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Major League Baseball 2K8 Beta Impressions

Yes, these quick blurb impressions are all over the place, as I just typed some things down over the days I played the game.

I'm not working w/ retail here, just beta. I'm not sure how "complete" it is. But there are times where the game doesn't run 60FPS. During pitching/hitting, no problems, but there are occasional hiccups when throwing across the diamond. A few herky jerky animations here and there as well. Again, these may just be issues w/ my Beta.

Yankees stadium has roll call.

Runners are somewhat aggressive on pitches in the dirt.

Got A-Rod on an inside changeup on a 3-2 count. He jumped back as the pitch got closer and headed towards first, ump pumped his fist and A-Rob looked a bit pissed.

Fans do not go after homeruns or foul balls. The fans in general are not fun to look at. They sound pretty good, reacting to situations, etc. But they just look horrible.

Bat sounds are MUCH better than last year.

Ump throws the ball to the pitcher, after a foul ball, most of the time.

Matsui homerun swing/trot looks amazing. Same w/ Manny, Griffey, Beltre to name a few.

On pop ups behind the catcher, you can see the frustration from the batter, as he looks up at it, throws his bat down and jogs to first base, waiting for the catcher to make the grab. Happens w/ pop ups in the infield on occasion as well.

Funny moment. Pop up to the pitcher Wang, A-Rod comes over as Wong settles under it. He runs right into Wang and he falls on his face. Ball drops in play.

I'm actually impressed w/ the pitching interface. It has taken me a few games to get used to it, but wow. It is FUN to pitch!

Seeing a ton of variety in hits, liners, bloopers, hits sprayed all over. I do have an issue w/ the players in the outfield, kinda lazily getting under a fly ball, instead of getting in position, they sort of are in range of catching it...then as it gets closer, they race to actually catch it. Mind you, it doesn't happen all the time, but noticable enough to mention.

Baserunning is extremely easy and to me, feels like second nature.

Benches react on at bats, getting up off the benches to see how far the ball travels on homeruns.

If the AI has someone warming up in the bullpen, you'll see it flash at the bottom of the screen, then a few pitches later, show him warming up.

Jeter made a sick play from short, backhanding a ball to his right, taking 2 steps, then jumping, turning his body and firing to first....bang bang. SICK!

Saw a boneheaded AI play, where the 2nd basemen, instead of throwing to the SS at second for the force, tried to run the runner down going to second. He was safe and no play at first. Only saw this happen once, so far.

Very slick 1st baseman flip to the pitcher, who was on the run. Pitcher makes the catch and heads to the bench, as it was the 3rd out of the inning.

Announcer issues....I'm hearing quite a bit of repeating and a few things that don't make sense. For example, Joe Morgan says it's 3-2, the runners will be running on the pitch, then right after the pitch, screams out, the runner is stealing!

After the 7th inning, they show one of the big plays from the game. Jeanne Zelasko talks about what it's going to take for a team to win, lose, etc.

AI robbed me of a homerun. Nothing spectalar, but a pretty animation nonetheless.

Collision detection....players will run through players...haven't seen any during gameplay, but after a play is made, you will see some players running right through each other.

Runners will advance to home, more often than not, on singles hit to the outfield. Not seeing the third base coach waving the runner home.

Very cool to see a runner go by first and sometimes turn around, real quick after a bang bang play to see what the ump called. Looks very nice...

At the end of the game, Jeanie zolasko mentions the Chevy player of the game.  Showing highlights from the player of the game, then highlights from the game itself.


Member Comments
# 141 Salhus @ 03/02/08 04:35 PM
How does the swing stick feel in regard to realism? Like MVP NCAA had the swing stick and it was a lot more fun then the 2K swing stick...
 
# 142 jorge380 @ 03/02/08 04:36 PM
hitting behind pitcher is it possible?
 
# 143 Steve_OS @ 03/02/08 04:39 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Gamer
with the new throwing mechanics, it seems you can only throw to the bases. Can you still throw directly to the cut off man or do you have to hit something while the ball is on its way in from the outfield. Thanks again
Holding L trigger, then throwing to the base, throws to the cutoff man, then autothrows to the base you intended to throw to. Otherwsie to hit the cut off man midflight, hit L trigger.
 
# 144 dmbfan1970 @ 03/02/08 04:43 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve_OS
Fielding camera:
Pole Camera (Default)
Dynamic Camera
Aerial Camera

Batting Camera:
Default
Tight
Wide
Default Zoom
Tight Zoom
Wide Zoom
Are these different cameras available for online? Thanks.
 
