On Stat Dumps

One of the great things about reading the OOTP boards for the first time -- aside from the wealth of dynasties there -- is picking up a few new words. One term I picked up at OOTP was the term "stat dump", which is used to describe some types of dynasties.

A "stat dump" could be described as a no-frills dynasty. The term is apt -- a bunch of results of games or league leaders "dumped" out into a post. There's no attempt to create a universe, and there's no insight into the poster's thinking, or even goals. One criticism of stat-dump dynasties is "if your dynasty is just stats, I could just play the games myself!"

There is no consensus as to what makes a "stat dump". I've read dynasties spanning from one extreme to the other. There was an OOTP dynasty I read (can't recall the name) that spent several board pages fleshing the background of the universe before a single game was played! And at the other end, I've seen dynasties which were little more than the results of games.

I think that there's a happy medium between both extremes. Not everyone writes fiction, or wants to write it. People write dynasties because they enjoy baseball, not because they want to be full time researchers. Since I'm a history buff, I like those kind of dynasties. But I've also greatly enjoyed dynasties that focused entirely on on-the-field action.

What keeps a non-historical dynasty from being a stat dump? Insight. Knowing what the writer is thinking is the most important thing.

"Why did you choose that lineup?"
"Why did you make that trade?"
"What are you looking for in a team?"
"What problems are keeping your team from winning?"

Those dynasties have always been a pleasure to read. Everyone's had the experience of being frustrated with a sim that has gone bad -- no matter how hard you struggle, your team is in last place. Reading a dynasty, you get to commiserate with those who are struggling with their own teams, and when they win, you get the vicarious thrill of victory. It's very much like following a real team, and that's probably the highest compliment that can be given to any dynasty.