Is MLB 2K10 Doing Enough? - RaychelSnr's Blog

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RaychelSnr's Blog

Is MLB 2K10 Doing Enough? Stuck

Posted on January 17, 2010 at 01:11 PM.

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I honestly do not envy the folks developing Major League Baseball 2K10.

MLB 2K is the source of blame for Take Two execs on why the company isn't quite performing as well as investors anticipated. There's no doubt the expectations run a bit higher with MLB 2K at Take Two, mainly because the game has to be a cut above in order to be profitable thanks to the expensive MLB exclusive license signed by Take Two. And then there's that 9000 lb. behemoth standing over MLB 2K's shoulder: MLB: The Show.

It's almost as if the MLB 2K team has been given the reigns of the Baltimore Orioles but nothing less than a World Series Championship this year would be considered acceptable.

Early returns on MLB 2K10 are positive as far as steps taken to correct the series' ills. Stadiums have been fixed, visuals have been improved, franchise has been tweaked and gameplay has been tuned.

But the real question lingers: is MLB 2K10 doing enough?

It seems the game is taking some important positive steps, but it has seemed that way before as well. MLB 2K10 has to somehow sell well enough to keep the series from falling into a gaming netherworld where a game can't be cancelled but it's no longer profitable to throw much in terms of development resources at it. To do that, MLB 2K10 has to improve dramatically in order to challenge MLB '10: The Show on the PS3 as well as be good enough to entice many more 360 buyers it's worth a look.

I've already let my feelings be known, as I don't feel the MLB 2K10 developers will be able to create a commercial success given the realities of the market. That's not to say MLB 2K10 isn't going to be good. In fact, I can envision a scenario where MLB 2K10 is much better than any previous iteration of the series in the MLB exclusive era but it still doesn't sell well.

That's the unenviable position the MLB 2K10 crew have been dealt. Unfortunately, unless something truly revolutionary is announced in the coming weeks, it appears nothing could stop what is quickly becoming inevitable.

Comments

# 1 Eski33 @ Jan 17

I don't think that MLB 2K has to live up to what The Show is doing, I think the developers need to make a game that is:

A) Playable
B) Realistic sounds and visuals (especially not messing with the stadiums)
C) Offer something that other games don't whether it is game modes, classic teams, etc....

Unfortunately, the MLB 2K series hasn't done that. MLB 2K7 was a great game that showed strong promise for the franchise. I will hold off judgment until I get a chance to try the demo but the details released for this year's game is no different than last year's game, which is somewhat worrisome.

How a game can have a console to itself and not put out a solid game is beyond me.

# 2 walhalla @ Jan 17

To answer your question (as of my standpoint as a consumer), NO!
The sad part is, I don't even care anymore. Back in 07, I bought 2k7. The following year it was The Show. And now, they really should something spectaculat (and I don't believe even that would turn my head) to even consider of buying a 2k product.
That is only my opinion though.....

# 3 Artman22 @ Jan 17

In all honesty I believe it's too early to even ask this question. We haven't heard much so how do we really know how much they've done? So far the little info we've recieved is positive so i'll wait and see.

# 4 DubTrey1 @ Jan 18

I have to agree with the first response to this post. There is no way 2K can catch the Show in terms of detail and gameplay at this point. I think they lacked direction far too long and the title itself slipped too far behind to actually be a viable conteneder for any sort of consideration. It will get sales for the lone fact 360 guys have no other choice.