# 145 Steve_OS @ 03/02/08 04:50 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kane182
Steve, I know you are messing with the sliders, can you confirm that the foul ball slider makes a difference in the amount of foul balls you are seeing?
I maxed em' out and while there are quite a few more balls and foul balls, it still doesn't really make a solid difference. I mean, if you max out sliders, you'd think almost every pitch would be fouled off or see a ball more often than not, and compensate the slider from there. Maybe someone comes up w/ the right combination.
 
# 146 Steve_OS @ 03/02/08 04:52 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by RedLine
Another question for you to answer please. Are you finding the new Right Trigger control to Dive responsive? How about wall climbs, do you use the right trigger for that too or is it automatic? Thanks.
Yup, right trigger diving is great. Haven't had an issue w/ it. As for wall climbs, I believe it is holding up on the right stick and right trigger to climb, just holding up to jump.
 
# 147 Steve_OS @ 03/02/08 04:58 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by cubsbelieve07
Do you plan on checking out player progression in franchise?

PS I have an avatar i don't know why it is not showing
I will try to, have quite a few things I'm planning on doing, we'll see.
 
# 148 Steve_OS @ 03/02/08 04:59 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by dodgerblue
How is the overall presentation and atmosphere? Is it improved over 2k7 or just about the same. I am referring to crowd involvement, cheering at the proper time etc. Thanks!
They cheer and boo at proper times, but it's just not as explosive as The Show, imho.
 
# 149 Steve_OS @ 03/02/08 05:02 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by CS10029
Hey Steve, thanks for taking the time to do this. Quick question, seeing this is Brinkman's second year on this title are you noticing any similarities to MVP. Maybe not in technical controls, but maybe overall feel of the game.
I'd say it's definitely coming around the corner. The controls, especially in the pitching department are really impressing me. Didn't think I'd like it, but it's growing on me.
 
# 150 Steve_OS @ 03/02/08 05:04 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by goofykramerica
Can you tell us anything about catcher's throws. Is your catcher able to make a "snap" throw down to first base after a pitch in order to pick off a runner?
Haven't seen a snap throw or see any ability to throw to a base w/ the catcher, unless a steal is occuring.
 
# 151 Steve_OS @ 03/02/08 05:05 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by ulua
Hey Steve,

on double plays can you take out he fielder? and also can you run over the catcher on close plays to home plate?

Thanks.
ulua
Yes and Yes.
 
# 152 PVarck31 @ 03/02/08 05:08 PM
Just a fyi for Steve and anyone else who cares. I believe Kushgamer said that the sliders were being tightened up at the very end of the development cycle. So I think the beta version sliders would be less responsive.
 
# 153 bowlerguy92 @ 03/02/08 05:09 PM
Does the hitting feel like it has loosend up any? Like there are more ways to hit the ball and that it doesn't seem like there are only about four ways the ball can actually come off the bat?
 
# 154 Steve_OS @ 03/02/08 05:11 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by rpm123
Can you say which minor league stadiums are in the game?
Here are the AAA stadiums available.

Fifth Third Field
Triple A Stadium (Most teams play here)
The New McCoy Stadium
Cashman Field
Tucson Electric Park
 
# 155 Steve_OS @ 03/02/08 05:13 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by blkprince04
does the framerate affects the gameplay or is it nothing to really be concerned about?
It is annoying, but at least for the most part, it's not happening during actual gameplay. Remember, this is Beta, retail could be 60FPS throughout.
 
# 156 Steve_OS @ 03/02/08 05:14 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ltrain44
has the catcher cam been worked on at all? or is still the same from last year?
I don't see a catcher cam in the options this year.
 
# 157 PVarck31 @ 03/02/08 05:18 PM
Steve, does it feel like a different game than 2k7? Also when there are grounders hit in the infield does it seem like it takes more time for the ball to get to the fielder. Last year it felt like you hardly had any time to react.
 
# 158 boomhauertjs @ 03/02/08 05:26 PM
Steve, can you tell us what the Class AA and A stadiums are?
 
# 159 Steve_OS @ 03/02/08 05:29 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by salhus47
How does the swing stick feel in regard to realism? Like MVP NCAA had the swing stick and it was a lot more fun then the 2K swing stick...
I'd just say it's different. I mean, you have the power swing, contact swing and defensive swings. Going in different directions, can be done by pulling the controller that direction w/ the hit stick. So if you want to go to right, pull back and push it that way for the hit.
 
# 160 Steve_OS @ 03/02/08 05:30 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by dmbfan1970
Are these different cameras available for online? Thanks.
Can't get online w/ my debug 360.
 


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