers and tight ends match up against defensive backs).
For example, let's say I want to replay the 1975 AFC Championship game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Oakland Raiders using T.H.E. Football. On first down I want to run up the middle using Franco Harris. First, however, I combine the offensive run block rating of the three Steelers interior linemen: LG Jim Clack (3), Center Ray Mansfield (3) and RG Gerry Mullins (3) for a total of 9.
I then match this total against the combine total of the Raiders interior linemen and middle linebacker: LT Otis Sistrunk (3), RT Art Thoms (2) and MLB Monte Johnson (2). So based upon this the Steelers are graded at +2 on interior runs.
Now, let's say Terry Bradshaw wants to throw deep to Lynn Swann, whom has a pass catcher rating of 5 but is being defended by Willie Brown, whom has a pass defense rating of 5. Is that a battle for the ages or what? Then it is a wash or -0-.
That is why as a young person I was taken with T.H.E. Football over other simulation games of the time such as Strat-o-Matic or (even worse) APBA. You had a feel for the strengths and weaknesses of individual teams and how those strengths and weaknesses matched up on and individual play basis.
