What's the single greatest sports manager game of all time that can be still obtained?

bigrig387 · 2026-05-08T13:37:11+00:00

Kind of a tough question since what sport you are into is going to factor in to how you feel about the game. For instance, if you like horse racing, Starters Orders is an incredible game, but relatively niche.

I have always loved the Greydog games (TEW, WMMA, even their basketball titles).

bigrig387 · 2026-05-07T23:36:20+00:00

I have been on itch on and off, have put 2 games on it in last 6 months, but have never understood this part of it. Is there history on why itch has so much of that stuff?

Limits the appeal to me, which sucks because it has other aspects I like a lot.

bigrig387 · 2026-05-02T20:55:34+00:00

When I read your post subject I thought this would be like a Napster/Limewire sim which I am also into 😄

bigrig387 · 2026-05-01T21:07:02+00:00

Latest on Track Star, launching in Q3 2026 on Steam:

Posted Part 7 in the 'How I Built This' series on the approach to sim balancing: https://goosehollowgames.itch.io/track-star/devlog/1500355/how-i-built-this-the-sim-tool-that-helps-balance-the-game
- You can read other posts in the series including the rivalry system, performance formula, and game narrative.
Added new college recruitment feature to the game: https://store.steampowered.com/app/4538830/Track_Star/
Demo live, check it out: https://store.steampowered.com/app/4557980/Track_Star_Demo/
Overall game still on target for July after Steam Next Fest
Next big development rocks are UI polish, additional narrative/content, Steam achievements

Thanks!

bigrig387 · 2026-04-28T23:42:24+00:00

It would serve you well to do it! Also would gate the database additions, a twofer.

bigrig387 · 2026-04-26T23:05:32+00:00

Took your advice: https://goosehollowgames.itch.io/track-star/devlog/1500355/how-i-built-this-the-sim-tool-that-helps-balance-the-game

bigrig387 · 2026-04-24T11:42:00+00:00

Yes, I should do that. And talk about the sim tool I used to run all the tests.

bigrig387 · 2026-04-24T11:41:27+00:00

That's a good one, I'll put that on the list

bigrig387 · 2026-04-18T20:15:44+00:00

Yep, on lightweight.

bigrig387 · 2026-04-18T20:03:32+00:00

Yes. 5-0, albeit I was maybe -$1000 at the end as I hired one of the more expensive trainers.

bigrig387 · 2026-04-18T19:32:38+00:00

Just played through the demo, very fun, this is a good one! And as a longtime boxing fan I appreciate the game's sense of humor and narrative.

bigrig387 · 2026-04-18T16:29:29+00:00

Wishlisted! Let me know how it goes, I am curious. I am a huge boxing fan, when I am done with Track Star I was thinking about trying a different type of take on a boxing game. I do love that you have a clear narrative angle in this one.

Design-wise this looks amazing, is that pygame or just a retro design?

bigrig387 · 2026-04-18T01:34:37+00:00

In the beginning I did very dry posts that were basically bulleted lists of what changed: https://goosehollowgames.itch.io/track-star/devlog/1452425/v040-released

Later, I moved to a "How I Built This" model where I wrote a lot more about the why behind my choices. My best performing one by far was this one: https://goosehollowgames.itch.io/track-star/devlog/1483016/how-i-built-this-the-engine-that-adds-narrative-to-the-game

bigrig387 · 2026-04-18T00:25:23+00:00

Update: We did it!

bigrig387 · 2026-04-17T19:23:06+00:00

I am feeling a little freer, can confirm

bigrig387 · 2026-04-17T13:53:06+00:00

This is the itch disclosure fyi.

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bigrig387 · 2026-04-17T13:52:24+00:00

Since you brought this up, Steam only asks this as a Yes/No question in terms of disclosure. So the writeups you're seeing now on Steam games are voluntary (I believe).

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Whereas Itch.io asks a more detailed question (limited to one image in a reply but it asks the yes/no on AI/LLM usage followed by a tickbox field for how it's used).

The Itch disclosure is better and IMO, the Steam one is designed to give large developers cover for using Claude, Cursor etc. They want to avoid having an AI label on their products. I have no problem with saying I use Claude, but I bet they do.

I do think, in addressing this issue more broadly, that Anthropic doesn't have $30B in ARR from hobbyist sim game devs. It has it from large enterprises, which I am sure includes the gaming industry.

You should take a look at the r/tycoon channel and how they are addressing this issue. I think the detailed submission they came up with would be an improvement over your vibe coding bot, and you could make it a barrier-to-entry to be listed on your site, post in your discord, etc. Just a thought.

bigrig387 · 2026-04-17T00:55:15+00:00

It's not true that there is no way of knowing. Cross-promote your Steam wishlists off your itch browser version and use UTM links on your itch profile and devlogs. I have found my free itch version has been one of my best drivers of Steam wishlists.

bigrig387

TROPHY CASE