Major League Baseball 2K9 Developer Diary: Gameplay

[The Living Legend]

I agree with Baa and the hitstick it is a overglorifed button setup, i can deal if its implented properely, all the fluff is good and dandy about real time crowd, but sorry to reiterate, but if the animations and glitches like things popping in and out still plague this game, or People run then immedialty stop, or lets say a slap hit to right side of the field to move a runner over can happen since lets just say field proportions are wrong, things of that nature are More important then that crap on the article.

[Blzer]

Quote: Originally Posted by Blitzburgh

That was a very impressive read! I love everything he mentioned. I especially liked the stealing and base running controls and how you wil finally see how fast the runner is when you look over at him! I always hated not knowing if the runner was a threat or not.

I wish that would only come up if you had his Inside Edge scouting report.

[myghty]

Quote: Originally Posted by Blzer

Remember that the guy playing IS indeed doing franchise mode, so he didn't set the time of day for this game. This must have been a 7:00 start, and at the first inning already being dark... tsk tsk.

Maybe it wasn't included in the Beta copy?

[The Living Legend]

Quote: Originally Posted by Blzer

Also keep in mind of this screenshot: Remember that the guy playing IS indeed doing franchise mode, so he didn't set the time of day for this game. This must have been a 7:00 start, and at the first inning already being dark... tsk tsk.

Ugh if this is true then it blows because its something that should be a required item by now, its way to hard to have it then go back and see night the entire game again. Ugh

[Blitzburgh]

Quote: Originally Posted by baa7

I guess I don't understand why people are so accepting of this. I'll try to be very clear: 2K8 introduced an innovative hitting system unparalled in baseball games. But it goes beyond that. There are few stick movement features in video sports games that mimic the actual physical activity it's attempting to copy, to the degree 2K8's swing stick mimics hitting a baseball. The closest comparison I can think of is the way the RB running is mapped to the R stick in 2K football. So imagine if there had been an NFL 2K6, but VC decided to go back to the way running was in 2K4. Football gamers would have hit the roof. With last year's system, you approached hitting the way an MLB player does (minus the aiming of course). The key component was the pulling back on the stick, which emulated the leg lift/timing mechanism hitter's use as the pitch approaches. That timing mechanism is 50% of hitting. And it's never been included in a baseball game. We had the perfect system, and now it's gone. That's like Michaelangelo carving the statue of David, and then taking a chain saw hacking the thing in two.

While I agree with you that it was probably very realistic. I could never get the timing down on it. I just moved the slider all the way to 0 and played it that way. I think they should of made it an option for guys that liked it though just like they did with the pitching mechanics. All in all this game should look, feel & sound like a whole new ball game in my opinion!

[Blitzburgh]

Quote: Originally Posted by Blzer

I wish that would only come up if you had his Inside Edge scouting report.

Maybe but remember if you were actually pitching in the majors the catcher and coaches would remind you to keep an eye on the runnner. We don't have that luxury since it's a video game so I think some sort of "tip" is very helpful. I also think on exibition games or quick play inside edge reports should be active for all players. That would be a nice way to learn each player for when you face them in Franchise if you don't have their report.

[baa7]

Quote: Originally Posted by dickdalewood

That's exactly what I was thinking baa... Why even use the right analog stick if the pull-back doesn't matter anymore?

Joe keeps pointing out that it's possible it's still an option, so hopefully. But is zone hitting possible if you don't use the stick? That would be a reason to use it.

[bifflefan28]

From what I read I'm definitely picking up this game and another baseball game I won't mention.